Launched in 2011 by Swiss indie perfume house Taur Perfumes, Zeta is Andy Tauer’s ode to summer.

It opens with lemon and bergamot sweetened with orange. The citrus notes here are soft and seductive, not sharp or bracing, and they ease to a floral heart of subtle, jasmine-nuanced ylang-ylang, supported by sweet floral orange blossom absolute, which echoes the scent of jasmine, tempered with a fresh green note from neroli. Zeta is citrus laden for sure, but what holds it back from being citrus dominated is the addition of honey-like, green, powdery linden.

Linden trees are in bloom right now, and their early summer fragrance wafts through my neighbourhood. The linden note in Zeta is delicate and true, without the harshness that a synthetic linden note has. And that whiff of honey I get now and again draws my nose back to my wrist, like a bee to a flower. Mr. Tauer loves a rose note, and there’s a lush, gorgeous one here that perfectly rounds out the floral heart. At the base, fragrant, slightly bitter orris root grounds the florals, giving them a more natural dimension. Vanilla extends the sweetness to the base, where sandalwood gives it a soft woodiness that keeps the sweetness in check.

The drydown is delicate and tender, like a day in early summer, while having the feel of luxury. Mr. Tauer nailed it – Zeta is a gorgeous scent ode to summer.

The drydown is delicate and tender, like a day in early summer, while having the feel of luxury. Mr. Tauer nailed it – No 06 Zeta is a gorgeous scent ode to summer.

Notes: lemon, bergamot, sweet orange, ylang ylang, orange blossom absolute, neroli, linden blossom, rose, orris, vanilla and sandalwood.