Day 1378 – BPAL’s Blood for Cat

Tags

almond, Amber, bitter almond, black cherry, BPAL, cherry, currant, dried mango, dried mango plup, golden amber, limited edition, mango, mango pulp, Musk, red currant, red musk, rooibos, rooibos tea, sweet red musk, tea, The Singularity, Tonka, tonka bean

Scent Name: Blood for Cat

Manufacturer: Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab – The Singularity

Scent Description and Notes: “Bad kitty: golden amber, black cherry, tonka bean, sweet red musk, dried mango pulp, rooibos tea, red currant, and bitter almond.” -https://blackphoenixalchemylab.com/shop/spring-collection/the-singularity/blood-for-cat-perfume-oil/

Oil Color: The color of crystallized honey.

Bottle Design and Artwork: This is a standard 1/32 ml imp that has been decanted for me by Absinthetics. Her label features the scent notes on the back along with her decanting information and the scent name. The label art is as follows on the front:

Image from https://blackphoenixalchemylab.com/shop/spring-collection/the-singularity/blood-for-cat-perfume-oil/ Art by Drew Rausch.

• ITI:  Yeah, that’s a whole lot of almond and black cherry.  It reminds me of an Amaretto Sour mixed drink!  When I focus, it’s a bit sweeter thanks to the red musk, mango pulp, and rooibos tea, all of which push the black cherry into a maraschino to my nose.  It still reminds me of a really sweet Amaretto Sour.
• Wet: Maraschino cherries bathed in mango and red currant syrup, surrounded by red musk and fragrant rooibos tea with a whiff of almond that floats in and out of detection.  After 30 seconds, the tonka kicks in, adding some lovely depth to the nearly too sweet fruits.
• Dry:  An hour’s rest yields a much more pleasant scent, one that consists of sweet red musk swirling around a shining golden amber, sweetened with red currant and macerated black cherries set off in the distance.  There’s a huskiness to this scent too, which is I think from the mango pulp.

Other Impressions: None.

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Day 1365 – BPAL’s All Head, All Spine, All Limb, All Loin

Tags

Amber, Ambergris, ambergris accord, black amber, black leather, black musk, BPAL, green musk, Incense, Indonesian oils, Leather, limited edition, Musk, oil, oily black musk, sandalwood, sandalwood incense, Serpent Spring, Snake Oil, sugar, sugared vanilla, vanilla, wild musk

It’s time to bid adieu to this year’s Lupercalia imps and delve into spring. I purchased nearly all of the scents in this collection since I tend to love anything with Snake Oil.  The only one I skipped had black oudh, which is…less than pleasant on me. Once I finish with these, I’ll move on to BPAL’s The Singularity collection.

Scent Name: All Head, All Spine, All Limb, All Loin

Manufacturer: Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab –  Serpent Spring

Scent Description and Notes: “Snake Oil and green musk, black leather, black amber, ambergris accord, sandalwood incense, and oily black musk.” -https://blackphoenixalchemylab.com/shop/spring-collection/serpent-spring/all-head-all-spine-all-limb-all-loin-perfume-oil/

Oil Color: Colorless on my skin.

Bottle Design and Artwork: This is a standard brown apothecary bottle.  The label wrapped around the bottle features the name of the scent in a bolded spring greenish yellow block font just above the company name, which is in a smaller version of the a shadowed white version of the name’s font.  The label is as follows:

Image from https://blackphoenixalchemylab.com/shop/spring-collection/serpent-spring/all-head-all-spine-all-limb-all-loin-perfume-oil/

• ITB: Quickly shifting under my nose, I get something that reminds me of black leather giving way to Indonesian oils and sugared vanilla amber followed by green musk. It’s a whirlwind of complex, beautiful notes.
• Wet: Amber and ambergris smell together with that beautiful sugared vanilla note and the Indonesian oils. It’s Rich, warm, and almost buttery initially. Soon the musk’s move-in, enhancing the resins, followed by that black leather note suddenly slithering 4th to support and push forward the top notes before taking over as a dominant note. After 30 seconds, the Indonesian oils warm along with some of the mosque, but those are much less distinct than the leather, (now on par with) the sweeter top notes.
• Dry: This scent has amazing throw and longevity, lasting 12 hours and still having enough legs to peak others’ interest. Now that it’s dry, it’s a beautiful blend of leather rubbed with Indonesian oils, a hint of spice, and a sliver of warm amber musk.

Other Impressions: Both my mother and the ladies working at the gardens absolutely loved the scent, commenting that it smelled wonderful.  My mother tried it on her and she smelled equally fantastic.  Both she and I will be obtaining a bottle in near order.

Day 1357 – BPAL’s Humorous Copulation

Tags

Amber, amber cream, BPAL, cream, lemon, lemon peel, limited edition, lotus, lotus root, lupercalia, Lupercalia 2019, Lupercalia 2019: Shunga - Novel Ideas for Secret Amusements 2019, Novel Ideas for Secret Amusements, Novel Ideas for Secret Amusements 2019, Shunga, Shunga 2019, tea, white tea

Scent Name: Humorous Copulation

Manufacturer: Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab – Lupercalia 2019: Shunga – Novel Ideas for Secret Amusements 2019

Scent Description and Notes: “Amber cream, white tea, lemon peel, and lotus root.” -https://blackphoenixalchemylab.com/shop/winter-collection/lupercalia-2019/novel-ideas-for-secret-amusements-2019/humorous-copulation-perfume-oil/

Oil Color: Colorless.

