The Lucky Seven

Rundholz Parfums (DE), 2017

Warm and cool, sharp and milky, rooty and bright, Feb.14, 1912 is a study in rich contrasts. Opening with a rich, bittersweet burst of citrus cut with deep aromatic notes of star anise, fennel, and licorice, the scent soon reveals a deep, rich iris note, waxy, rooty and so smoothly earthy as to almost be papyrus-like. A distinctive milk note softens the dryness of the florals, adding comfort and contrast. And in place of the incense that makes up the backbone of most Rundholz fragrances, here a distinguished, balsamic leather note plays that part, bridging the gap between the spicy, the creamy, the musky and the floral. Refined and understated, yet complex and deeply resonant, Feb.14, 1912 is unmistakably a Rundholz creation- and also unlike anything they've offered before.

Fzotic (US), 2017

As a multi-sensory artist, Bruno Fazzolari's creations pulse with the energy of magical realms, from the blazing glow of Feu Secret to the crackling fluorescents of Room 237. But with Ummagumma, Fazzolari ushers us into his darkest, sultriest locale yet- a languorous world of rich gourmand notes that flow with indulgently deliberate sweetness- aromatic, smooth tobacco, resinous labdanum, creamy vanilla and sandalwood- and foremost of all, a mouthwateringly warm, rich chocolate note, sweet and robust without a drop of fake sugar. This is an adult gourmand, a scent to be savored, evocatively sexy on men or women, young or old. Perhaps it's not right to call it a gourmand at all- it's a portal to yet another world that defies too-simple categorization while at the same time feeling immeasurably appropriate for the one category it firmly falls into- that of an original Bruno Fazzolari creation. Chocolate lovers, winter adventurers, and all who appreciate original art- don't miss Ummagumma.

Il Profumo (IT), 2004

We kept hearing about Musc Bleu from our customers who travel. “I fell in love with this when I was in Italy and I'm dying for more, please carry it! ...and... “I'm desperate and I can't get back to Europe, just now why don't you have Musc Bleu? Intrigued by a fragrance with such diehard fans, we checked it out and instantly became diehard fans ourselves. Musc Bleu is an extraordinarily beautiful, soft, clean musk with a gentle hint of flowers. A simple idea executed extremely well. Sure, you can find floral musks all over the mall, but you would have to search a long, long time before finding one as perfect as this one. Possibly a lifetime. It opens with a light, crystalline freshness and it stays there, which is why it is so wondrous. It retains its delightfully clean airiness for hours without any hint of the musk turning animalic or overpowering. Pure and lovely. Sheer perfection.

J.F. Schwarzlose (DE), 2015

Leder. Even the sound of the German word for leather sounds über naughty, doesn’t it? But if you’re worried that Leder 6 is a hardcore leather with the full-on kink factor of a Berlin night club, then rest easy – it’s not. With its notes of hot milk, candy, and rubber, Leder 6 is more rakish than kinky. More importantly, it’s gorgeous and all kinds of addictive. Leder 6 starts out with a creamy white leather accord that’s as ergonomically smooth as the interior of a brand new Porsche. The suede upholstery, although streamlined and modern in feel, is enriched with accents of warm vanilla milk, white chocolate, candied apricots, and a strange but delicious biscuit-like tone. At first steamy and moist, the fragrance grows increasingly dry and powdery, with notes of rubber, resin, and gun smoke emerging in the drydown. In the final tally, we find Leder 6’s heady mix of rubber and milk to be bold and exotic, but also as inviting as a deeply-powdered bosom. A fragrance that titillates rather than provokes, and in our opinion, all the better for it.

Imaginary Authors (US), 2017

“Tomorrow I will fight but tonight I recline into a sweet dream of muddled mint and ice.”
– Milton Nevers On the outskirts of Clarksdale, Mississippi, at the end of a secluded dirt road sat a small ramshackle church. It was not a place of worship but rather where many went to seek refuge during impoverished times. Legend has it the structure was transported to the wild mint field by hand, hoisted on the shoulders of two dozen men. The outside remained simple and nondescript but the interior was aglow with pilfered neon signs, Christmas lights, and a jukebox donated by the sheriff’s son. It was a distinctly secular place where locals who knew where to find it could share moonshine, socialize, and dance their troubles away. They called their ramshackle juke joint Saint Julep and the oral histories compiled within paint a picture of that magical place where “the smiles was always free and salvation had the distinct smell of sweet mint.” This scent is like a mint julep in the heat of the south, complete with invigorating mint leaves and a light bourbon body, with an added "ice" accord, sugar and a hint of magnolia. All of this adds up to arguably the perfect hot-weather scent.