Star rating: 5 stars–outstanding/potential classic, 4 stars–very good, 3 stars–adequate, 2 stars–disappointing, 1 star–poor.

Cutting the banana jam sweetness of jasmine with the smoky tobacco is a genius idea. The result is not the fragile flower petals, but the leathery richness of cured tea leaves. Perhaps, for this reason, Jasmin et Cigarette (now called Jasmin et Tabac) created by Givaudan perfumer Antoine Maisondieu for Etat Libre d’Orange is one of my favorite fragrances from the line. It is unpredictable and thus surprising….

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2006 has seen an explosion of niche/artisanal lines, from Parfumerie Generale to Le Labo. Niche is a rather nebulous term, which sometimes is taken to mean quality and originality, although in reality, it has more to do with the limitations of distribution. As a result, only a few offerings from the new crop of niche can rival Serge Lutens, Annick Goutal and Frédéric Malle, the quintessential niche houses that do not cut corners on raw materials and innovation. Nevertheless, the daring spirit of niche founders fuses a dose of excitement into the perfume landscape dominated by safe choices from the big houses….

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I am standing in front of my perfume shelves unable to choose a fragrance to commemorate the birth of 2007. “I have no perfume to wear,” flashed in my head, although a moment later I am wincing from the ridiculousness of this notion. I remember some socialist thinker asserting that the problem of modern society is the surfeit of choice. Indeed, there might be some truth in this. I discard Bvlgari Black, because my Russian superstitious alter ego whispers against wearing black on the first day of the year. I am not in the mood for Guerlain Shalimar, and I wore Caron Nuit de Noël a few days ago. This seems like a tough decision. …

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2006 has been an exciting year for me, even though it was not all smooth sailing. There were weeks when I would hardly get any sleep, when things seemed to have conspired to work against me, yet there were also times filled with many fascinating discoveries. Above all, I am thankful for the excitement, support and passion for fragrance that you, my readers, have shared with me. This is truly the most special aspect of 2006 for me, and as I drink my glass of champagne on December 31st, I will toast to all of you.

In order to recap 2006, I have decided to offer a list of my most interesting discoveries. Most of the fragrances mentioned were released in 2006, but I also included a few older perfumes that I grew to admire even more this year.

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Just as I have been pondering on what events might combine the flavor and fragrance (even if not directly), I receive a newsletter from Culinary Historians of New York announcing The Dark History of Absinthe event. It is taking place on Tuesday, January 9, 2007. As the CHNY explains, “Absinthe, the potent, emerald-green liqueur, was said to drive people mad and is the only individual alcoholic beverage to be banned in countries around the world. It is still illegal in the United States today. Professor David Weir of Cooper Union will join us to discuss the dark, stormy, and fascinating history of absinthe.”

Time: 6:30 Reception 7:00 Program
Location: International Wine Center
350 Seventh Avenue, #1201
between 29th and 30th Streets
$25 CHNY Members $22 Student/Senior Members $40 Guests

Please send checks payable to Culinary Historians of New York to
Carolyn Vaughan, 150 E. 93rd St. #10B, New York, NY 10128
for more information go to www.culinaryhistoriansny.org or email [email protected]

Painting: Edgar Degas, Absinthe Drinkers, 1876.