Sylvan Song

Sylvan Song was made for Fortnum and Mason and is sold only through them. Its theme is English woodland, and the brand describes velvety rose and jasmine over a smouldering base of smoky incense, resins, woods and musk, with an effervescent lift of bergamot in the opening. The opening is fresh and green for a moment, with peppery bergamot, before dark spice and warm, earthy patchouli come through. Jasmine steps into the foreground, with rose and a delicate ylang-ylang, and the heart reads as a clear white floral. Anyone expecting a green forest may be surprised: the base is dark rather than green, with grassy vetiver, benzoin resin, incense, guaiac wood and a quiet tonka bean, and the musk stays subdued. The overall mood is reserved, nostalgic and slightly gloomy, like sunlight reaching a forest floor through thick leaves. One reviewer hears the structure of an old fougere, although none of the classic fougere materials are in the list. Others call it an elegant, high-quality beauty, and one finds it a pretty, light floral. Staying power is long by most votes, and the sillage is moderate. It suits spring best and autumn next, and evenings and nights out ahead of the office, although the vote samples are small. It reads as unisex. At a luxury price it is a niche and slightly unusual choice for lovers of resinous florals. A few wearers feel the name promises more green than the perfume delivers, so it is worth trying on skin first.