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