Since we have one thread going on Gardenia with lots of good comments, I would love to get your opinions on the Tuberose/tubereuse fragrances you've experienced.

I love Goutal's Gardenia Passion, which everyone accurately pegs as mainly Tuberose. I've looked at a long list of other fragrances that are either soliflores of it or those that list it as a main note. There are quite a few! Before I go broke ordering samples, I'd appreciate input on the type of tuberose fragrance I should try if the tuberose in Gardenia Passion is my standard so far.

Thanks!

Flannerygrace, I like Gardénia Passion too. I used to like Goutal's Tubéreuse, which was a bit less sweet, but I think it may have been discontinued and besides the price was exorbitant even compared to the already expensive Goutals. I'd like to recommend--and I'm sure others will too--smelling Fracas, the ubertuberose. Some love it and some hate it. It's very different from GP and it's a landmark tuberose perfume with which a tuberose lover should be acquainted. As you say, there are a lot of tubersoses out there. You'll probably get tons of recs.

Goutal's Tuberose is the closest to a true Tuberose flower. Her Passion comes a good second.

My daughter and I wore Goutal's Tuberose on her Wedding Day for Tuberose plants are native of Mexico and when we were there adopting her the markets were full of buckets of the flowers for sale! Oh the smell was so strong , I can still remember it (imprinted in my brain !) and that would be about 20 something years ago!

Mm... I'm quite partial to Tubereuse Criminelle, by Serge Lutens, it makes me think of that scene in The Magic Mountain when the young Castorp is looking at his grandfather's corpse, piled with tuberoses, and thinking that he was, after all, just an old man, nothing really, now that he was dead.

The Frederic Malle is brilliant too, a far more jubilant, scintillant tuberose, and yet not so unctuously sweet as say Michael Kors. I waver between the two, depends on whether I'm feeling morbid that day. : D

Lady Jicky, ITA Passion is a good tuberose scent too, tuberose and jasmine together. I remember when you mentioned you and your daughter both wore Tubéreuse for the wedding. I think you showed a photo of the two of you also. It stuck in my mind because I could just imagne how wonderful you both smelled and I liked the idea of mother & daugher perfume solidarity!

I'm a rather new fan of Tubereuse Criminelle. If you can get through the top notes, it's one of the prettiest tuberoses out there, and very unique (if that's not redundant). I find Carnal Flower rather...well, I'll just say it, boring. Fracas is the reference tuberose, so you should definitely order a sample of that (or find some way to try it at Sephora).

Beyond Love is, I believe, the tuberose from By Kilian which has had some favorable reviews.

[quote name='C'est Nichist' date='Aug 23 2008, 11:08 PM' post='398587']
I'm a rather new fan of Tubereuse Criminelle. If you can get through the top notes, it's one of the prettiest tuberoses out there, and very unique (if that's not redundant). I find Carnal Flower rather...well, I'll just say it, boring. Fracas is the reference tuberose, so you should definitely order a sample of that (or find some way to try it at Sephora).

"get through the top notes"? I live for the top notes! :-)

Some of my faves- EL Tuberose Gardenia, Very Michael Kors, Beautiful Love by EL and I had Fragile by Jean Paul Gaultier that I loved- recently had to throw the last little bit of that one away as it was turning. Even Velvet Tuberose by Bath and Body is nice.

Tuberoses are such interesting flowers with their rubbery and iron-metallic (as in blood) aspects.
My most favourite is Carnal Flower by F.Malle (by perfumer Dominique Ropion) which has the highest concentration of tuberose in the market. Has a green and coconutty tone which is especially vibrant instead of tropical and a touch of menthol that keeps it from smelling rotten.

Runner-up is Tubereuse Criminelle by Lutens which is comparable to The Agony and the Ecstacy: More mentholic in the top notes (very intensely!), it then morhps into a delicate white floral apotheosis.

Germaine Cellier's Fracas for Piguet is the one which started it all, because it fills up tuberose in an avalanche of floral notes which comes off as exhuberantly feminine up to the point of oversaturation (accounting for the intense effect it has upon smelling it). I went through a bottle of extrait de parfum merrily when I first discovered it years ago only to burn myself out on it. It's very strong. (I now much prefer Bandit by Piguet, a leathery chypre).

