after a night swimming in ginger bread or
…with l’eau d’épices, at a least with a drop of it, one of the last remaining, few, carefully stored in the cellar, in a 1 liter bottle, covering just the lowest , very lowest 0.1 mm. For those of you new here: Eau d’épices was the 2 year anniversary scent, given away as sample [after having worked on it for a while], reviewed for instance here, on perfume smelling things, or here on my blog by the W.-factor.
Why a night with this scent? First because I got a mail from Ms. K., informing me about the fate of here sample (last drops, coming to an end, depression looming), second because it felt alright, third because I did not do any sniffing exercise and wanted finish a hectic day with a treat and then …why not?
Well, one reason why not: It is hard to fall asleep when you try to analyze a fragrance. On the other hand, with the dark evenings and cold nights: The perfect season to think spices, right?
Now….this one is spices. Big one. So… I think…a touch too much bay and clove. Do I need galbanum? The cinnamon is ok, the orange flower could be a touch softer, Orris fits nice, the dark base is great, I would make it a hint sweeter, softer, kind of making the ginger bread fluffier.
I printed out the formula to have a second look…and with the chypre rose sitting in the fridge, waiting for my X-mas scent apero (December 13, Zurich, afternoon) there is time…
November 4th, 2008 at 9:52 am
Andy,
Sounds lovely. Do you find the clove note smells somewhat like carnations?
Best,
Zeram1
November 4th, 2008 at 10:25 am
Hi Andy,
is this a dream of mine coming true, or is it just a mirage, Eau d’Epices? The fulfilling pleasure of the spices could be enjoyed as well in the heat of the tropics, no need for icy coldness. I’ll be back to you soon. Take care.
November 4th, 2008 at 10:46 am
Andy, it’s only begin November, but it already smells X-mas on your blog. First mandarines ambrées, than X-mas scent apero announcement and now Eau d’épices… I am really in the mood for December - cold outside and warm inside, scented with oranges, mandarines, spices and cakes… and of course smell of gifts, surprises, hope and some magic…
You brought me in the mood for something like this… ;-)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAyRAXAAcDQ
Speaking of being able to sleep (or not) after analyzing the fragrances… Have you ever had a nightmare with roses in it? I did a day before yesterday after analyzing a lot of rose formulas ;-)
And about eau d’épices… sounds as a very exciting scent. Pity that I missed a chance to smell it… But it definitely needs galbanum (just because I like galbanum so much ;-)
November 4th, 2008 at 12:26 pm
I love galbanum!
Cloves are tricky thou - sometimes they make a weird accord of Eau de BO!
Kisses
November 4th, 2008 at 3:38 pm
Andy, I love you dearly, but if you mess with perfection I will slap your hands!
November 4th, 2008 at 3:54 pm
hehehe
Dear Kelly
Whatever perfection is… I have my doubts there. I think, I will not be able to withstand a little trial, just to tease me. Trust me…, please….
November 4th, 2008 at 4:26 pm
Dear Masiqueperfume
I find galbanum very tricky, too. Sometimes (usually) it makes an mixture go baeh!
Dear AromaX
I wonder nevertheless about the galbanum. It is nice with Orange flower, though, as the Orange flower can need some green touches. I was also thinking to use some undecavertol instead /together with galbanum. Just to soothen things.
I keep you posted! hmmmm …starting a galbanum thinking batch mode…
Dear Stefan
glad to hear from you. You had a safe trip, I ‘d guess. Indeed, this eau is hot stuff …
Dear Zeram1, to be honest: no. at least if carnation=flower and not the band (see wikipedia ’s answer to carnation)
November 4th, 2008 at 7:30 pm
Oooh, pain d’epices maybe? I love spices. I hope to see a Tauer Eau d’Epices soon!
November 4th, 2008 at 9:24 pm
For those who would care…
Cris = Simone
Maisqueperfume also = Simone.
Magarittas, fagittas, burittas, dry martinis stirred not shaken, Eau de BO, galbanum Eau de Beeh…
Where is W Factor, the wise and the brave?????????
Andy cher ami, you are something ….
November 4th, 2008 at 11:45 pm
Well - it’s undecavertol again… I see the name of this chemical for the third time within a week. A green floral combining its green aspects with lily-of-the-valley, violet and linden-blossom? Sounds to be something different than galbanum… But I haven’t smelled it yet. So - it goes to my wish (=to order soon) list next to Kephalis and Peonile…
By the way - do you know if Peonile is a kind of Rhodinol substitute? It’s a conclusion I’ve got from the rose formula, but haven’t confirmed on practice…
November 5th, 2008 at 2:29 am
I went back to July 2007 to look at my notes for L’eau d’Epices and here’s what I wrote: “…There is something almost menacing about it; it is indeed fierce, dark, and sexy. There is also a sweetness that weaves in and out of the midnotes that is almost cloying and reminds me of … something. I found myself filled with a vague sense of nostalgia, a melancholy, after a while. I wondered about this. Then I realized: the sweetness reminds me of the smell of my mother’s cosmetics when I was a young boy, more than 50 years ago. Glamour and sweetness, the first fragrance memories of a young boy. But underneath the nostalgia there is something dark and almost menacing, like a half-remembered memory of violence…”
My sample is long gone, but I feel privileged and honored to have had the opportunity to try it. It’s one of those fragrant experiences I will never forget. I am glad that you haven’t forgotten, either.
November 5th, 2008 at 7:52 am
Dear Vasily
So you remember? Great! Thank you for sharing. I think I vaguely remember the term “menacing” that you used back then. Indeed, there is something dark (too dark?) . At least for my now. And one last point: Yes, I haven’t forgotten. Indeed, I tend to walk around in circles these days, coming back to cookies and treats….
Dear Aromax
Sure, undecavertol is not a substitute, not at all , but it might be a soothing agent for the galbanum essential oil (I think I used the oil, not the resinoid). Unfortunately, yesterday evening developed into a sample and boxing evening. No time to mix….
November 5th, 2008 at 8:38 am
Hi Andy, gerade fällt mir noch ein, daß es von Hanns Hatt noch eine tolle CD gibt - etwas aromatisches für die Ohren! Wäre vielleicht auch ein gutes Geschenk und Weihnachten steht ja nun wirklich bald vor der Tür.
http://www.aromatisches-blog.de/2008/04/24/aromatisches-fuer-die-ohren
Grüße aus Berlin,
Erik