Bottle Design and Artwork: This is a standard 1/32 ml imp that has been decanted for me by Absinthetics. Her label features the scent notes on the back along with her decanting information and the scent name. The label art is a shunga woodblock print of four individuals with humorously enlarged genitalia. One man is supporting a woman on his member like she flying.  One woman looks like she’s running away while the gentleman below her looks perplexed at his comically enlarged phallus.

• ITI:  That’s pleasant.  I’m getting white tea and lemon peel as the top notes, while the amber cream and lotus notes (lotus reads as bubblegum to me) blink in and out of detection.
• Wet: The sweet lotus is more discernible on my skin, rising up to meet the soft white tea and delicious lemon peel note. The amber cream adds gauziness from the scent, which keeps the other notes from being too bright or too abrasive. It reminds me of a subdued tea party, room flooded with sunshine in the early spring.
• Dry:  Warm, brilliant amber cream sweetened with sugared lotus root and a faintly floral lemon curd.  Lovely.

Other Impressions: “Freeze-dried raspberries, oranges…and pretzels?  There’s something shiny baked about it.” -Tony

Day 1354 – BPAL’s Elegant Vulvas

Tags

Amber, blossom, BPAL, cherry, cherry blossom, golden amber, honey, limited edition, lotus, lotus blossom, lupercalia, Lupercalia 2019, Lupercalia 2019: Shunga, Lupercalia 2019: Shunga - Novel Ideas for Secret Amusements 2019, mallow, mallow root, Novel Ideas for Secret Amusements, Shunga, Shunga 2019, teak, white teak, wildflower, wildflower honey

Scent Name: Elegant Vulvas

Manufacturer: Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab – Lupercalia 2019: Shunga – Novel Ideas for Secret Amusements 2019

Scent Description and Notes: “Golden amber and lotus blossom, cherry blossom and white teak, mallow root and wildflower honey.” -https://blackphoenixalchemylab.com/shop/winter-collection/lupercalia-2019/novel-ideas-for-secret-amusements-2019/elegant-vulvas-perfume-oil/

Oil Color: The color an apricot Jolly Rancher.

Bottle Design and Artwork: This is a standard 1/32 ml imp that has been decanted for me by Absinthetics. Her label features the scent notes on the back along with her decanting information and the scent name. The label art is a shunga woodblock print of two vulvas.

• ITI: It smells like vanilla mallow laced with amber, cherry blossoms. There’s a sliver of teak that vanishes when I try to pin it down and a thread of dustiness, too.
• Wet: Amber mallow and gobs of wildflower honey drizzled over light teak jump forth from the wrist.  The scent borders on cloying at this stage for me.
• Dry:  Now that’s nice.  Teak perfumed with amber infused with floral honey and the sublime, delicate beauty of cherry blossoms lingers just under underneath.  For something that was applied over 8 hours ago, this scent still has throw and is lovely and distinct.

Other Impressions: “I don’t really smell much.” -Tony

Day 1353 – BPAL’s Cock Cage

Tags

Amber, apple, apple oudh, apple-crushed oudh, apricot, blackened apricot, BPAL, gilded leather, gold, golden amber, Leather, limited edition, lupercalia, Lupercalia 2019, Lupercalia 2019: Shunga, Lupercalia 2019: Shunga - Novel Ideas for Secret Amusements 2019, Musk, neroli, Novel Ideas for Secret Amusements, Novel Ideas for Secret Amusements 2019, oudh, saffron, Shunga, Shunga 2019, sweet musk

Scent Name: Cock Cage

Manufacturer: Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab – Lupercalia 2019: Shunga – Novel Ideas for Secret Amusements 2019

Scent Description and Notes: “Golden amber, apple-crushed oudh, blackened apricot, sweet musk, saffron, neroli, and gilded leather.” -https://blackphoenixalchemylab.com/shop/winter-collection/lupercalia-2019/novel-ideas-for-secret-amusements-2019/cock-cage-perfume-oil/

Oil Color: The color of old marmalade.

Bottle Design and Artwork: This is a standard 1/32 ml imp that has been decanted for me by Absinthetics. Her label features the scent notes on the back along with her decanting information and the scent name. The label art is a shunga woodblock print of a kimono-swathed couple engaging in coitus, women arched back with the male using an aptly-names device on his phallus.

• ITI: At first, it smelled like cat pee for roughly half a second before a lovely apple-oudh and apricot amber note quickly makes me re-think my initial impression.  There’s an airy, colder quality to this scent, which might be from the gilded leather note, which is very subtle under the apple-oudh.
• Wet: Cold apple-crusted cat excrement atop saffron and gilded leather.  Dang.
• Dry:  Okay, that’s so much better now that it has dried.  The oudh is ashen and fragile under the strong neroli and amber musk.  There’s a sliver of apple underneath that makes this’s ever so slightly green. This is worth the dry-down!

