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Last week when I was in New York, I visited Aedes de Venustas, the niche perfume store on Christopher St. A gorgeous little shop with great selection and outstanding customer service, it is, in my opinion, THE fragrance destination in NYC.
While I was there I chatted with Robert, one of the owners. He was pleased to tell me that they will soon (like the next day) start carrying the Editions de parfums Frédéric Malle line. We chatted about this for a while and then I asked him what his favourite scent in the line was. Well, really, it’s a little like asking someone to choose a favourite from among their children – he loves them all. But he did say that L'Eau d'Hiver by Jean-Claude Ellena, was special to him because it was his introduction to the line. Coincidentally, it was the first Frédéric Malle fragrance I ever smelled. So haunting, so exquisite, I bought it hours after smelling it for the first time.
A blast of bergamot at the start soon softens as powdery iris, angelica, white heliotrope and jasmine combine to create a gorgeous, gentle watery, white floral composition. Almond adds richness and honey adds sweetness, while caramel deepens the honey and adds warmth and depth. Musk at the drydown softly balances the florals and the sweet with an animalic note.
In spite of all the florals and sweet notes L'Eau d'Hiver is neither ‘flowery’ nor ‘sweet’ – it has too much depth and dimension for that. It is an ethereal veil of white flowers held to the skin with caramel and musk - refined, clean, crisp it does evoke a winter’s day, but is a knock-out scent that can be worn anytime.
L'Eau d'Hiver Is listed in our Decant Store. Decants are $8.00 for 1 ml.
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