One of the people who made the biggest impact on my early life was my maternal grandfather. After a hardscrabble childhood in Glasgow, he immigrated to Canada as a young man with his parents and sister to train as a draftsman and parts engineer. An aptitude for the work and for study in general made him a success within a few years and he was soon able to provide his family with the sort of respectable, cozy comforts that they had always aspired to in their homeland.
People of his generation and background approvingly described him as "a careful man" — a certain sort of sober fussiness being viewed at that time as one of the proudest and most patriotic of Scottish virtues — and he was as meticulous and discerning about his pleasures as he was about everything else. Our own, less kind era might hang the label of "OCD" on his morning hygiene and dressing routines, his fastidious care of such household objects as clocks, vinyl records or decorative biscuit tins, or his use of a level to straighten all the picture frames in the house once a week.
Despite his enjoyment of many small, bourgeois luxuries, I am proud to say he was an optimistic, open-minded and politically progressive man for his day and one of the most enduring, if frivolous, symptoms of his faith in the goodness and intelligence of all human beings was his insistence on ordering a very specific gin martini (very dry, one olive, glass frozen) wherever we went: a kosher deli in Montreal, the local Chinese buffet, one Oktoberfest beer garden, a roadside fish-and-chip trailer and once, most memorably, a Muslim-owned curry restaurant in Florida. Surprise and dismay overtook him when there turned out to be no alcohol on the premises or when he received a shot of straight, room-temperature Martini & Rossi vermouth or off-brand vodka over ice in a plastic juice cup. Still, as a great believer in the corrective powers of education, he would generously lecture the server on the history and preparation of mixed drinks, scrupulously engaging him or her on such controversial questions as the acceptability of attempting to mimic Lillet with a dash of Angostura Bitters, the proper proportions of an English-school Sidecar or whether it could be considered scientifically sound to attribute the ruinous effect of shaking a Gibson to the supposed molecular "bruising" of the gin. Like many fragrance connoisseurs, he held decided and thoroughly researched views on craftsmanship and quality of ingredients, but was also ready to countenance any innovation that worked and even a good few interesting mistakes.
I admired many traits in my grandfather, but perhaps none more than his talent for prognostication and trend-spotting. As a bookworm and news media junkie, he had great insight into a wide variety of industries and had he been alive to see the swelling of the Great Mojito Wave of 2006, he would surely have gleefully predicted the resurgence of the classic cocktails that followed. Having inherited his taste in tipples, I was delighted to discover a few years ago that I could order an Old-Fashioned or Manhattan in most bars without encountering looks of distress. It appears that the hipsters have moved on now — from perusing the magazine covers at the liquor store, my sense is that, keeping their eyes on the foodies, they've transitioned into molecular mixology and will all be "drinking" jellied or nitro-frozen beads of booze for the next few seasons — but I'm still pleased to be able to find Pimm's No. 1 Cup in the summer stock again. Please find below my suggestions for some seasonal refreshment for the nose, and as always, feel free to comment with your own favorites.
Chanel No. 18: I confess to being on record somewhere in the blogosphere as initially failing to "get" No. 18, which I thought opened with a smell rather like gherkins. Over time and with warmer weather, I have learned to love this fragrance inspired by the sparkle and clarity of diamonds. Like several scents in the Chanel Les Exclusif collection, including my immediate favorite of the recent additions, 31 rue Cambon, as well as my old friend, Bois des Iles, No. 18 now seems to me like an ideal intoxicant. In classic Chanel style, it avoids any superfluous parts and focuses on balance: in this case, a transparent and striking blend of invigorating astringency, a vivid green and fruity note like olive oil and the peppery pop of iris.
Thierry Mugler Miroir des Vanités: I was hooked on this two summers ago and am still harping on about it. As Luca Turin has written, it smells a great deal like Campari soda, with its giddy bouquet of orange, bitter bark and herbs. Even those who find Campari perfectly disgusting to drink may find this scent to be the perfect tonic for a wilting summer day.
Cartier VI L'Heure Brilliante: With notes of green lemon, flaxseed, gin and aldehydes, Brilliante makes no attempt to smell like anything other than a delicious drink. After a bright, biting opening of traditional citrus cologne, there is a hint of floracy and the scratchy, hemp-like smell of baling twine, as the scent moves into a stage when it mimics even the mouth-feel of a good gin, with a slightly oily texture. Lovely stuff, and the happiest hour of Cartier's new exclusive collection.
