Comments on: Neil Morris Fall Fest: Northwoods, October, Dark Season and Burnt Amber

By: Nathan Branch

Nathan Branch — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 12:30:46 +0000

That’s what I thought, that you’d be vastly disappointed with: “Oh, it’s smoke, amber and wood, and now it’s amber and wood, and now it’s just wood . . .”
How’s that Vero Onda working for you, btw (speaking of fragrances that go places). After you’ve lived with it for a bit, are you still as enthused?

By: Tara

Tara — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 12:10:19 +0000

Hmm, thanks for your response – that was my general sense as well. I don’t like simple straightforward scents much – I like complexity and development.

By: Nathan Branch

Nathan Branch — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 19:12:58 +0000

I’ve been thinking about that, and was thinking about it even as I was writing the review, and my considered response would be “no” — it’s a decent enough fragrance, smoky and deeply woodsy, but there’s a lack of complexity and/or sophistication to it that I believe you would find disappointing in the long run.
You might appreciate it now and then, but I would say it would sit on your shelf, mostly unused. Compared to a Serge Lutens, a Parfumerie Generale or a Vero Profumo, there simply isn’t enough there there.
I think I can best describe a Neil Morris fragrance this way: it’s direct and uncomplicated, like chatting with the bartender while waiting for your best friend to show up for your dinner date. Shooting the breeze with the bartender passes the time, but it’s not why you’re really there.
Morris’ work reminds me of the CB I Hate Perfume line. There are some things I like about CB I Hate Perfume, but I’m not crazy enough about any of it to spring for a bottle (wait, I take that back — I did purchase a small bottle of the musk absolute, but wish that I hadn’t; I don’t ever wear it).

By: Tara

Tara — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 18:08:14 +0000

Do you think I would like the Burnt Amber? I’ve been interested by some of the descriptions of the Neil Morris fragrances, but as you say, they’re not really my style, so I haven’t sprung for samples yet.

By: Nathan Branch

Nathan Branch — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 23:24:20 +0000

Dark Season is a solid piece of work, and the little bit of mulled wine is a cunning touch. The longevity is impressive, too; a solid 5 to 6 hours, with a nice drydown, but . . .
I wouldn’t buy any of the Morris fragrances myself, though more because they’re not my style rather than because I don’t think they’re any good. I seem to have stumbled into a French perfume phase for the moment — I blame Pierre Guillaume.

By: ScentScelf

ScentScelf — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 22:16:15 +0000

For me, Northwoods was pretty spot on for a woods that approached the 45th parallel…you need a certain amount of pine or balsam in there, along with the leaves, humus, etcetera. Worked for me as a perfume of place.
Burnt Amber, as you also say, is more a cozy scent, to be worn as a comfortable layer.
I have yet to check out Dark Season and October…but have been pleasantly surprised by Spectral Violet.