Lotus Pollinator Phoenix Botanicals 2017

Josef Hellmesberger (1828-93) was not only known as the concertmaster of the Vienna Philharmonic with at least local prominence, but also for his wit, as evidenced by various anecdotes. He is said to have skewered a composition by his friend Robert Fuchs with the words, “Fuchs, you’ve completely stolen this!” He commented on a spa stay of the notorious music critic Eduard Hanslick with: “Hanslick went to Karlsbad with liver ailments. And unfortunately returned alive.”

Who can still afford to linger in Karlsbad with liver ailments these days? Usually, it requires eating a bit less and, above all, drinking less. In addition, there are one or two remedies that promise success without abstinence to the hesitant. Specifically, I think of artichoke preparations. The bitter substances of that plant are said to stimulate the production of bile acids and thus be beneficial for the (healing of the) liver.

I am not primarily mentioning this because artichoke appears in the notes, but because almost the entire fragrance is pervaded by a bitter line that can almost be considered a leitmotif. And such a motif is (ahem…) bitterly needed, as otherwise it might lack a bit of structure. Perhaps the fragrance is intended as medication?

It starts with resin and wax, spicy and sweet. Green tea is surprisingly noticeable (and very high quality!). However, we’ll leave it at just a cup of that. Enjoyed in the right measure, it probably doesn’t harm the liver. In any case, the warnings regarding this are not undisputed, and there are more voices in favor of green tea than against it when it comes to the liver. There’s also a bit of citrus-freshness, a hint of rose; all of that can be checked off. The basic tone reminds me - because of the wax - of Neuffer, such as Avicenna White Rose & Oud. Not as a twin, just in terms of character.

But then: Within the first hour, dark-caramel vanilla appears. Almost bitter. Too bitter for mere vanilla. The corresponding properties of myrrh (whose name is derived from a word for “bitter” around one or two corners) don’t help me either. Therefore, I simply cling to the artichoke in my search. And while I’m meandering, I take a step further and fall into the general scent of the Asteraceae family. And behold, this might simultaneously reveal a mysterious shift to woodiness in the afternoon. Some time ago, while engaging with CdG’s ‘Kyoto’, I had the thought that Asteraceae scent could be suitable for producing pale wood notes. The ‘Lotus Pollinator’ appears to me as museum-like and frosty before it retreats quite early in the afternoon.

Conclusion: The candidate of today only manages to evoke, so to speak, theoretical interest in me.

I thank Fluxit for the sample.