Other Impressions: “Ugh!  It smells like nasty-a$$ cat turd rubbed with cheap, dollar-store perfume.  Did you put on more of that turd perfume [The Black Snowman]?  They need to stop using that note.  It’s terribad. That’s a tur-oudh.” -Tony

 

“Oh, god, Tony’s right! It smells like fresh, wet cat shit…and flowers.  It smells like Loki ate a lot of flowers and just diarrhea-d all over the place.” -Kelly

Day 1351 – BPAL’s The Great Brocade Addressee

Tags

Amber, amber incense, BPAL, cream, French lavender, honey, honeyed cream, Incense, Lavender, limited edition, lupercalia, Lupercalia 2019, Lupercalia 2019: Shunga, Lupercalia 2019: Shunga - Novel Ideas for Secret Amusements 2019, Novel Ideas for Secret Amusements, Novel Ideas for Secret Amusements 2019, orris, orris root, Shunga, Shunga 2019

Scent Name: The Great Brocade Addressee

Manufacturer: Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab – Lupercalia 2019: Shunga – Novel Ideas for Secret Amusements 2019

Scent Description and Notes: “Honeyed cream, immortelle, orris root, French lavender, and amber incense.” -https://blackphoenixalchemylab.com/shop/winter-collection/lupercalia-2019/novel-ideas-for-secret-amusements-2019/the-great-brocade-addressee-perfume-oil/

Oil Color: Lightly yellow on my skin.

Bottle Design and Artwork: This is a standard brown apothecary bottle.  The label wrapped around the bottle features the name of the scent in bolded leaf green block font just above the company name, which is in a smaller version of the a shadowed white version of the name’s font.  The label is a shunga woodblock print of a woman looking at the image of a Noh theater actor and pleasuring herself.

• ITB: Surprisingly floral, the immortelle and orris root remind me of a refined, high-end soap with a lovely undertone of faintly sweet cream.
• Wet: Dang, the orris root goes slightly buggy on my skin at first, but the lavender swells to cover it within seconds, followed by the clarity of the fragrantly feminine immortelle.  There’s a hint of amber under it all if I really concentrate, but this is far more floral than foody on my skin.
• Dry: Light honeyed cream and immortelle dusted with a orris root and a hint of amber.  Feminine, sophisticated, and warm, this is a scent I’d reach for again.

Other Impressions: None.

Day 1347 – BPAL’s Low-Hanging Junk

Tags

almond, Amber, amber resin, bitter almond, bourbon, BPAL, fossilized amber resin, labdanum, limited edition, lupercalia, Lupercalia 2019, Lupercalia 2019: Teddy's Junk Tour, resin, Teddy's Junk Tour, tobacco, tobacco absolute, vanilla, vanilla bourbon

Scent Name: Low-Hanging Junk

Manufacturer: Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab – Lupercalia 2019: Teddy’s Junk Tour

Scent Description and Notes: “Vanilla bourbon, fossilized amber resin, bitter almond, labdanum, and tobacco absolute.” -https://blackphoenixalchemylab.com/shop/winter-collection/lupercalia-2019/teddys-junk-tour/low-hanging-junk-perfume-oil/

Oil Color: The color of apricot jam.

Bottle Design and Artwork: This is a standard 1/32 ml imp that has been decanted for me by Absinthetics. Her label features the scent notes on the back along with her decanting information and the scent name. The label art image is a statue of a burly man or satyr with his package handing on the vines below him.

 

• ITI: The bitter almond and vanilla bourbon combine to smell a bit like holiday marzipan to me. There’s a hint of something bright and sharp that streaks through the marzipan.
• Wet: Marzipan almond and vanilla, this time with a stronger splash of bourbon, are strongest on my skin. As the scent starts to settle, the beautiful golden amber resin and intoxicating tobacco swirl over the marzipan, replacing it as the dominant notes.
• Dry: Beautifully radiant amber resin swaths soft tobacco and vanilla bourbon and labdanum, now much fainter when compared to the amber.  As for the bitter almond, I have no idea where that went, but I’m pleased with the final dry-down.

Other Impressions: None.

Day 1345 – BPAL’s Pegasus Junk

Tags

Amber, BPAL, concrete, hinoki, hinoki wood, limited edition, lupercalia, Lupercalia 2019, Lupercalia 2019: Teddy's Junk Tour, Mysore sandalwood, orris, orris concrete, rice, rice absolute, sandalwood, tea, Teddy's Junk Tour, white tea, wood

Scent Name: Pegasus Junk

Manufacturer: Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab – Lupercalia 2019: Teddy’s Junk Tour

Scent Description and Notes: “White tea, Mysore sandalwood, orris concrete, rice absolute, hinoki wood, and amber.” -https://blackphoenixalchemylab.com/shop/winter-collection/lupercalia-2019/teddys-junk-tour/pegasus-junk-perfume-oil/

Oil Color: Colorless on my skin.

Bottle Design and Artwork: This is a standard brown apothecary bottle.  The label wrapped around the bottle features the name of the scent in bolded white block font just above the company name, which is in a smaller version of the same font.  The label is as follows:

Image from https://blackphoenixalchemylab.com/shop/winter-collection/lupercalia-2019/teddys-junk-tour/pegasus-junk-perfume-oil/

• ITB: My first impression is that this smells like buttered popcorn and white tea.  Interesting.  On second sniff, I’m getting gently browned rice and white tea. There’s  a pleasant flutter of orris and sandalwood as well, adding a lovely round resin tone to the tea and rice notes. It’s both refreshing and comforting.
• Wet: White lemon tea and hinoki wood next to a bowl of warm brown rice with orris incense wafting in the background with a hint of concrete in the far background.
• Dry: The orris has bloomed considerably, and mingled with the sandalwood, hinoki wood, and gentle lemony tea reminds me of a tea house during the peak of spring.

Other Impressions:  None.

