Before leaving the US in 2017 for Mexico, it was clear that there was an entrepreneurial groundswell happening with small start-up companies, stores and restaurants happening throughout the country. It was exciting to see craftmanship return to the marketplace with people who had the love and spirit to make and provide new and unique products and services. Here in Mexico, the same is happening, especially with the younger generation. And because of it, many are bringing a new twist to the traditional in a very exciting way.
One of these entrepreneurs lives right here in Merida; Jose Sandovalis of Sandovalis Perfumes. As a self-taught perfumer, Jose has used his love of perfume, botany and the Yucatan to create a line of perfumes, candles and personal grooming products that are rooted in the local environment. Jose cites that his interest in perfume began with his grandmother who had a book of perfumes from the late 19th century. But it wasn’t just his grandmother that helped to influence this interest; his father and grandfather helped to educate and mentor with a shared passion for botany. Now, together with his wife Cindy, they have handcrafted a collection of unique products that are tied to the history and botanicals of the Yucatan. And they source their materials throughout the peninsula with a concentration on fair trade. To Jose, sustaining and supporting the local people is key to his mission. Sorry to say however, that these products are only available in Mexico. So if you need a good excuse to come experience this wonderful country, this is one good reason to do so
WHAT I SMELL: Cicle Club first spins off of the skin with a fresh and tangy lightly sugared tangerine. The pefume sparkles with a bright energy. After a couple of minutes, the cheery opening starts to retreat, leaving the wearer wondering if the perfume is about to disappear after a quick hello. But as expected, the perfume begins to reveal a more herbal heart with hints of dewy wood. The light sugared sweetness is still there, but it has retreated in such a manner giving it a quiet and understated level of positivity. After some time, a tobacco note starts to swirl and rise through the center of the perfume. It’s projection is just right as it feels a bit windswept off of the skin.
Head notes: Tangerine and Rosemary
Heart notes: Good grass and Basil
Background notes: Cedar and Tobacco
WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME: A quiet early evening bike ride underneath Merida’s Arcos de Dragones.
THREE WORDS THAT DESCRIBE CICLE CLUB: understated, classic, comfortable
WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT CICLE CLUB: None found.
BOTTOM LINE: Cicle Club is clearly a gentlemen, but one with a sporty heart. It’s herbal and woody tobacco freshness is perfect in the heat of the summer and for any time of year.
- Bone Rating: 4 out of possible 5 bones
- Scent: Aromatic Woody
- Nose: Jose Sandovalis
- Classification: Masculine
- Expense: Approximately $50 for 60 ml eau de parfum. Also available in 30 ml.
For more information, please check out the wonderfully historical Sandovalis Perfumes website (in Spanish – easy to translate using Google Chrome).
For years, the start of the holiday season has included the tradition of putting paperwhite (narcissus) bulbs in a rock filled pot so that by the time Christmas is here, we’ll be greeted by the delicate flowers on sinewy stems. These white flowers, though small in size, create a wonderful and powerful aroma that fills the room. I was thrilled to see that DSH made tribute to paperwhites, the simple flowers that even in the midst of winter, their delicate blooms give hope and light to the coming spring.
WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME: Delicate paperwhites of course.
WHAT I SMELL: L’Heure Mysterieuse has a strange opening that’s full of smoke and tar as well as a heavy patchouli that is thick, chewy and rather like paste. The smoke rises off of the skin like some kind of industrial component. This is a very bizarre as I can’t see how the opening brings promise of anything beautiful or gentile….or something that represents “Cartier.” Thankfully, after a short time, the tar and heavy smoke begin to lift. A dried flatness of incense appears instead and the perfume starts to belie a more gentle persona. But don’t get me wrong, there’s a strength to the perfume in that it has a fighting energy buried beneath the smoky subdued radiance. After quite some time a light floral appears, once again softening the former intensity. To me, L’Heure Mysterieuse is a hard perfume to describe, but I can tell you that it has a classic old world heart that reminds me of fragrances from the 1970s.
The Scented Hound 