Aftelier Perfumes Embers and Musk photo ©Aftelier Perfumes

There is something ritualistic and intimate about applying a liquid perfume to the skin; each drop to a pulse point,  to the nape of the neck,  to a woman's décolletage.  Aftelier Perfumes Embers and Musk is the newest fragrance from Mandy Aftel who hasn’t released a new liquid perfume in over two years (Curious, which she created in 2017, when  Ms. Aftel opened the  Aftel Archive of Curious Scents).

Aftelier Perfumes Embers and Musk Embers and Musk is a smoldering fire of a perfume. ”I couldn’t resist the sweet smoky wildness of pine tar, and wanted to marry it to the clean musk of ambrettolide. I love the transparent etherealness of botanical musk derived from ambrette seeds recalling the scent of clean skin. The musk darts in and out of the smoky airiness of pine tar woven together with guaiacol — the component of whiskey –which lends a delicacy to the perfume’s smoky facets. Pink pepper absolute, an essence that is no longer available, adds a bit of spice and berry. The narcotic red champaca absolute, which I buy from the grower, is one of the most extraordinarily gorgeous floral essences, boasting an equal measure of sweet spice and heady floral. I included just a smidge of red champaca – to add a voluptuousness –but not enough to register as floral. The dry, light freshness of Japanese yuzu paired with apple lends a sheer elegant brightness to the opening of the perfume.” Mandy writes

 Notes: Ambrettolide, pine tar, guaiacol, pink pepper, apple, red champaca, yuzu

Aftelier Embers and Musk is available as a 1/4 oz. perfume ($185), a one-ounce EDP Spray ($185), a 2ml mini perfume ($50) and sample sizes ($7) at www.aftelier.com.

Via Press release and my own synopsis

Michelyn Camen, Editor-in-Chief