New Fragrance Review: 4160 Tuesdays Four Mysteries (Sarah McCartney) + Flora Psychedelica, The Buddhawood Box, Up the Apples & Pears and Captured by Candlelight Draw

The North-West Passage 1874 by Sir John Everett Millais, Bt 1829-1896

The North-West Passage 1874 by the "founder of the Pre-Raphaelite Movement in Great Britian" Sir John Everett Millais, 1829-1896 Presented by Sir Henry Tate 1894

"For me it's not about making the perfect perfume, it's about storytelling, using scent as well as words."  – Interview for ÇaFleureBon with Sarah McCartney, 2014

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Sarah McCartney of 4160 Tuesdays (photo instagram)

There have been many studies about how and why fragrance affects memory. Suffice it to say the perfumer as artist can serve as a kind of midwife to the mysteries of long forgotten stories, dreams and memories. Sarah McCartney, writer and perfumer (for her own brand 4160 Tuesdays, for her collaborations such as Urban Reivers Damn Rebel Bitches and  her lastest for Zoologist Perfumes, Macaque)  is a master storyteller in both words and fragrance.  Her latest perfume project, " a collection within a collection", The Four Mysteries, is a set of four fragrances each paired with a short mystery story set in England in 1933.  Her book, Four Fragrant Mysteries, is now available in paperback. 

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John Everett Millais Lost Love 1860

I have yet to read the book, but I do have samples of the perfumes.  Even before I learned of the companion mystery tales, Sarah McCartney's new fragrances were causing me to spin my own imaginative yarns and recall long lost memories.

john-william-waterhouse-flora-and-the-zephyrs-detail

Briitsh Pre-Raphaelite John William Waterhouse Flora and the Zephyrs (detail) 1898

Flora Psychedelica is a delicate, slightly peppery white floral.  The initial burst of jasmine recalls a powerful personal  memory from 1970s, a perfume shop in the Mashhad bazaar in Iran.  This vision gradually transforms to vivid flashbacks of childhood excursions to Central Florida's flowering orange groves, followed by the sight and scent of fields of blooming Easter lilies along the Northern California coast near the Smith River.  This perfume also recalls my grandmother's jasmine soap and my mother's Diorissimo. Flora Psychedelica is, for me, a time trip fueled by jasmine, petitgrain, aldehydes, lilies and what I perceive to be lime and orange flower. I adore Flora Psychedelica and the drydown is cool, fresh memory of white flowers, soap and mist.  

Top notes: Lily, absinthe, rose, lemon petitgrain; Heart notes: Jasmine tea, rose geranium, intoxication, celery, linden blossom; Base notes: black pepper, orris, carrot, mushroom

 

joseph-mallord-william-turner-the-artist-and-his-admirers-1827-british-painters

British Romanticist Joseph Mallord William Turner 'The Artist and his Admirers', 1827 

The Buddhawood Box – This is the reassuring and comforting scent of my father's house.  Despite the extensive venting systems in his workshop, the smells of various woods – mahogany, oak, cedar – have, over the years, permeated the entire house.  There is also a bit of smokiness from the fireplaces and hints of festive family gatherings. My father is now in his early 90s. He is no longer enjoying his woodworking hobby and rarely entertains.  Nevertheless the smells of many years of happy living linger on.  The Buddhawood Box perfume has the same amazing longevity and sense of well being that I associate with my father and with his home.

 There are no top notes; Heart notes: malt whisky, Buddhawood, Boronia, gardenia, redbush; Base notes: sandalwood, cedarwood, white oudh, ambergris

fruit-british-artist-contemporary

British Contemporary Artist Liz Ridgewaywww.redraggallery.co.uk

Up the Apples & Pears – This fragrance is not so much a memory but a contemporary, late summer harvest bouquet opening with the musty, fruity bloom that covers the skins of the plums and grapes.  This odor quickly gives way to the sweet garden scents of apples, peppers, tomatoes, fresh (not dried) hops and the odors of yeasty brews.  For several hours a suggestion of juniper and gin buoys up the fruity, vegetal mélange that is Up the Apples & Pears. 

Top notes: hops, pear, apple, mother's ruin; Heart notes: Roll-ups, whisky, beer-drenched wooden floors;  Base notes: onion soup, brown bread 

john-singer-sargentdinner-table

Realist British Artist John Singer Sargent,Dinner Table at Night 1884

Captured by Candlelight is a light gourmand toffee fragrance spiced with cinnamon, cognac and cacao.  A reference to candle wax or burning tapers adds romantic ambiance.  One whiff of Captured by Candlelight immediately brings to mind a winter evening, twenty-five years ago, when my current husband (who remains the love of my life), offered me his proto-marriage proposal. 

