Goldfield & Banks Silky Woods Elixir by Karl©
Over the last few years perfume brands have been investing heavily on constructing their take on vanilla and this doesn’t seem like lessening anytime soon. We have been treated to rich array of iterations where perfumers have showcased powdery, rich and darker scents with Bourbon and Madagascan vanillas used not as supporting elements rather taking center stage. Goldfield & Banks launched their original Silky Woods which has received acclaim from fragrance lovers the world over and they waited with bated breath when it was whispered that an elixir of Silky Woods was due for release earlier this year.
Olivier Cresp and Hamid Merati-Kashani courtesy of the perfumers.
Both Cresp and Merati-Kashani are known for their gourmand creations, the former’s Akro Bake and the latter’s Parfums De Marly Althair spring to mind. For their new collaboration Goldfield & Banks Silky Woods Elixir Silky Woods Elixir, the theme is centered around excess and that is clearly evident once I spritzed the scent. Founder and Creative Director Dimitri Weber has not held back with Silky Woods Elixir. The brief was to create a dark and extreme perfume expressing the natural surroundings of Australia notably exotic botanicals, verdant foliage and rich sensuality.
Dimitri Weber courtesy of the brand
Whilst the original Silky Woods is warm and luxurious from the outset, its counterpart (Elixir) moves into a completely different direction. Here we are greeted with a sense of damp, mossy notes which are reminiscent of a dewy morning in forestry. The fig is prominent to my nose and on my skin the Peru Balsam and trio of Agarwood, Guaiac and Oud Assafi also come to the fore. My senses also pick out a synthetic patchouli note which must be the Clearwood© (Firmenich) which to my nose is highly dosed in Silky Woods Elixir.
Image of forestry courtesy of Unsplash
During the first hour, the use of saffron and Ambroxan gave me an ‘Aha’ moment so lovers of these notes will chime with Goldfield & Banks Silky Woods Elixir. The second hour into wearing brings a warmth as the vanilla and orris play pivotal roles as the scent heats up and becomes creamier once the verdant aspects subside.
Goldfield & Banks Silky Woods Elixir courtesy of the brand.
Over time Silky Woods Elixir becomes more like its predecessor with golden hues and sumptuousness. This duality of light and shade makes the perfume intriguing and complex its damp earthiness versus humid vibrancy is what sets it apart from many gourmands on the market. The tan / gold presentation perfectly represents the scent. Important to note is the price point of £223 for 100 ml (250 Euros at Jovoy Paris and $295 at Luckyscent) which for a perfume with great performance and a high oil concentration represents good value for money. Goldfield & Banks Silky Woods Elixir will be a terrific surprise for those who expected a more amplified version of the original whereas the Elixir is very different, and comparisons only appear in the deep dry down.
Notes: Fig, Saffron, Rose, Peru Balsam, Orris, Agarwood Australia, Guaiac wood, Ambroxan, Clearwood, Vanilla, Musk, Oakmoss, Cypriol, Oud Assafi.
Disclaimer: Silky Woods Elixir sent to Karl for review, thoughts are his own.
Karl Topham, Senior Editor
10 ml spray courtesy of the brand
Thanks to the generosity of Goldfield & Banks we a deluxe 10 ml travel spray for one registered reader Australia, New Zealand, Canada, United States of America and all European countries in their shipping policy. You must register. To be eligible, please leave a quality comment about what sparked your interest in Karl’s review, and where you live. Draw closes 7/15/2024
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