Harvest Mouse

Harvest Mouse takes as its subject the tiny harvest mouse of autumn wheat fields. In the story Zoologist tells, golden grasses sway in the evening wind while the mice scurry to gather seeds and fruits, then dash trembling back to their nests when an owl calls after sunset.

The opening brings together bergamot, cloves, Roman chamomile and orange blossom. Citrus brightness, clove spice and the sweet, grassy tone of chamomile give the impression of dry, warm sunlight. Milan perfumer Luca Maffei used chamomile and orange blossom to convey the warmth of the sun.

At the heart sit davana, hay absolute and beer extract. The dry sweetness of hay meets the rounded, fruity-boozy tone of davana, and the malty warmth of beer recalls home baking and fresh bread. Benzoin, opoponax and rose add body to that sweetness.

The base gathers fir balsam, oakmoss, cedarwood, sandalwood, Peru balsam and vanilla. According to the brand, resins and woody notes temper the richness of the beer extract. The shade of moss and the conifer balsam keep the sweetness in check, leaving a soft trail of vanilla and balsam. Founder Victor Wong has said the result smells like rum-raisin ice cream.

It suits calm days from autumn into winter, when the warmth of sunlit hay feels most welcome.