Hey Posse Peeps! I often say that Five O’Clock Au Gingembre is by far my most worn Serge Lutens. Over time that is definitely true BUT it has been sat sad and forlorn in the box for at least a year. In that time Poivre Noir has had the lion’s share of wear. Mainly because it’s been on the grab tray and is front of mind. It was definitely time to refind my bottle and give it some skin time. Which I did. The memories come flooding back.
The Lutens site: “Tea at Buckingham Palace. Centered on candied ginger, this fragrance is a ritual ceremony. It caters to the quicksilver in us, to our imagination dressed in white gloves.” Serge Lutens
This is what I’ll be wearing for my birthday tomorrow. Very grateful top be turning 58. So many of my friends and family have not made it here. I’ll also be lifting a drink to them in gratitude for all they taught me, the love they showed me, and the continued life they all live in my heart and mind.
Five O’Clock Au Gingembre Serge Lutens 2008
The notes lists often read:
Top: Tea, Bergamot
Heart: Cinnamon, Woodsy Notes, Candied Ginger
Base: Pepper, Honey, Amber, Cacao, Patchouli
On first spritz my first thought is usually. “OMG! Why do I bother wearing anything else?” That beautiful, rounded, elegant impression of very light Countess Grey tea. It’s spiced and there is an undertone of a fresh ginger slice. If everything weren’t so artfully constrained and given more heft it could very easily tumble into Christmas cliche but though it circles the drain, we never fall in.
The base is honeyed amber. It’s not big or complicated but it also isn’t linear. As it progresses it has light and shade, is a little earthier or has the strangely unsweetened choc/patchouli running underneath in waves. Such an easy wear. Refined and serene. It’s one of the fragrances that (were I to be the monogamous kinda human) would make a perfect signature. Different but not overwhelmingly so, good story but not thought derailing and quiet enough to be worn in any company.
You’ll note I still have the bottle where the label is legible. I also have two more in backup from when the readable label sale was happening at the discounters. Bought just in case of major reformulation. I feel that the already ailing Lutens line has had its death knell rung with that awful, unreadable, shit for brains new label. Why is it so rare for updates to be better, or even good? HA! Yes, I know. “Old man shakes fist at cloud.”
Surrender To Chance has samples.
I wrote about wearing Five O’Clock Au Gingembre to high tea and how they are linked in my mind.
Were or are you a Five O’Clock Au Gingembre fan
Portia xx
Better late than never. Happy Birthday!
This would be a perfect scent for the rainy, cold day we’re having. The question I need to ask myself is do I still have a sample of it.
POODLE! How exciting to see you. I’ve missed you.
Hope you can find your sample, and also that it shimmers on you as it does for me.
HUG,
Portia xxx
Poodle! I remember you!!! Hi! Great to see you back here!
Happy Birthday, my DARLING!!!!
Thanks Musette. XXXX
Oh what a GREAT scent! The season change always seems to call up Lutens for me, it’s been a lot of Fleurs d’Oranger, Chergui and Feminite du Bois. I scared up a sample of El Attarine and very much looking forward to its arrival!
Woo Hoo! So excited you’ve found some El Attarine March. I hope it lives up to your memories.
HUG
Portia xx
Keep shaking that fist at the clouds!!! Wishing you a very Happy Birthday and many many more! Have a marvelous day!
HA! Will continue vigorously cloud fist shaking Maya. In a world that seems so far out of my control a rant will often soften my angst.
Thank you.
Portia xx
First off, Happy Birthday! And one suggestion: Portia Turbo Merch.
This one is such a favorite but tends to get lost in the back of the cupboard until fall finally falls. But now we are getting lows at night so I will need to seek it out.
And don’t get me started on labels. These new ones you need studio lighting and the Hubble Space Telescope to read. Which is annoying enough, but why do mailing labels on Amazon packages need to do it? Microscopic sizes and in a font that must be called Cryptic Illegible Italic. Drives me nuts; who approves these?
HA! You’re hilarious Tom. Back in 2001 we did a calendar to raise money for one of our AIDS charities. It sold really well but it was the most ridiculous amount of work. I’m too lazy for that shit.
YAY! I hope you get some 5O’C wear this season then.
GAH! It’s a conspiracy against us old and blind peeps.
Portia xx
I hope you were wrapped in a glamazon faux leopard skin throw atop a faux tiger skin rug, draped in jewels!
There were 12 pics, some glam, some dumb. We had a fab time making it.
First of all, Portia, a very happy birthday to you! I love your plan to salute your loved ones with a toast. And secondly, I am kicking myself that I never got a chance to sample this beauty! What a missed opportunity. As soon as the equinox came, our weather plunged down into chilly and rainy days. Perfect time for this kind of scent.
Thanks DinaC,
Yeah, you missed a low key beauty. Thank goodness you have enough other perfume to last three lifetimes.
Portia xx
I have this and very much like wearing it in the cooler months, which, it’s about that time now!
Enjoy your special day! (lifts a glass)
SNAP! JenniferS. Nice to meet another 5O’C lover.
Enjoying my day so far.
Portia xx
Happy birthday! I love Five O’Clock too and happily just found a backup bottle in my stash.
Woo Hoo TaraC!
This is fabulous news. Waft on with abandon.
Portia xx
Happy Birthday, Portia! I hope you have a wonderful day. I would love to try this scent.
Thanks JillS,
Fortunately most decanter sites have it or the discounters have bottles very reasonably.
Portia xx
Many happy returns of the day! Hope you get all the spoiling you deserve.
This offering from Oncle Serge is one I’ve always planned to buy, but never have. Bapteme de Feu was the same & now that has gone forever. Might snag a decant of Five O’Clock Gigembre whilst I can
Thanks Alityke,
Very low key this year. Tonight a crew of us went to the races. Tomorrow lunch with my BFF Kath, evening the ballet with Jin. Saturday night dinner with a small crew of mates since our school days in a pub I may be getting a Trivia in.
Lots of doing but all very low key.
I hope when you graduate your 5 O’C that it brings you the hoy and calm it brings me.
Portia xx
Portia, may all the sweet kindness and joy you give out grace you back a thousand fold on your special day. Sending you much love and brightest blessings.
Thanks MxCrz,
You are very kind and I wish all these things for you too.
Hug
Portia xx
Happy birthday wishes! Hope it is a fun day. What did Jin get you?
I know I have tried this but it was a long while ago. Goes on the list. I am reminded to pull out Perfumer H Smoke for its gingerbready-ness.
My bottle of Smoke is supposed to be delivered today, looking forward to finally smelling it!
Oh, snap. I put on Smoke this morning. It smells soooo good. I hope you like it.
Thanks Cinnamon,
I’m not sure yet what Jin has in store. We are going to the ballet in the evening.
OOOH! I don’t remember the gingerbread in smoke. This needs a resniff.
Portia xx
Five O’Clock’s restraint is what makes the tea-and-ginger pairing so compelling here. I especially like the way you describe the honeyed amber and unsweetened chocolate/patchouli shifting underneath rather than turning the scent into a holiday gourmand. That balance sounds ideal for anyone who wants spice with polish instead of seasonal sweetness. The comparison to a signature scent makes me curious how it performs after the first few hours.
Hey Ana,
That choc patchouli, honeyed amber and a dry, peppery tea all flow through each other and though the heft softens considerable I get huffs up my shirt if I move around long after I can really smell the fragrance.
Portia xx