detail of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur painting by Marc Chagall

The “Head of the Year”, otherwise known as Rosh Hashanah or the commencement of the Jewish New Year – is based upon a lunar calendar. It happens to be a different day each year according to our solar calendar, but actually falls upon the 1st and 2nd day of the month of Tishrei every year (It’s Tishrei that keeps moving around!). In 2021 Rosh Hashanah arrives early, at sundown on September 6th; it lasts two days. We commemorate the creation of the world and new beginnings, a clean slate. The ten days which begin with the New Year are referred to as the Days of Awe, a period of deep reflection and introspection: what sort of person have we been? Have we injured others by our words and deeds? What really matters?

 

Rosh Hashanah is my favorite time of the year, during which the subsequent holidays are meaningful and definitely not commercial in nature. Several forms of observance have become traditional – asking for forgiveness (both individually and collectively as a community), wishing others a sweet and healthy new year, and partaking of specific foods. A pomegranate in the household represents both the harvest and the Torah; it is said to contain 613 seeds (I wouldn’t want to count them) which symbolize the precise number of good deeds /commandments one is supposed to keep or aspire to in their lifetime. Apples and honey symbolize the bounty and sweetness of life: we dip apples in honey to remind ourselves. Honey cake is another delicacy which represents all that’s sweet and good. The challenge for me has been to ferret through an untold plethora of honey and apple fragrances, too numerous to count – in an attempt to tease out three celebratory ones. There are plenty of honorable mentions and I’m certain that you, dear readers – harbor your own favorites. I look forward to your sharing them with us.

Collage by Michelyn image from the brand

Normally I try to change things up a bit for variety’s sake, but this Rosh Hashanah I’ve decided to make all of you want to eat or drink something delicious; no mercy for you, I fear. Let’s start with a By Kilian which is now exclusive to boutique and online, Apple Brandy.  If we’re going to celebrate, we’ll go big or go home – and By Kilian Apple Brandy will warm your cockles. Although apples are not listed in the notes available, it doesn’t mean that you can’t smell them. Everything regarding the Hennessy family cognac business provided inspiration aplenty in this amply boozy elixir redolent of apples and spirits of excellent quality: notes of oak and cedar, the depth of labdanum and judicious dose of vanilla furnish a realistic snifter experience. Clearly Mme. Lancesseur knows her craft; Apple Brandy makes your mouth water. All you really need now is a crackling fire and your loved ones. Raise a glass to the New Year. By Kilian Apple Brandy notes: oak barrel accord, cedar, labdanum, vanilla

Collage by Michelyn unsplash and her own bottle of Botrytis

Ginestet Botrytis is one of the classics for gourmand bon vivants, created (once again) by a company renowned for their Bordeaux wines since 1897. They released two wine-inspired fragrances in 2008, Sauvignonne and Botrytis, but it was Botrytis which became a cult perfume. Its name derives from a beneficial “noble rot”: a fungus which, under specific conditions, concentrates the sugars and sweetness in grapes, lending a dried fruit flavor/aroma. Botrytis is a honey-lover’s dream: unctuous, spicy, dripping with tones of caramellic sweetness, a delicate rum adornment, and rich amber nuance of freshly-baked honey cake studded with fruit. It is the sweetest of my chosen three, and unapologetically so; you’ve been warned. You can wear your festive cake and eat it, too. Ginestet Botrytis notes: amber, honey, honey cake, candied fruits, white blossoms, grapes

Collage by Michelyn  unsplash and her Hermessence Ambre Narguilè 

Perhaps one of the best loved honey-and-apple perfumes available is Maître Jean-Claude Ellena’s famous Hermessence Ambre Narguilè for Hermès. From a gentleman known for aquarelle-like fragrances, Ambre Narguilé is the exception to the rule: opulence and more opulence, a hedonistic romp with the hookah where more is definitely better. Impossibly decadent apple/cinnamon/honey/sesame/tonka pastry smells exotically Eastern, a festivity in itself, an embarrassment of olfactory and culinary riches. Once more, the presence of rum augments an already alcohol-laden libation, a honey-sweetened mulled wine which is heady, no matter the eau de toilette classification: patisserie and potable in one go. Hermessence Ambre Narguilé notes: cinnamon, honey, rum, caramel, tonka bean, vanilla, benzoin, coumarin, labdanum, tobacco, sesame, white orchid, musk

Honorable mentions: honey/cinnamon/apple: DSH Hanukkah Cannelle (Holiday No.9). Apple as rose in a grassy garden: Hermès Un Jardin Sur le Toit. Floral honey: Aftelier Honey Blossom. Honey musk: Ava-Lux Honey. Peachy suede honey: original Patou Que Sais-Je?. Appley dappley: Demeter Sour Apple Lollipop, Demeter Jolly Rancher New Green Apple, DKNY Be Delicious. Candy Apple: Nina by Nina Ricci.

 

Jacquie Lawson with digital effects by Nicoleta

We at ÇaFleureBon believe that there can never be too many new years, fresh beginnings – and heartily wish you a sweet, healthy and fortuitous year whenever you choose to observe it!

~ Ida Meister, Deputy and Natural Perfumery Editor

Art direction-Michelyn Camen, Editor-in-Chief

Thanks to one of our team we have a draw for a registered user in the USA only for a 15 ml Hermessence Ambre Narguilé circa 2008. To enter the draw, you must be a registered reader. Please leave a comment with what you learned about Rosh Hashanah, and your favorite apple/honey perfumes Draw closes 9/9/2021

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