I have a complicated relationship with tuberose (Agave amica). I love the flowers, and summer is not summer without tuberose blossoming in my garden. My husband loves tuberose, too — in the garden and on his person (he wears Frédéric Malle Carnal Flower). If I had my druthers, a vase full of fresh tuberose flowers would scent my house at all times. Tuberose soap? Yes, please! The "complicated" part of my tuberose relationship is: I don't like to wear tuberose-rich fragrances! Most tuberose-centered perfumes turn dainty on me or the tuberose element is combined with glaring white florals to produce a shrill glamazon vibe. Tuberose scents I've worn with pleasure include original-formula Serge Lutens Tubéreuse Criminelle, Naomi Goodsir Nuit de Bakélite and Olfactive Studio Ombre Indigo. I'll now add Flos Mortis* to this list.
Flower of Death (Flos Mortis) perfume may not sound festive (or fit for the holidays) but its tuberose punch will keep you very much alive, and lively...even at a dull office party. Flos Mortis is a powerful and long-lasting tuberose scent, natural smelling and, to my nose and sensibility, unisex.
Rogue Perfumery is based in Whittier, California, and run by Manuel Cross, who has a love for vintage fragrances — and natural materials that make IFRA frown (tree moss, bergamot and the like). Rogue's slogan is "Bureaucracy destroys art!"
Flos Mortis’ tuberose emerges from a mentholated liniment rub-down and throws on a rough leather coat (that was stored with moth balls in all pockets). As the leather and camphor-like notes subside, tuberose is joined by a balmy floral note, sprightly/fruity jasmine and a silky “corn meal” background scent (unusual and spooky). Flos Mortis’ base smells of creamy tuberose and jasmine, with a mild "mint" edge. I enjoy all phases of Flos Mortis, as did my tuberose-loving partner. If you’re a tuberose devotee, do try it. (Rogue offers generous, well-packaged samples for purchase at its Etsy site.)
On this happy note of discovery (of a new perfume house and a new tuberose perfume), I'll close out 2019 on Now Smell This. I wish all NST readers a happy and safe holiday season! I hope we'll 'meet' again in 2020.
Rogue Perfumery Flos Mortis is available on Rogue's Etsy site (30 ml/$75 and 60 ml/$110). Other perfumes in the line can be purchased at Luckyscent.
*Listed fragrance notes of tuberose absolute, Indian jasmine, osmanthus, red currant, leather, musk.
Note: top images of Tuberose at Night [altered] via Wikimedia Commons.
I came in here prepared to brawl if you did not like it! I shall now relax my dukes. This is so good, and you’ve captured it very well with your description.
Regina: I’m so glad we didn’t have to duke it out! I’m decorating the Xmas tree and don’t have the energy!
I sampled the entire line and have to say that I am very impressed.
Plus the prices are reasonable.
Ditto
Agree! Champs Lunaires is sort of the day to Flos Mortis’s night, and I like both very much.
Regina: I liked that one as well, but it was way too feminine for me *wear-wise
That one was my favorite ?
Choco: me, too.
I liked this one too–but it was more of mothball cum floral than a tuberose on me. It was a scent I wanted to smell on someone walking in from the cold, with a damp knitted scarf around his neck– a tight hug and then that scent as he unwound the wet wool and carried his coat closer to the fire to dry it out… not for me, but I enjoyed the ride.
OF: well, you certainly got a vignette out of it! HA! I love all things camphor-ish…so enjoyed that part
I think tuberose perfumes (and colognes, I guess) are a matter of one’s skin. Tuberose fragrances of all ilks just bloom on my skin beyond what a sniff of the bottle suggests. On other people, they just lie there. (And I do like white flower scents, again, this may be a matter of the state of moisture, acidity or whatever, of my skin).
How do you feel about your husband’s tuberose scents, do they seem different on him than on you?
Dilana: I like my tuberose scents “toughened up” with something: tar, leather, camphor, incense, “furry” mint, strong citrus, etc. A tuberose soliflore: no! When I smell tuberose on others it does not bother me, even soliflores…since it’s not on my skin and I don’t have to deal with it (tuberose lasts and lasts and lasts on my skin).
I tried the Rogue discovery set, and liked quite a few, but Flos Mortis wasn’t one of them! I liked the description of it, but it was all mothballs on me, and I just couldn’t wear it. However, I never say never, my tastes do change, and will keep the sample to try again in a while.
Gaynor: that’s for sure…tastes fluctuate. Maybe save it for another try in half a year’s time…the weather should be very different (I guess…these days you never know).
That is cool artwork Kevin!
I was intrigued by this perfume and ordered the sample set, but sadly It went ‘wonky ‘on me on the initial wear. It was almost a ‘meaty’ effect.
I will try it again. I wanted to love it.
Angela: thanks! (Also, I noticed on the Rogue site, they actually had a “warning” to sample Flos Mortis before buying…good advice)