Anjali Perfumes Tiger Bright with unsplash collage by Rachel©
As someone who can occasionally suffer from a bad case of wanderlust, I am always drawn to scents that transport me to the far reaches of the world. You may even remember my post regarding perfume discoveries I made on a recent trip to India. It is this natural curiosity for the unique and exotic that initially drew me to Anjali Perfumes, a line of fragrances inspired by founder and perfumer, Anjali Vandemark’s scented memories growing up in India. Although Ms. Vandemark currently resides on Bainbridge Island in Washington State, each creation in her collection clearly draws upon her Indian culture and earlier childhood. Having sampled the current five scents in the Anjali Perfumes line: Mantra, Jaya, Himalayan Dawn, Tiger Bright, & Monsoon Madness (there was not a single one I wouldn’t choose to wear, they each excel in different ways).
Anjali Vandemark Portrait (courtesy of the brand)
Today I tell you about my favorite, Anjali Perfumes Tiger Bright. Ms. Vandemark explains that this scent was inspired by a local tiger reserve near to her childhood hometown in India, but to me Tiger Bright is more than just a single location, it is an agglomeration of all the best olfactory remembrances of Indian culture. From the initial somewhat bitter, medicinal top notes through to the musky, leather and wood base, Anjali Perfumes Tiger Bright is a whirlwind tour of the South Asian Subcontinent in a bottle.
Thanks to the popularity of perfumes playing off the desirability of oud and generally attempting to mimic the Arabic fragrance style, I often find myself disappointed by fragrances that end up coming across as a poor imitation or a dupe. Having spent years living in the Middle East, I was privileged to experience some of the finest (not most expensive) oils, attars and fragrances beloved by the local and expat populations. However, the scents I experienced were not only perfumes but, incense burned at homes, offices and shops, scented water shared with guests, spices added to both savory and sweet dishes and just generally permeating the atmosphere of life. Now that I am back in the States, I find myself missing these daily aromas in our often sterile and “clean” environment.
Anjali Perfumes Tiger Bright transports me directly back to this previous life in the same manner in which Anjali must pull from her recollections of the visiting aggarbatti-wallah selling the best varieties of incense to her mother, the flowers at the market used to string festive garlands and the oils created by traditional distillation to produce the attars her father would buy as gifts for guests. I hesitate to pick apart the notes of Tiger Bright because it is so beautifully blended; its warmth and beastly heft mixes with smooth yet dusty woods and is intertwined with spices and florals that make this mystical fragrance familiar yet also exotic.
Tiger Bright and Untitled Painting by MF Husain (wikiart – edited by Rachel)
While not specifically listed in the notes, I can smell the clay pots used to make the famous mitti attar, the mineral notes thread their way through the deepest green and smoky vetiver. The combination of leather, patchouli and vetiver give the fragrance depth and richness but, this tiger slinks rather than roars, slowly stalking its prey. Tiger Bright’s smooth, spicy sandalwood, jasmine and orris tame the mighty beast.
Anjali Perfumes Tiger Bright brings forth not only the giant cat itself but acts as a symbol of India as a whole. The power, agility and magnificence associated with Bengal Tigers can all be found in the shifting notes of Anjali Perfumes Tiger Bright. Every time you think you know where this scent is going it takes a twist and leads you down an entirely different path and you end up smelling something even more unique than you expected.
Who would have guessed that to experience the authentic scents of India there is no need to travel further than to Washington State and Anjali Perfumes?
Notes: Cedarwood, Patchouli, Nagarmotha, Jasmine sambac absolute, Indian Vetiver, Indian Sandalwood, Tobacco absolute., Iris absolute., Amber, Leather, Spice Accord—Black Pepper, Cloves, Coriander, & Turmeric
Disclaimer: Review is based on a sample (and bottle) I purchased from the brand. My opinions are my own.
Rachel Watson, Senior Contributor
Thanks to the generosity of Anjali Vandemark of Anjali Perfumes we have a 30 ml bottle of Tiger Bright for one registered reader in the US ONLY You must register or your entry will not count. To be eligible, please leave a comment saying what sparks your interest about Rachel’s review. Please state you reside in the USA. Draw closes 2/3/2023
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Anjali Vandemark is the 159th in our American Perfumer Series you can read about her path to perfumery here.
Anjali Perfumes Tiger Bright, an extrait de parfum, was created by Anjali Vandemark in 2021 and can be purchased here. PLEASE SUPPORT OUR ARTISAN PERFUMERS AND BUY DIRECTLY FROM THEIR WEBSITES.
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