1aedh-wishes-for-the-cloths-of-heaven-w-b-yeats

While lingering over burnt cream and cognac in a candle-lit restaurant he presented me with a copy of W.B. Yeats popular romantic poem "Aedh Wishes for the Clothes of Heaven" The copy was hand written in meticulous calligraphy on vellum and rolled and tied with gold, silver and deep blue ribbons.  Sarah McCartney's Captured by Candlelight fragrance, Yeats poem and my marriage are all rich in romance, never too heavy and definitely long-lived!

Top notes: cognac, cinnamon, toffee;  Heart notes: stewed fruits, toasted hazelnuts; Base notes: opoponax, candlewax, oakwood

Gail Gross– Weekly Contributor

lord-frederic-leightoneucharis-a-girl-with-a-basket-of-fruit

British Neo-calssical Lord Frederic Leighton “Eucharis, a Girl with a Basket of Fruit"1863

Art Direction: Michelyn who chose a wide range of British artists. Other photos from 4160 Tuesdays instagram

Thanks to the generosity of Sarah McCartney we have a draw for one registered reader ((you must be registered to be eligible click here)

4160-tuesdays-capturedby-candlelightthe-buddhawood-box-up-the-apples-and-pears-flora-psychedelica-sarah-mccartney-four-fragrant-mysteries

If you live in the EU you have a reader’s choice of all Four Mysteries: 30 ml of Flora Psychedelica or The Buddahwood Box  or Captured in Candlelight or Up the Apples & Pears and the companion book Four Fragrant Mysteries

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The Four Mysteries Set  photo 4160 Tuesdays

OR Four Fragrant Mysteries and a set of all four fragrances x 9ml

4160-tuesdays-samples

Samples Sarah McCartney via Instagram

For USA and Canada 4 sample vials of the Four Mysteries and the book Four Fragrant Mysteries

Please leave a comment with what you enjoyed about Gail's review of The Four Mysteries, which appeals to you the most, what you would choose should you win where you live and your favorite 4160 Tuesdays perfume. Draw closes October 10, 2016

Follow us @cafleurebon and @4160tuesdays on Instagram. Sarah also has a Public Group Facebook Page 4160 Tuesdays News

We announce winners on site and on our Facebook page- so like Cafleurebon and use our RSS feed or your dream prize will be just spilled perfume.

 

 

 

 

 

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33 comments

  • Nat says:

    All of these sound wonderful! I loved that Sarah McCartney’s perfumes “recall long lost memories”
    Captured by Candlelight appeals to me the most because of the cinnamon and toffee mix. My choice would be a bottle of Captured by Candlelight

    Thank you for the draw! I live in Europe

  • jenbat says:

    I like how Gail related all of these scents to her own memories, I find these personal notes a lot more relatable when it comes to perfumes than just a descriptions of smells, which can be so abstract. Captured by Candlelight appealed to me the most, because it sounds so warm and delicious and suited for the impending winter. I live in Canada, so I would be overjoyed to win the samples and the book – love a good mystery!

  • Rae Lynn says:

    I’ll have to read her book! All 4 scents sound enticing from this review. My favorite would be Captured by Candlelight, especially after reading about such a romantic proposal! Gail’s review captured so many of her scent memories. I live in the USA.

  • Miss Almond says:

    What a wonderful brand, how is it possible that I haven’t heard about 4160 Tuesdays before? All of the fragrances sound great, but I think I’d like Flora Psychedelica most and I’d choose a bottle of this promising scent. I live in Europe. Thanks for the draw!

  • Laurels says:

    I really liked both the descriptions of the scents themselves and the places and memories they evoked. And I love the idea of perfumes with accompanying stories. (Or stories with accompanying perfumes.) The most appealing would be Captured by Candlelight, but I may have been unduly influenced by the romantic proposal story. I’m in the US, so I’d get the samples and the book.

  • Cynthia says:

    The creativity of perfumers never ceases to amaze me! As a lifelong reader who grew up on Nancy Drew, Agatha Christie and cozy mysteries, I absolutely love this idea. They all sound enticing butGail’s proposal story, as well as the notes listed in Captured in Candlelight, sways me to think this would be my favorite. I’m in USA so would love to win the samples and books.

  • fazalcheema says:

    From the review it is apparent all 4 fragrances are quite different, exploring different facets such as florals and woods. The Buddhawood Box intrigues me the most because it contains different kinds of woods including oak and cedar. My favorite from 4160 Tuesdays is Invisible Ben. Being in USA, my choice will be the samples and the book.

