Norne Slumberhouse for women and men

A clinker-built Viking long boat pulls out of the fjord, bent for pillage and conquest. NORNE!

Merciful HEAVENS, this stuff is strong! I've yet to classify a fragrance as being "headache-inducing," but this comes close. I put less than a drop on my wrist and that was driving me nuts. Scrub, scrub, scrub.

A tall blond man, his beard in braids, sharpens his battle-axe. NORNE!

It's unbearably coniferous and makes me think of institutional use compounds rather than perfumery. It reminds me of some industrial grade pine-scented degreaser I once had to work with when I was a maintenance worker at Lockheed. My wife took one sniff and issued her verdict: "Vicks Vapo-Rub" (picking up on the camphorous notes, obviously).

The monks scatter as the berserkers emerge from the ship, plug their guitars into the amps and begin playing. It's loud, hate-filled and obnoxious. It's NORNE!

Not safe for work, certainly not a safe blind buy and since this stuff is greenish-black like the goo issuing from Woden's wounded eye, probably not safe to be sprayed upon clothing, either.

NORNE!

Unless I was dressed as a pine tree for some Halloween party I'd never ever wear it, but, actually, I have a use for Norne. Climb into the infrastructure where the heating/air conditioning system is located at some concert hall just before the orchestra plays a piece by Sibelius - preferably "Tapiola" op. 112 - and dump a few milliliters onto the filters to invoke the terrifyingly endless northwoods of Finland.

NORNE!

Norne is a quality, powerful and well-made extrait that stains my skin greenish black. At first, there is a familiar and fresh bitterness. Frankincense. Freshly crushed cumin and anise? A dash of pepper and coriander powder and some other dried herbs. The woods and incense complement each other. It is smoky, woody, spicy and dry, reminding me in the beginning more of Encens Flamboyant than Fille en Aiguilles.

The bitterness is the first to go, but the scent remains black as black can be. It is an enigma - burnt and resinous but not damp; deep, but not heavy; dry, but not arid; herby but not green! Musty hemlock, incense and spices take centre stage. An hour later I usually begin to detect a whisper of terpenic conifers which become supporting players as the spices withdraw and Norne cools and softens with the moss and lichen; fresher, colder and greener than before.

I read an interview with Josh Lobb recently where he said Norne was inspired by Scandinavian black metal and the mindset that comes with that and that's when it hit me. He's right; if I got enough of the astringent fir and pine that everyone else seems to be smelling, that is EXACTLY what Norne would smell like. Paleopaganism. Bleak, dark Norwegian woods (and ahem, church-burnings) in the early 80s. But on me, it is warmer.

However....today, about two hours in; shock! I brought my wrist to my nose and physically recoiled as I was hit with a passing whoosh of camphor. What the..? There was nothing remotely like that before! This reminds me of Chandler Burr's take on notes being like balloons of different molecular weights lifting off from the skin. Maybe it was just a light, little bubble of bonded atoms breaking free from a heavier molecule! How bizarre.

Norne is really lovely in a very unusual way. It's not everyday wear or for the office, but it's very enjoyable and with impressive lasting power.

Intense doesn't even begin to describe this... imagine smelling a fully burnt evergreen tree, still smoldering with whisps of white smoke rising overhead, trails of black charred resins running down the trunk and piles of black, gray and white ash underneath. Now imagine placing your nose right up to the charred trunk and inhaling. You're smelling Norne. You will not find a stronger burnt wood, incense and smoke scent. Period. Not for the faint of heart.

71) Norne is a renowned brand of sauna that bring you at home fully assembled, with eucalyptus and a beautiful Scandinavian inside.
I Hope you really like eucalyptus, all your house will smell it.
Joking aside I have to say that the quality is great and the composition very successful. Probably the one that will stay as the most emblematic of this original brand.
Never smell something with a projection as huge as that. I was in a bar 5 meters from my friend when she opened the package of the perfume, I could already breathe the scent when she was not even trying it. The longevity must be counted in days. I would compare the texture with dilute super glue.

