Monogram Collection : Bohea Bohème
Mona di Orio (2016)

Bohea Bohème seems to have slipped under the radar, which I kind of understand given that it’s one of those low-key fragrances released following the death of Mona di Orio herself, all of which lack her signature touch, that of a baroque, twisted classicism.

However, it would be a real pity if this wonderful fragrance went unnoticed. It is a minimally smoky, peppery tea scent that stretches itself over a sparse structure of wood, herbs, and greenery, all of which of course makes this an elegant wear for the summer. But the scent distinguishes itself even further with an opening bristling with camphor and mint, providing the wear with a surprising jolt of bitterness that one can almost feel at the back of the tongue.

The drydown is a marvel, the woody tea and camphor levelling out into a note of sweet, papery tobacco and sun-scorched hay that takes on an unexpectedly rustic feel, diverging from the cool, urban aesthetic of the first half of the fragrance. Bohea Bohème does not have any heavy amber or vanilla weighing down the tea, therefore rendering this a most pleasant option for the hot summer months.

A sophisticated, smoky, woodsy affair. Any florals are overpowered by the bensoin and the smoky notes of juniper, oak wood, fir balsam sandalwood and cardamom. It doesn't smell like tea to me but there is a pleasant herbal effect. The notes are certainly high quality and well-blended. I decided this just wasn't unique enough for a full bottle, though. Generic smoke and spice. Nice silage.