DO YOU KNOW - Incense Rose, 2008
After some technical glitches I am thrilled to be able to continue my exploration of stand-out rose fragrances. Today, it is a pleasure to share with you a truly dazzling and at times, surprising scent - Incense Rose by Tauer Perfumes.
Before we delve in to the characterists of this mesmerising scent, let us start with an introduction to Tauer Perfumes - a small independent fragrance house based out of Switzerland. Founded in 2005 by Andrew Tauer - the brand sees each creation as a fragrant sculpture, transcending preconceived notions of fine fragrances. Using the finest raw ingredients, Andrew Tauer has no formal training, but combines both his naivety and passion to push scents into a realm of total experience.
Aiming at a more serious discusson on perfumes, Tauer launched PERFUMism at the end of 2009 - an online meeting place which encourages perfume enthusiasts to find educational tools and countless discussion boards on all aspects of the industry.
Launched in 2008, Incense Rose is an oriental floral fragrance composed of mysterious incense notes surrounded by luminous citruses and rose with dark balsamic resins.
The opening brings notes of mystical and dark rose, followed by bergamot and clementine essential oil combined with cardamom and Bulgarian rose. The heart is made up of orris, castor and woodsy accords, striking a daker more animalistic note. The base introduces cedar from Texas, vetiver, balsamic and dark myrrh, patchouli, natural frankincense, labdanum and ambrein.
I was fortunate enough to discover this incredible perfume at MiN New York, a privately owned perfume atelier on Crosby Street in the heart of SoHo. As soon as I smelled it, I knew that this was dfferent. As previously discussed I am mad about Frédéric Malle’s Portrait of a Lady, so I was interested to see what another rose/incense hybrid had in store. The two couldn’t be more different. Despite Tauer’s Swiss residence, there is something wonderfully arabic about Incense Rose. The opening burst of bergamot and clementine is violent and certainly not for the faint of heart. The piercing citrus note shouts out, then followed quickly by a dusty cloud of misty rose and and a large dollop of incense.
This is the kind of scent that will divide opinion based on its opening. I, myself, am not a big citrus fan, but the combination of the bright and acerbic layered against the smoky resins and fuffy florals will have you bewitched. There is no questions that is scent would work equally well in the summer months, as it does on colder days. Let me tell you - this fragrance smells expensive! If asked to paint a mental protrait - I picture an elegant Emirate in his Bentley, parked on the beach in Dubai. Total luxury; exotic, refined, classic but intensely modern.
For those of you who do not like to make a big scented impression - keep away! Incense Rose is a sillage monster and lasts hours and hours. Once on clothes there is no getting away from it. While other scents gently perfume the fabric, Incense Rose seems to power up, even more so than on skin - it’s just that collosal.
I recommend all of you to at least smell Incense Rose and to experience the height of niche perfumery, as demonstrated by Andrew Tauer.
For more information please visit www.TauerPerfumes.com
