Still Life with Old Books and a Cupcake – Photo Collage by Gail Gross ©
"Vic smelled the vast vault filled with books before she saw it…She breathed deeply of the scent of decaying fiction, disintegrating history, and forgotten verse, and she observed for the first time that a room full of books smelled like dessert: a sweet snack made of figs, vanilla, glue, and cleverness." ~Joe Hill
Photo of Library via Pixabay ©
So – you walk into the library. You have your special pass in hand and descend to the second basement, to the archives where old manuscripts and incunabula are carefully organized in temperature and humidity controlled stacks and displays. Every tome is a treasure. But despite the best efforts of library conservators, the paper in the old books made of cellulose fiber and lignin, bound with leather and glue, is constantly in the process of decay. As the ancient leaves yellow and oxidize, the old books gives off strange bouquets of volatile organic compounds, redolent of age and mystery, dust and history – the scent of concentrated intelligence and countless years of creativity and emotion. Chatillon Lux Biblio, by artisan perfumer Shawn Maher uses modern aroma chemicals, the gifts of organic chemistry, to create masterful accords that bring the ancient scent of old libraries to life as new perfume. "There are not many scents more magical than those experienced while browsing through a collection of old, hardcover books. Books that have been well handled and have imparted a wealth of knowledge and adventure unto generations of readers…" – Shawn Maher
Chatillon Lux Biblio Bottle – Photo Collage by Gail Gross ©
As I touch the cover and lift the cap of Biblio I detect a dusty, dry paper accord, created by Shawn Maher using the desiccated woody qualities of Norlimbanol®, the amber, spicy, cigar-box effects of Tobacarol and transparent, cedar nuances of Iso E Super. Perhaps there is also a bit of slick, clay paper wafting here as well.
Dark Library – Photo via Pixabay ©
The initial sensations of dry, desiccated woods in Chatillon Lux Biblio float like motes of dust through a dark library, traveling to my nose on beams of warm filtered vanilla-almond light. Within moments the book that is Chatillon Lux Biblio falls open, revealing a slightly musky, waxy, sweetly intoxicating tale, telling the scented story of crumbling boards, split spines and fading silk-screened, moiré-patterned endpapers.
Decaying Book and Vanilla Beans – Digital Art by Gail Gross ©
The vanilla and almond effects are colored by light sweet florals, caramel, a bit of clove, balsam, something vaguely phenolic and a suggestion of dark chocolate. Furfural, a product of the dehydration and degradation of organic matter (represented here by old, brittle, acid paper) adds a nutty, malty, slightly burnt, roasted aroma to the mix. At the heart of Chatillon Lux Biblio, these rich, olfactory by-products of the decay and oxidation of cellulose and lignin are at once intriguing and comforting. After eight hours I can still imagine myself lingering in the quiet, enveloping darkness of an old library, surrounded by the ghosts and dreams of centuries of scientists, writers and poets.
Ray Bradbury quote digitalized by Michelyn
Chatillon Lux Bibilo is a beautifully wrought and thoughtful fragrance, a perfume that reminds me that e-books, kindles and computers can never replace the touch of a book or the scent of ink, library dust and the stories and perfumes of those ancient, crumbling volumes.
Notes: Dry paper/papyrus accord (Norlimbanol®, Tobacarol, Iso E Super, Fufurals, Vanillin, vanilla, almond, spice, light, sweet florals and balsam.
Disclaimer: My sample of Chatillon Lux Biblio was graciously provided by Shawn Maher. My opinions are my own.
Gail Gross – Senior Editor who created her own book collages
Thanks to the generosity of Chatillon Lux, we have a 2 oz. bottle of Chatillon Lux Biblio for one registered reader in the U.S. or a sample for a reader in the EU or Canada. You must register or your comment will not count. To be eligible, please leave a comment explaining what appeals to you about Chatillon Lux Biblio based on Gail's review. National Library Week is celebrated April 7-April 13, 2019. What is your favorite Classic or your oldest book? Draw closes 3/23/2019
Follow us on Instagram @cafleurebon, @chatillonlux and @azarsmith7
We announce the winners only on our site and on our Facebook page, so like Çafleurebon and use our blog feed … or your dream prize will be just spilled perfume