Frapin L'humaniste: A slightly sweet, unpretentious fragrance meant to smell like a junipery gin-and-tonic. If the pleasant, fuzzy tonka bean dry down is not quite crisp enough for you, there's always L'Artisan's Navegar.
Dior Eau Sauvage: Like all the most celebrated mixologists, Edmond Roudnitska had an obsession with structure or form that makes his classic creations for Dior — Eau Sauvage, Eau Fraiche and Diorella — the best beauties to wear in defiance of the unfortunate recent trend towards those muddled, fruity fragrance cocktails that remind me of the hundred different drinks-of-the-day served on package vacations, all of which contain some combination of dark rum, pineapple and orange juice and gingerale. Always more civilized than its name suggested, Eau Sauvage has a more herbal coloration than the other two and therefore is the best remedy for a malarial afternoon.
Note: image is My Evening Martini by wickenden at flickr; some rights reserved.
Erin, I think your grandfather and I would have got along famously! Once I was forced to whip out my OLCC card and go behind the bar to make my own martini when the waitress confessed she only did gin and tonics. You’re brave to order Old Fashioneds. I’ve had too many of them made with Sprite, if you can believe it. Awful!
For summer cocktail sipping, I love Dior Eau Fraiche, too, and would add Angeliques sous la Pluie to the list. I bet Cartier Roadster would be good with a mojito.
Ah, the infamous Sprite/7-Up substitution! I think it’s even worse than the frequent club soda for tonic substitution. It also reminds me of when you order at Starbucks and they say they’re out of lemonade, but they could swap in apple juice. I’d love to have an LCBO card to whip out at the bar – don’t mess with me, people, I know what I’m doing!
Do you know if they’ve reformulated Eau Fraiche heavily when they went to the recent new bottles, those Dior scoundrels? Roadster would be great with a mojito. Heeley Menthe Fraiche might work, too.
I had a waitress tell me that ginger ale and 7-up were the same thing. Um, no.
Egads! I thought confusing ginger beer with ginger ale was bad….
You must have gone to the same restaurant as my father! A waitress once told him that although they didn’t have any ginger ale, she could make it by adding a dash of Coke to 7-Up.
Ack! She must have been aiming for color, not flavor!
I don’t think there should be sprite *or* 7-up in an Old Fashioned! I’m quite old fashioned about my Old Fashioneds. All you need is a sugar cube, a couple of tsps of plain water (no soda pop!), bitters, bourbon or rye, two large ice cubes, and whatever fruit suits your fancy.
I don’t know about the new Eau Fraiche, but there’s so much oakmoss in it that I would be afraid the new stuff might disappoint. I have some truly vintage Eau Fraiche I’d be happy to send you. My guess is it’s from the late 1950s/early 1960s.
I admit to being a bit of a carbonation freak, so seltzer/soda is acceptable to me, but I frown sternly upon all other abominations.
I have several decants of great vintage Eau Fraiche, but have always wanted a bottle – and *gulp* now I’m worried I have waited too long. Will have to hit the thrift shops with your tips from Monday – and thanks for the kind offer!
Thanks for a great article Erin. I think I would liked your grandfather a lot and its clear that you loved him a great deal! Your suggestions all sound lovely, I’ll have to have a sniff. However, I am not a G&T, or martini person but rather a bourbon girl at heart, particularly Woodford Reserve or Knob Creek . Know any bourbon fragrances you could share? 🙂
I too love bourbon! Demeter has a bourbon, of course, and there are lots of other “boozy” ones out there, but none strictly bourbon-y – usually it’s rum or whiskey. Lubin Idole, Thierry Mugler A*Men Pure Malt, and Cumming are what come to mind at the moment.
I just looked at the Lubin on luckyscent and it sounds gorgeous! I think I see a sample in my future…Thanks for the suggestion!
Hey, the Idole is an interesting suggestion! A wee bit transparent, but sort of bourbon-like. The Pure Malt I’m never sure whether I love or hate – as Chandler Burr said of the Pure Coffee A*Men: it’s just sort of self-contained and critic-proof. No way in.