Day 1341 – BPAL’s Pericardium

Tags

Amber, amber resin, BPAL, clove, Frankincense, limited edition, lupercalia, Lupercalia 2019, Lupercalia 2019: The Hearthstone and the Heat, milk, resin, rice, rice milk, sandalwood, sheer vanilla, sweet clove, The Hearthstone and the Heat, vanilla, white sandalwood

Scent Name: Pericardium

Manufacturer: Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab – Lupercalia 2019: The Hearthstone and the Heat

Scent Description and Notes: “The membrane enclosing the heart: white sandalwood and rice milk shimmering with sheer vanilla, white amber resin, frankincense, and a drop of sweet clove.” -https://blackphoenixalchemylab.com/shop/winter-collection/lupercalia-2019/the-hearthstone-and-the-heat/pericardium-perfume-oil/

Oil Color: Colorless on my skin.

Bottle Design and Artwork: This is a standard brown apothecary bottle.  The label wrapped around the bottle features the name of the scent in bolded coral pink block font shadowed in black just above the company name, which is in a smaller, pinker version of the same font.  The label art only differs in the name throughout this collection.

Image from https://blackphoenixalchemylab.com/shop/winter-collection/lupercalia-2019/the-hearthstone-and-the-heat/pericardium-perfume-oil/

• ITB:  Warmed, soft rice milk, billowing columns of  white sandalwood, and a gentle, wafting vanilla laced with sweet amber drift forth from the bottle.  I think I’m in love.  This could be a gauzy, sophisticated horchata distillation.
• Wet: Once applied, the frankincense makes its appearance and then quickly gives way to that beautifully warm rice milk and gossamer vanilla.  As it settles, the clove, amber, and sandalwood warm, swirling the top notes together in a beautiful assemblage of soft resins and nostalgic sweetness.
• Dry: Much of this scent vanishes within the hour, but what I am left after 6 hours is a very faint vanilla’d rice milk with a sliver of warmth added from the amber.  This scent would need reapplication throughout the day, though.

Other Impressions: None.

Day 1339 – BPAL’s Chordae Tendinea

Tags

Amber, blood, blood musk, BPAL, carnation, cognac, gilded carnation, gold, golden amber, limited edition, lupercalia, Lupercalia 2019, Lupercalia 2019: The Hearthstone and the Heat, Musk, orange, orange blossom, red cognac, The Hearthstone and the Heat

Scent Name: Chordae Tendinea

Manufacturer: Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab – Lupercalia 2019: The Hearthstone and the Heat

Scent Description and Notes: “A plucking of the heartstrings: blood musk, radiant golden amber, gilded carnation, orange blossom, and red cognac.” -https://blackphoenixalchemylab.com/shop/winter-collection/lupercalia-2019/the-hearthstone-and-the-heat/chordae-tendineae-perfume-oil/

Oil Color: Faintly orange on my skin.

Bottle Design and Artwork: This is a standard brown apothecary bottle.  The label wrapped around the bottle features the name of the scent in bolded coral pink block font shadowed in black just above the company name, which is in a smaller, pinker version of the same font.  The label art only differs in the name throughout this collection.

Image from https://blackphoenixalchemylab.com/shop/winter-collection/lupercalia-2019/the-hearthstone-and-the-heat/chordae-tendineae-perfume-oil/

• ITB: Red cognac thunders forth with a brief breath of orange blossom gently lifting the darker booze note muddled with the blood musk.
• Wet: Wet blood musk with gentle clouds of orange blossom make me think of blood cells traveling through the heart.  The cognac adds an interesting depth while the amber adds a very subtle warmth to the blood musk and orange blossoms, but the carnation is oddly lacking.
• Dry: The amber has warmed and the carnation has finally made its appearance, adding some lovely spice that harmonizes so well beautifully with the orange blossom and more subdued blood musk and cognac.  It reminds me of the warming afternoons of late spring and early summer – musky, floral, hazy, and quietly content.

Other Impressions: “It smells like the Tarpon Springs sponge docks – that mix of shea butter and sea spray and a bunch of Greek food somewhere in the distance.  Seriously, that smells is Tarpon Springs for me.  I would not mind you wearing that.” -Tony

Day 1337 – BPAL’s Left Atrium

Tags

Amber, BPAL, Cedar, grapefruit, limited edition, lupercalia, Lupercalia 2019, Lupercalia 2019: The Hearthstone and the Heat, mimosa, pink grapefruit, red mimosa, The Hearthstone and the Heat, white amber, white cedar

Scent Name: Left Atrium

Manufacturer: Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab – Lupercalia 2019: The Hearthstone and the Heat

Scent Description and Notes: “A holding chamber for blood returning from the lungs: red mimosa, airy white cedar, pink grapefruit, and white amber.” -https://blackphoenixalchemylab.com/shop/winter-collection/lupercalia-2019/the-hearthstone-and-the-heat/left-atrium-perfume-oil/

Oil Color: The color of diluted Lemoncello.

