Lucien Pissarro, 'Ivy Cottage, Coldharbour: Sun and Snow' (1916)

I have a dream when winter comes, and the world becomes still and cold.  I imagine that I have a secret cabin – a sturdy, weathered and ancient cabin tucked into a dark green forest into which I retreat while the snow and wind rage outside.  Somewhere I can go to and wait out the worst in the world.  And now I have found a scent that exquisitely captures what the interior of that winter dream cabin smells like. Berlin Perfumer Erik Kormann’s Dezember 12 (2013) is a warm and welcoming perfume comprised of 12 perfectly balanced notes, and part of his ongoing "Monat" series of scents, where the notes correspond to the month (he’s also released August, September and a bright green perfume, Juli, which has seven.)

Ruskin Spear, 'Snow Scene' (1946)

Dezember carries a wisdom that knows the length of the winter season, and how long you must wait to be truly warm.  The staying power of this scent is definitely long enough (at least 8 hours of undiminished development) to outlast any storm. The sillage, however, is surprisingly very intimate. Dezember wears as if it were designed for when you cannot stand from shivering, and someone places a blanket around your shoulders. The opening is comprised of brisk limes, a rich and deep cardamom note and dry, piquantly sharp pink pepper.  All three top notes combine into an exhilarating aromatic accord that focuses the nose for what’s to come.  The acidity of the citrus paired with the sharpness of the spices set the tone with cheerful, bright and rounded warmth that would be more than enough if Dezember never went any further.

Tree Photo by Michelyn Camen

But then the heart opens up into smoky and vanillic Peru and Gurjun balsams, and paired with rose and elemi notes.  The scent begins to take on a slightly sweeter and woodier aspect without losing the exotic savory tinge.  The rose is definitely in the background, as this is a winter scent and the warmth of dry resin, cardamom and sweet balsams are the point here.   There is an ancient and welcoming feel to this perfume that imparts a wondrous sense of calm, of serenity, with the vanillic overtones of the balsam heart notes taking the edge off of the aromatics perfectly.  The sweetness is never cloying, bland or assertive; it stays in a supporting role.  This scent lulls you over time, without becoming cumbersome or unfocused in any way.  It creates a steady, spice-infused hum that lasts for hours, taking its time to move from the opening spark of energizing citrus to the silvery balsams and on into the musky patchouli base.  Dezember is the scent to keep you company while the snow piles up on your windowsill, and will keep you warm and content until it thaws in Spring.

Notes:  lime, cardamom, pink pepper, elemi, rose, Peru and Gurjun balsam, patchouli, musk, floral and spicy notes.

Disclosure: I received my bottle from Erik Kormann. Erik Kormann's Fragrances can be bought at 1000 & 1 Seife and First in Fragrance

–Steve Johnson, Contributor

Erik Kormann of Erik Kormann Perfumes

Editor's Note: We first learned of Erik Kormann, who is based in Berlin when we received Steampunk, his ode to the Neo-Victorian genre which was based heavily on the aromas of an Old Victorian Library and Atlas Wood. Our review of Eau de Froeliche no 3 can be read here. Erik has a fascinating blog, Aromatisches Blog (there is a translate button, as the blog is written in German) which is a diary of his creative process and his in depth studies of raw materials and aromachemicals.

Thanks to Erik Kormann we have a bottle of Dezember No 12  for a CaFleureBon reader anywhere in the world. To be eligible  please leave a comment with why you would like to try Dezember, your favorite month and what resonated with you about Steve’s review. Draw closes November 7, 2014

We announce the winners only on site and our Facebook page, so like CaFleureBon and use our RSS option…or your dream prize will just be spilled perfume.