I only have a small sample of Idole and personally didn’t get much booze from it, but I’ve seen it mentioned several times as a boozy fragrance and it is part of the TPC Boozy notes sample pack! I’m also unsure about the Pure Malt and Pure Coffee – have decants of both and have swapped away most of them, but there is something about them.
Agreed!
And also, loved the post Erin! My family has a wee bit of Scottish in it and whenever I would claim that my mother was cheap (and she was), she would blame her frugality as being “scotch.”
I was recently reading up on Scotch (brand) tape by 3M, for a discussion that was going on at Perfume Posse. I noticed that the term “Scotch” for Scottish people is considered derogatory – *except* in Southern Ontario, where it was commonly used in the past by people who are actually “Scotch”. This makes sense to me, because I grew up using “Scotch” and people from other places would always correct me, saying “Scottish”.
I don’t know if its a bourbon note, per se, but I nearly died of alcohol intoxication when I sampled Frapin 1270. Very boozy, very spicy. It was a bit masculine for me, but I could see it as being unisex for the right gal : )
All the Frapin scents are indeed pretty boozy, but none of them except for L’humaniste smell like a specific type of alcohol to me. They’re not overly summery, either, except for this G & T. 1270 is probably the best of the lot, although Caravelle Epices is quite nice, too.
Bourbon is awesome stuff, although I only seem to manage to drink it once a year with my dad on Derby day in a Mint Julep. I should remedy that.
It seems to me that there are a fair amount of fragrances that list bourbon as a note, but that don’t smell much of bourbon. Its a note I always associate with rich oriental and patchouli-based scents, but perhaps that is because of the “bourbon vanilla” connection.
How about Spiriteuse Double Vanille? That’s a warm, boozy scent — sweeter than bourbon, but compatible.
Yes, good point – definitely sweet, but boozy.
I loved the story about your grandfather. My own is a lot like him it seems. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Thank you. Cherish that grandfather while you’ve got him!
A lovely tribute to what sounds like a wonderful man. Doesn’t LT say that FM Angéliques sous la pluie smells like a g&t?
I remember AslP as being quite peppery and refreshingly dry. I don’t think LT was overly fond of it – said he’d rather drink it than wear it, I believe. I thought it was quite nice, if not overly ambitious. As for other FMs, Une Rose is winey enough to bring on a hangover, but it’s sure gosh darn lovely.
Isn’t Une Rose a knockout? (Hee hee) It’s one of the few fragrances that I only wear at night.
I may be one of the few rose lovers who doesn’t like Une Rose. I find it sort of threatening – like it’s looming over me with malicious intent. Eek. I seriously considered hiding under the bed the two times I wore it.
Night is one of the times I *don’t* wear it, just because my hubby has asthma and night-time is his most reactive time. I try to wear it when my shower is handy, just in case I get to the drydown and start to get the tannin headache 🙂 It’s lovely stuff, though.
Great article! I too love a well mixed drink which I inherited from both my mom & dad. One of my favorites is a perfect Manhattan, and then also a nice dry Tanqueray gin martini as well. One time when I was at a bar in Portland OR (can I implicate the Heathman in this?) I ordered a perfect Manhattan straight up with twist. It arrived with a twist *and* a cherry. I was given the skunk eye when I sent it back and asked them to make me another without the cherry. The bartender informed our server that she only knew how to make them with cherries….. At that point I realized I always need to be careful when ordering drinks. A good bartender is a blessing. They always served excellent martinis at the long defunct Blue Note jazz bar on Burnside though…
My fave “cocktail” fragrances? Zeste de Rose, Un Jardin sur le Nil, Aimez-Moi or L’Heure Bleue (both are like apertifs, yes.), and Mandragore. All of them are refreshing and make my mouth water!!!
I’ve been wanting to try frgarances with a gin note and haven’t done so yet – they sound so tempting for these balmy days. I must get on that! In the Winter, I love Lubin Idole or Frapin 1270 – like sipping brandy by a cozy fire.
Remind me to add a sample of Lubin Gin Fizz to your package. I haven’t made up my mind about it yet, myself.
Got your email E – sounds perfect! 😉
ooh – brandy and cozy fire! Now you are talking. My fav “scotch” fragrances are Badgley Mischka, Noir Epices, or Coromandel.
