Silk Road (ancient style)

Silk Road

With this completely 100% natural perfume I open a line of 3 perfumes dedicated to an almost unique raw material, Liquidambar.

Well known in past eras, this liquid resin, precisely Liquid Amber, has a history that goes far back in time, reaching up to the priests of ancient Egypt, used as a scented balm, a medicine for the skin and even in the preparation of mummies.

The scientific name of this wonderful tree is: Liquidambar orientalis, a plant endemic to southern Turkey, but for some decades the collection of its resin has been banned, due to excessive exploitation it has seriously risked going towards extinction.

Through a process of fermentation and seasoning of its bark, secret recipes passed down only among the families who made this product, the famous Black Storax was created, a sweet, spicy, oriental aroma, now we would say amber. It was burned on coals to spread its aroma in temples, courtyards and in the rooms of nobles or emperors.

For a few years now, Turkey has allowed the extraction of small controlled batches and I am one of the few who has access!

Silk Road is the first of this small line with a spicy, balsamic (from balsams), warm, woody resinous tone, but also sweetish notes made by a splendid Vanilla absolute made with Madagascar pods, always one of my export products from the big island.

The warmth of spices such as Coriander, Black Cumin (Nigella sativa), are cut by a slightly salty scent, which evokes a coastal territory, due to a significant presence of Oakmoss (Evernia sp.)

But let’s get to the materials in detail.

For the top notes:  Coriander, Celery Seed, Palo Santo, Yellow Hinoki, Rosewood.

Heart notes:

Black Cumin CO2, Juniper oxycedrus berries CO2, Atlas Cedar, Frangipani absolute.

Base notes:

Muhuhu, also called African Sandalwood, Oakmoss, Spikenard, Vanilla, Oud Cambodia, Ambergris, and lots of Liquidambar.

The latter in the blend is around 30%, an incredible amount for a pure resin, yet its pungent aroma and its initial impact note are very reminiscent of some solvents such as trichloroethylene or refined fuels, mixing it carefully this material marries beautifully harmonizing other essences that you would not imagine.

The name wants to be a leap back thousands of years when caravans were made to exchange, sell these very precious materials equal to gold. I imagined the traders who proudly showed off these rarities found with so much difficulty and sacrifice during this famous trade route.

A route that beyond the name, beyond silk, sold spices and aromas and who knows how many stories with them.