June 2015: The Art and Olfaction Awards 2015

This month, we are beyond excited to bring you three exceptional perfumes—not exceptional simply because we say they are, but because just one month ago, a global panel of renowned judges awarded them one of the highest honors in the industry.

The Art and Olfaction Awards is a unique contest. In fact, Luca Turin—one of the judges and quite a famous perfume critic—calls it "the only fluff-free fragrance contest in the world," and he's right. The competition is fierce (but friendly), the judging is blind, and the extraordinary winners take home a Golden Pear because they earned it.

"The winners of the second annual Art and Olfaction Awards have diverse practices and different perspectives, outlooks, and geographies," says Saskia Wilson-Brown, director and founder of the awards and the Institute for Art and Olfaction. "What they have in common is their commitment to the craft and artistry of their chosen medium, and a shared excellence in their compositional capabilities. With submissions coming in from 17 countries on four continents, the competition was extremely tough. These perfumes are the cream of a very talented crop."

They truly are. And we're thrilled to give you the chance to experience them.

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Black Pepper and Sandalwood by Luca Maffei for Acca Kappa. A smooth shot of pepper and saffron is the opening act for a woody heart. The drydown is the coziest sandalwood we can imagine, dusted with clove, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Perfumer Luca Maffei was inspired by India, and we're inspired by him. Read more...

Eau de Céleri by Isabelle Michaud for Monsillage. We're always on the lookout for something novel in perfume, and perfumer Isabelle Michaud, of Monsillage, has struck novelty gold: an elegant, green chypre inspired by the celery plant. Read more...

Woodcut by Ellen Covey for Olympic Orchids.  Woodcut conjures up dark images of ancient trees inhabited by spirits from a time when the earth was new, the flowing sap of felled trees, and the burnt sugar of the trees’ blood when it is heated by the saws of lumbermen and builders. Read more...

Bask in their talent for the month, and share your experiences with us on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

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