Bottle Design and Artwork: This is a standard 1/32 ml imp that has been decanted for me by Absinthetics. Her label features the scent notes on the back along with her decanting information and the scent name. The label art image is as follows:

Image from https://blackphoenixalchemylab.com/shop/winter-collection/lupercalia-2019/the-hearthstone-and-the-heat/left-atrium-perfume-oil/

• ITI: Freshly squeezed pink grapefruit and a hint of grapefruit flesh dominate the initial impression before I’m able to tease out the shadow of mimosa under the vivacious citrus.
• Wet: While still juicy and vibrant, the pink grapefruit flesh note now dances merrily with the mimosa while the white amber warms gently in the middle of the scent.  While I’m not picking up much cedar other than a duskiness around the amber, the scent is still a wonderfully delicious citrus with a touch of feminine sophistication.
• Dry: After 7 hours, the scent has largely dissipated , leaving me with a very subtle mimosa and white amber haze.

Other Impressions: None.

Day 1333 – BPAL’s Right Atrium

Tags

Amber, BPAL, cashmere, cherry blossom, limited edition, lupercalia, Lupercalia 2019, Lupercalia 2019: The Hearthstone and the Heat, tea, The Hearthstone and the Heat, white tea, wood

Scent Name: Right Atrium

Manufacturer: Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab – Lupercalia 2019: The Hearthstone and the Heat

Scent Description and Notes: “Receiving and holding deoxygenated blood: luminous amber and white tea, cherry blossom and cashmere wood.” -https://blackphoenixalchemylab.com/shop/winter-collection/lupercalia-2019/the-hearthstone-and-the-heat/right-atrium-perfume-oil/

Oil Color: Colorless

Bottle Design and Artwork: This is a standard 1/32 ml imp that has been decanted for me by Absinthetics. Her label features the scent notes on the back along with her decanting information and the scent name. The label art image is as follows:

Image from https://blackphoenixalchemylab.com/shop/winter-collection/lupercalia-2019/the-hearthstone-and-the-heat/right-atrium-perfume-oil/

• ITI: So delicate and fresh!  White tea and cherry blossoms clearly shine luminous in their own beauty.  It smells like walking down a cherry-tree-lined neighborhood, sunlight gently rustling the trembling blooms.
• Wet: Strong white tea with hints of lemon and white florals atop soft cherry blossoms and a tinge of cashmere wood that does not detract from its gentle floral appeal.
• Dry:  After 4 hours, the scent has dissipated considerably, but what I am left with is a gentle cherry blossom tea scent with a touch of amber.  It’s still delicate and refreshing, so I can see myself reaching for this one frequently.

Other Impressions: None.

Day 1330 – BPAL’s Alleviate the Frenzy

Tags

Amber, BPAL, limited edition, lupercalia, Lupercalia 2019, peach, peach musk, sugar, sugared amber

Scent Name: Alleviate the Frenzy

Manufacturer: Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab – Lupercalia 2019

Scent Description and Notes: “Nor should you wonder at all these things which are natural to women, and are particularly expected of the condition of virgins; because of retention of the sexual fluid, the heart and surrounding areas are enveloped in a morbid and moist exudation: this is especially true of the more lascivious females, inclined to venery, passionate women who are most eager to experience physical pleasure; if she is of this type she cannot ever be relieved by any aid except that of her parents who are advised to find her a husband. Having done so the man’s strong and vigorous intercourse alleviated the frenzy. She married an energetic young man, who, having discharged his marital responsibilities with vigor, she took to this with enthusiasm; under this appropriate treatment she flourished, revived, bloomed with the rosy shade of well-being, and was entirely restored to health.
– Zacutus Lusitanus, Praxis Medica Admiranda, 1637

Lascivious females! Are you suffering from morbid, moist exudations? Restore your health and the rosy glow of well-being! Heady peach musk aglow with sugared amber.” -https://blackphoenixalchemylab.com/shop/winter-collection/lupercalia-2019/alleviate-the-frenzy-perfume-oil/

Oil Color: Colorless.

Bottle Design and Artwork: This is a standard 1/32 ml imp that has been decanted for me by Absinthetics. Her label features the scent notes on the back along with her decanting information and the scent name. The label art image features the back of a nude, zoftig woman, who is being admired by a seated, mustachioed man.

• ITI: Warm peach flesh sugared with a golden and sophisticated amber.  It does certainly strike me as feminine – sweet and alluring.
• Wet: Soft, almost mouse-like peach, fresh and ripe, with a very subtle thread of amber to add some sophistication to the creamy peach.  I rather like this.
• Dry: After a full day, the scent has dwindled considerably, leaving a very faint peach musk with a hint of sugar.

Other Impressions: None.

 

Day 1318 – BPAL’s Snake’s Tongue

Tags

Amber, Ambergris, ambergris accord, black amber, bourbon, bourbon vanilla, bourbon vanilla absolute, BPAL, C02, C02 extract, caramel, caramelized tobacco, davana, Indonesian oils, limited edition, lupercalia, Lupercalia 2019, Lupercalia 2019: Out the Dark Door of the Secret Earth, moss, oak, oak wood, oakmoss, Out the Dark Door of the Secret Earth, Snake Oil, sugar, sugared vanilla, tobacco, vanilla, wood

Scent Name: Snake’s Tongue

Manufacturer: Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab – Lupercalia 2019: Out the Dark Door of the Secret Earth

Scent Description and Notes: “He lifted his head from his drinking, as cattle do,
And looked at me vaguely, as drinking cattle do,
And flickered his two-forked tongue from his lips, and mused a moment,
And stooped and drank a little more…

Snake Oil with caramelized tobacco, davana, black amber, bourbon vanilla absolute, ambergris accord, oakmoss, and CO2 extract of oak wood.” -https://blackphoenixalchemylab.com/shop/lupercalia-2019/out-the-dark-door-of-the-secret-earth/snakes-tongue-perfume-oil/

Oil Color: A browned orange oil on my skin.

