Scent apero
Today I start preparing the scent apero that takes place in December. Actually, if you live in the region of Zurich:
Mark your calendar. December 12, afternoon.
For those who do not know what a scent apero is: A scent apero is this once-in-a-year gathering shortly before x-mas where we invite folks in Zurich. It is not really a sales thing, but more a gathering of lovely people.
It is an invitation for a sniffing session, for some wine, for being together, for enjoying the season. It is organized by Pascal and me and we usually select one theme to elaborate on. We have a perfumer presenting a few scents to enjoy (me), not perfumes, but rather some ingredients, Pascal provides food and drinks, and then we integrate a professional reader who reads short stories that fit and extend the selected theme of the day.
Last year’s scent apero was focused on roses, the naturals, the synthetics and how it may fit together in a fragrance. Actually, I also presented Rose chyprée back then.
This year’s scent apero will focus on spices. We invited a charming lady who makes and sell her own curry. She will talk about curries and the world of spices. And I will present a few essential oils, such as pepper, cinnamon, cardamon, corriander, and talk about the role of spices in perfumery, and probably I will present a fragrance, called eau d’épices, that I presented about 2.5 years ago to a limited public. (see this post: in the W.-factor’s words a few its and bits on the scent.) I worked on the fragrance again last year, softened it, bringing in the slightest hint of a complementary green line and it is …well: hard to describe I guess. You will see for yourself later. Maybe in December (I am working on some giveaways there…) or later next year, as it is ready to go into production. Next year. 3rd quarter.
But first the scent apero. In love with spices…See picture below: Cinnamon bar, scanned.
November 6th, 2009 at 8:44 am
Hi Andy, Scent Apero sounds like a terrific event! And the discussion about spices will be perfect during the holidays. I wish I was in Zurich. Eau d’epices…yummy! It’s funny, I have a friend who hates cinnamon, referring to it as “that medieval spice!” but I like it; it’s a comfort spice for me. Since you use the word “eau” does it mean that it is a lighter spicy fragrance? And Sylvia, please report in about your new kitties; Bandit and her buddy! :)
November 6th, 2009 at 9:09 am
HI Jen, it is not what you would call “light”, it is an eau de parfum concentration.I am thinking about the name. But this is not match making these days.
The scent fits perfectly into the Mémorables category, rich in orange flower absolute, jasmine absolute, and orris root with a somewhat retro touch it is somewhat tricky to produce (get all the ingredients) and somewhat expensive to make. I wish you a lovely day
November 6th, 2009 at 10:08 am
Dear Andy, how many much interesting news. I very much would like to visit when нибудь a scent apero, and to get acquainted with all.
November 6th, 2009 at 10:39 am
I thank you, Vladimir. We have to do a remote apero with you :-)
November 6th, 2009 at 10:56 am
Hi Andy, it sounds lovely, and you’re right, with that description I get the feeling that it is rich and lush…perfect for the holidays/New Year!!!! Can’t wait to hopefully sniff it and Orange Star and all the other goodies you have up your sleeve! :) Have a great day!
November 6th, 2009 at 1:11 pm
Oh wow, totally cool! I desperately want to come!
Will there be anywhere I can chain my small child up?
:)
November 6th, 2009 at 2:34 pm
It is a medieval cellar, where all will take place, I guess we find a corner where small children can be fenced :)
November 6th, 2009 at 3:07 pm
I enjoy cinnamon in cool weather, when it’s not the nauseating “cinnamon spice” candle smell that many people tend to love so much during the holidays. I boil a stick of it in my house during winter sometimes and it really makes me happy with the fragrance it brings. I know this is not comparable to your talk of essential oils, but I thought I would add my own cinnamon experience :)
November 6th, 2009 at 3:37 pm
Dear Andy, is it true that you will visit Ukraine on March 8, 2010? If yes, I will be very vey happy to see you here!