An interesting choice which I have always advised (and few have taken my word for it but those who did never regretted it) is Blonde by Versace in extrait de parfum: dead-ringer for Fracas and can be found online for comparatively less.

A timid tuberose is Do Son by Diptyque, suitable if you live in a hot and humid climate, but since you like the rubbery feel of Gardenia Passion, perhaps you'd find it light and rather shy (if tuberose can ever be shy).

Helg, ITA. Blonde can also be found in discount stores like Marshall's. That's where I smelled it and it is a very Fracas-y tuberose, not too much mentioned. Is it still in regular production?

I thank you all for your suggestions, and how lovely to be married smelling of Tuberose!

I have tried Tuberose Criminelle and LOVED it, but truly within 15 minutes it was gone! If there is a way to get it to last long I'd definitely have a bottle of it.

Now Fracas is interesting, I've been reading on fragrance sites for months and everyone agrees that Fracas is THE tuberose scent and very strong. Of course one of the first samples I ordered was Fracas. In fact I got an edt and a solid Fracas just knowing it was going to be one of the keepers. But I'm afraid I was truly disappointed, I put it on one arm and Goutal's GP on the other and the Fracas seemed so weak to me. Called my dh for a sniff not telling him which was which and he too could hardly smell the Fracas. I have no idea what that is all about that both of us could hardly it.

I've read about the Michael Kors, Bond No 9 Saks for Her, Beyond Love by Killian, Anthousa Tuberose and several others I'm ordering as samples from the Perfumed Court.
I just know the Goutal Tuberose will be fabulous but finding a bottle of it will definitely be a task.

Now Blonde is one I haven't heard mentioned and I'll definitely pursue it, thanks for the mention.

Flannerygrace, if you can try Fracas from a tester in a regular department store I would recommend it. The sample you ordered may have been weak but if you smell Fracas from the bottle, in my experience it's far from weak.

I wish I could, but I live in a very remote area, there isn't a 'department store' for many miles, in fact I haven't been in a 'shopping mall' for more than 20 years

I got my Fracas samples from two different sources and they smell exactly like each other so I'm guessing it is indeed Fracas that I am smelling.

I forgot to say that I also received my sample of EL Tuberose/Gardenia yesterday and thought at first, yippee I've found another one, but after a few minutes it developed a most definite chemical aroma and was quickly washed off. I've read of a few other people having similar reactions to it

Some Creed Indiana Tuberose is on its way to me and I'm hoping it will be a good one for me. I'm using up my bottle of Gardenia Passion rather quickly!

Hi -
I like the much-maligned Mahora by Guerlain.

On my skin, Mahora is a sweet tuberose scent, but not as "tuberosey"-sweet as Fracas, and is one of the few white florals that I can wear that doesn't become too cloying in the drydown. Some people mention that they get a 'coconut' aspect from Mahora, and there are times that there might be a hint of that scent (I understand that would be the frangipani?) and the overall impression for me is a lush floral blend that is reminiscent of the tropics. However, I consider that tropical feel to be one of Mahora's charms.

The mystery of body chemistry and perception is always intriguing, isn't it? I am happy that Mahora seems to like me, because she is a lovely tuberose scent.
Mahora has been renamed Mayotte, I think, but the original Mahora is still available at online shops.

Let me throw out a few more suggestions that haven't yet been named, and which you may want to test out if you're looking to experience the Tuberose gauntlet:

L'Artisan Tubereuse
Maitre Parfumeur et Gantier Tubéreuse
i Profumi di Firenze Tuberosa d' Autunno
Miller Harris Noix de Tubereuse
Parfumerie Generale Tubereuse Couture

I'm certain that POL members can chime in with their personal experiences on at least some of the above.

i second ag passion for a chypre-ish tubrose. also dsh winter (which has a very interesting, tarry-smoky note), and along the same lines (but a lot newer) neil morris prowl. come to think of it, these three smell all related to me and where developed historically in that order. aside from these, the only more or less straight tuberose i really like is fracas in a tiny dab.

harper

Omigosh, FG! Haven't been in a mall for over 20 years?! I would have starved to death from PDD (perfume dept. deficiency) long before!