Bottle Design and Artwork: This is a standard brown apothecary bottle.  The label wrapped around the bottle features the name of the company in bolded pale ballet pink block font shadowed in black along the bottom.  Above that is the name of the scent in in a larger version of the font, although in a dusky rose color.  The label art is as featured below:

Image from https://blackphoenixalchemylab.com/shop/lupercalia-2019/out-the-dark-door-of-the-secret-earth/snakes-tongue-perfume-oil/

• ITB: I get resins muddled with oak moss, davana, Indonesian oils, and caramelized tobacco with warm wooden tones.
• Wet: This is beautiful.  The Indonesian oils meld beautifully with the caramelized tobacco, indulgent and fragrant.  The whole thing is sweetened over with vanilla, sugar, and subtle tones of bourbon and amber, while the wood notes keep the scent from delving into the gourmand realm.  The hint of ambergris adds a lovely musky depth to the scent.
• Dry: Faint bourbon vanilla, warmed with a smidgen of sugar and a hint of tobacco.  While this does have medium wear, I do wish it stuck around more concretely.

Other Impressions: None.

Day 1316 – BPAL’s Globe

Tags

Amber, Anne Wagner, black tea, BPAL, chypre, golden amber, hiba, hiba wood, In Memoriam, iris, iris root, Liber Amicorum, Liber Amicorum: Anne Wagner, limited edition, lupercalia, Lupercalia 2018, Lupercalia 2018:  Liber Amicorum - Anne Wagner, patchouli, russet chypre, tea, vintage patchouli, wood

Scent Name: Globe

Manufacturer: Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab – Lupercalia 2018: Liber Amicorum – Anne Wagner

Scent Description and Notes: “A russet chypre slathered in vintage patchouli and black tea with golden amber, hiba wood, and iris root.” -https://blackphoenixalchemylab.com/shop/in-memoriam/lupercalia/lupercalia-2018/liber-amicorum/globe/

Oil Color: A warm golden yellow oil.

Bottle Design and Artwork: This is a standard brown apothecary bottle.  The label wrapped around the bottle features the name of the company in bolded white block font along the bottom.  Above that is the name of the scent in in a larger version.  The name of the collection is in the same size and type of font as the company’s name, but shadowed and situated along the top of the label.  The label art is as featured below:

Image from https://blackphoenixalchemylab.com/shop/in-memoriam/lupercalia/lupercalia-2018/liber-amicorum/globe/

• ITB: Golden, polished hiba wood proudly announces itself, vying for rank with the aged patchouli and warm, slightly cologne-y chypre. While the black tea is absent at this point, the iris root floats along the periphery of the scent.
• Wet: The chypre, laden in cologne and infused with faint, dried fruit, explores on my skin, proudly proclaiming itself.  Shortly thereafter, I get lightly buggy iris, which fades away after a couple minutes, opening up for a hint of patchouli, the golden amber and fragrant tea notes to warm next to the glorious hiba wood note.  It’s masculine, stately, and dashing.  I might need to try this on my husband.
• Dry: I don’t know it it’s the combination of the patchouli and the chypre paired with the wood and amber, but there’s something that reminds me of rich incense and tobacco after about 30 minutes.  After 10 hours, I’m left with dry incensed wood and faded patchouli with a very faint sweetness underneath.  I’m a fan.

Other Impressions: This reminds me (at least with my skin chemistry) of Tom Ford’s Tobacco Oud, which I absolutely adore on my husband.

Day 1311 – BPAL’s One Perfect Day

Tags

Amber, benzoin, bois de rose, BPAL, honey, honeyed tea rose, In Memoriam, Lavender, lavender water, limited edition, lupercalia, Lupercalia 2018, red benzoin, Rose, rose amber, tea rose

Scent Name: One Perfect Day

Manufacturer: Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab – Lupercalia 2018

Scent Description and Notes: “You did not need to creep into my heart
The way you did. You could have smiled
And knowing what you did, you have kept apart
From all my inner soul. But you beguiled
Deliberately.
—Alice Dunbar-Nelson

Honeyed tea rose, lavender water, red benzoin, bois de rose, and rose amber.” -https://blackphoenixalchemylab.com/shop/in-memoriam/one-perfect-day/

Oil Color: Colorless on my skin.

Bottle Design and Artwork: This is a standard brown apothecary bottle.  The label wrapped around the bottle features the name of the company in bolded white block font shadowed in black along the bottom.  Above that is the name of the scent in in a larger  tea-rose pink color.  The name of the collection is in the same size and type of font as the company’s name.  The label art is as featured below:

Image from https://blackphoenixalchemylab.com/shop/in-memoriam/one-perfect-day/

• ITB: A wonderfully lady-like bouquet of soft roses, the bright tea rose of which just is absolutely delightful, clear, and present in the bottle. The red benzoin and amber compliment the varied rose tones, and the faint watery lavender adds an air of poise to the scent as a whole.
• Wet: Tea rose and the more earnest bois de rose dusting powder, sprinkled with honey, benzoin, and a hint of watery essence delights my rose.  It’s so beautifully feminine without being overbearing in terms of its floral tones.
• Dry: While subdued, this scent lasted throughout my work day – a beautifully proper tea rose warmed by amber and benzoin delighted me throughout.

Other Impressions: None.

