Chestnuts Roasting Over an Open Fire?

The infinite possibilities of a blank canvas. The myriad worlds contained in an uncut block of marble. An invitation to express pure creative vision. That’s what we wanted to offer some of our favorite perfumers that we work with at Luckyscent, perfumers who have created some of the most-beloved cult fragrances around the globe. The result is Untitled – a collection of one-of-a-kind fragrances, each exclusive to Luckyscent, commissioned with the request to create something unusual, something that goes beyond their normal boundaries, with the Luckyscent customer in mind. As our customers are known to be extremely adventurous when it comes to seeking out new and exotic scents, this left the door wide open for our artists. For that is what they truly are – artists who work in scent, creating dreamscapes that evoke mood and memory. We invite you to view our collection of limited edition fragrances known simply as Untitled.

Untitled #5 by Maria McElroy
Notes: Brazil nut, chestnut, cassis, honey, clove, honeysuckle, orange blossom, brandy, patchouly, tobacco, vetiver

Aroma M's Maria McElroy came up with quite the oddball combination of notes for this one, but somehow, bizarrely, it works.  At first.  Untitled #5 starts out with a rich warmth, almost like chocolate, but soon turns into a buttery nut note.  Then the other notes start popping up: spicy clove, sweet florals, and a truly alcoholic brandy.  I'm not sure whether to wear this fragrance or to drink it!  Think about it - wouldn't a honeyed chestnut brandy just be a divine beverage for cold months?

As the scent dries down, it gets stronger, so a little definitely goes a long way.  It also morphs into something I really don't like.  The notes eventually combine to form a seaweed-y marine note, and combined with the brandy, is like what a drunken pirate might smell like.  Also, the clove note is rather persistent and lends a medicinal smell, like Band-Aids, to the oveall composition.

McElroy's work doesn't thrill me, and this rather outrageously priced scent ($75 for 8ml) is yet another in that category.

Notes: Brazil nut, chestnut, cassis, honey, clove, honeysuckle, orange blossom, brandy, patchouly, tobacco, vetiver