Mmmmm. Haven’t tried the Badgley Mischka one though – guess I’ll have to check it out now that you mention it as a boozy type.
Boozy, no, but it is rich and sweet… imagine having some magnificent no-calorie dessert that offsets the dry aroma/flavors of scotch. Apply lightly, it is a doozy.
I find Mauboussin For Her and the long-forgotten Pierre Cardin Choc work that way for me.
Yes, Mauboussin is wonderful!
Frapin 1270 is one of the best comfort fragrances, isn’t it?
I find it so comforting as to be almost stultifying. I pretty much avoid wearing it, in case I end up Homer Simpson-style, with drool hanging out of the side of my mouth.
Maraschino cherries are great in Shirley Temples. Every parent has spent at least several hours of their life fishing cherries out of the bottom of some cheerfully disgusting concoction for their child. This is their proper place, and not in a straight-up adult anything. For the price you pay for a mixed drink at a restaurant, you should get what you ordered. That said, I’m always intimidated by server skunk eye…
Oh, and forgot to say, I was surprised that in sampling before this post, I found I enjoyed Un Jardin Apres la monsoon or whatever it’s called. My pre-launch expectations initially ruined that scent for me, but I see now what Robin meant when she called it Diet FM Therese. Like Sur la Nil, it’s very refreshing….
I think I might have to call that Apres la Monsoon from here on out.
I must admit that I turn many perfume names into Franglais in my head.
I’ve always thought that Histoires de parfums 1873 (Collette) would be lovely served in a large glass with a little umbrella in it, metaphorically speaking – a different, yet still sophisticated sort of drink, the kind you order when you’re enjoying the breautiful weather on a cruise, and you’re way over 21….You’re sipping to enjoy the drink and it’s savors, not to get drunk, and not to impress anyone….I need a vacation….Sigh.
Sigh, indeed. I think after reading that, I could live with a little umbrella, too. HdP 1725 Casanova wouldn’t do bad in a glass, either…
I feel refreshed and just a little bit tipsy after reading your wonderfully written piece Erin! 😉 Your grandfather was quite a guy and your recollections of him were sweet. Thank you for sharing with us.
I wonder if I wrote this piece because I’m unable to indulge in my normal summer faves, being almost 8 months pregnant. Maybe that’s why I’m feeling the absence of my gramps a bit more than usual, too. Thanks for letting me ramble on about him….
Aw, hugs to you, Erin! It’s a touching article.
Thanks, hugs back! It’s funny how you miss people – he’s been gone exactly half my life now, but there are periods in my life when it seems he just left the room a little while ago.
8 months – you’re in the home stretch!
I’m sorry you miss your gramps. Sounds like he was a pretty amazing person. I really enjoyed reading about him.
I rarely drink these days, but I do enjoy a tidy gin martini (or two) while relaxing on the deck on a hot summer evening. L’Heure Brilliante sounds like the perfect accompaniment. Thank you 🙂
Brillante is really quite nice. If those new Cartiers weren’t so expensive, I’d definitely be tempted, but as it is, I think to myself: Brillante or three or four online discounted bottles of Guerlain? And think of the samples you could get for $250! It’s funny the way this hobby (and this economy!) makes you think. I know plenty of people who would think nothing of dropping $250 on a purse or sunglasses or whatever….
What a neat article! I have to say that Heeley Menthe Fraiche kind of reminds of a mojito…
Hey, like that one, too, and thought of that connection, as well. Not usually a mint person, but that one is so well-done…
Hi Erin– Great post, thank you!! I would recommend Hermes’ Eau de Gentiane Blanche to be quite like a bitter/refreshing vintage summer aperitif. I think I wrote a review of it, come to think of it!
That’s another Hermes I’ve got to try again. Sounds like a great one for porch & patio season!
Great article and great grandpa you had! Mine was Schlitz all the way, and the other one died from drinking before I was born (in other words, since alcoholism can skip a generation, I was doomed).
I don’t drink any more but loved the ritual behind a well-done cocktail. SF is known for a bar called Aub Zam-Zam that had a bartender that would direct customers to a different bar if he felt they didn’t fit in, and would pretty much throw you out if you ordered the wrong thing, He was famous for a perfect martini, and heaven help you if you dared order one made with vodka. I made it through the gauntlet, and the martini was divine.
