Ayala Moriel, the  natural perfumer behind Ayala Moriel  Parfums, spent several years collecting the essence to make her latest creation, Etrog Oy de Cologne. Etrog (also known as citron), is a precious fruit in the citrus family that is difficult to find, and steeped in Jewish tradition. Thanks to the love and generosity of friends and family, Ayala was able to collect enough of the fruit to create a special perfume.

 I think we all love the smell of the oils in the peels of citrus fruits when we get it on our fingers. Etrog Oy de Cologne captures the lift and brightness of that delicious aroma with a heady opening that is lemony, yet a bit softer. There is no bitterness present at all, just the sweet sun of yellow fruit.  This is unlike summery perfumes that have citrus topnotes and are meant to be splashed on in the hot weather with every expectation that it will evaporate off of your skin in a flash. If you can envision a true essence of the fruit, deep and pungent, with overtones that are honeyed and rich, then you can see what this is like.

Fernando Botero

The base is especially pleasing. I’ve been trying to think if any of the summer scents I own could also be considered comforting, and it’s kind of a stretch.  Little bursts of the etrog and accompanying citrus notes drift in and out, as the honey and resinous notes take root. I would wear Etrog to an intimate little picnic on the grass, where the sun is warm and dappling through nearby trees, lying on the blanket with a full belly. Holding my wrist to my nose, as I write this, that is exactly what I see and feel: that sun.

Etrog Oy de Cologne is available through the Ayala Moriel website.

My sample was generously provided by Ayala Sender of Ayala Moriel.

–Tama Blough, Senior Editor