One of the things that first attracted me to the House of Lord’s Jester was that they are all natural perfumes made with no synthetics whatsoever. Then, I noticed that all their scents were named after mythological figures (heroes, nymphs and gods). When I saw that each and every one of their perfumes were unisex, I was intrigued. Finally I had found someone who does not insult your intelligence with labels like “For him” and “For her”! He would rather let the prospective wearer sniff and decide what they want to wear and what works for them. After speaking with the owner, I received samples and upon wearing each and reviewing them- I was “hooked”. This led to me investing in bottles and tins of all twelve of the scents available at the time.

 

Made in the “old fashioned” way of combining raw materials and handmade essential oils in proportion to a carrier fluid (perfume grade ethanol), these perfumes hint at the glory of that marvelous and magical era of majestic heroes, great battles and immortal loves. Many natural perfumers make only EDP and perfume oil concentrations. Adam has taken his scents and retooled many of them into varying strengths. These range from EDC to EDT and EDP, and also perfumed solids (that he calls “concretes de parfum”). Now, much to my delight, he has gone one step further and rendered two of his mythical perfumes into Extrait strength.

Daphne Extrait tells the bittersweet tale of Apollo, his lust for the lovely nymph Daphne and her flight from him as she wished to remain chaste and hunt with her patron goddess Artemis. She called out to her river god father, Achelous, to save her as Apollo pursued her, nearly catching her in his amorous embrace. Her father immediately transformed her into a laurel tree. The extrait of this perfume brings more of the woody base to the fore, along with sweet vanilla and a somber tonka bean. Her floral heart is a melancholic blend of an almost gourmand immortelle and frangipani over roses and jasmines. The opening features an intense blend of citruses along with cypress, tagetes (marigolds) and mastic gum. This is a woody chypre lover’s dream and it reminds one of not only the warmth of early Autumn, but of the prophetic priestesses at the Oracle of Delphi who chewed leaves of laurel, before sitting on a golden tripod over a crack in the earth, and inhaled fumes that let them see the future. Dark and beautiful, yet sweet and full, this concentration is truly divine!

 

Anthea Extrait takes the creamy sensual jasmine that was glorified in the perfumed solid, and defined more fully in the Eau de Toilette, up a few notches. Like a beautiful flower nymph you happen to catch a glimpse of in a forest clearing, Anthea begins with greens, bitter orange blossoms (neroli) and a spicy peppery opening. As she dances further into the forest she sheds her clothing and dances nude and unashamed in the soft beams of the full moon. As she whirls and laughs, a heavenly aroma greets the nose that is playful yet seductive. She is joined, in her forest reverie, by a lovely magnolia and blushing rose. Magnolia adds an even warmer and creamier feel as the rose adds nuances of fruitiness and love. The ultimate dry down on this is a balance of warm and cool notes (orris and benzoin) alongside just the right amount of Africa stone (hyrax) and pine needle. This combination is something altogether different, yet stunningly elegant. Anthea has gone from simple flower girl, to maturing young lady, to her true birthright…that of a goddess.

 

Both Daphne and Anthea are much stronger in the extrait concentration. Daphne fared a bit better on my skin. It projects very well for a “parfum”, and lasts for hours. Anthea opened strongly, to become something very floral, but not too girly due to the other notes not found in the concrete de parfum. Anthea, upon developing and drying completely, became more of a “skin scent” but lasted very well. I felt as if I had danced closely with a nymph in the woods and all that was left of her was a vision of her beauty…and her enchanting aroma.

Both perfumes were tested on the back of my hands from spray samples sent to me from Lord’s Jester for review.

Thanks to Lord’s Jester we have a reader’s choice draw of a 5mL mini of either Daphne or Anthea. To be eligible leave a comment naming which of these mythologically inspired extraits you would like to see materialize in your home. We will draw three winners via random.org on January 20, 2012. The minis will not be ready to ship until mid-February so this will require a little bit of the patience of the gods if your name is drawn.

We announce the winners only on site and on our Facebook page, so Like Cafleurebon and use our RSS option…or your dream prize will be just spilt perfume

–John Reasinger, Weekly Contributor