 |
| Art Deco Boxes for Pell Wall |
 |
| Luxury Gift Presentation |
Saturday, 6 December 2014
New Standard Packaging and luxury gift option
Sunday, 23 November 2014
Blood & Soil: a cocktail
And now for something completely different:
It’s an experiment I've been meaning to do for a while: a martini-style drink using a cocktail beetroot as garnish. I wanted the liquid to be essentially clear, so that as you drink it, you could see the colour bleeding out of the beetroot. At the same time the ingredients have to work with the earthy, sweet quality of the garnish, so that they fit together as a whole.
Here’s what I came up with:
First prepare the glass with half a very small baby beetroot, speared on a cocktail stick and placed so that the cut edge rests against the glass (for the sake of the photograph I used a glass at room temperature, but otherwise I’d prefer a frozen glass). It’s important that the beetroot hasn’t been marinated in loads of vinegar: either plain cooked or with minimal dressing - here I’ve used Waitrose lime zest infused baby beetroot.
To a shaker with 4 cubes of ice add:
Shake until thoroughly chilled, pour very gently into the glass and serve.
The picture here was taken about a minute after the pour and as you can see the root is already producing layers and swirls of colour. By the time the cocktail was half consumed it was a uniform dark pink, at which point I ate the garnish: the whole thing worked very well and would make a great party talking point.
The smoked vodka compliments the spicy Ophir gin perfectly to give an earthy, almost savoury drink, while the small touch of Chartreuse is enough to add a herbal complexity and take the edge off the dryness: a good match with the sweetness of the beetroot.
It’s an experiment I've been meaning to do for a while: a martini-style drink using a cocktail beetroot as garnish. I wanted the liquid to be essentially clear, so that as you drink it, you could see the colour bleeding out of the beetroot. At the same time the ingredients have to work with the earthy, sweet quality of the garnish, so that they fit together as a whole.
Here’s what I came up with:
 |
| Blood and Soil A Cocktail for the Adventurous |
First prepare the glass with half a very small baby beetroot, speared on a cocktail stick and placed so that the cut edge rests against the glass (for the sake of the photograph I used a glass at room temperature, but otherwise I’d prefer a frozen glass). It’s important that the beetroot hasn’t been marinated in loads of vinegar: either plain cooked or with minimal dressing - here I’ve used Waitrose lime zest infused baby beetroot.
To a shaker with 4 cubes of ice add:
- 2 shots of Chase Smoked Vodka
- 2 shots of Ophir gin
- 1/4 bar spoon of Yellow Chartreuse
Shake until thoroughly chilled, pour very gently into the glass and serve.
The picture here was taken about a minute after the pour and as you can see the root is already producing layers and swirls of colour. By the time the cocktail was half consumed it was a uniform dark pink, at which point I ate the garnish: the whole thing worked very well and would make a great party talking point.
The smoked vodka compliments the spicy Ophir gin perfectly to give an earthy, almost savoury drink, while the small touch of Chartreuse is enough to add a herbal complexity and take the edge off the dryness: a good match with the sweetness of the beetroot.
Sunday, 9 November 2014
Perfume Making Workshops for 2015
I’m planning to run another of my One Day Workshops aimed at taking you from an interest in perfume and blending, to making a wearable perfume yourself - the last one was at Les Senteurs - the next will be in February 2015, it will be on a Saturday and at a central London location.
I know one or two people like to give these workshops as a Christmas gift, hence I’m advertising it now: full details to follow soon.
In addition though, I’d like to use this post to see if there is interest in a more advanced workshop the following day (therefore on a Sunday). The idea would be to look at some more difficult aspects of perfumery than are covered in the basic workshop, perhaps by exploring a category of ingredients: musks or ambers for example, with a view to sorting out the differences between materials and when to use what.
It has also been suggested to me that some people would like the opportunity for something more like a masterclass where you bring along your own, part-finished work and we have a look together at how best to take it forward.
I’m open to either or both approaches depending on what people would find most useful: so if you’ve thoughts on these or other ideas of what would be interesting to you, please let me know here and I’ll put together something that suits most contributors.
 |
| Workshop at Les Senteurs |
In addition though, I’d like to use this post to see if there is interest in a more advanced workshop the following day (therefore on a Sunday). The idea would be to look at some more difficult aspects of perfumery than are covered in the basic workshop, perhaps by exploring a category of ingredients: musks or ambers for example, with a view to sorting out the differences between materials and when to use what.It has also been suggested to me that some people would like the opportunity for something more like a masterclass where you bring along your own, part-finished work and we have a look together at how best to take it forward.
I’m open to either or both approaches depending on what people would find most useful: so if you’ve thoughts on these or other ideas of what would be interesting to you, please let me know here and I’ll put together something that suits most contributors.
Christmas Room Sprays
 |
| Christmas Room Spray by Pell Wall |
Richly scented with frankincense, myrrh, orange, tangerine, cinnamon and spice for that classic festive effect that everyone loves.
It’s an alcohol based spray so it will keep happily until next Christmas if you don’t use it all up this year but it’s not intended for use on the skin and mustn’t be sprayed near naked flames.
 |
| Christmas Room Scent Gift Box by Pell Wall |
If you want to give it as a gift I can also package one up in a large gift box (big enough to take a wine bottle) along with some pine-cone based potpourri in a matching scent for an extra fiver:
The box is strong, with a magnetic closure on the lid and heavy cord carrying handle so it can be re-used as well.
