Jean-Philippe Clermont and Marie Salamagne,  in-house perfumer for Atelier des Ors

Always a deep pleasure to reunite with Jean-Philippe Clermont and Megan Paki of Atelier des Ors; we share much in common beyond our love of the finest perfumes. In Milan, April 2018, just beyond the halls of Esxence, in a suite at the Hotel Principe di Savoia, we met and I was treated to an introduction of the new White Collection and this fascination, from the Black Collection, Bois Sikar (Smoking Woods).

Jean-Philippe Clermont and Megan Paki also of Megan in Saint Maxime

It is a personal history of Jean-Philippe within the cigar business and in his devout love for Highland Single Malts, especially from Islay.  Presented with a cedarwood cigar box full of dried tobacco and the scent of Lagavulin single malt whiskey, this was a prelude to the unveiling.

Vintage Rolling Hands, Old Cuban Cigars©

Atelier des Ors Bois Sikar Bois Sikar is a classical tumult of eloquence, finely time- tailored refinement, style abounds, akin to Jean-Philippe himself. A vivid combination of Gentleman’s Clubs and avant-garde bars of an era past where to be well suited and booted was a prerequisite, leather couches creased and worn, parlours of relaxation and ease, luxurious sanctuary from the external world. Vintage cars, driving gloves to the wheel, leather and silver hip flasks with liquid warmth contained within. Memories flood through me as the scent works upon me, its transportive ability is intense, my Uncle in his leather seated classic sports car, the scent of his cigars, the immaculate Saville Row announcing his presence. To pause, one cannot rush a fine Cigar or a Single Malt of distinction. Atelier Des Ors Bois Sikar is just as measured and timeless.

Aging Whiskey Barrels, Cardrona Distillery, Cardrona, NZ. Danu Seith-Fyr©

There is a cosseted intimacy, in a debonair flourish, the touch of fine tailored cotton cuff to perfumed wrist, the embracing of charred oak barrel up against the whiskey gold, peat laden distillation, the scent of the fleshy hand that skilfully rolls across the bunched tobacco leaves. Where they meet is this scent’s surging like the curling cigar smoke or the peaty fires of the Highland bogs.

Recollection. Psyche Ophuichus©

Nutmeg and Woods are not reticent to rise up from the contact with flesh, a rich aromatic pervasion of the smokiness of peat fuelled fires residing alongside the drawing close of match-fire to cigar tip, a sensual interaction, reminiscent of the intimacy of allowing another close with fire to light your cigar, mingled with the aroma that ascends from the pouring of distilled amber liquidity into cut crystal. At its core the combination of Guaiac wood, Cedar Needles, Cedar and Styrax anchor in the classic certainty of the self- assured, discretely measured aura of Atelier des Ors Bois Sikar, underneath an effervescent decadence acknowledged but barely dared to be entertained. Delicacy of Cedarwood cigar boxes pressed with sweet leaves, a conjuring of the evening’s progression to the exquisite company of creme silk dresses, pale flesh in conversation upon creased leather sofas, manicured grace curled around the glass wreathed in tobacco.

French Leather Club Chair, 1930’s Paris. Jackstrawclothingblogspot.

Evening wears a darker cloak in progression, a creamy Vetiver revealed of such smooth proportion, a framed porcelain shoulder warmed by the sweet Tobacco trails curled in strands of hair. So silky it melds to skin as a remarkable whiskey lingers on the palate.

Sean Connery as James Bond in Never Say Never Again

The Noble Renegade and Civilised Gentleman: yet equally embodying an elegant allure for Women on skin. I have to say Sean Connery comes vividly to mind through all this imagery. Atelier des Ors Bois Sikar is uncompromised elegance in every molecule.

Notes:Nutmeg, Woods, Guiac Wood, Styrax, Cedar Needles, Cedar, Tobacco Absolute, Vetiver.

Sample received with thanks from Atelier des Ors in Milan

Opinions my own

Danu Seith-Fyr – Contributor

Atelier des Ors Bois Sikar

Thanks to Jean- Philippe Clermont we have a 100ml bottle of Atelier des Ors Bois Sikar for a registered reader anywhere in the world, so be sure to register if you have not done so. To be eligible please let us know what appeals to you about Atelier des Ors Bois Sikar from Danu’s review and where you live. Draw closes 8/10/2018

Available at OsswaldNYC ask for Josie

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