Kyphi Olympic Orchids Artisan Perfumes 2011

I am thrilled to have found this recreation of a perfume from ancient Egypt. Kyphi is the latin version of a Greek translation of the Egyptian word, Kapet (incense). I first read about it as the perfumed unguent found in Tutankamen's tomb. Observers thought it had a smell similar to Valerian, an herb good for calming nerves or promoting sleep. It does. Now the main ingredient is thought to be its more expensive relative, Spikenard--not specifically listed among our notes, but I have a sample of Spikenard and the earthy, resinous smell is very close to this scent's dominant note. Coconut and frankincense were also thought to be present in the unguent from the tomb. Beeswax stands in for coconut here. The spices are aromatic and pungent. Kyphi was known to have been used as a temple incense. Various recipes for it exist in ancient Greek, Egyptian and Jewish texts. In the Bible, a version of it was used to anoint the feet of Jesus. Based on my research, this is a very well-done version of this scent, an "all-natural mix of resins, essential oils, and absolutes." Strangely, the first potent sniff took me straight to ancient Egypt as if I were standing in the temple, or in a crowd with cones of unguent melting on their heads. Labdanum, Myrrh and Frankincense are strong and Calamus (palm leaf) lends a bit of greenness. Perhaps, in combination, they mimic Spikenard's intensely organic aroma. Needless to say, Kyphi is an acquired taste. Not something most modern westerners would wear. Think of the complex and interesting Slumberhouse scents, multiplied by a thousand. I'll try it for meditation or perhaps in combination with a potent floral. Few may find it wearable, but it's worth smelling, if only to be among the pharaohs for a time.