I do drink vicariously through my friends and ask to smell their cocktails if they have something interesting.
Since I don’t drink, even if a scent is boozy I try not to pay attention to that part of it much, although I have wanted to try Demeter’s Gin & Tonic. I also wouldn’t object to smelling like a Mojito. I tried the Pure Malt and wasn’t as won over by it as the coffee version.
Hey Tama, have you tried Velvet & Sweet Peas Mojito cologne?
It is interesting with it’s rum, spearmint and and lime kick, I like it.
I’m a VSPP fangirl and you saying you wouldn’t mind smelling like one reminded me of it. Much better than any Demeter’s IMHO. 🙂
Sounds delightful! I have them on my list of perfumers to try.
*scribbling on to list, as well*
When grandpa was in his cups, he could be talked into reciting the eleaborate and lengthy pledge he had been required to repeat as member of a youth temperance society. Luckily, his agonizingly careful preparation of cocktails paced out his drinking nights and he was never more than occasionally and genially tipsy. Certainly, the ritual of whole thing can be appreciated by drinkers and non-drinkers alike. I think I would be too scared to order from the legendary bartender, but I understand his scorn of vodka martinis: they seem to me to be primarily for people who simply like olives.
I liked the coffee A*Men better, too, I think, just because it was less sweet. And a mojito smells so fresh – with lime and mint, how could you go wrong?
from John Kass’ column about Father’s Day gifts yesterday in the Chicago Tribune:
“For the father with discerning taste and impeccable style, refined luxury in the form of exquisite scents is certain to be a coveted gift,” gushes the copy for Hermes.
Their special dad scent is called Eau d’ Orange Verte, and was “inspired by the smell of undergrowth on a dewy morning,” which makes you think of your old man, doesn’t it?
What’s more, the special dad smell “stands out for a freshness that is as invigorating as it is unusual.”
But you know what would really be invigorating?
That hard smack on the back of the head from my wife if I dared show up at the breakfast table smelling of damp undergrowth.
“Didn’t you take a shower?” she’d ask, hands on her hips in the timeless posture of exasperated Sicilian women.
If dad really wants to smell like wet underbrush on a morning in June, all he’s got to do is weed the flower garden, a task which I have skillfully avoided for several weeks now.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/ct-met-kass-0616-20100616,0,7233023.column
Priceless! No men in my family will wear fragrance or weed for that matter! I too have left drinking and smoking behind (good thing, I want more perfume). I put on Killian’s Rose Oud this a.m. – was worried it would be too heavy for the weather, but barely got anything! Either I applied it too lightly (doubtful) or my skin just absorbs it… Any thoughts?
Ouds (or oud aromachemicals) sometimes disappear on me, too – while others smell quite strongly (for summer anyways). Odd.
Certainly, a Dad perfume would not go down well (with Dad) as a present in my household. But what the columnist doesn’t get is that very few women wouldn’t be completely delighted to have Dad smelling of undergrowth, whether it came from cologne or weeding. Very few women I know aren’t entirely enthusiastic about cologne as a concept (if not specific colognes).
Great piece! I tried L’Humaniste today for the first time, before seeing your entry. On me, it is irredeemably horrid — my body chemistry turns it, like so many others, into rancid baby powder after about 30 minutes. I didn’t love the opening, either, but the drydown was the real kicker. You have me craving No. 18, though!
Ick! Rancid baby powder?! Doesn’t really matter if it’s unpretentious if it smells like that to you…..
You’ve almost beguiled me into ordering a mixed drink, but not quite (on the other hand, I’m craving samples of all the fragrances you describe). What would you say are the fragrance equivalents of a good Champagne (or methode champenoise sparkling wine) or a delicious sangria? Those are my much-loved drinks; in summer weather, the latter especially.
Oh, I love sangria, too, although properly made it’s dangerous stuff – it’s never until you try to stand up when you realize how much you’ve had. 😉 Oddly, although you’d think the smell would be pleasant and easy to duplicate in a fragrance, I can’t think of a lot of sangria-like perfumes… only mulled wine types. Patty at Perfume Posse is on a champagne kick now and had a good post a few weeks back about perfume and champagne cocktails (that time of year, I guess!)