Day 1306 – BPAL’s The Naturally Possible and Impossible

Tags

Amber, amber oudh, An Evening with the Spirits, bay, bay rum, BPAL, cigar, cigar smoke, In Memoriam, Leather, limited edition, oudh, rum, smoke, tobacco, vetiver, Well-worn leather, worn leather, yule, Yule 2018, Yule 2018: An Evening With the Spirits, Yules, Yules 2018

Scent Name: The Naturally Possible and Impossible

Manufacturer: Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab – Yule 2018: An Evening with The Spirits

Scent Description and Notes: “This has occurred in my presence on four occasions in darkness. The test conditions under which they took place were quite satisfactory, so far as the judgment was concerned; but ocular demonstration of such a fact is so necessary to disturb our pre-formed opinions as to “the naturally possible and impossible,” that I will here only mention cases in which the deductions of reason were confirmed by the sense of sight.

On one occasion I witnessed a chair, with a lady sitting on it, rise several inches from the ground. On another occasion, to avoid the suspicion of this being in some way performed by herself, the lady knelt on the chair in such a manner that its four feet were visible to us. It then rose about three inches, remained suspended for about ten seconds, and then slowly descended. At another time two children, on separate occasions, rose from the floor with their chairs, in full daylight, under (to me) most satisfactory conditions; for I was kneeling and keeping close watch upon the feet of the chair, and observing that no one might touch them.

The most striking cases of levitation which I have witnessed have been with Mr. Home, on three separate occasions have I seen him raised completely from the floor of the room. Once sitting in an easy chair, once kneeling on his chair, and once standing up. On each occasion I had full opportunity of watching the occurrence as it was taking place.

There are at least a hundred recorded instances of Mr. Home’s rising from the ground, in the presence of as many separate persons, and I have heard from the lips of the three witnesses to the most striking occurrence of this kind – the Earl of Dunraven, Lord Lindsay, and Captain C. Wynne – their own most minute accounts of what took place. To reject the recorded evidence on this subject is to reject all human testimony whatever; for no fact in sacred or profane history is supported by a stronger array of proofs

The accumulated testimony establishing Mr. Homes levitations is overwhelming. It is greatly to be desired that some person, whose evidence would be accepted as conclusive by the scientific world – if indeed there lives a person whose testimony in favour of such phenomena would be taken – would seriously and patiently examine the alleged facts. Most of the eyewitnesses to these levitations are now living, and would, doubtless, be willing to give their evidence. But, in a few years, such direct evidence will be difficult, if not impossible, to be obtained.

– Notes of an Enquiry into the Phenomena called Spiritual during the years 1870-1873, William Crookes

Well-worn leather, bay rum, vetiver, cigar smoke, and amber oudh.” -https://blackphoenixalchemylab.com/shop/winter-collection/yule-2018/an_evening_with_the_spirits/the-naturally-possible-and-impossible-2/

Oil Color: A lightly yellowish oil on my skin.

Bottle Design and Artwork: This is a standard brown apothecary bottle.  The label wrapped around the bottle features the name of the company in bolded black block font along the bottom.  Above that is the name of the scent in ornate white script.  The name of the collection is in same font as the company name along the top of the label.  The label art is as featured below:

Image from https://blackphoenixalchemylab.com/shop/winter-collection/yule-2018/an_evening_with_the_spirits/the-naturally-possible-and-impossible-2/

• ITB:  Yep, that reminds me of a gentleman’s study – bay rum, older leather couches, thick but fragrant cigar smoke, with a hint of resin, like a sophisticated cologne, in the background.
• Wet: Sweet bay rum and amber oudh muddled with deliciously thick tobacco smoke and vetiver make for a lovely masculine scent.  The leather, not as present initially, slowly warms on my skin, just adding to the lovely combination of traditionally masculine notes.  As a woman, I would still wear this since I enjoy wearing scents designed for both genders.
• Dry: After nearly 13 hours, I’m left with a beautifully warm and sophisticated combination of amber, bay rum, and rich tobacco smoke.  I’m a fan.

Other Impressions: None.

Day 1303 – BPAL’s Claircognizance

Tags

Amber, An Evening with the Spirits, benzoin, BPAL, Corsican immortelle, immortelle, life everlasting, limited edition, rockrose, sandalwood, Siamese benzoin, white amber, white sandalwood, yule, Yule 2018, Yule 2018: An Evening With the Spirits, Yules, Yules 2018

Scent Name: Claircognizance

Manufacturer: Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab – Yule 2018: An Evening with The Spirits

Scent Description and Notes: “Dr. E. S. Packard, of Corunna, Me., in the Eastern Star, states that Mr. David Prescott, of South Sangerville, over ninety years of age, “wandered away into the woods, and not returning, a crowd of over a hundred men hunted for him nearly two days; the mill pond near his house was drained. Search was made in every direction but to no success.

 “A gentleman of that place decided to call in the aid of Mrs. Stevens; she told him somebody was lost, and not being able to visit the place she drew a map or chart of the locality, giving directions, by which, on his return he was immediately found alive, but died the next day. The day following I was at South Sangerville, and stopping at this gentleman’s house, examined the map, which was perfect in every respect. The house and shed were correctly drawn, the mill and pond near the house were marked, the field and woods, two fences over which Mr. Prescott must climb, even to the swinging of the road by the house was definitely given.

“The spot where she said he was, was shown by a large black mark, and he was found exactly in that place. When we consider that Mrs. Stevens never saw this place in her normal condition, it is to me a wonderful test of spirit power.”

