My impressions (II)
Maria B.
“Both of Andy’s frankincense-based works-in-progress are tenacious and beautiful, but they differ markedly in character. Whereas Incense rosĂ© is playful, Incense extrĂŞme, an eau de parfum trial at 20%, is serious and powerful. Its strong opening notes are coriander and orange leaves. I brought in orange leaves from the garden and cut them up onto a plate where I had shaken some ground coriander seeds. Yes, I discovered, that was the opening exactly. The orange leaves have a citrusy quality that emerges through leafy greenness. Coriander, to my surprise, has an orangey aspect along with its sweet spiciness. “Spicy citrus” is a good way to describe the first phase. My DH exclaimed, “God, that smells nice! God, that’s just amazing!”
Eighteen minutes after spraying, I noticed a change: the smoky heart of orris and Texan cedarwood (actually derived from a juniper) became prominent. Then the frankincense made its profound presence felt.
The combination is smooth at every moment. There are no sharp edges despite the crispness of the drydown and the fragrance’s overall intensity. The final stage is bracingly clean. Amber is listed in the notes, but frankincense, the purifier, is what dominates. Andy calls the composition “minimalist.” I would also say transparent—or maybe translucent like smoke.
My spouse and I wondered if the drydown was too clean. Then I wore a tropical floral on a hot day when I was driving around taking care of bureaucratic matters. I longed for a shower and the cleanness of Incense extrême.
My DH concluded that Andy has two winners here. I agree. If Andy doesn’t come out with these eaux de parfum, we should hop planes to Zurich and stand outside his apartment building with basset hound expressions and pathetic little signs around our necks saying, “Incense please.”
Thank you, Andy!”
(Post sent in by Maria B., published and uploaded without modifications by Andy)
(picture uploaded by raichinger on stock exchange, modified by Andy, www.sxc.hu)
August 24th, 2007 at 6:26 am
Another great review Maria: and ’spicy citrus’ has piqued my interest- can’t wait ..(and I will definitely join you with the ‘basset hound’ expression!- Andy be warned..:))
August 24th, 2007 at 9:06 am
This sounds just as lovely. See you in Zurich if necessary M!
August 24th, 2007 at 9:18 am
Oh definitely see you in Zurich! I’m rehearseing the basset hound expression already! Sounds GORGEOUS, and I’d buy them unsniffed this second just on the strength of your description. Great work, Maria!
August 24th, 2007 at 11:44 am
Lovely description, Maria. You even went to get orange leaves from the garden for comparison. Now that I call impressive. And will definitely join with Basset hound expression in Zurich (I’m practicing wimpering for even stronger impact).
August 24th, 2007 at 11:45 am
I love the way you went into the garden, then, kitchen, to verify the veracity of the notes!
This sounds spare yet intriguing.
Coriander is an excellent foil for the frankincense, no ?
How delightful to have a DH who is so open and enthusiastic !
[I’m afraid mine has been olfactorally buulied, unwittingly- poor man.]
I would go to Zurich:
1) to make sad canine faces w/ placards;
2) to keep Jindra wild company, and :
3) to embrace, massage, and cook for Vero !
August 24th, 2007 at 12:11 pm
Incense, please!
Count me (and the husband) in for the Swiss adventure. I’ll bring the cats, if needed. This sounds so good! Maria, thank you for making me want want want these scents.
August 24th, 2007 at 2:01 pm
OK, Andy, I am ready to order mine as well! What are your plans with these? You were right in giving samples to Maria. She as started something and now you need to finish it by satisfying all of your many fans!
August 24th, 2007 at 4:29 pm
Dear Maria
Greetings from Zurich. If you hurry up you might enjoy our late summer weather ;-)
And there is plenty of room in our garden for a little hippie flower power camp site for you all, Gaia, Chayaruchama, Lavanya, Leopoldo, Dinazad and who else might join in. We could sit around a bonfire, drink wine and sniff rose absolute….
Dear Kelley… honest answer: I will have to do a resource planning for the coming months… we will see.
August 24th, 2007 at 6:17 pm
Such a delight to read such desrciptions. Thanks Maria and they do sound lovely Andy. It is always interesting to read the background on how they came into fruition, the back story so to speak.
August 24th, 2007 at 8:37 pm
Lavanya and Lee, see you there (if necessary)!
Dinazad, are you sure you want to undertake such a long trip? :-) I’d buy you dinner.
Sabina, it was fun to be able to do it. I was glad I had a small orange tree handy.
Chaya, I do feel lucky that my DH likes fragrances and is still able to get excited about them. In doing my leaf chopping experiment, I was teaching myself to recognize the notes because my nose and brain are still in elementary school about that. My discovery was very pleasant: how TRUE Andy’s notes are to nature.
Gaia, I’m usually more ambivalent about being given a lemming. But this is a good one to have.
Kelley, excellent question.
Helg, your incense series on Perfume Shrine last April was an inspiration. It made me look at incense a new way.
And, Andy, get that bonfire going. Maybe we should throw some incense on it. Thanks for this opportunity. I’ve had such a fun time. Hugs!
Actually, hugs all around!
August 25th, 2007 at 3:30 am
Bravo Maria !!!Superb
Your fingers smell Incenses-And ours-still is not present:)
Ah Andy to-me could not be added, except for my question.
(I translate your file)
September 2nd, 2007 at 10:27 pm
Andy, all I can say is: I can’t wait for those incense fragrances! If I must make the journey to stand outside your door and beg for them, well, I think I need a trip to Europe soon anyway. :-D
September 3rd, 2007 at 6:31 am
Good morning, Flora
Yes, please come and fly over to Europe! Funny: I always say I need a trip to the US soon again. Just did so while jogging last Sunday….my personal planning for Spring 08…