Re Fracas, there are a couple of others here who have said it disappears on them almost immediately. It's not the case for me, on the contrary. But I am one of those who had that reaction you describe to ELTG. Smelled lovely on others around, chemical on me.

Those look interesting, Nathan! I threw in Tuberose/Tubereuse at the Perfumed Court's search the other day and those came up. I have samples of them on my wishlist there and when the ole credit card rolls to a new month I intend to order some.

So any comments by anyone whose tried these would be most welcome.

Interesting about the Mahora it was one that caught my eye though a lot of negative comments on some forums pushed it down my list, but if you like it that much I'll move it on back up

And I think I have to be glad to be this far from a perfume counter, I'm sure I'd have no self control at all!!! LOL

Sand & Sable (gardenia, jasmine, rose, and tuberose)
White Shoulders (more honeysuckle to me)
Tatiana (I gave this away (vintage) regrettably before I was a perfumista because I already had White Shoulders.)
Divine, by Divine
Chloe (classic)

These fragrances are not as heavy on the tuberose as Private Collection Tuberose Gardenia or Michael. Tuberose perfumes for those who don't like tuberose.
Diva?

Since July I've been on a "tuberose kick"! I have pearl double tuberose in my garden, and the fragrance that comes closest to the scent of these flowers is Jo Malone Tuberose. It's a clear, tuberose soliflore, and if you like the scent of the blooms, you must try it! It's fresh, and haunting, yet subdued. The lasting power is good, for a JM. L'Artisan Tubereuse is a nice tropical rendition of tuberose (tuberose + coconut), and La Chasse aux Papillons has tuberose in a floral starring role. The classic Carolina Herrera is a stunning, and glamorous tuberose. i Profumi di Firenze Tuberosa d’Autunno is another dramatic, bewitching tuberose. I've read very positive reviews of Estee Lauder Beautiful Love. I haven't yet smelled it, but it sounds like a tuberose that's worth trying. Does anyone know this one? Like many other POLers, I adore Carnal Flower, which is one of the most fascinating fragrances I've ever smelled. I do love Fracas, as well. Ava Luxe Tuberose Diabolique is an arresting, powerful rendition of tuberose.

My favorites (from those I've tried so far) are Estee Lauder Private Collection Tuberose Gardenia (which has a dry vanilla-floral base), and Marc Jacobs edt (the edt has less incense than the edp, which is also an outstanding tuberose fragrance.) I had to test the ELTG several times before it truly grabbed me, and then I fell in love.

I'm so glad that Tova mentioned Carolina Herrera, I agree it is stunning, the body lotion is beautiful as well, CH is very seldom mentioned.

The smell of tuberose flowers is bewitching, but I'm yet to find the "true" tuberose, so very glad to get all the recommendations.

I have Mark Jacobs Essence, is it very different from M.J. original?

The Jo Malone Tuberose was nice, and I like the Bruno Acampora Tuberose perfume oil too. My personal fave is Tubereuse Criminelle, with Carnal Flower the runner-up. The Carnal Flower is especially nice layered with Fleur d'Oranger.

I don't know where I got it, but somehow I remember Shalini as the one with highest concentration of tuberose, maybe I'm wrong .

My favorite is Tubereuse Criminelle, the composition is brilliant. Shalini is great too, it took me a couple of wears to appreciate it, but the price tag is just too steep.
Carnal Flower is alright, but not as exciting as TC, Saks for Her doesn't go well with my skin at all, all the bitter and rubbery aspects of tuberose are amplified with a factor 10.

I'd like to third the suggestion of Carolina Herrerra. It's the only tuberose perfume I am familiar with, actually, so I can't compare it - but it is marvelous. One of the most mood-uplifting scents that I own.

Fracas is the best, by far, if you ask me.
Noix de Tubereuse is also a gem but hard to wear (for me).