Friday, 31 October 2014
The Walking Dead
Just for fun, in honour of Hallowe’en I’m presenting a recipe for a variation of my Goth Martini, especially designed to bring a little horror into your evening celebrations (and will certainly horrify any tee-totalers in the party):
To make this one you need:
Shake over ice until a frost forms (Zombies are dead cold after all). The combination makes a deep-black colour and is strong enough to wake the dead.
If you wanted you could add a black olive as a garnish, but personally I think it works better without.
Naturally the most sophisticated amongst you will want to drink this while wearing Artemis, the absinthe based fragrance from Pell Wall ;-)
Cheers!
To make this one you need:
- Half a shot of Hapsburg Black Absinthe - if you’re feeling brave you could put a full shot in but as this stuff is 79% alcohol proceed with caution!
- 1 shot of Eristoff Black (a sweetish vodka based spirit flavoured with black berries)
- 4 shots of Blavod Vodka (unflavoured and actually a very dark green in colour on it’s own)
Shake over ice until a frost forms (Zombies are dead cold after all). The combination makes a deep-black colour and is strong enough to wake the dead.
If you wanted you could add a black olive as a garnish, but personally I think it works better without.
Naturally the most sophisticated amongst you will want to drink this while wearing Artemis, the absinthe based fragrance from Pell Wall ;-)
Cheers!
Sunday, 21 September 2014
Pell Wall the Maverick
Pell Wall features with other independent perfumers in the September issue of one of London’s regional upmarket-lifestyle magazines Absolutely South East in an article by Lawrence Roullier White on Rebel Perfumers an association I’m rather pleased with: thanks Lawrence!
Wednesday, 13 August 2014
How To Make Perfume
 |
| The spread at the beginning of the article as it appeared in print on 3rd August 2014 |
On the 3rd of August the Independent on Sunday ran an article, which featured on the front page of the magazine, on the theme of how difficult it is to get started in perfumery whether you intend it as a hobby or, as I did, want to make a living at it. I was interviewed for that article along with several other independent and amateur perfumers.
The article is by Rhodri Marsden and the accompanying photography by Dan Burn-Forti. Dan has kindly supplied me with pictures from the photo-shoot we did for the piece and I’m featuring some of the ones that were not used in the article in this post.
I don’t propose to repeat any of what was said in the article here - it stands on it’s own - what I do want to do is to provide here some links and tips that may be helpful to those starting out or struggling with some of the problems the article highlights.
 |
| Part of the ingredients store at Pell Wall by Dan Burn-Forti |
- Pell Wall sell one of the largest ranges of perfumery materials available online in quantities from 10ml / 10g upwards, and can also offer a comprehensive range of starter kits.
- De Hekserij in the Netherlands have a good range and now also an English language website which makes ordering much easier for those of us who don’t speak Dutch
- Perfumer’s Supply House in the USA have a growing range including some very unusual ingredients
- Perfumer’s Apprentice in the USA have a large range including most of the basics you’ll need.
 |
| Chris in the Lab at Pell Wall by Dan Burn-Forti |
All the above are reliable suppliers I’m comfortable recommending. Those in Europe should keep in mind that ordering from the US will mean you’ll need to pay both VAT and Duty on import - exactly how that works depends on the courier the supplier uses - talk to them first so you know what to expect - however the reverse case isn’t so bad as the US does not charge duty on import for most perfumery materials. Shipping is also a significant factor when ordering from abroad, so I recommend looking at suppliers as close to your own location as possible first.
For help with learning the art itself I’m going to point to other more detailed posts offering help:
- Blending and dilution methods
- How to measure ingredients and what sort of scales to buy
- The equipment you’ll need to get started and where to find it
- which ingredients to buy to get started
- Natural ingredients: what the terms for various types of extraction mean
- The IFRA regulations
- The EU labelling declaration requirements
- Some of the books I recommend to learn about the art
 |
| More ingredients than you can shake a stick (or a smelling strip) at by Dan Burn-Forti |
Places you can go to get some training or practice in the UK include:
- My own workshops in London or Shropshire - advertised on this blog as they come up
- The Cotswold Perfumery where perfumer John Stephen runs regular courses and, once you’ve attended one, will also sell you ingredients and equipment.
- Karen Gilbert runs courses online and in London covering making perfume and skincare
Some detailed posts about particular ingredients:
- Ambergris
- Ambergris substitutes
- Artemisia species
- Bitter Almond Oil
- Lily of the Valley materials
- Musks
- Quinolenes
- Sandalwood
- Styrax and Storax species
If all that didn’t answer your questions, you’ll need somewhere else to turn: I’m adding things to this blog all the time, so do please keep a watch here. I’m also one of many people, including some other fully qualified perfumers, who answer questions, collaborate with one another and generally exchange information about this fascinating art and science in two main forums:
- The Basenotes Fragrance DIY Forum
- The Yahoo Perfumemaking Group
Join up on either or both and add your voice to the conversation.
 |
| Chris and Jungle (one of the Pell Wall Pack) in one of the ingredients stores at Pell Wall by Dan Burn-Forti |
Finally, let me just add that if you’re looking for specific advice or assistance with any perfumery problem and, for whatever reason, you don’t want to post about it on those public forums I’m willing to help - for a small fee - check the consultation section of the website for details.
Happy perfume making!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)