How’d I miss Patty on champagne cocktails? I’ll have to scroll through the Posse and find that post.
I know what you mean about mulled wine scents and have a favorite of the type. I also know what you mean about sangria sneaking up on one. It’s so tasty and refreshing– a pitcher goes down too easily!
Lovely frags to tyr. I am in the mod for fizzy and lemony !
I loved No.18 from first sniff- it’s unusual .
I’m always in the mood for fizzy and lemony! Have you tried DKNY Women (in the tall frosted glass bottle)? That’s the fizziest and most lemony I know or could imagine! It’s a really great scent, tonnes of fun. Not as fizzy, but gorgeously lemony is Guerlain Eau de Fleurs de Cedrat – another one of my faves.
Sorry about my terrible spelling………..
Oh, want to try Heeley’s Menthe Fraiche too.
No penalty for terrible spelling/quick typing around here, or I’d be in real trouble. That Heeley is really worth trying out, as are all the Heeleys (although I didn’t like the recent Ophelia and felt ‘meh’ about the brand new Oranges & Lemons St. Clement’s scent from them). I’m not a big fan of some of the other well-done mint scents (Guerlain Herba Fresca, Carthusia Io di Capri, etc.), but I really like Menthe Fraiche.
Your article is a treasure, Erin! I love that your granddad used a level to keep the pictures straight. And oh to have been a fly on the wall when he ordered a martini at the Muslim-owned curry restaurant!
I’m wearing L’Eau de Jatamansi today. It has a summer drink vibe to my nose. I can almost imagine it with a splash of gin. Speaking of gin, I enjoy a good martini with my Dad a few times a year when I visit my parents. He and I are purists, except that we prefer them on the rocks (I know, some of you will shudder. Hey – the glass is ever so much easier to handle!). “Vodka Martini” is an oxymoron, in my book.
Eau de Cartier is another one that gives me that cocktail feeling. Oh, and I bought a mini of Cocktail by Jean Patou, but haven’t tried it yet. I guess I’d better get to it!
Eau de Cartier is a great one… wish I could wear it.
Too tinkly and high-pitched for you? Or do you have trouble with violet leaf?
Oh, neither. It’s not the smell I have trouble with, I suspect I’m allergic. Could be coincidence, but the 2-3 times I’ve tried it, my pulse has started racing and skipping…not pleasant at all.
Ack!! That’s unexpected. Woudl definitely put it on my “To Avoid” list if I got that…
That Jatamansi is great stuff, and I really see what you mean: it’s dry and bright and has that herbal bitters feeling. Eau de Cartier I considered for this list, it’s such a sparkler. I tried the new EdC Orange flanker and certainly didn’t think it was awful, though, of course, it did not smell nearly so distinctive as the original. Have you tried it?
I like JP Cocktail very much (and many other scents in the JP Ma Collection) and by virtue of its very name, I considered it for this list… but the lavender and “vintage” base was a bit too strong for me to finally decide to add it here. BTW, there’s another great scent with the same name by the defunct B Never too Busy to B Beautiful, but it’s a very camphorous ylang-ylang. I love it, but would never dream of drinking it 😉
I love the idea of your grandfather lecturing some poor befuddled Muslim on the niceties of the perfect gin martini! And I too have been known to bust out the level to keep my pictures straight… Your marvelous post also brought back memories of my Russian grandfather, who was partial to Manhattans — pronounced with that throat-clearing Russian “h.”
I’d love to smell the Cartier VI… I splurged on the XIII and asked specifically for a sample of the VI, but they sent me every one EXCEPT that! I can no longer drink gin — bad high school experiences — but I still love the smell of juniper berries.
lol – I just had to say “Manhattan” that way.
I just had my Russian friend say “Manhattan” for me after reading your comment – impressive! Wish I could order one that way….
Oh, blast! I hate when they’re stingy with the samples or when they send the wrong ones, especially when you’ve bought a full bottle to boot. For some reason, I’ve always had that trouble with Ormonde Jayne, whose customer service is otherwise impeccable.
