As a child I spent alot of time in my local library. ALOT. This was in the days before the internet – in the days when finding out a piece of information involved an encyclopaedia or a textbook or asking an adult. I don’t think that Birch and Brook were thinking of the purpose built library filled with plastic covered books that I spent my formative years in. I imagine that the library that the nose who created this fragrance was thinking of is a library filled with mahogany shelving, leather covered chairs, a grandfather clock and old books.
I bought this candle a couple of months back from Roullier White where they stocked the full range of candles and as I sniffed each and everyone one, this was not the candle that I liked the smell of the most … initially (that was Secret Garden). What I found was that this was the candle that I kept sniffing and could not put down. So I bought it, took it home and lit it. These candles are hand crafted – The wax is slightly softened even when the candle is not lit and they burn beautifully evenly.
You know me – I love a light white floral or a citrus scent and this is neither. When I lit this candle, I could not identify the notes. Guaiac Gum is a resin from a tree. So I had to do a bit of research and I found that it was often used as a wood preservative – bingo. I am not saying that this candle smells like Ronseal or Cuprinol but there is something like pine mixed with varnish about it. In a good way. Add a bit of smokiness and you begin to get an idea of the fragrance. Then it begins to make sense of the clove and cinnamon and the cedar that are in the blend and the patchouli, which I could not identify as an individual note balances it all. My description probably makes it sound like a dogs dinner but there is something addictive about this fragrance. This is a candle that on paper, I should not like… but I do and I burn it in the way that you are supposed to burn candles. I religiously trim the wick, but the candle for about nineties and blow it out. No leaving it burning for three or four hours.
The presentation is very simple with a monochromatic colour way and a clear glass candle holder but my attention is not held by the packaging – it is the fragrance that draws me in. If you like leather / tobacco type scents, you will like this, but if like me you are normally drawn to lighter fragrances – have a whiff of this one. You may find like me that is surprises you.