NARCISSE NARCOTIQUE by Orosmo Perfumery

The world of intoxicating florals in perfumery is one that stretches back to dawn of popular fragrance. The heady aromas that came with the likes of jasmine, tuberose and narcissus were said to make ladies “swoon” and create an almost narcotic effect on the wearer. The cause of this was the naturally occurring chemical compound called indole, which is found in high quantities in these flowers. Now, while the “swooning” effect may have lessened, the glorious power of these florals has survived, and it’s been proudly placed front and centre in Narcisse Narcotique from Orosmo Perfumery.

Spending the majority of your career living and working in Paris is arguably the perfect precursor to a shift into the perfumery industry, and that is exactly what happened with Lindsay Maxwell. Founder and perfumer at Orosmo Perfumery, her lifelong fascination with scent was given a professional boost when she returned to the UK. She had played with fragrance creation in the past, but the time was right to launch her own range of perfumes. Jardin d’Arles, L'Orangerie aux Epices, Au Bord de la Mer and Feu de Joie were the debut collection, and covered powdery floral right through to smoky amber.

Launching a new perfume company at any time is a gamble, but when your debut collection also coincides with the 2020 global pandemic then you need some determination. Lindsay bravely powered through and, thanks to strong support from an ever-growing customer base, she was able to launch a second collection of four fragrances for Christmas 2021. Called the Seductive Collection, they showcased the darker side of perfumery with doses of incense, narcissus and leather taking the lead. Narcisse Narcotique, Brume d’Encens, Voile Mystérieux and Cuir Hédoniste formed an exciting follow up to the Debut Collection.

With a strong offering of eight perfumes now available, Lindsay took a pause from creation to focus on growing awareness for the company and also her successful fragrance workshops. However, the draw was too great and 2025 saw the release of Magnolia & Muguet. This spring floral fitted perfectly into the existing range, and was joined the following year by the floral amber Rêve de Californie and the green sophistication of Floraison Tendre. With the collection now numbering eleven, choosing a fragrance to showcase is a difficult task. However, the seductive Narcisse Narcotique is definitely a scent that demands attention.

The fragrance opens with a perfect pairing of lemon and blackcurrant, so there’s an enticing juiciness to the start. Very quickly though the star ingredient starts to come through with its honeyed green quality, but this heady and enveloping narcissus is also cleverly supported with a note of peppered lily and carnation. This addictive floral heart, and it really is addictive, is then given a carefully blended dose of dry cedarwood and smooth musk, almost conjuring a touch of oakmoss in its trail, before we’re treated to a whisper of aged ambergris with its soft leather-like nuances. It’s rare for a perfume to truly live up to its name, but the excellent Narcisse Narcotique delivers exactly what it promises.

Narcisse Narcotique is available from the Orosmo Perfumery website at orosmo.co.uk priced at £95 for 100ml, £45 for 30ml, £25 for 15ml, £20 for 7ml, and £15 for the 5ml solid perfume. [Sample provided by Orosmo Perfumery]

* I worked freelance for Orosmo Perfumery at the beginning of 2022 but all opinions within this article are my own.