# Crabtree & Evelyn — Himalayan Blue

> Himalayan Blue (2012) is a black-tea-centered chypre-floral that punched well above its house's reputation. Conceived around the legend of the mythical Himalayan blue poppy and the romance of early Br

## Essence
Himalayan Blue (2012) is a black-tea-centered chypre-floral that punched well above its house's reputation. Conceived around the legend of the mythical Himalayan blue poppy and the romance of early British plant-hunting expeditions, it is regarded by those who found it as the most artistically ambitious fragrance Crabtree & Evelyn ever released — a striking departure for a brand otherwise known for prim, soft, mature florals. That very mismatch with the house's core audience is the leading explanation for why it was discontinued, leaving it a sought-after sleeper.
## Scent Profile
At its core is a convincing smoky black tea, in the lapsang souchong vein, reinforced by yellow champaca — a flower with a natural tea-like nuance — and braced by a strong green petitgrain. This is pointedly not a green-tea scent but a black-tea one with green backing. A slice-of-lemon brightness sits on top, with mandarin and lemon largely in support.
In the heart, ginger adds an intermittent spicy kick that comes and goes, tending to pair with the florals more than the tea. A creamy, unsweet rose absolute and pink pepper lend a soft rosiness that keeps the composition from reading purely austere.
The base is a tame, smoky accord of patchouli, sandalwood and leather that tilts the whole thing unisex. The overall impression is spicy, smoky and tannic, distinctly lemony but never sour, resting on a woody-ambery foundation.
## Performance
Performance is modest, as is typical for the house, but better than its florals thanks to the patchouli and leather. Expect roughly four to six hours with moderate projection — adequate for work but not a powerhouse. Layering over the matching body lotion and shower gel, recommended even in the brand's own materials, genuinely extends wear and adds depth. Applied alone it skews quiet, so the layering products are the practical route to more presence.
## Wearing Context
This is a hot-weather, daytime tea scent prized for cutting through humidity, singled out for summer office wear and warm, muggy days when simpler summer fragrances feel boring. The smoky-leathery undertone gives it enough gravitas to carry into the evening, and its unisex tilt makes it a comfortable pick for men drawn to tea and leather. It reads as understated and contemplative, often described with the image of drinking tea in a spring garden.
## Comparisons & DNA
The most frequent reference point is Bvlgari Eau Parfumée au Thé Rouge, against which Himalayan Blue reads as a softer tannic scent with a pronounced unsweet creamy rose and a hint of leather — the Bvlgari sharper and better for the very hottest days, this one the more elegant. Its ginger is notably gentler than the licorice-ginger of Caron's Eau de Réglisse, coming and going rather than dominating. More broadly it belongs to the smoky-tea-leather lineage of lapsang-souchong fragrances, but its champaca-and-rose signature sets it apart from most mainstream tea scents.
## Reception
Among those who tried it, affection runs high and regret over its discontinuation is a dominant theme. Tea lovers praise the natural, drinkable black-tea opening, the creamy unsweet rose, and a surprising complexity for the price. The minority of detractors call it flat and boring or too pepper-forward, a real sticking point for pepper-sensitive wearers. A recurring observation is that it felt more creative and artistic than expected from the house — which, several suggest, is exactly why it did not fit the brand's audience and was dropped. It remains well-liked but lightly reviewed.
## Versions & Reformulation
Released in 2012 as an eau de toilette in 30 mL and 100 mL, accompanied by a matching shower gel, body lotion and hand therapy cream. No reformulations are documented. It was discounted heavily late in its life — noted at half price in UK shops by mid-2013 — an early sign of its commercial struggle, and it was subsequently discontinued.
## Acquisition Notes
Discontinued and now a secondary-market item, with full bottles surfacing on resale sites marketed as "retired." Because it sold cheaply through outlets and clearance in its final stretch, some bottles still circulate at modest prices, though availability is shrinking. The matching body products, if found, are worth pairing for longevity. As an eau de toilette with leather and patchouli it ages reasonably, but verify storage on older stock.
## Notable Facts & Lore
- The conceptual muse is the Himalayan blue poppy (Meconopsis), a famously difficult-to-cultivate bloom sought by early British plant-hunting expeditions.
- The leather accord is said to evoke the "creaky saddles and antique bridles" of those explorers.
- The Shalimar-reminiscent winged bottle, finished with a blue cord and pendant, is frequently praised.
- The hand therapy cream from the collection was an award-winning formula.
- The perfumer is uncredited in available records.