Belle Fleur Neroli Pine takes a familiar tree scent and makes it warm. This is my review of the candle, with the brand notes, what surprised me, and where I like to burn it.
If you’ve ever taken in the crisp October air of a vibrant Rocky Mountain morning, you will understand why it is considered by many to be monumentally euphoric. This sublime fragrance is structured on a contrast of woody, green, earthy accords comprised of evergreen, fir and moss, and a warm, sweet, gourmand blend of orange, vanilla and golden honey. This contrast creates a refined fluency of raw materials that speaks a magical language.
I love tree fragrances. I appreciate the subdued woody notes from the heart of the tree as well as the more vibrant notes from the bright green needles. Belle Fleur Neroli Pine rests comfortably in between so I’m in heaven. What I really love about this fragrance, though, is the rather unique angle.
I’ve smelled all kinds of green tree fragrances. Most are fresh while some are earthy or even sweet. I’ve also smelled some that are much like cologne (sexy man scent). Neroli Pine is a warm tree fragrance – something I don’t think I’ve come across before.
It sits on a gourmand base of vanilla, honey and cinnamon that gives it a very welcoming and relaxing feel. While all those notes translate in the fragrance, they don’t interfere or distract from the intense, pine scent.
This fragrance doesn’t make me feel like I’m in the Rocky mountains on a crisp October day. Instead, it reminds me of standing deep in the woods in New England on an Indian Summer day.
The forest floor is a blanket of clean, golden pine needles speckled with sunlight. The scene is serene and warm. This was my backyard growing up and I remember it fondly. Belle Fleur gladly takes me back there and I’m thankful for that.
What makes Neroli Pine different
The brand builds Neroli Pine on a contrast: woody, green and earthy accords of evergreen, fir and moss, against a warm, sweet blend of orange, vanilla and golden honey.
In my experience most tree candles are fresh, earthy or even sweet, and some smell like cologne. Neroli Pine is the first warm tree fragrance I can remember.
It rests between the quiet heart of the wood and the bright green needles, which is exactly where I like a tree scent to sit.
The gourmand base in Neroli Pine
Under the pine sits a gourmand base of vanilla, honey and cinnamon. Gourmand is a word for scents that suggest food, and here it gives the pine a welcoming, relaxing feel.
The important point is that none of those sweet notes get in the way. The pine stays intense while the base keeps it from being sharp.
Neroli itself comes from orange blossom, and the Wikipedia article on neroli explains where the name comes from, which is handy if the word is new to you.
Where Neroli Pine takes me
The brand talks about a crisp October morning in the Rocky Mountains. For me, though, it was something different: standing deep in the woods in New England on an Indian summer day.
The forest floor was a blanket of clean, golden pine needles speckled with sunlight, and it was my backyard growing up. Fragrance can bring back places like this, and Belle Fleur gladly takes me back there.
Your picture will be your own, which is the fun of scent.
Take a moment to think about your own place, too.
More pine candles to compare
If tree scents are your thing, read our notes on NEST Birchwood Pine and the guide to pine candles for the whole winter. They help you judge how fresh or warm you like your evergreen.
Pine candles are not just for December. A warm one like Neroli Pine suits fall and winter evenings, when a closed-in room starts to feel stale.
A practical tip: if the scent seems weak, burn it long enough for the wax to melt fully across the top, and trim the wick. The Neroli Pine warmth builds as the wax pool grows.
Tips for a pine candle in a small home
Pine scents can feel strong in a small room, since resinous notes carry well. Start with one or two hours of burn time and see how Neroli Pine feels before you leave it longer.
Keep the candle away from the places where you eat, as a strong tree scent can mix badly with food smells. A living room, hallway or study is a better home for it.
If you have a real tree or garlands in the house during the holidays, Neroli Pine will blend with them. Let the candle sit a few feet away so the scents do not fight.
Honest notes before you buy
This is a warm, sweet pine, so if you want the clean, sharp smell of a fresh-cut tree, Neroli Pine may be too soft for you. It is designed for comfort, not for a forest hike.
On the other hand, if you like pine but find it harsh, the vanilla and honey base may be exactly what you need.
Also remember that the notes listed by a brand are a guide. Your nose and your room will change how Neroli Pine smells, so burn it for a full evening before deciding.
Neroli Pine is also a good candle to share. If you are buying for someone who likes woody scents but does not like cologne-like candles, it is a safe choice, since the sweet base keeps it friendly.
It pairs with a blanket, a cup of tea and a good book, the kind of evening that fits the Welcome Home part of the title.
And if you want to try another candle from the line before you decide, our Belle Fleur giveaway post links to a few of them, including the Grapefruit Muguet candle.
