Rose Isparta
House of Misk (founded in 2015 in the U.K) make the ultimate fragrance oils. They specialise in distilling single notes of rose, oud and sandal. "Our journey, like many others started with the synthetic perfumes and oils which was never quite satisfying nor soul stirring.” Why have a blend of scents, when you can fully embrace one single rapturous note in its purest form. So as a rose lover, I set out to explore all of the rose offerings from House of Misk.
‘Rose Isparta’ (£64 for a 2.5ml bottle) is made from Damask roses from the fields in Isparta, western Turkey. It has the most flamboyant start, like an excited orchestra that’s bursting to play the sweetest of rose notes. And how sweet those notes are - soft pink, sunshine filled petals of playful sensuality. There’s a herbaceous, botanical realness to the scent too, like the living/breathing velvety green leaves of a geranium plant. In this distillation, House of Misk have truly captured the living breath of the rose - she's sweet but sharp, smooth but spirited, demure but dazzling. But sadly, after an hour, the initial strength softens greatly, to become a close but alluring skin-scent. ‘Rose Isparta’ is the shining starlet that died too young, but her short career was so beautifully legendary, she prevails as an icon.
‘Bulgarian Rose’. So Bulgaria used to be the top producer of rose oil (now taken over by Turkey). It’s the most similar to the Turkish rose - being fresh, rosy (both from the Damask rose), but the winning aspect here, is that this lasts much longer than ‘Rose Isparta’. For the same price as ‘Rose Isparta’ (£64) I’d recommend this ‘Bulgarian Rose’ which has become my third favourite rose from this collection. House of Misk describe ‘Bulgarian Rose’ as having; “that freshness, the rosy, warm and sweet aroma with hints of powdery feel. An oil that should start your rosy journey, and if not then at the least be it a reference point for how a rose oil smells like.”
It’s beautiful and for £64 it’s your entry point into an unadulterated rose oil at its finest.
‘Gul Muhammadi’ (Persian Rose) £69 has a more citrus peel, bitter-sweet zest to the rose, with an almost sandal base. It’s so fresh and mouth-wateringly good. It’s vibrant and full of perky character. ‘Gul Muhammadi’ is the longest lasting too, thank goodness! It’s almost like a rose growing in a Thai garden that’s surrounded by lemongrass. This is your meditative Buddhist temple, feel-good scent. ‘Gul Muhammadi’ makes me feel secure, confident, peaceful and promotes feelings of wellbeing and mindfulness. My second all-round favourite fragrance from this collection.
‘Moroccan Rose’ (£109) has a harmonious woody with citrus rose element. It doesn’t last as well as others in the range, but leaves an intriguing woody skin-scent behind.
‘Ward Al Ta’ifi’ at £164 is the most expensive, but is a more spicy rose with a deeper clove sensuality. I’m so seduced by this majestic scent. It’s the crowning glory from the House of Misk. If there were ever rose royalty, it’s encapsulated in this victorious distillation. “The embodiment of a luxury and balanced rose oil, the Ward Al Ta’ifi is constructed with its beautiful floral and sweet notes. It is said that freshly distilled Tai'fi oils gives a better projection of the actual rose itself.” I’m writing this whilst I sit in my summer garden, where 33 of my roses are currently in bloom, and I must say, ‘Ward Al Ta’ifi’ is competing effortlessly with them. Its glorious army of distilled Saudi Arabian Taif roses, could potentially be, the most divine aroma on Earth. The dry-down is dusty, gently spicy, intimate and warm. I’ll simply have to crown it in my top best rated rose fragrances EVER.