Great post, Erin! I had to laugh at your grandfather’s morning rituals; my husband is much the same way. Alas, he doesn’t extend that attitude to anything else in the house, or it might be more endearing. You listed a couple of favorites, and gave me a few to add to the sample list. I can’t think of anything not already mentioned, except one that brings to mind fruity drinks with umbrellas. Satellite’s Ipanema is a fun one, as light-hearted summer frags go (it’s even blue!), without being overly sugary.
You know, we used to make fun of gramps, but now that you mention it, it would be nice if my hubby was as fastidious about the maintenance of our house as my grandfather was!
Have heard lots about that Ipanema, and need to try it. I kind of like the dyed perfumes, in a silly sort of way. Electric purple Byzance!
A different kind of alcohol, but I’ve been getting a cheap thrill from the frosty tequila note in Tommy Bahama Set Sail St. Barts.
Funny, I passed a Tommy Bahama’s in the mall when I was working on this post and thought I should drop in there to see if they had a boozy scent. Then my daughter had a popcorn-based emergency and we didn’t get in there. Thanks for the info, will check it out…
I managed to snatch up a gift set of it at TJ Maxx for $15 with a large bottle, two minis, and lotion. My sister and I both love it. It’s a great summer fragrance with the citrus and it does have that frosty feeling that’s nice in our hot, humid weather.
Sucks that we don’t have the TJ Maxx bargins in Canada, though I love hearing about the deals people get there sometimes.
Hi Erin, your sketch of your grandfather reminded me that novel by Carol Shields – The Stone Diaries. Ages since I read it, but the father character in that was a Scottish-Canadian emigrant, I thought; a stone mason, and a man of enormous skill and character. Was there a lot of Scots emigration to Canada? I’m Australian, so I don’t know the history.
Yikes, The Stone Diaries is one of those embarrassing reading gaps I have. (People are always saying to me: “You haven’t read *insert title here*??!? You’ve read EVERYTHING.”) I even own a copy, so I should get to it…
There were a gazillion Scots who emigrated to Canada, especially small-town Southern Ontario and the Toronto-area. Another famous Canadian author who wrote a lot about Scottish Canadians was Robertson Davies. There are a lot of Scottish-Austrailians, too, aren’t there? I think I remember my Grandpa saying they tried to decide at the time between our area and Sydney.
Never mind, my pile ‘must read’ is pretty high too, and it includes a classic by Don Watson on Scottish highlander emigration to Australia in the nineteenth century. Thanks for your mention of Robertson Davies. I once went through a phase of consuming his books like lollies. I wonder how I would like them now? Must have a look.
Grandpa, unsurprisingly, was a Robertson Davies fan. I re-read a few of his books recently, and still really enjoyed a few of them, particularly Fifth Business and The Rebel Angels. Some his stuff has aged less well, but then, so has some of most authors stuff…
Don Watson sounds interesting, and there seem to be mostly nicely cheap used versions available online over here. I’ll have to check him out…
I’m a classic cocktail lover myself, and I love the similarities between tipples and perfume. Both are concoctions that attempt to achieve an interesting balance among various aromatic ingredients, creating something that is more pleasurable than the sum of its parts. When thinking about refreshing cocktails in the summer, the first fragrance that comes to mind is Voyage d’Hermes. To me it smells like the most amazing gin, mixed into a new and adventurous cocktail!
Hermes has a few booze-like beauties. Voyage does have that spicy-fresh, liquid light feel of gin.
YES! I couldn’t believe no-one was mentioning Voyage d’Hermes! Just exactly like a gin cocktail. Very good, sad it leaves so soon.
Is it really that LE? I thought it would be around for a while…
I think some people just find the scent fleeting.
HA! I really misinterpreted that one, didn’t even think of the possibility that lekkerruik meant the longevity was poor. Thanks, b/e! Actually, maybe my mistake is because Voyage wasn’t short-lived on me?! Most of the Hermessence scents have less lasting power on my skin…
Was traveling the interwebs of real-life highways rather than the intertubes yesterday, so I missed this fab post. But I’m here now 😉 , and get the added benefit of all the great comments, too.
In no particular order: ZOIKS! to the horrible substitutions I am hearing in the early commentary. I’d’ve jumped behind the bar, too, if they let me. Bourbon in a name but not in the perfume? Yup, and my recent disappointment in that regard was MH Vetiver Bourbon. Fine scent, just doesn’t need a highball glass.
