Sunday, October 12, 2008

Sonoma Scent Studio, Winter Woods: A Review


Searching for the ultimate autumn & winter fragrance? I’ve found it ~ Sonoma Scent Studio’s Winter Woods.

I reviewed Sonoma Scent Studio’s Fireside Intense and Ambre Noir last week. Both Fireside and Ambre are phenomenal, however, they might be better suited to diehard dry woods, leather and amber fans like me. Winter Woods, on the other hand, is a gorgeous and much tamer composition for those who enjoy some woods but not a lumber yard extravaganza.

Winter Woods is cozy ambered woods, with a touch of smoke. WW is slightly sweet and while it doesn’t smell like this, it makes me think of pumpkin bread, mulled cider and flavored coffees by the fire. Laurie Erickson, the perfumer, has perfectly captured the ideal autumn afternoon. The day is sunny yet chilly so you’ve donned your favorite weekend sweater and jeans and taken the dogs for a hike. As you round the last curve of the path towards your house you take a long deep breath of the crystal clear air inhaling all the beautiful scents of autumn, the fallen leaves, woods, bark and chimney smoke in the distance. You see smoking rising up from the chimney and know that your husband has lit the fire. The dogs prance ahead and beat you to the back door because they can smell the aroma of dinner cooking in the oven.

Winter Woods is a gentle, cozy & reflective sort of aroma. It seems perfectly suited for reading while lounging in your favorite chair by the fireplace. Laurie Erickson must use extremely high quality ingredients because she presents you with the most perfect wood and amber notes. I mean Serge Lutens quality.

Longevity: Excellent ~ about 4-5 hours
Sillage: Soft

Winter Woods Notes: Guaiacwood, cedar, sandalwood, birch tar, cade, oakmoss absolute, castoreum, amber, vetiver, ambergris.

4 comments:

Tania said...

yes, isn't it nice? I have a sample.
It reminds me of the last camping trip towards the end of the season, when the roads will soon be closed for the winter.

ScentScelf said...

My SSS sample pack has not yet arrived, so I am reading (and re-reading) your impressions in anticipation...
It would be nice if the cicadas around here would GO AWAY, as they are interrupting my sense that the cool weather scent season has truly arrived. (And there'll be a further delay until we're ready for a scent like Winter Woods...)
...trying to keep in mind that anticipation is sometimes part of the experience. ;)

Abigail said...

Ahhh, the cicadas! I learned of cicadas for the first time when I moved to New Jersey in 2004. That is quite the experience...those buggers are loud and dumb! I remember trying to sit outside on the patio and they'd just fly right into me. ;~/

indieperfumes said...

I must get a sample soon. I love the idea. Beautiful illustration, too,love the tones...