Eau du Fier – tarry and smoky and leathery

Photo: perfumeniche©

I have a large extended family and enjoy my relationships with my aunts, uncles and cousins, but there’s one uncle with whom I’m particularly close. He’s been a big part of my life for most of my life. Now retired and widowed, we’ve grown even closer.
 
My uncle is a gem, charming, warm and generous. We’ve spent many vacations with him, picnicking on homemade sandwiches while sitting on a dock in some rocky cove along the coast of Newfoundland, visiting wineries in Niagara-on-the-Lake and playing cards late into the night wherever we are. In his younger days, he was a competitive tennis player; he still loves to watch a game of hockey, can fix anything around the house, cooks the best French fries ever and looks great in a tux. Simply put, he is a class act.

He also has a great fondness for cars. Oh, yes, the man does love his wheels. Don’t let me mislead you – we aren’t talking about a vintage car collector or some dude who tricks out their ride with detailing and mag wheels. No, my uncle likes a nice up-to-date car and has the means to indulge his taste. I remember the time he picked us up from the airport in his brand-new cherry red four-door. He keeps his cars perfectly maintained and then gets a new one every couple of years – cause that’s the kind of guy he is.
 
The last time I was in Paris, I caught a whiff of something in the air at the Annick Goutal boutique. Something that smelled very familiar, but I couldn’t put my finger on it. Then it came to me in a rush – it was the smell of being with my uncle in his new cherry red car. It was the smell of Eau du Fier. Well, no big surprise there. Eau du Fier smells like tar and smoke and a new car.
 
The opening is tar and citrus – what a calling card! As it mellows, tea gives it depth by making it smoky and leathery. Osmanthus gives it a floral/fruity aspect and a bit of sweetness, while clove gives it a spicy warmth. It dries down to a beautiful soft, refined scent.

If I were to compare Bulgari Black and Comme des Garçons Tar and Eau du Fier, based on their similar notes of smoky rubber/tar, I'd have to say that I love Bulgari Black for its beauty, Tar for its rawness and Eau du Fier for its elegance.
 
Like my favourite uncle, Eau du Fier is a class act.
 
The good people at Annick Goutal tell me that Eau du Fier is only available at their stores in Paris – that’s where I got mine -  and that they aren’t pouring it anymore. What a shame for car lovers and their nieces everywhere. 
 
Check out Eau du Fier in our Shop.