How not to advise Giorgio Beverly Hills? Some recall "the big 80's" when evocating it, but I persist to promote it and telling when worn sparingly, it's an amazing scent.

By the way, I would like to remind a previous topic about Giorgio where you will see that some like it too on POL.

The original Juicy Couture has a lovely tuberose note in the heart. It's more like the tuberose absolute in FM Carnal Flower than the buttery tuberose in Fracas.

I'm pretty smitten by this new Neil Morris PROWL. A gorgeous blend of tuberose, jasmin, bergamot, nightqueen, black pepper, patchouly, amber.

Very distinctive and original... Tuberose is RARELY used as it is here... Even dislikers of that flower note may well love PROWL.

I've tried them all

these are my favorites:

mpg tubereuse
miller harris noix de tubereuse
annick goutal tubereuse
dsh giardini segreti

My favorite tuberose scents are:

Caron Tubereuse
and
AvaLuxe Tuberose Diabolique


I also love EL Tuberose Gardenia.

For death-by-tuberose, there's always Amarige by Givenchy. Very dry, very loud tuberose. With restrained application, it could be wonderful.

There's also Kenzo de Kenzo, now called "Kenzo ça Sent Beau" (not to confuse with Le Monde Est Beau; they have the same bottle but a different packaging color - Kenzo ça sent beau is the green one)

Notes: magnolia, gardenia, tuberose, ylang, rose, jasmine, plum, peach, citrus, cardamom, coriander, cedar, sandalwood, moss, vanilla, musk)

(Checkout www.kenzoparfums.com, a beautiful website)

I'm reading this thread with great interest, because I have a vase of fresh tuberose in my bedroom & was planning on testing some of my tuberose fragrances against it tomorrow.

Glad you mentioned Caron's Tubereuse, Mary -- it's one of my faves, but you've got to love that buttery/rubbery aspect of the flower to love this one.

AG Passion is another favorite of mine, too -- tuberose with an oakmoss base, as Harper points out. Very unusual.

I wonder if the same perfume fairy is gifting us? I just got a goodie bag in the mail today, and due to a mishap - an entire mini of Mitsouko EdT opened - I have to wait a day to wash off everything and start sampling. I noticed one label that did survive the solvent onslaught was Indiana Tuberose, and I didn't know a perfume existed by that name, and I thought it was a joke! That's how out of touch with mainstream perfumes I am, lol.

I'm currently finishing two tuberose perfumes, MoonDance and StarFlower,testing accessory notes (the usual suspects, including celery seed), fleshing them out, and so I look forward to the Indiana version.

I can't wait to hear the verdict on which one you find closest to real tuberose!

And I can't wait to hear what the next poster thinks of the Creed Indiana Tuberose. I'm afraid I can barely smell it, neither can my husband. I received a few vials of it and opened a couple to be sure that one hadn't gone 'off', but alas, there is just nothing to the ones I received. I kept thinking where is the Tuberose?

Vase of fresh tuberose!
Just to picture them makes me sigh, here their season is very short, I always try to buy them at least once during their short flowering.

I love Kenzo Ca Sent Beau , the bottle is very pretty as well.

Oh, it's heaven, it really is -- they are available for a short time at a farmer's market near my office, so I buy them for as long as I can.

And I completely forgot about Carolina Herrera, which I also love and think is underrated -- the heady tuberose is perfectly balanced by a delicate dry quality in the drydown.

I have a mystery Goutal that has no label and I thought might be Gardenia Passion, but up against the tuberose flowers last night, it smelled nearly identical, so maybe what I have is Goutal Tuberuse after all.

Can anyone describe the color of the juice and/or the ribbon around the bottle, those of you who have AG Tubereuse?

THanks,

Cathleen

Cathleen, I haven't seen Tubéreuse around for many a year but last time I bought it it was in a 50ml rectangular bottle with tubular gold cap. The ribbon was a thin gold cord with the paper label attached like the other bottles. IIRC, Tubéreuse came in edp and was a darker more golden colour than Gardénia Passion.

