By Kilian Asian Tales collection recounts the Chinese tradition and pays homage to this great culture. This enigmatic collection of Water Calligraphy, Bamboo Calligraphy and Flower of Immortality fragrances, is now enriched with two new scents – Sacred Wood and Imperial Tea. Inspired by the Asian tale of “The Big Red Toga Tea”, the Imperial Tea fragrance was developed by perfumer Calice Becker and is a beautiful blend of green tea and jasmine. In the novel the son of the emperor’s concubine seeks for a cure to save his ill mother, on the path of which he surpasses many obstacles until he finds a tree from which water freely flows.
Deciding to bring a few leaves to his mother, the infusion made of them magically heals her. The name of the tea became “the big red robe tea,” recalling the garments of the young man, and was soon restricted to the exclusive use of the Chinese imperial court, such was the notoriety it gained. In Imperial Tea by Kilian Calice Becker tried to reproduce the note one breathes when sipping jasmine tea, the fragrant steam rising upwards, a greenish smell with delicate jasmine bud notes, a refined pleasure. With top notes of jasmine, green tea and white musk, the scent is so addictive and refreshing you’ll want to spritz yourself over and over.
Sacred Wood on a similar style is inspired by the story of an Indian couple, Savitri and Satyavan who lived in a mystical forest. Destiny wanted Satyavan to die within the year, a fact which the wife discovers and strives to avert. She fasts, keeps vigil and goes to pray at the root of the sacred tree, the sandalwood. The wife embarks further on a pleading discourse with Yama, the deity of death, and in the end manages to save her husband.
Sacred Wood by Kilian is centered around santalum album, the essential oil of which is possible thanks to the Mysore variety being sustained outside India. The fragrance is backed up by complementing lactonic notes. Its silky, sensuous scent is amazingly long-lasting, though never overwhelming. It is the answer to the prayers of all sandalwood lovers.
Kilian Fragrances are available online and in fine department stores. Priced from $80-$245.