This had me at woody/balmy/aromatic, unfortunately it lost me shortly thereafter when I sampled it. I usually love anything with those notes but NOT Norne. NO. It smells like a pine forest that has been set on fire. I know a lot of people love it, and generally I am very adventurous with scents (which drew me to Slumberhouse to begin with) and while there is no denying this is unique, to my nose it is NOT pleasant at all. Sorry :(

This is the Slumberhouse scent that I thought I would like the best, but it was quite the opposite. My advice: if you are thinking about blind buying Slumberhouse, DON'T DO IT! I'm so glad I got samples first and saved myself $100.00

I will be sticking to my beloved Estee Lauder Sensuous Noir for my pine fix. For now :)

I love evergreens, incense and spices in general. I love "foresty" and "churchy" scents. Norne was compared to Serge Lutens Fille en Aiguilles, which is my winter signature, so I knew this was the fragrance for me and bought a full bottle untested. Well, I guess my expectations were set too high. While this perfume is pleasant and will do for aromatherapy, it just did not wow me. First of all, it is so bitter, I could almost taste it. I have an extrait, not EDP, and with its bitterness it reminds me an evergreen flavor overbrewed tea. I think it would be better if it was not so concentrated. Then it smells too masculine. It is fine with me, since I purchased it for home use only but for public wear it is, probably, not the best choice for women. It would smell wonderful on men, though. While the smell is quite natural, it is linear and not sophisticated. I would not call it a masterpiece. And it does not smell like Christmas at all. It does not smell like Christmas tree. It smells like dark, scary, mysterious evergreen forest. I think the name "Enchanted Forest" would be perfect for this perfume. However, I much prefer Serge Lutens Fille en Aiguilles and Vagabond Prince Enchanted Forest to Norne. These are my favorites. Norne: just like.

I can't stand how much I love this. I truly have no words. As others have described, this is not a fragrance. Deadidol said it perfectly in a post when he described it as "an aesthetic trip". It is, absolutely, an aesthetic trip. It is an extrait, so it is the truest reflection of the designer's vision. Simply amazing. It is the Pacific Northwest forest.

I'm a big Slumberhouse fan - if only because Josh isn't afraid to experiment and isn't afraid to punch us in the face when he wants to. Much respect, J!

I love Norne. Maybe it's 'cuz I've always been a huge fir odor nut (ever since I was a little kid). This juice screams fir. FIR FIR FIR! PUNCH! It doesn't let up on it, either. It's countered out with other notes, but I love it because the fir stays front and center forever and ever. Yeah, it lasts - seriously long. I can still catch a bit of it off my wrist when I wake up the next morning.

If there are other juices this forceful and "firry" I'm (sadly) unaware of them. I've smelled lots of scents that contain fir, but this one is ABOUT fir. Absolutely not for everybody - try it out though.

Norne opens with a spicy and green note that evoques some deepness and profoundness from a wild jungle.

This green part of the scent brings me alcoholic notes from Jägermeister - the german digestif drink made of more than 50 herbs and spices!This part is a little bit dirty but also sensual.

When the deep green notes fade a bit - and i mean they smell good and different from others scents - then incense comes up making some noise!
The smoke that comes from this accord is dry and dark, giving an impression of the wild forest burning on fire!

I really like this one.
Very strong, powerful and perfect sillage!
:)

Smells like 'bitters'
I'll bet that wearing this after a night of heaving drinking might cure a hangover. Refreshing and Clear-head inducing.
I think the balance of this perfume is nice because even though
there is a bit of 'weight', the astringent nature of Fir
keep the depths from taking you over.
It smells pretty much like you would guess it would smell.
Like fir, spices and incense. A little ' medicine cabinet' but in a nice way.

So, where to start from? Here: The juice is really pitch black. If you're familiar with Black Tourmaline, you'll probably know what I mean but Norne is even more black and much more dense...just like ink. You should better avoid applying it on clothes...

To those of you who already have some familiarity with other compositions by Slumberhouse, Norne shows all of the house's hallmarks: bold structure, powerful smell, dark atmosphere, strong herbal quality and, most of all, the usual spicy, sort of medicinal/camphoraceous/resiny vibe (maybe some clove as well?).

