For the Scent of It Folk Tale by Michael Devine©
“The folk tale is the primer of the picture-language of the soul.” — Joseph Campbell
After For the Scent of It Folk Tale, (a fragrance composed by Wisconsin-based indie perfumer Michael Schrammel), hit my top ten list of best perfumes of 2022, Michelyn excitedly said, “We should do a full review!” And, of course, I responded with, “Great idea! I’m on it!” Then it dawned on me: how do I review a fragrance which was designed to eschew description? Structured with accords intended by its creator to be, in his words, “difficult to decipher,” I was, at first, up for the challenge of deciphering and attempting to identity notes (after all, I am the Fragrance Detective), but then a new question arose … should I? Acclaimed fantasy author Brandon Sanderson once wrote, “The purpose of a storyteller is not to tell you how to think, but to give you questions to think upon.”
Michael Schrammel, photo courtesy Michael Schrammel
According to Michael, “The idea for this fragrance began years ago. I have always loved the idea of a community-based fragrance where no notes are listed and people can discuss with each other what they think they smell. The name Folk Tale comes from the idea that folk tales change over the years from person to person, writer to writer. That is exactly the thought process on this fragrance.”
Love of Books, Photo by Michael Devine©
How do I attempt to describe this olfactive choose-your-own-adventure? Let’s first examine the composition Sanderson-style; I’ll give you questions to think upon… What colors do you see when you close your eyes and turn toward the sun? Can you identify the moment—regardless of calendar demarcation—that a new season has begun? What’s your earliest childhood memory? What’s your favorite opening line from a book? Do you see the art that surrounds you at this very moment—even if it’s invisible?
In the spirit of the “choose-your-own-adventure” books, a series which allows the reader to determine the direction of the story by following prompts to different sections of the narrative, this review is about to diverge. If you’d like to know my personal interpretation of Folk Tale, read on … otherwise, skip to the next paragraph NOW! Still here? Ok, here’s what I personally perceive: Folk Tale is a decidedly orange-hued, watercolor abstraction on pulpy, cold-pressed paper. I divine bergamot through orange blossom with a pleasantly-rubbery accord which may or may not be lapsang tea. Additional floral notes emerge and just as I’m ready to acknowledge their presence, disappear into soft cedar-y woods. There’s a touch of bright smoke, not from a campfire, but from a distant temple where silence is comforting, not cold. The aforementioned rubbery note stirred my soul and brought back memories of childhood toys, of carefree days before the burdens of adulting. For the Scent of It Folk Tale is olfactive Prozac, sun-drenched and spiritually weightless. At a time in my fragrance journey where I’m growing more selective about what I add to my collection, I now look for an emotional connection. Folk Tale has the “ah-factor” and instantly brought a smile to my face.
Choose-Your-Own-Adventure books collage
I can assure you that For the Scent of It Folk Tale, high-concept aside, smells wonderful and performs as should an eau de parfum at 20% concentration; it has excellent longevity (I get 8+ hours every wearing) and moderate projection. At the time of writing, Folk Tale is only available in 10ml bottles for $30 US, a reasonable price (as is all in his excellent line) for an indie, hand-made original. Samples are also available. Word has it that Folk Tale, like any story handed down and widely spread, may evolve over time. If you’re expecting Folk Tale to tell a story, don’t be surprised if it’s your own.
Disclosure: bottle purchased by the author from Michael’s Etsy Shop, For the Scent of It
Notes: You Decide
—Michael Devine, Senior Contributor
Folk Tale, Courtesy For the Scent of It
Thanks to the generosity of Michael Schrammel, we have a bottle of For the Scent of It Folk Tale to give to one lucky randomly chosen registered ÇaFleureBon reader IN THE CONTINENTAL US ONLY. Please register here or your comment will not count. To be eligible, please leave a comment with what intrigues you about Folk Tale and indicate that you are in the Continental United States. Draw closes 1/10/22
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Michelyn awarded Michael Schrammel of For The Scent of It Best Discovery of 2022, and Molten Ambra Honorable Mention in her top ten of 2022
Michael Schrammel is 168th in our American Perfumer Series
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