November 6th, 2009 at 3:39 pm
Hi Niina
Thank you for sharing! I (if I do) use oils in a little candle burner (you know candle heating a little water bowl). But I may try the cinammon stick boiling once, but need to check IFRA first ;-)
November 6th, 2009 at 3:40 pm
Oh yes! Jeff I am as serious as can be! I will visit Kiev, March 8…2010, and I will tell you more once I have details. It for sure will be a great experience. Hopefully for both of us ;-)
November 6th, 2009 at 4:19 pm
Good Morning Andy– love the spice! Sounds like a wonderful event–what kind of food will be served? What kind of wine? I am always interested in the “pairings” of food, drink, scent….it all goes together to fill (or kill) our senses. It is a lovely cold autumn day here in beautiful NorthEast USA–perfect for your latest “spicy” creation. Hope it is lovely where you are. xoxo
November 6th, 2009 at 4:50 pm
good morning to you, Julie Ellen.
An interesting question:We have a potpourri of a variety of things. The wine is from the Alsace, sparkling!, then the food: We usually have a “Speckzopf” (which is a sort of fine bread with bakon pieces inside), then we have a home made chocolate cake, dried WILD figs, apricots, peaches and nuts from Georgia (I think they are from Georgia). Pascal imports them.
And that’s about it. You see…simple stuff. :-)
November 6th, 2009 at 6:44 pm
Europe`s Georgia and the US`s Georgia have much in common food-wise!! :-) I couldn`t BREATHE w/out cinnamon ingested daily - it kills many sinus inflamations/decongests, stops nausea, warms the body, and tastes/smells GREAT to boot!! Sylvia, no word back from my sis-in-law, but it will come - how are you doing w/ your furry little ones?? :-) Pull up Brian Setzer and the Stray Cats song “Stray Cat Strut“ - the 3 of you will all be shakin` it!! :-) We will have to enjoy the Scent Apero a la the blog w/ pictures!!
November 6th, 2009 at 7:57 pm
Hi girls, Andy,everybody!
Oh, the kitties…that darn ol’ one- year-old thinks he’s Brad Pitt right now and doesn’t want to leave his ladys (we can’t catch him)…he’s the only male left in his group who’s still a total machomacho,capable of “youknowwhat”, all the others have been fixed already..I can just imagine all the females, dressed up with red lips singing “teach me tiger”…lol! And the other one, Bandit, the rat-pack leader..actually I wanted to wait for machoman to be ready, so that both would know each other right from the start..but with this weather, I’ll have to bring her as soon as possible.
Ohhh,we should all catch a plane/train/whatever and hop right over to Pascals’ place…soo envious!!
So Eau d’Epices is actually pretty heavy? Well, if it’s this:”orange flower absolute, jasmine absolute, and orris root with a somewhat retro touch”..it will be a stunner!!
Hugs from rainy Spain!
November 7th, 2009 at 1:47 am
The main ingredients in your Eau d`Epices remind me of the original My Sin from Lanvin - if there is patch in your blend, it will fly into the hands of all perfumistas who remember Lanvin - you will have a second house in no time at all!! :-)
November 7th, 2009 at 11:28 am
Hi Andy, I just read the link with the W Factor’s review; can I suggest that he make an appearance more often as his review was really enjoyable and down-to-earth!
November 7th, 2009 at 11:57 am
It seems be a very warm winter this time in Zurich - Hiver d’épices with handmade curry and in expectation of hand made Eau d’épices. Sounds lovely - you made my Xmas spirit already.
