Equestrian Sonoma Scent Studio 2016

The wedding of Nahul and Sita took place in the "Champagne" hall. And it was not the only one...

As a family with two children, we like to book Novotels because the kids can stay in the parents' room for free. This is gradually coming to an end due to puberty, but we still spent our last stay in London this way.

The Novotel in Hammersmith is large enough to host entire conferences. And apparently, it is popular for Indian weddings where things are meant to get lively. During the week of our visit alone, there were two such celebrations, with crowds of people arriving in sometimes magnificent attire.

On the evening of August 4th, we ended up in our room watching a live broadcast from "Wacken Open Air" on 3sat, following the performance of a group called "Nightwish," featuring an undercover opera singer and a croaking Viking alternating the vocal parts. At some point, it was enough, everything off and off to bed.

Suddenly, the room shook with a roar as if Wacken had just been relocated to the floor below. Slowly, recognizable sounds emerged from the noise, which spoke more of something Oriental. The wedding! After perhaps a quarter of an hour, there was practically silence from one moment to the next - almost eerie.

On another day, we left the hotel through the back exit, through a sort of half-garage. Instead of the usual vehicle fumes, it smelled of... horse. And indeed, there was a trailer with the inscription "Asian Wedding Horse Hire," next to which a patient (and hopefully hard of hearing; see below) gray horse was being groomed.

It was time to find out more. Apparently, it is part of every authentic Indian wedding that the groom(!) rides in on a white horse while a band makes as much noise as possible. Mental image: I stand on the level of the conference rooms in front of the elevator, the door opens, and a horse comes towards me. Klaus & Klaus would be thrilled.

Um... horse. As for 'Equestrian': It is supposed to be, as the Sherlocks among the perfume enthusiasts may have already guessed, about a day centered around the horse. And that’s where the problem begins. Ms. Erickson has, according to her online biography, a corresponding affinity. Now, horses do have a rather... strong smell. Only true horse lovers can love that scent - and call it something other than "stink."

Thus, a portion of skepticism hung over the first test. However, 'Equestrian' surprisingly smells quite restrained of horse; I find 'Habit Rouge' much more intense in this regard, even the large London garage had essentially more of it on Klaus & Klaus day.

Instead, we should turn our attention to the other olfactory images that are very well done. Be it the apple note that breaks through after the resinous, almost turpentine-like opening and resembles apple compote or even apple wine. As if it were the older specimens that the dear animal receives.

A bit of conifer, strong wood, smooth leather, a lush-heavy florality - all of this fits the thought of a ride on a golden autumn day. In the morning, it is already quite cool, but now, later in the day, warm sunlight spills generously. Over the land lies that overripe aura, preceding the late autumn decay, which always makes me nostalgic and yet I like it.

And as if the scent senses my feelings, a voluminous creaminess envelops me from noon onward, which does not attempt to cover up the hint of - let’s call it by name - the very beginnings of decay, but rather accepts the course of things, with the certainty that after autumn and winter, the next spring will come. I hear the comforting words of Tomte Tummetott, who whispers to the animals in the winter yard: "Patience, only patience! Spring is near."

And finally, silence returns. A dry, ripe, mature, almost stern amber note accompanies me well into the evening and concludes the journey with a scent that has impressed me, but which I will not wear.

I thank Jumi for the sample.