Jacinthe des Bois was released in 2000 as part of L'Artisan's Je T’ai Cueilli Une Fleur trio, which also included Verte Violette and Oeillet Sauvage. All three fragrances were created by Anne Flipo, who was also the nose behind the popular La Chasse aux Papillons. In place of the standard L’Artisan packaging, the trio featured bottles decorated with a trellis design, with silk flowers attached to the neck.
The notes for Jacinthe are tulip, galbanum, sap, broom, narcissus, beeswax, hay, and maté. It starts out pretty much a dead ringer for fresh hyacinths. I do love hyacinth, but I am not sure how long I would be able to stand the very sweet scent of the unadorned flower. Happily it is swiftly joined by heavy green notes and the other florals, although narcissus is the only other flower I can detect.
Once the top notes fade, this is a delicate, almost transparent fragrance, with light notes of beeswax and hay. It is one of my favorite spring-time florals. L’Artisan fragrances are not known for their staying power, and Jacinthe is no exception. It lasts for a few hours at the most on me.
L’Artisan Parfumeur has discontinued Jacinthe des Bois and Oeillet Sauvage, although as of this writing, bottles are still available at beautycafe and lusciouscargo. Verte Violette has appeared in the standard L’Artisan bottle, so I am assuming it is safe for the time being.
Because of the time of year, it is time, of course, for spring poetry, and any mention of hyacinths (the fragrance of which triggers a bit of a headache on my part) reminds me of the Waste Land, which I love as much today as I loved twelve years ago when I first read it:
'You gave me hyacinths first a year ago;
'They called me the hyacinth girl.'
—Yet when we came back, late, from the Hyacinth garden,
Your arms full, and your hair wet, I could not
Speak, and my eyes failed, I was neither
Living nor dead, and I knew nothing,
Looking into the heart of light, the silence.
Od' und leer das Meer.
Great one T!! Hi R! I like this one but have never loved it enough to buy it. I tried the La Chasse Extreme three times since the launch – I am not rushing to buy this till my Diet La Chasse is finished. The Extreme is a bit deeper with sandalwood and I get more tuberose.
Have a super day – it is simple gorgeous out here. Am posting more pix soon. Mwah!
Thank you Tania, one of my favorites too. It has taken me a long time to recover from the intense deconstruction we gave the Waste Land in college, but it is a great poem.
I am hoping to smell it this weekend! I do like the diet version but I'm sure I need both.
Hey babe!
JdB reminds me of springtime, pure and unadulterated. I remember the first time I wore this fragrance, two years ago. It was raining and cold, but the fragrance reminded me that springtime was just around the corner.
As it continues to rain here and winter lingers, I plan to pull out my bottle from its hiding place in the back of my perfume cabinet and spritz it liberally all over.
Ooh–I can smell it already! :):)
I love the “historical” perspective you provided with L'Artisan/MPG … that and the notes on the noses. I have sampled this and was surprised by its sweetness … I kept expecting the other shoe to fall — some sort of green sharpness that just didn't happen on me. And maté? Is that another grass?
It is raining and freezing here today too! Jacinthe was just what I needed. I actually reach for my spring scents as much in winter since I detest cold weather so very much. I am soooo disappointed that they discontinued this one!
M, We have different noses — I find it so green! Maté (I think) is a South American tree that is used to make a kind of tea — yerba maté. I've never smelled it so have no idea if it is noticeable in the Jacinthe.
Oeillet Sauvage has NOT been discontinued! It is in the catalogue and the boutique on Thompson Street in nyc. I have been assured that it is alive and well.
You may be right, I am only repeating what I have been told by the customer service people at the main office in L'Artisan. The Soho boutique has told me that all of the fragrances that the main office told me are discontinued are in fact still in production. The main office says they have already stopped production, and the scents will only be on their website until they sell what is left in stock. Who knows?
Who nose indeed?! I'm not wild about the Oeillet Sauvage but it was reassuring to my friend who loves it to see it in the “regular” bottles. Now, if only Extrait de Songe were made permanent…AND great blog, by the way!
Thank you so much!
You know that Extrait de Songe is being pulled due to a trademark violation? L'Artisan says they “have not yet decided” whether they will reissue it.