As someone who has lived in New York City most of my life, I have spent many hours exploring artistic perfumes from all over the world in Karl Bradl and Robert Gerstner’s bijou boutique AEDES de VENUSTAS which opened almost twenty years ago (before blogging or fragrance websites existed). Their attention to detail, to education, customer service and to encouraging olfactive exploration has engaged me since 1999. A number of shoppes have tried (with questionable success) to launch their own House transforming a “space” into a vision and a brand. AEDES has accomplished this in 2012, when their eponymous scent launched blending rhubarb and incense; now a cult classic. The founders have worked with master perfumers Bertrand Duchaufour, Ralf Schwieger and Rodrigo Flores Roux and have taken us on journey back to the very origin of fragrance, burnt offerings of incense to the gods.
Aedes de Venustas’ first release of 2015 is Palissandre d’Or, a collaboration with Master Perfumer Alberto Morillas. The idea for the house’s fifth offering was sparked off by the Indian rosewoodtree also known as Dalbergia sissoo, which has historically been the primary rosewood species of northern India. Rather than a specific essence, it was the word “palisander”, used in the intricate Oriental carvings and serene Asian groves, which provided the inspiration. Reading the ingredients, I envision intricate patterns hand carved into fine grain wood
Notes: Ambrette, pink pepper, coriander, cinnamon, nutmeg a rare sandalwood extract from Sri Lanka, copahu balm, amboxan and patchouli extract, a bold, a trio of cedar including Virginian cedar, Chinese cedar and a rare extract of Alaskan cedar and ambroxan
Palissandre d’Or Eau de Parfum will be available May 1st, 2015. Suggested Retail Price : US $245 / 210€ (100 ml Flacon),Purse spray and refills US $195 / 150€ (3×10 ml), Refills US $110 / 90€ (3×10 ml).
via Karl Bradl and press release
-Michelyn Camen, Editor in Chief
Editor's Note: Ouillet Bengale, Copal Azur were among our top 25 perfumes of 2014 and Iris Nazrena was a top 25 scent in 2013