Tag Archives: Andy Tauer

Good Read…Los Angeles Times

Its been awhile since I’ve posted an article. But I was recently made aware of this one by some of my fragrant twitter pals and just got around to reading it. This is a recently published article in the Los Angeles that sheds light on Niche brands and their aim to bring to market quality fragrances. Some of the brands I’ve spoken about and many I own are mentioned in the article. They include, L’Artisan, Tauer Perfumes, Thierry Mugler, B Never Too Busy To Be Beautiful , Serge Lutens and by Kilian.

It’s a quick read, supported by some statistical information and quotes from some industry heayweights. Well worth a few minutes of your time. Read it here.

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The road traveled to L’air du désert marocain

As I mentioned sometime ago, Fragrant Moments comes from an experiential perspective. That said, I hope you can appreciate the road that lead to L’Air du Desert Marocain.

If there’s one thing I like to do on a Saturday afternoon, when I have a free moment, is relax to a nice cigar. I did that this past Saturday and ran into a friend, Konstantie-Kahi. We hadn’t seen each other for the entire summer so we had quite a bit of catching up to do. Being he’s from Georgia, I naturally asked him what the conflict with Russia was all about. After breaking that down, and delving into American politics, we moved into frivolous but entertaining things like wine and music. Then something leads me to ask this worldly gent if he was into fragrances. Wholly shit, not only is he into them, but he immediately began name-dropping. After going back and forth about brands such as L’Artisan, Tom Ford, Mont Blanc, Le Labo, etc, we went on a spontaneous scent hunt; first stop L’Artisan on Thompson street. While there we smelled Fou d’Absinthe, and Passage d’Enfer. Next we stopped by the Mont Blanc store to smell their newest scent. From there, we hustled over to Aedes de Venustas, which I encouraged Konstantine to experience. Having never been there before, he entered the pearly scented gates of fragrance heaven. Frank, who’s cool as a cucumber, greeted us and immediately whizzed us around store after I pried out of Konstantine some of the brands he likes to help get us started. (Gents, when fragrance shopping, if you’re approached by a sales person, try to remember some of the brands you like, it really does make a difference in which direction they lead you).

Frank knows his scents. There wasn’t one he bought to us that I didn’t like. But without question L’Air du Desert Marocain was one of the most original and it left a lasting impression. Konstantine thought so as well…he purchased it. The scent is rich and layered. It nuzzles nicely into the skin and that’s when the magic begins. According to its maker, Andy Tauer, “L’air du désert marocain is a true scent of desire.” It’s mysterious, soft and spicy all at once. It’s not overly woody or overly this or that. It’s simply wicked. If I were traveling alone to an exotic locale, this would be the only scent I’d bring with me. Its that potent.

Maintain the Freshness

The last few days in New York City have been brutal. We wake up and its damn near 80 degrees. We jump in the shower to start the day off fresh and before we head out, we need to take another. That is the way it goes in the summer, unless you miraculously spend your every waking moment under an AC, in which case you’re a luck son of … However, for most of us, we do everything in our power to beat the heat. We drop the dark wintery colors for lighter tones, textures become more breathable, and we keep our bodies hydrated are just a few that come to mind. I know for me, as a young boy growing up, my father once told me, “never let them see you sweat” and he went on to instruct me to wear an undershirt, even in the summer. It may seem counterintuitive when the birthday suit is seeming like its the best option but it keeps your look fresh. Have you ever seen a man who has it all together but then you notice that unattractive sweat mark on his back in the shape of Texas, or the huge underarm ring? It just ruins it. Yeah we all sweat but do we have to see it?

If you plan on maintaining your “freshness” this summer, I have two more tips for you:


1 – Eau D’Italie’s, Paestum Rose
2- Reverie au Jardin by Andy Tauer

I discovered these two gems one Sunday at Aedes de Venustas. After smelling them, I couldn’t make my mind up so I bought both. They encompass just what you want in a summer fragrance, something fresh but not in the usual suspect way. After wearing both for sometime now, I’ve developed a wearing method which highlights their differences.

For those moderate summer days, early 80’s-ish, I’ve found that I wear Reverie au Jardin. On the Tauer Perfumes website, it’s described as, “A Classical Fragrance, twinkling like a star, caresses your journey, through green lands.” I finds it’s very well-balanced and both fresh notes and spicy/woody notes come through, and that’s what attracted me to it. As your body’s temperature rises, woody notes come out just a tad bit more but those fresh/green notes, most notably Lavender, are right there to keep it in check. Overall, it comes across as a clean, sweat, woody composition – just what you need to fight the funk.

For those scorchers, when the feeling of anything touching your skin is too much, try a kiss of Paestum Rose. It starts off peppery and it should considering some of the notes include black and pink pepper. But it’s the dry down that really sells it. I liken it’s appeal to a cold shower after a long sweaty day. There’s an initial shock but then comes the ahhh factor. It hugs the skin nicely and as your temperature rises, you receive an airy rosey reminder. It doesn’t have the sweaty factor that I like about Le Labo’s Rose 31 but its just as potent. There’s some woody notes in there for those that need them but they’re masked well and the presentation isn’t overly manly…its right in the middle, hence the unisex billing.

If you can’t escape the heat, don’t lose your swagger. Maintain your freshness with these two scents.