Trailing Arbutus

September 2024 - Trailing Arbutus The Perfume of the Month for September is Trailing Arbutus (pronounced Are-Byew-Tiss). It is an historic recreation of a perfume first released in the year 1900 by the German chemist & self-taught perfumer Adolph Goetting . He soon became employed as the head perfumer at the California Perfume Company (later to be purchased by Avon). I was lucky enough to be given a sample of this perfume by my good friend Derek Mohr, who is a well-known Basenotes reviewer, YouTube fragrance enthusiast & self-made perfume historian. After researching this perfume and coming across the original formula in the Hagley Digital Archives , I had to bring this rare gem back to life for the modern nose to experience. This fragrance is sheer and light with a decidedly vintage vibe. It opens with a fresh Bois de Rose and an anisic Hawthorne Blossom accord. The heart opens up to soft white florals featuring a delicate Lily of the Valley that gives way to powdery Orris Root. A velvety & slightly spicy Tolu Balsam and Vintage Musk Accord round out the base of this composition. This is a prime example of beauty in simplicity. Goetting knew what he was doing! *To learn more about Trailing Arbutus and Adolph Goetting, check out Derek's deep dive into this fragrance and its perfumer by clicking HERE