Shelter Island by Bond No. 9

Shelter Island is one of the summer fragrance entries from Bond No. 9 New York. One, which goes more into the aquatic camp, with its use of seaweed. It was released in 2014.

I bought a sample of this a while ago, for testing and to see how I actually got along with a that marine note, that I generally dislike. How does Shelter Island smell? Does it last long? Is it worth a try?

---

What does Shelter Island by Bond No. 9 Smell Like?

Notes include: lemon, black pepper, seaweed, lily, oud, musk, sandalwood, amber, myrrh

Click here to try: Shelter Island

---

My Full Review

Here’s how Bond describes it: quietly daring, sparkling-clean, unisex, rife with nonchalant beach-time exotica.

Shelter Island opens fresh and bright with a spiciness via the black pepper. The lemon is a light spritzing on top of the marine accord that features seaweed.

The aquatic aspect isn’t overpowering here. Sure, it’s dominant, but balanced out by its surrounding notes. I’m glad I didn’t get a massive seaweed note, that makes you smell like some sort of marine life.

The lily will come in with its waxy aroma, which pairs with the emergence of the resinous myrrh and amber notes in the base. These three, really seem to keep the seaweed in check, and don’t allow this to be just a salty oceanic fragrance.

The lemon and black pepper basically fade completely. This is an aquatic and beachy oud-floral in the middle. Starting to get musky and taking on a bit of a sun tan lotion scent. At this point, it’s more like sitting by the shore than being in the water itself.

That will continue, as this becomes woodier and muskier in the dry down.

Still somewhat aquatic, with a mix of the woodsy notes, a musky aroma, and that amber and myrrh still a bit detectable.

---

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

This Bond fragrance opens up with plenty of initial punch. It’ll leave a slight scent trail and project well enough off of the skin. It’s definitely above average in the first hour or so.

Thereafter, Shelter will be much more moderate, before lightening up in the back half of the wear.

While it isn’t a massively projecting nor heavy sitting fragrance, Shelter Island does a good job at sticking around. On my skin, I can still detect it up to about 9 hours. Which is plenty for what most people are going to use this scent for.

Seasonally, this is a spring and summer wear. Mainly, for the warmest days. A good change of pace from the pure citrus perfumes which usually inhabit those months. A solid marine and wood aquatic for something different.

This is a unisex fragrance, maybe leaning slightly masculine, in the early stages. But, that will balance out, as you move further into the wear.

It’s a niche and fairly casual fragrance for daytime wear. Shelter Island isn’t going to be one that you’re very likely to wear for dates, nightlife, or formal occasions. For those outdoor summer events, it can be a fine choice.

---

Overall Impressions of Shelter Island

Overall, do I like Shelter Island? It’s pretty good. I never thought that I’d be the target audience for this Bond No. 9, once I saw the seaweed and oud notes together.

However, I was sort of surprised that I wasn’t indifferent towards Shelter Island, and that it had its enjoyable moments for me.

The seaweed, really came through here. It’s front and center, but doesn’t overpower everything else. Very fresh and marine done right, where so many other scents with this note have fallen flat.

The longevity is also great, especially for a summertime scent. Sure, it’s not a massive beast of a fragrance, but this one doesn’t quit early on you either.

The downside? Well, the price for the largest bottle, is currently $300 as of writing. As such, Shelter Island probably isn’t a perfume that most are going to want to buy on a whim.

If you want a beachy aquatic with sun tan lotion vibes, this Bond does a good job at hitting the mark. Find a way to get a sample of this stuff, if that sounds like something you’re after.