Yapana Volnay 2013

was the greeting of an elderly lady whom I often visit, armed with reading material and homemade treats. Mrs. W. is in her late 80s, mentally completely fit, but after some more or less unsuccessful spinal surgeries, she relies on a walker and only comes outside with assistance. She is so terribly thin, weighing no more than 40 kilos, and you want to hold her tightly because you fear a gust of wind could sweep her away. When she was still physically fit, she provided us with the best Christmas cookies, and now we are returning the favor a little.

The praised fragrance was Yapana, which a dear perfumer introduced to me along with Cedre. Yapana does not start for me with grapefruit or bergamot; I can only sense citrus, perhaps only because I know the ingredients are there. I am enveloped by a peppery resinous spiciness with powdery vanilla and clove, while rose and ylang-ylang are only faintly perceptible. Labdanum gives a balsamic, slightly resinous honey note that is not sticky but delicate and airy. And indeed, I catch a hint of rice, warm and steaming, underpinned by earthy patchouli. The fragrance has so many ingredients that one might think it would spoil it, but no, Yapana is an aromatic, balsamic scent, already cozy but with an edge. And sometimes when I wear it, a soft leather note resonates in the distance. And what should I say... Again, not my usual type, and yet it stands in my display case and is worn, even gladly.

Longevity and sillage are strong; I can still perceive a spray after 12 hours, and it reveals its magic best in winter. And of course, it is unisex; I know designated men's perfumes that are much sweeter.

I would fill some for Mrs. W., I even gifted her a Lalique once, to which she replied in her brusque manner, what should I do with that, I don't go out anymore. But sometimes she does smell of L'Amour :o)

P.S. The bottle is great, but this pink ribbon does not match the fragrance at all...