Monday 20 November 2017

ORCHARD BLOSSOM by Bronnley

Now that the first frosts have really fallen on the British countryside there are two things that are forefront in everyone's minds. Firstly, the sprouts that you buy will be slightly sweeter in taste (my mother always swore that the frosts did this to these divisive greens) and secondly, people will begin reaching for their “winter” scents in ernest. However, for those ladies that prefer a fresher scent during the colder months, because they long for the warmth that Spring promised, help is at hand in the form of this year's release from Bronnley, in collaboration with the Royal Horticultural Society. Say hello to Orchard Blossom.

Bronnley's long history begins in 1883 when it started operating from Verulam Street in London's Holborn. Founded by James Bronnley, the company was formed with £300 capital but it soon expanded beyond his original idea of just manufacturing “the best soap in the British Empire”. Fragrances quickly followed, as did two Royal warrants, and Bronnley sat alongside the likes of Grossmith and Pehaligon’s as examples of British perfumery at its finest. The company never lost sight of its founder's original desire to be “the best” and, ignoring a few troublesome years, this is why it continues to thrive.

Since 2012 Bronnley, alongside its main range, has released a new fragrance every year in collaboration with the Royal Horticultural Society. Beginning with Peony Eau Fraîche, it was followed by Hibiscus, Sweet Pea, Rose, Poppy Meadow, and even a limited edition Passion Flower Eau Fraîche in 2015. Last year's Poppy Meadow was a slight departure because the flower actually has no discernible scent. It meant that the perfumers created an olfactory interpretation instead using meadow notes, florals and fruits, and a similar idea has been used this year in the formation of Orchard Blossom.

Dionne Anderson, Managing Director of Bronnley, said of the fragrance that they wanted to capture “Spring in a bottle” and that the perfumer took inspiration from “the lightness of an orchard in bloom.” This release also marked a change in the bottle design for the RHS editions with a more angular cap and streamlined figure. Gone was the slightly dated pear shape and in its place a bottle which was much more contemporary. Blossom fragrances can sometimes struggle to develop a longstanding fan base, which is why they are often special editions, but Orchard Blossom seems to have achieved a very loyal following.

It opens with a bright, watery and fruity citrus apple combination but is gently sweetened with the perfect dose of mandarin. The floral aspects start to come thorough in the form of cherry blossom, which links to the apple, but there’s also the famous Bronnley rose in there for added support. A pink pepper almost grabs hold of the patchouli and sandalwood to bring everything together before a sweetened white musk provides that final piece of feather-like softness. Orchard Blossom is far more than just a Spring fragrance and would work perfectly for those festive parties where you want to be that little bit different.

Orchard Blossom is available from the Bronnley website, bronnley.co.uk, and also from selected department stores priced at £15.50 for 50ml. [Sample provided by Bronnley]

No comments:

Post a Comment