  • Iuno Feronia says:

    4160 Tuesdays perfumes are on my wishlist for years and so I loved to read the review of the four. They are quite different perfumes, but what I understood from the review, they are all very sensual and have the ability to evoque memories and feelings. my favourite would be Up the Apples and Pears – so I hope I will stay healthy all autumn (an apple a day…).

    Thanks for the Draw, I live in the EU.

  • Timea says:

    Very nice review. I really enjoyed to read it. These perfumes are all sounds wonderful. I think Captured in Candlelight is appeals to me the most. I have never had a chance to try any of 4160 Tuesdays perfume. If I will win, my choice is Captured in Candlelight. Thank you very much for the draw. I’m in the EU.

  • Lubulla says:

    Thanks for an interesting review with great choice of suitable art pieces. Stella McCartney is a master storyteller in both words and in perfumes… and I wish I could try her creations. Probably mostly interested in trying Captured in Candlelight and The Buddhawood Box. I am in EU. I would choose Four Fragrant Mysteries and a set of all four fragrances. Thank you!

  • Maya says:

    I am a big fan of mystery books and shows, especially the older British ones, so this post caught my immediate attention. Perfume is an emotional thing for me and memory is tied strongly to emotions. Lovely post tying scent and memory. I am most curious about Flora Psychedelica. Live in the US.

  • sea says:

    There is nothing like a glass of cognac by the candelight on a gloomy autumn day. I love all of the reviews, but my choice would be a bottle of Captured in Candlelight with this yummy cognac note. Thank you for the draw! I live in the EU.

  • Rox says:

    I love how everything is related to a memory. I love catching a whiff of something and it taking me back to a time in my life. Captured in Candlelight would be my top pick here. My favorite 4160 fragrance is Dark Heart of Old Havana. I live in the U.S. Thanks for the draw and highlighting these new fragrances. I hadn’t yet heard them described. Rox

  • Hootlia says:

    How lovely to link each scent to a memory. And such a romantic proto-proposal story! Grand gestures are important sometimes. These all sound delightful, but I think The Buddhawood Box is the one that interests me most. Perfect for autumn. I live in Canada, thank you.

  • mikha says:

    I really want to try Captured by Candlelight because cognac is my favorite type of alcohol, and I ‘ve never tried any scents with this note. The description was very nice. I have a sample of “The Dark Heart of Old Havana” and I love it.
    Captured by Candlelight would me my pick.
    I live in the EU. Thank you.

  • SHMW says:

    I Love the idea of the tie-in between fragrance and stories and as to which sounds the most tempting`i am torn but my pick would be the Buddhawood box although captured by candlelight sounds very evocative. I love Sunshine and pancakes and I especially love the way Sarah describes exactly what is puts into the fragrances rather than providing (often misleading) ‘notes’. I am in the UK

  • Toblerone says:

    Well… They all sound interesting. Romantic, like Flora Psychedelica, warm and cosy like Captured in Candlelight… But “Base notes: onion soup, brown bread”- now that’s really something! I can’t imagine such kind of base notes. this is really innovative! Is it true, or are you just kidding us, Gail? 😉

    I’d love to try all of them and I’d choose and a set of all four fragrances x 9ml and a book. I live in Europe.

  • mozaik says:

    What an interesting review. I love the idea of scent being a key to memories. The Buddhawood Box sounds best and I’d like a bottle of this fragrance. Thank you for so generous draw! EU.

  • doveskylark says:

    Gail’s review was wonderfully written. I like what she wrote in her review of The Buddahwood Box: “…. the smells of many years of happy living linger on.” I’d love to try this fragrance. I’ve never tried anything from this line, but I’ve read about Doe in the Snow and would love to try it.
    I live in the USA.

  • Robert H. says:

    Wonderful review of a great range! I must admit to being quite the 4160 fanboy, I love Sarah’s perfumes SO much. Her Centrepiece Extrait is in my top 10, but there are so many terrific scents in her range I’d be hardpressed to choose. Maxed Out, Sleep Knot, Sex Goddess, Paradox, Raw Silk & Red Roses (which I’m wearing right now), et al…. Flora Psych. is the one that interests me, and especially the BOOK! In the USA

  • openmind says:

    4160 Tuesdays fragrances sound unique and I’d love to try all of them. I can find interesting notes in each of the four compositions (perhaps Up The Apples And Pears is the one being to autumn spirit and to what we often call a “typical” autumn scent – but I doubt there is anything typical about this one). I’d like a set of all four vials and the book. Thanks for the draw, I live in the EU.