Norne opens sort of smoky/sweet and immediately brings to mind of Black Tourmaline but whereas many of the previous releases by this house kept this vibe throughout, Norne pushes on the accelerator by introducing a strong and dry herbal/woody quality supported by a monolitic dose of coniferous notes and frankincense. In this phase I can't help myself from thinking about a sort of Fille En Aiguilles devoided of the dry fruits and with the addition of a subtle raunchy/mouldy feel. On skin, Norne shows a perfect balance bewteen sweetness and the dark-resinous facet while on paper it results much more sweeter (skin test mandatory).

Overall Norne is pretty interesting if you're into the aforementioned fragrances and, after testing quite a few compositions by this house I can honestly say that this guy has his own, unmistakeble style. By any means Slumberhouse-ish.

Side note: If you'll happen to like Norne, I strongly recommend you to give a chance to the whole O'Driù line.

Rating: 7/10

Fir, fir and more fir, you are immediately transported to the middle of a fir forest, where there is a church burning incense and spices in a clearing in the snow just ahead. It reminds me a little of CDG Zagorsk but without its rubbery note, and somehow a lot smoother. This sinks into your skin. Another wonderful offering from Slumberhouse - they are going to be a force to be reckoned with!

Camphorish, slightly resinous and balsamic. Good depth, a lake next to a field of conifers. Slight sweetness.

Continuing on after initial notes, start to get a whiff inside a cupboard. Spilled and leaking powders scattered like scree among the bases of spice bottles.

Some nutty / woody hints.

Thank god - the church finally arises in time and fills the air with hints of resin.

More serious than Rume.
Less intense than Jeke.

Unisex, most wearable.

4.3 / 5

[update]
Norne and Fille en Aiguilles (Serge Lutens) very similar.
Norne is deeper more sombre
Fille has brighter resin notes.

I understand the smoke sauna vibe, and initially can close my eyes and imagine sitting in an old smoke sauna with moss growing in the corners.
This is a lovely forest fragrance that projects well and lasts too!
Typical of Slumberhouse the herb/spice vibe begins quite prominently but soon settles into a feeling of lying on a woodland floor wrapped in a soft moss blanket....in a lovely, comforting sort of way

I won a sample of this some time ago, and can't keep ny nose off the bottle... First I really feel like being in smoke sauna and afterwards i could as well sleep in a pine forest.

The review below as guest was mine.. Got timed out while writing.
Here it is again...

Norne, a review..

A voyage to life, a trip inside the deepest walls of old churches, a dream sequence to a mountain passing a beautiful forest. The feel and description could be more than what was given.

The morning fog with the scent of camphor, balmy, magnetic, the smoke from burning woods and leaves from a late night camping. No marshmallows, no sweetness, no burnt sugar, no caramel nor creaminess.

The fresh feeling deep inside as mystical notes keeps floating and hugging all over. Two words to describe this Norne... "Black Holy"...

An appreciation to your life, to your darkness, to your light and your soul.

Norne is an experience. It will enthrall you. It is haunting as it is inviting.

This isn't Kyoto, Monk nor Avignon, not even amber, floral, patchouli, fruity, vetiver and oud. This is aromatherapy crafted to pure perfume pleasure.

For western noses, this might be something new. They may think of some similarity with Black Afgano or Black Tourmaline. This is never a Lady Gaga in black syrup.

Later, noses and appreciation will attest that Norne is even far from the two "black" above. Norne is solemn as it is hypnotic, dark and mysterious.

For eastern noses, this would be quite familiar. When I was a boy, I remember I have smelled a vibe of this but my focus to answer only led me to "nothingness".

Norne is an unknown "question".

Just enjoy Norne as it takes you to where your nose has not been, ever.

Life is uplifting and thankful when this black holy dwell inside you, at least for the next 12 hours, the next day or next. Tranquil, calming yet haunting. Pure darkness and pure light, "black holy".

Do not dare to choose Norne, Norne decides who will be "chosen". May Norne dwell within you and when it does, take the whiff, take some more, close your eyes, keep it unopened, meditate.

