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No. 5 by Maria McElroy
Parfum Oil
by UNTITLED
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There are paintings that shift when seen from different angles – what you thought was a still life of a bowl of fruit becomes a portrait, a pod of dolphins becomes a scene from mythology, birds turn into lizards and impossible architecture seems possible, with mad stairways leading every direction. We visit and revisit these works, loving the illusion, fascinated with the enigma, and intrigued by the skill of the artist. Untitled #5 by Aroma M’s Maria McElroy fascinates us in a similar way. Initially it is all about the nuts – rich, roasted chestnuts drizzled with honey. For just a moment, there is a subtle chocolate feel and we are certain we are headed for something heavy and caramel in the dessert category…but...no, we’re not … the sweetness becomes lighter, the nuttiness less pronounced and there is the icy hot tingle of clove entwined with lilting orange blossom and honeysuckle. Ahh, we think, I know now – a spicy floriental … except the nuts are still there, so maybe…. hey, what’s that? Is that brandy? Is that tobacco? Are we having a party now? Fabulous. So where does this all end up? At a beautiful, elegant scent that is extremely hard to categorize. We’ve never smelled anything exactly like it – yet it reminds of all sorts of things. Maria was inspired by the seasonal treats of Japan, where sweet roasted chestnuts mean it’s fall, and this is definitely autumnal and delicious. But for something based on chestnuts and spiced brandy, it has a surprisingly delicate and classic feel. You could wear this to the opera. Two words we never thought we see together in a description: nutty and sophisticated. That’s Untitled #5.
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Brazil nut, chestnut, cassis, honey, clove, honeysuckle, orange blossom, brandy, patchouly, tobacco, vetiver
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