And today I’ll be wearing Noir Epices in honor for your upcoming scent :o)
November 7th, 2009 at 5:25 pm
I’m glad to hear L’eau d’Epices will be coming back in transmuted form, since I’ve often wished I could experience its magic again. I had to go back and reread my notes on L’eau d’Epices from two years ago:
…There is something almost menacing about it; it is indeed fierce, dark, and sexy … I found myself filled with a vague sense of nostalgia, a melancholy, after a while. … But underneath the nostalgia there is something … like a half-remembered memory of violence…
November 7th, 2009 at 6:22 pm
Dear Mr. Tauer, I have been collecting perfumes for the better part of 20 some odd years. A great majority of my collection is vintage , some niche house , and many others. Mostly vintage though. the journey a perfume takes you on and through , the ingredients and thought process to have that happen , has really only happened to me with my vintage perfumes.
I have recently tried (purchased) your Rose Chypree and the L’air Desert. I am speechless at the beauty of your scents. The quality of the ingredients. I can go on for pages. I , to date, have not had a perfume evolve and change on me, last on me that is a current perfumer/artist. I have only had this with my vintages.
Truly , I am speechless and awed.
November 7th, 2009 at 7:50 pm
Andy, how do you photograph a perfume bottle w/out the flash`s glare /whiteout?? Turn off the flash, and cross fingers the photo isn`t dark? I`m shooting in my bathroom for best light! Why? I`ve a long-distance, damaged little darling,( who I still want to keep and give a home to!) :-) I`m not “allowed“ to pay return shipping for exchange, etc. (You know where that is coming from…!!) Thank you!! :-)
November 8th, 2009 at 8:02 am
Hi Hotlanta Linda
You can use the natural light (but then must sure to go up in Iso numbers, and make sure you have lots of indirect light)
or you use a flash, but light indirectly. That is the best thing to do. By the way: I love it when the sun produces all natural glares…
November 8th, 2009 at 8:04 am
Good morning to you Linda Beth Ross
and a big thank you for your comment. I appreciate especially, as I consider myself working in the tradition of perfumery of 100 years ago (or 70 if you want). And, as I have a limited palette, and as I paint with a high percentage of naturals, I guess this leads to a vintage kind of touch.
I am happy that you like what I create. I wish you a lovely Sunday
November 8th, 2009 at 8:21 am
Good morning Vasily
Wow! you take notes on your fragrance tests? that is just great.
Indeed, if I was to describe “eau d’épices” I would also come up with something like nostalgic (vintage), wild, sexy, dark, tempting….very sexy.
I just compared the two formulas again. They are very similar. I adjusted the formula to be better producible, I made a twist on the green note (removing galbanum replacing it by a green synthetic), softening the orange flower absolute that I use and a touch more incense… and I am considering to dilute it in the coming days to 15%.the eau d’épices of 2.5 years ago was 10 %, and more on the eau de toilette side. Mine now is more on the eau de parfum/perfume side. Actually: It is ready to become part of the mémorables line…
I think chances are good that you will get your sample. I will 5 liters of it….
November 8th, 2009 at 11:04 pm
Hallo Andy, ich mache jetzt mal Werbung für einen Freund. Stephan (Leidenschaftlicher Hobbyparfumeur mit angeschlossenem GC/MS und ausgestattet mit reichlich Neugier und Hilfsbereitschaft) betreibt seit einiger Zeit auch ein eigenes Blog. Du kennst ihn auch schon, weil er erst vor wenigen Tagen alle Proben von Dir bekommen hat. Und weil Stephan so im Stillen werkelt und dabei so viele interessante Dinge tun kann (wer hat schon einen Gaschromatographen mit Massespektrometer?), und wer kocht schon eigenhändig Quittensebacin (Diethylsebacat (CAS: 110-40-7), wollte ich Dich fragen, ob Ihr Euch nicht auch verlinken wollt. Ich habe ihm das auch schon empfohlen und weil ich denke, daß wir alle im Grunde unseres Herzens von der gleichen leidenschaft getrieben sind …
http://perfume.twoday.net/
Vielleicht hast Du ja noch Platz in Deiner Blogroll?
Herzliche Grüße aus Berlin,
Erik
December 1st, 2009 at 3:28 pm
I am soooooo excited! My husband says he will babysit for me so I can come to the Apero!