I’ve tried a few fragrances from niche house Vilhelm Parfumerie, and although I often enjoy their names and descriptions, the scents themselves have never quite hit the emotional sweet spot that makes me want to own them. However, Kevin and Robin have both praised recent releases from Vilhelm, so I’m back to try Harlem Bloom.

This fragrance is inspired by Manhattan’s Harlem neighborhood and “depicts blossoms in an urban jungle, intertwined among the brownstone buildings that line upper New York City.” (Um, or upper Manhattan, at least.) It includes notes of saffron, angelica leaf, violet, damask rose, ebony and “wild leather.” I haven’t been able to find out which perfumer developed it for Vilhelm, but I’m guessing it may have Jérôme Epinette…

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