It’s my dad who is the drink maven; of my grandfathers was a teetotaler, the other an avowed Seven & 7 guy. However, I have a fondness for all, and the fact that you are getting ready to greet another child knowing you can’t share with grandpa does bring an empathetic tug on my heart. But, if you can write about him like this, there’s no way your children won’t get to know him. They are lucky, indeed.
You inspire me to try out No. 18 again…something for which I am not sure I should thank you… :0 😉
Thank you, my friend (and for your great emails, too – I’ll get back to you this weekend, I swear.) I know the feeling of not being sure whether you should be pleased to re-consider something or not. Is it my imagination, or have the Chanels gone up slightly in price lately? Those big vats still seem like a relative exclusives bargin to me, though. How goes the keg of Bel Respiro? I have enjoyed the atomizer you sent me a great deal – it’s such a relaxed, shimmery-clear fragrance.
Hey There!!! Erin, what a great article! I am so sorry but I have to mention my summer hioly grail… L’Artisan Ananas Fizz! Many of You might think it just smells like a pinacolada, but I thinkthe cedar note in it, makes it far more interesting. Bath and Body works had a pineapple fragrance before, that I so wanted to like, but that stuff smelled cheap n sticky-sweet. You really cant say that about Ananas Fizz, plus it’s dry-fruity note makes it just perfect for summer cocktails! Also my all-time favorite for martiny nights, is Guerlain Insolence. I cannot tell You, what makes it so perfect for those nights out. It’s berry-candied-violet note (yes, that’s how I describe it haha) loves to be in the center of attention, without being overly sweet. I used to go every Monday, to our local bar, where they had Martini Mondays. I always wore Guerlain Insolence and it just seemed so perfect for it!
Thanks! You know, I love and own Ananas Fizz Body creme. I’m own of those people who found the EdT a little too *grapefruity* – very pleasant, but it took a little while to get the cedar on me, and I didn’t get that cheesy, richer smell of pineapple. In the Creme, for some reason, I find both the cedar and cheesiness more prominent. Both the EdT and the Creme are pleasing to me, though, in that they are certainly not cheap-smelling, “frooty”, candy-types. Thanks for bringing it up. Insolence, on the other hand, is a cheap, frooty, candy-type on me – but none the worse for it! Sometimes you need a little Disco Martini in your life 🙂
Hey Erin!!! You know I’d love to try the creme! I used to have a Premier Figuier EdT and a matching body lotion, also now I own Fleur de Liane creme. I think that L’Artisan’s body care products are outstaning! My skin feels sooooooo soft and smells s gud:) And being in love with Ananas Fizz, I definitely have to try the cream version. The only thing is, Ananas Fizz was discontinued. Plus it’s not easy to find that cream online, maybe ebay or sumthing. Why would they discontinue Ananas Fizz? Whyyyyy???
I think Chant D’Aromes is like opening a bottle of champagne. It sparkles!
My dismay at the hopelessness of some bartenders has resulted in mixing my own martinis using green apple vodka, cranberry cocktail, lemon juice and a touch of dry vermouth with ice. Because restaurants can only intermittently make a decent “Lemon Drop”, sometimes I give up and just order a gin martini with a cherry. The key to a good one seems to be getting the glass and the “juice” every cold. If I order a Martini & Rossi on the rocks, I’ve been served it in a martini glass and who knows what was actually in it? I see the Martini & Rossi company has now simplified things by putting only “Rossi” on the label. Whew!
Now about the glasses: due to breakage in restaurants, martinis are often served in stubbies which are sacrilege!!! The stem allows the juice to stay colder! It is one of the mysteries of the universe why wine glasses with stems are still used but martini glasses are not. Harumph!
Stubbies?! I have never encountered this and shudder to think what would happen if I did. Thanks for warning me, so that the shock will be mitigated if I do run into this practice.
I love Chant d’Arome, but I have had trouble finding any two bottles that smell the same. Guerlain seems to have tinkered with this one more than any other of their classic fragrances. I have a vintage sample (from Angela, I think) that is lovely, with a sparkling top note and a beautiful vetiver drydown, but all the tester versions I’ve tried are either more floral, more peach or more soapy.