Sniffer, you were just taken and enslaved ...

A voyage to life, a trip inside the deepest walls of old churches, a dream sequence to a mountain passing a beautiful forest. The feel and description could be more than what was given.

The morning fog with the scent of camphor, balmy, magnetic, the smoke from burning woods and leaves from a late night camping. No marshmallows, no sweetness, no burnt sugar, no caramel nor creaminess.

The fresh feeling deep inside as mystical notes keeps floating and hugging all over. Two words to describe this Norne... "Black Holy"...

An appreciation to your life, to your darkness, to your light and your soul.

Norne is an experience. It will enthrall you. It is haunting as it is inviting.

This isn't Kyoto, Monk nor Avignon, not even amber, floral, patchouli, fruity, vetiver and oud. This is aromatherapy crafted to pure perfume pleasure.

For western noses, this might be something new. They may think of some similarity with Black Afgano or Black Tourmaline. This is never a Lady Gaga in black syrup.

Later, noses and appreciation will attest that Norne is even far from the two "black" above. Norne is solemn as it is hypnotic, dark and mysterious.

For eastern noses, this would be quite familiar. When I was a boy, I remember I have smelled a vibe of this but my focus to answer only led me to "nothingness".

Norne is an unknown "question".

Just enjoy Norne as it takes you to where your nose has not been, ever.

Life is uplifting and thankful when this black holy dwell inside you, at least for the next 12 hours, the next day or next. Tranquil, calming yet haunting. Pure darkness and pure light, "black holy".

Do not dare to choose Norne, Norne decides who will be "chosen". May Norne dwell within you and when it does, take the whiff, take some more, close your eyes, keep it unopened, meditate.

Sniffer, you were just taken and enslaved ...

i'll simply concur witht the previous reviews- outstanding, unique, and utterly satisfying forest-floor experience. seriously: it is an immersive trip rather than merely a scent. i catch a faint, incensey affinity with tauer's lonestar memories in the far drydown, but norne is far more impressive on every level. enjoy!

This is it! Hands down the best forest scent I have ever come across.

Norne absolutely oozes rich sticky resinousness, smokey evergreen incense, dank mossy woods, and black pools of water all set against a moonless sky. A very intense experience, this fragrance is not evocative of the dark forest described- it IS that place. I could easily see how this might be too much for someone that's more into the idea of these scents than the actual experience of them.

I find Norne to be a completely addictive fragrance for this sylvan creature. I am quite impressed with the quality and craft displayed in this piece of olfactory art- and all the more so for it's outstanding longevity and sillage. Norne is in no way related to mainstream perfumery, it's profile hasn't been censored by a gazillion martketing mods, and therefore is probably not for the faint of nose. As always, sample first my friend.

If Yatagan was Youth Dew, it would be this. This is soooooooo good. A dark, resinous scent with lots of smoke and incense and a hint of animalic warmth. This makes me feel really masculine and sexy. Longevity and Sillage are superb, and the price is great for what must be parfum strength.

Amazing. It's not a fragrance, it's an experience. I ordered a sample for my son and he is going to go for a full bottle. The best forest fragrance ever!

My idea of church is being in the mountains, the forest, near a river. To have the touch of incense in this makes it almost a spiritual scent for me.

I'll be swiping sprays from his bottle now and then I'm sure. :)

This is, hands down, one of the most impressive scents I've worn in some time. It's very heavy, dense, smoky and woodsy -- certainly not for the faint of heart. It's astoundingly well articulated and reads like a journey through a forest; as if you're crawling through hollowed out logs, jumping through streams, crawling through brush, with the scent of wood fire and ash following close behind the whole time. Kilian could only dream of cooking up the kind narratives that this designer packs into a single bottle.

It's challenging in that it's more of an aesthetic experience than anything else, and is probably not well suited for those who gravitate more toward the mass-marketed fragrances (of even the "prettier" niche lines). This stuff is a (literal) trip; it stays with you for the entire day, and it will radically alter the way you experience your environment. My hat is off to this one.