  • andrei.np says:

    I’d really like to try all of these, to be honest! The brand has been on my radar for more than a year now, but it is not available in my country 🙁 Also, I didn’t know Mrs. McCartney has released a book as well. The fact that each fragrance has managed to bring up a memory must be a sign of a master perfumer at work. 🙂
    Captured By Candlelight is the one I’d like to try the most right now since the cold weather has already captured my country. I live in Romania and I’d like a sample set of all four fragrances.

  • FilM says:

    Long lost memories in perfumes are a wonderful thing. I think I’d like The Buddhawood Box best, it reminds me of my grandparents’ house full of amazing, old-fashioned wooden furniture. I’d choose Four Fragrant Mysteries and a set of all four fragrances x 9ml. Thanks for the draw. I live in Europe.

  • cinnamon tree says:

    What a wonderful post. I haven’tried 4160 Tuesdays fragrances but I would love to, they sound fantastic. I think this is a brand that truly deserves the “niche” name.
    My favorite review is the one about Flora Psychedelica: “Flora Psychedelica is a delicate, slightly peppery white floral. The initial burst of jasmine recalls a powerful personal memory from 1970s, a perfume shop in the Mashhad bazaar in Iran. This vision gradually transforms to vivid flashbacks of childhood excursions to Central Florida’s flowering orange groves, followed by the sight and scent of fields of blooming Easter lilies along the Northern California coast near the Smith River. This perfume also recalls my grandmother’s jasmine soap and my mother’s Diorissimo. Flora Psychedelica is, for me, a time trip fueled by jasmine, petitgrain, aldehydes, lilies and what I perceive to be lime and orange flower. I adore Flora Psychedelica and the drydown is cool, fresh memory of white flowers, soap and mist. ”

    I’d love a 30 ml bottle of Flora. I live in the EU, thank you for the draw!

  • Miss Sunshine says:

    Thank you for the review and draw! Captured by Candlelight is must try for me, especially because I love cinnamon. My favorite quote from Gails’s review was : ” Sarah McCartney’s new fragrances were causing me to spin my own imaginative yarns and recall long lost memories.”

    I’ve never tried any from the line. My pick would be Captured by Candlelight.
    I live in Europe

  • teresa310 says:

    It’s so moving to read how Gail describes her memories about her father’s place: “The Buddhawood Box – This is the reassuring and comforting scent of my father’s house. Despite the extensive venting systems in his workshop, the smells of various woods – mahogany, oak, cedar – have, over the years, permeated the entire house. There is also a bit of smokiness from the fireplaces and hints of festive family gatherings.”. I love woody scents so I guess this one would be to my liking. Thanks so much for these reviews and a draw. I’d love a bottle of Buddhawood Box.

    (EU)

  • Lori L says:

    I love the idea of pairing fragrances with books and creating scent stories! The two that most captured my attention in the article are: Up the Apples and Pairs and Captured by Candlelight. I live in the US and thanks for the draw! 🙂

  • aire says:

    All of these perfumes sound very rich and interesting. Tha one that appeals to me the most is The Buddhawood Box because of my favorite wood note: cedar. I’d choose a bottle of The Buddawood Box. Thanks for the generous draw. I live in Europe.

  • Lauren says:

    Learning how these fragrances relate to your memories awesome! I love the part about the proposal. How sweet!! I live in the US.

  • Greg Sh says:

    Everything relating to a memory sounds quite interesting! The book is also something I’ll have to check out in the near future. I have never tried any scents from this house, so this draw really appeals to me! I’m in Canada.

  • echinacea says:

    I find the idea of memories captured in perfumes especially convincing because scents are the main factor which causes my memory to recall past events, situations and emotions. It’s mainly pleasant experience, although sometimes I can’t stand a scent which reminds me of something stressful of sad.

    4160 Tuesdays sound beautiful and I’d love to try all of them. My choice would be a 4 sprayers set and a book. Thank you so much! I live in the EU.

  • Pine says:

    I am a new reader encouraged by my friend to read Cafleurebon and I have to say I love this website. It shows the less known (but absolutely worth knowing) side of a perfume world.

    Being a newbie to niche fragrances I’ve never tried anything from 4160 Tuesdays. From these four I think I’d love to smell Captured by Candlelight because I love the romantic proposal story!

    I live in Poland, EU.

  • Vick G says:

    Memories and fragrance really go hand in hand. 4160 Tuesdays sounds like a very good house and I need to get some samples soon

    I’m a Canadian reader and thanks for the draw