Smellwise, when first applying Tubéreuse, I got an almost leathery scent (maybe it's what others call the "rubbery" scent) and only after a while did the floral blossoms emerge in all their beauty. GP smells more floral from the outset and although tuberose seems to be the main smell (with only fleeting reference to gardenia), there are scents of violet and warm, grassy notes in the background that make it seem a little lighter than the pure Tubéreuse.

I see Creed's Indiana Tuberose as a mixed floral with a special emphasis on the rose note. There is some element of tuberose hidden deeply in the mix but the rose comes across much more strongly to me.

For the "best" tuberose, I'm torn equally between Fracas, which has a strong orange blossom note with the tuberose, and Carnal Flower, where the tuberose has strong support from orange blossom and jasmine. A more or less pure tuberose in a scent would be pretty hard to take (witness Madini's Nardo). I prefer the scents that mix the tuberose with other white florals rather than with roses.

Thanks, 5-0! What I have is in a standard rounded bottle with the ribbing, and the juice is dark orange. I think I can dig up a sample of Gardenia Passion to compare the two (and I'm thinking I may have already done this comparison a while back and forgotten what the results were -- I can't remember anything these days!).

I tried this at Holt and found it was all rose and no tuberose at all , nice but just not enough for this white flower lover.

the breakdown of all the ones I have owned or have samples of is:

Fracas - lovely , but it is so buttery that even Paula Deen would visibly blanche
L'Artisan - this could give Fracas some serious competition in the butter dept
Jo Malone - perfect , a bit fleeting but only slightly buttery
Private Collection Tuberose Gardenia -did I mention how much I hate this unwieldy moniker ? but I love it , more tuberose than gardenia , slighty rubbery but still stunning
Chloe .classic - personal fave , I now its more of a bouquet of white flowers , but the tuberose comes out loud and clear
Amarige - used to love it , until I switched from parfum to EDT , big mistake , almost ruined it for me , I classify this as a tuberose with way too much stuff going
JPG Classique - hated the EDT , some here mentioned urinal cake and it is true , in parfum form this is enjoyable however hard though this may be to believe there is a raspberry lurking in there and it does overtake the tuberose
Nokomis - a cheap and cheerful hit of incense and tuberose
Mahora -underrated tropical tuberose as mentioned in this thread
Fragile- meh , too busy

Which Chloe? Reading the notes listed for all of the Chloe's listed at Basenotes I don't find tuberose in any of them.

definitely not my flower, but i will add one more tuberose perfume in this discussion. Payot Pavlova. definitely an oldfashioned tuberose fragrance, i don't know how's the current version (five star fragrance company)'s like but the older ones still produced by parfums payot company is a tuberose fragrance, soft, powdery, rubbery and creamy tuberose.

Thanks for the recommendation, I see it gets 100% would buy again on MUA! I just found a mini of it on ebay, bought for $1.99! Your description sounds like my kind of scent.

Various site often list wildly different notes for frags , I was referring to Chloe original from Lagerfeld not any flankers or the new release.

from Perfume Intelligence :

The mention of Pavlova above brought to mind White Shoulders -- isn't that a tuberose fragrance at heart?

Robert Piguet Fracas is a perfect tuberose to me. As well I like Jean Paul Gaultier Fragile As for Estee Lauder The Private Collection Tuberose Gardenia, I feel more gardenia than a tuberose, but it is a beautiful perfume and you may be willing to give it a try

Wow! I'm sitting here with a sample of Parfumerie Generale Tubereuse Couture and I think it has blown my mind more than Tubereuse Criminelle did, and that is saying something!

This stuff is just fabulous! It makes my mouth water and I can't stop sniffing it. What wild combination of notes - Kalamanzi Oil, Green Jasmine Shoots, Ylang-ylang, Sugar Cane, Indian Tuberose, Sumatra Benzoin, Papyrus.

It is totally different from my beloved Gardenia Passion, but it may just have become part of the wardrobe, thanks Nathan! I'm still acquiring some of your other suggested Tubereuse, what will I do if they are all this good?