Vespers

This is it, the fragrance that started it all for me. Based on the first blend I ever crafted back in 2014 as an offering to the Divine, Vespers is indeed my signature scent. Meaning “evening prayers,” naming it was actually inspired by one of my favourite Sanskrit words, “Sandhya,” which means both dusk as well as the devotional prayers performed at that time.

Vespers is a spicy floriental that oozes the rich sensuality and unbridled spiritual fervor of not only India herself, but specifically that of the Rāsa Līla. This was the Dance of Divine Love performed by Krishna and the gopīs, or milkmaids, of Vrindāvan, which symbolizes the highest mood of devotion in Bhakti Yoga. This isn’t much different than how the Sufis dance their intoxicating whirl to efface their personalities in non-being, that they may then be filled with the presence of The Beloved.

So to portray this amorous dalliance between masculine and feminine, I utilized a lush bouquet of exotic florals centered around dawn-blooming jasmine, which is then accentuated by night-blooming jasmine, both yellow and pink champaca, pink lotus, and just a touch of ylang-ylang absolute. These indolic beauties are then contrasted with brawny notes of fresh ginger, rugged vetiver, and spicy cinnamon bark. This sumptuous interplay of opposites is then bridged by the sensual earthiness of aged patchouli, which slowly leads the sauntering love affair to the dancefloor of base notes…aromatic planks of buttery Mysore sandalwood paired with precious Cambodi and Hindi oud, that are glued together by sticky Bushman’s Candle and then varnished with a decadent vanilla saffron glaze. As the swirling dance mingles and marinates deep into the night, a pheromonal sillage of deer musk and white ambergris wafts between the dancers, thus blurring all lines of separation between lover and Beloved…

Vespers is my sacrament, to both the Divine and to you. It is my hope and prayer that the composition that sparked the genesis of Amphora Exotica over 10 years ago not only leaves you smelling good, but that it gives a glimpse of insight into the true aesthetic and vision of this brand.

Crown
Cinnamon Bark

Heart
Jasmine Grandiflorum, Jasmine Sambac, Champaca, Pink Lotus, Ylang Ylang, Javanese Vetiver, Ginger, Patchouli

Base
Mysore Sandalwood, Cambodi & Hindi Oud, Hawaiian Vanilla, Bushman’s Candle, Butter, Kashmiri Saffron, Siberian Deer Musk, White Ambergris