Countdown day 18

Day 18 of our Christmas Fragrance Countdown brings me to the sad realisation I have never been camping. I am such a city boy, that the mere sight of a tree or even a twig on the ground fills me with the urge to put some beans on and "Hunker?" Down. Of course this looks bizarre on High Street Ken, but when I say beans I mean Alphabetty Spaghetti, and when I say tree, I mean Balans Brasserie. So to todays perfume, I needed something warming and boozy, and if possible, some time by the campfire. I think I have just the thing. Bois D'Ascese (2012) by Naomi Goodsir is one of only five fragrances from this clearly wonderful perfumer. I hope there are many more to come, especially if this is anything to go by. The first magic to hit my nose is a peaty Single Malt, it is cask strength but softened with a dash of water from a local spring. Alongside this is a grassy and slightly damp Tobacco, which smells as if it has been lit and then snuffed out. These two opening elements are carried on and shrouded in smoke, a beautiful organic smoke, not relying on anything other than nature. No flaming jet fuel here, just a couple by the fire enjoying a bottle of something special. The heart of this fragrance brings us some sweetness with the introduction of Cinnamon and Treacle Amber, and a stunning Honeyed sweetness coming from the Cistus. These are a judicious contrast to the opening, and provide a feeling of 3D to the structure, where we feel a sweet and glowing core to the centre of our perfume pyramid, or perhaps Tent in this case. The base is all about the forest floor, it brings the all important and magical earthy greenness with Oakmoss. I get damp leaves and soil as well as hints of freshness, the remnants of Spring mornings. We are treated to more stunning smoke with a burning Cade Wood, it brings darkness to the base and ushers in the night in all its blackness and stillness . As you leave your waning campfire and head back to bed, a final lingering trail of Somali Incense reassures you that all is well with the world. This is a beautiful perfume, again like so many great perfumes it is an escapist experience. I may have never been camping, but this thing certainly puts me there with the added bonus that there isn't a bug in sight, and the only howling comes from me as I spray this on in the back of my Uber. Happy Smelling. J xxx