An anniversary and the celebrant does not appear.
At least not in the large ballroom, which in 2024 is constantly rented out for short-lived, market-screaming praise of simple-minded new releases in the male fragrance sector for a profit.
No, the elderly man leaves such baths in the masses to others. His background, his upbringing, his demeanor, all this makes him grin knowingly.
It may be that only the side wing was decorated, with no garlands or unnecessary kitsch. Only the closest friends and admirers came, a handful.
But that was precisely his dearest wish.
The true and honest vein of understatement.
I raise my glass.
"A special toast to our beloved friend!"
Dear old chap, you've surpassed our expectations once again.
Nine decades of troubled times couldn't bring your endeavor to rust.
Therefore...
For he's a jolly good fellow!"
For the laudation this year, his loyal friends will be generously scented - after all, ninety years of successful grooming should be duly celebrated.
And their Dunhill lighters, cuffs and dinner jackets exude classic elegance.
They wait comfortably on the leather armchairs for my speech.
One more moment...
Hiss!
A: Well, well, well. Timeless perfection once again.
And leisurely contentment returns to the hall.
A: A very beautiful lemon pairs with an herbaceous lavender, under the Mediterranean sun Eros kisses the bodies awake.
The sensuality of the south wafts around...
Tumult spreads.
- So really!
- Fortunately, there are no children present.
- Goodness gracious!
A: Conductor, music please!
Someone has to calm things down!
- Sir?
A: All right, blast through "The Very Thought Of You" by Al Bowlly for all I care!
Now go ahead!
And you there at the bar, keep pouring!
A: Ladies and gentlemen, may I ask that we celebrate this occasion in style!
Please take your seats again!
The redness of the faces slowly turns insularly pale again.
A: Where did we leave off?
That's right, the south.
Well, the clary sage is herbaceous and full of sunshine.
Yes, the good guy should take a quick strull... Pardon, relieve himself.
Murmuring.
A: If it weren't for the secret weapon, this petigrain!
Dear fellows, that's what I call cool fencing!
Yes, yes, so harsh and ice-cold can be the smack of certain dignitaries of Germania and Britain...
- This is the pinnacle!
- Another one like that and...
- Who suggested him as a speaker anyway?
A: But, but, I just wanted to describe the power of the distillate a little more vividly.
Who's going to throw clay at it?
Really!
This note perforates the entire course of the fragrance, to give a somewhat urnig impression to the vetiver...
- My heart drops, quickly!
- Punishment colony for this lout!
- Shame on you!
- I wouldn't even feed him to my Rottweilers!
A: Loyal comrades-in-arms, the whims of nature shouldn't be a cause for disgust, we're above that.
But please, then I'll just remain unimaginatively sober.
Some of you can hardly wait to pose as exhibits at Madame Tussaud's with Boris Karloff.
You'll see in a moment.
- What a cheek!
- Tar and feather!
A: Further in the course!
Let's not kid ourselves, the iris root and the garden carnation will provide that typical waxy, powdery coating for the flowers. Exactly, subtly waxy!
Quite clever and striking, so as not to get into trouble.
Because...
A shoe flies just past me.
- What's going on with this flat brush?
- I've always warned that these 1970s will hammer the last nail in the coffin of decency!
A: ... because where else would we end up with the rose?
Well?
It turns out tart and pale.
On the one hand, the iris root makes it look like these wax rolls from the past with music from the day before yesterday.
On the other hand, the neroli bleaches out any redness, refreshes and chastises this otherwise rather leaden garden queen.
And be glad that the garden carnation tomboyishly does not leave the usual powdery slope to the tassel.
- That's right,
- Talcum for men should always smell like this!
- Just imagine appearing at the polo wearing rosy make-up. Off to badminton with the fruit!
- That would be a scandal!
A: Quiet please, quiet!
Or do you want to miss out on the grandiose base?
Quiet please!
Several pairs of eyes peer intently.
A: A dry cedar exudes its ethereal resin in well-balanced doses, not an iota too much to mask the floral notes.
Slightly smoky, the green, acidic vetiver masks itself with a leathery eye mask and looks mischievously agile, glazed with tonka bean, petitgrain foil at the ready.
Wonderfully cultivated and solidly soapy.
The thief of the night!
- Hurray for Zorro!
- My wild years!
- One for all, all for one!
A: You see?
So great is our jubilarian!
Stormy times may loom on the horizon, but he will weather them with flying colors.
After all, he has seen five rulers come and go.
The design of his bottle defied the fashions that followed and impressed with its deliberately minimalist, even purist elegance, slightly playful and visually and haptically captivating.
- An icon!
- Him and no one else!
- Eureka!
The usher hands me a note on a silver tray.
Strangely written.
A: I suppose someone would like to suggest a scavenger hunt as the highlight of the evening.
There's no other way I can explain discussing a stamp collection in an alcove late at night, whoever signs with Fantômas.
One of your usual jokes?
- We showed him!
- The funny Mauritius. Pah hahaha!
The mood lightens.
A: Your bum souls of old and still alive and kicking, I see.
Let's forget it and raise a glass to our Dunhill!
May he be granted another ninety years!
All: Cheers!
Top Notes 
Lavender
Lemon
Clary sage
Petitgrain
Heart Notes 
Carnation
Jasmine
Rose
Iris
Base Notes 
Cedar
Leather
Tonka bean
Vetiver
50something
RobbieX
Mikael
Olfactory60
Matux
