Today Marlen and I are discussing Terre d'Iris, one of the scents in the Miller Harris Nouvelle Edition line. The notes for Terre d'Iris are bergamot, bitter orange, southern herbs, rosemary, clary sage, orange flowers, rose, patchouli, tree moss, fir balsam and iris.
He says: Being a huge fan of Iris, especially the warmer, more buttery notes, I recently swapped for Terre d'Iris, described to me by the swapper as "Miller Harris Terre de Bois meets Hermès Hiris." I was surprised by how much I love this scent at first testing, and subsequent wearings have only increased my enthusiasm. What I get is a rich, deep, buttery iris note, something akin to heliotropin, which can be found throughout the composition with passing moments of herbs, flowers and spice. If I didn't know it was Miller Harris I would have thought this to be an Ormonde Jayne scent. It is like nothing else I've smelled and I can't stop sniffing the bottle, now in the place of honor on the bedside table.
Overall, this is a big brash scent, with much more happening than just iris. With a sweet citrus opening, and a warmer herbal middle and base, the scent teeters between feminine floral tones and the trademark Miller Harris patchouli and moss undertones. For me, it’s the kind of scent that I want to send samples of to all my friends just so they can share in the magic!
The scent lasts a good 8 hours on my skin, and I'm surprised this is an Eau de Toilette and not an Eau de Parfum - perhaps the concentration is truly closer to EDP. After 2 months of proud ownership I love this scent every bit as much as when I first tried it, if not more, and despite the nasty heat and humidity of summer in Osaka, I can't stop wearing this. I usually reserve summertime for my citrus and marine scents, but...a man's gotta do what a man's gotta do!
She says: Like Marlen, I am a huge fan of iris, but I tend towards the cooler, drier fragrances like Hermès Hiris and Serge Lutens Iris Silver Mist. Terre d'Iris is everything Marlen says it is: a big, brash scent, with a lot of things happening. Far too many, for my nose, especially in the first hour when first the citrus and herbs, and later the patchouli, moss and balsam, clamor for attention and overwhelm the comparatively delicate iris note. It is strong; even a small spray creates a potent sillage, and I found it too rich and heavy for my taste.
It calms considerably after that first hour, and after two hours, it starts to turn into something I can appreciate: a smooth, buttery blend of iris and warm earthy notes. I don't love it even then, but it is easier to see why someone might. And the lasting power, as Marlen points out, is excellent.
Miller Harris Terre d'Iris is available in 100 ml Eau de Parfum. For buying information, see the listing for Miller Harris under Perfume Houses.
I thought this was gorgeous, another great scent in the new $$$ line from MH. I don't see it as deeply rich and complex as Ormonde Jayne's fragrances—it is a different animal altogether to my nose. I won't buy it, as I'm a fair-weather iris fan, but I think most iris lovers would fall in love with it.
L, Marlen is so right about the trademark patchouli-moss thing, and it just doesn't suit me, but an iris fan who also liked that deep, warm base would love it. Jasmin Vert & Fleur du Matin are the only 2 MHs that I've fallen for so far.
I read the notes as including “tree mess.” That was a sign that I need to get a cup of tea before I resume reading.
I have a sample you sent me and I am putting it on right now. It opens up like a classical chypre, which is very appealing. I also notice a very green patchouli note (I am sure that it is patchouli laced with something coniferous and balsamic). It is very creamy indeed. I cannot wait to get to the drydown. So far it is really interesting.
V, guessing you will like this one way more than I do! The green is fir balsam and I would guess some green herbs as well. All too much for me…
Now, a couple hours later, it is just too balsamic and herbal. It is creamy, but it strikes me as somewhat masculine. Not sure if it is for me. Thank you for a sample, though. I was curious to try it.
Tree MESS! LOL! I do stuff like that all the time, Victoria! I'm intrigued by your comment that TdI strikes you as somewhat masculine, as I do as well, and I think that's what makes it so wearable for me! Though the sweet topnotes are a tad bit feminine, it's those amazing basenotes and mid-notes, the greend and browns of the scent, that really have me hooked.
Marlen, the greens and browns is a perfect specification, because that is exactly how the fragrance strikes me. It is almost autumnal in its nature. Although I am not sure I would be able to wear it (however, I cannot make any definite verdicts until I wear a scent at least 2 times), it is the best MH fragrance I have encountered so far. Another not particularly feminine iris I like is Divine L'Homme de Coeur, and if you have not tried it, I would highly recommend it.
I have a decant of L'Homme de Coeur and you are right on target, Victoria!
My HG Iris is really's Prada Iris – it's a parfum and has incredible staying power, is very simple, and very soothing. I like TDC's iris, but I dunno, Hermes Hiris will always be the scent that ignited my Iris passion and have a special place in my heart! MH TdI is just something completely different, earthy, brash and less about Iris Burre and more about “perfume”!
R, I tested Terre d´Iris just a few days ago & was rather disapointed. Of course, I´ll give it another try, but after my first test I can only say that to me it smelled just sweet…though it wasn´t bad at all, I find it to lack something, it just isn´t special enough. Sorry to say that, but I cannot see any similarities to the Ormonde Jayne fragrances at all. The staying power is very good, though.
I also have a special fondness for Hermes Hiris, because it was my first iris fragrance. Since then, I have tried many, but I keep returning to Hermes. I recall sampling Prada Iris, but I do not remember what I thought about it. I will revisit my sample again one of these days. TDC iris is very beautiful too. As for Acqua di Parma Iris Nobile, I am not sure I smell much of iris in it. It is mostly orange blossom on my skin, but it is very well done. On that topic, L'Artisan Fleur d'Oranger is my orange blossom of choice, as of late.
S, Glad to see someone else who has tried it, but sounds like we had a similar reaction. Is this fragrance sold in Germany? Was wondering if it was distributed outside of the MH store.
Hello dear R! I did try a sample that a dear friend sent from the UK. It is OK but not FBW!
I happen to be an Iris fan (particularly after fighting with a “nose” in the cote d'azur).
Will write more later.
Am back and all is OK.
Missed your blog!
Mwah!
Welcome home, N, it is so nice to see you again! Hope you are rested & well
Is this scent at all comparabel to Le Labo Iris 39 ?
Oh dear — I have not smelled it since 2005, and haven’t smelled the Le Labo since it came out. I can only say they’re alike in that they are iris scents that I don’t like!