Absolute and perfect clarity: rockrose, white amber, Corsican immortelle, Siamese benzoin, white sandalwood, and life everlasting.” -https://blackphoenixalchemylab.com/shop/winter-collection/yule-2018/an_evening_with_the_spirits/claircognizance-3/

Oil Color: A yellowish orange oil on my skin.

Bottle Design and Artwork: This is a standard brown apothecary bottle.  The label wrapped around the bottle features the name of the company in faintly ombre grey, shadowed font along the bottom.  Above that is the name of the scent in ornate white script.  The name of the collection is in same font as the company name along the top of the label.  The label art is as featured below:

Image from https://blackphoenixalchemylab.com/shop/winter-collection/yule-2018/an_evening_with_the_spirits/claircognizance-3/

• ITB:  Mmh, this has some heft to it!  I get life everlasting, with that distinctive almost animalistic floral tone, followed by rockrose with a hint of amber, sandalwood, and something that shews faintly vanilla along the very periphery of the stronger floral notes.
• Wet: Oh, goodness, yes.  I am in love already!  It’s a slightly more floral Chanel No. 5.  It has that same sparkling husky aldehydes that the classic does, which is one of the reasons I fell in love with the scent, but Claricognizance is less abrasive and less sharp in its use of floral notes since the jasmine that is present in the Chanel scent is missing in this, as is that distinct sharp alcohol tone.  It’s a gorgeous combination of life everlasting, rockrose, immortelle at the forefront and benzoin and light amber along the base of the scent.
• Dry: Beautifully gossamer immortelle and rockrose waft over shadows of incense and resin. It truelove does remind me of ghosts, but ghosts of loved ones.  It’s floral, soothing, and slightly mournful.  Very light silage once it has had a chance to settle for a few hours, but I honestly do not mind!

Other Impressions: None.

Day 1301 – BPAL’s Frostbitten Sin

Tags

Amber, black patchouli, BPAL, cinnamon, In Memoriam, limited edition, patchouli, sandalwood, snow, The Snowdrift, yule, Yule 2017, Yules, Yules 2017, Yules 2017: The Snowdrift

Scent Name:  Frostbitten Sin

Manufacturer:  Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab – Yules 2017: The Snowdrift

Scent Description and Notes: None provided.  Sin: “Thoroughly corrupted: amber, sandalwood, black patchouli and cinnamon.” -bpal.org

Oil Color: A faintly yellow oil on my skin.

Bottle Design and Artwork: This is a standard brown apothecary bottle.  The label wrapped around the bottle features the name of the company in white bolded font along the bottom.  Centered in the middle of the label is the name of the scent in larger white font.  The name of the collection is in the same format as the company name along the top of the label.  The label art is as featured below:

Image from https://scentbase.com/scents/black-phoenix-alchemy-lab-bpal/frostbitten-sin/201711120858253405

• ITB:  I was expecting a brash symphony of notes, but instead I’m presently surprised with heavy snow and sandalwood, reminding me of Lush’s Snow Cake in the bottle.
• Wet: Snow notes, soft and fluffy, next to subdued sandalwood and lightly powdered amber with the ghost of ground cinnamon long past in the background yield a very interesting combination that shifts between forlorn and silent to warm, faintly spicy, and welcoming.
• Dry:  It’s softer now that it’s had several hours to settle, drifting into the realm of faintly resinous snow with a touch of patchouli and dried cinnamon.  I think I like this one better while wet, but it still is pleasant.

Other Impressions: None.

Day 1300 – BPAL’s Frostbitten Blood Amber

Tags

Amber, amber resin, bood, BPAL, dragon's blood, goldem amber, golden amber resin, In Memoriam, limited edition, resin, snow, The Snowdrift, yule, Yule 2017, Yules, Yules 2017, Yules 2017: The Snowdrift

Scent Name:  Frostbitten Blood Amber

Manufacturer:  Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab – Yules 2017: The Snowdrift

Scent Description and Notes: None provided.  Blood Amber: “Slivers of warm, pulsating blood forever crystallized in golden amber resin.” -https://blackphoenixalchemylab.com/shop/bewitching-brews/blood-amber/

Oil Color: Colorless on my skin.

Bottle Design and Artwork: This is a standard brown apothecary bottle.  The label wrapped around the bottle features the name of the company in white bolded font along the bottom.  Centered in the middle of the label is the name of the scent in larger white font.  The name of the collection is in the same format as the company name along the top of the label.  The label art is as featured below:

Image from https://scentbase.com/scents/black-phoenix-alchemy-lab-bpal/frostbitten-blood-amber/201711120854155529

• ITB:  I immediately get fiery red blood amber erupting forth, but it almost immediately is quenched by the silvery  powdered snow note with a subtle aroma of velvety rose petals.  This isn’t what I had expected, but I’m still eager to wear this.
• Wet: Dragon’s blood swirled with amber, soft and  gently resinous, dusted over with powdery snow and snowdrop florals.
• Dry:  Hmm, the dry-down is a bit problematic on my skin.  It reminds me of screeching white florals, the kind that used to be present in mid 90s car air fresheners, with a powdery snow note and a hint of resin underneath.  I’m not sure if it’s the dragon’s blood that is acting out, or if it’s just the blend. It isn’t terrible, but it just isn’t something that I’d reach for.

Other Impressions: None.