By Anton Constantinou
Mr Savoury is a fictional character based on the groundbreaking 1960s men’s fragrance Aramis Pour Homme. A bold and brash woody chypre from 1966 with prominent notes of leather, oakmoss and aldehydes. A savoury smelling fragrance for a man whose personality is anything but sweet.
The year is 1966. Location: New York. It’s a cold and crisp day and Mr Savoury, a former army man and a father of three, is getting ready for work.
Mr Savoury is your everyday 1960s family man: serious, strong and strait-laced. A bold man with a chiseled face, who smokes regularly and dresses conservatively.
It’s 10am and Mr Savoury is shaving in front of the mirror. He lathers up a basic bar soap and applies it rigorously to his face. The soap is bright and punchy and smells of aldehydes, artemisia and kitchen herbs.
He sets off purposefully and climbs into his car. A blue Chevrolet Impala. A solid family car – strong and reliable. He drives to his place of work, a downtown restaurant by the name of Aramisso, which he owns and runs along with several other restaurants.
He steps inside the restaurant and summons his team. ‘Meeting in five’ he says, motioning to the kitchen. He briefs them with big hands, addressing the room, a saucepan boiling behind him. The air breathy and thick. He opens the saucepan and inspects its contents. A simmering stew, rich in cardamom and sage with an aromatic and earthy aroma. ‘Delicious’ he says, sampling the stew.
A few hours pass and the restaurant is in full swing. Mr Savoury is off to the gym, where he boxes most days, and bids his team goodbye. ‘I’ll be back in a few hours’ he says, commandingly. He puts on a leather jacket and heads for the door. The jacket is tightly fitted and smells of the restaurant. Its fragrant trail following him to his car.
He steps outside and inhales the air, clearing his nostrils. He smells moss, smoke, food, fumes, and the leather from his jacket. The daily grind of 1960s New York. Aramis Pour Homme in a bottle.
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