Two new releases are expected from Neela Vermeire Créations this year. One will be launched this weekend. We will take a look at that new release this Friday.

In the meantime let’s have a waft of Trayee from the range released last year.

Trayee was composed by the man who ate niche, Bertrand Duchaufour, as part of an Indian themed series. Bombay Bling, which we will be dancing with tomorrow, and Mohur are the other chapters in this ‘to be continued’ series.

The name means trinity in reference to the first 3 Hindu Vedas; Rig, Yajar and Sama.

Neela Vermeire and Bertrand Duchaufour

Mysore Sandalwood is the star ingredient here. As previously noted Neela must have vats of this rare ingredient in her vaults or Bertand has possibly stashed the world’s last remaining supplies. That is until the Mysore sandalwood root stock grown in North Australia, which is currently being harvested, has been distilled and assessed by the perfumers of the world.

The feeling from this ‘fume is ethereal and metaphysical. Blending sandalwood with ‘ganja effects’ and Oud imparts a shapeshifter experience which other reviewers have called ‘complex’. Real Oud, in this case, from Laos, is a journey through scent with all sorts of interesting ‘breezes’ making appearances over time; like a treasure trove of nature referencing smells from the barnyard to spring blossoms. No barnyard here though, just interesting special effects. A restrained jasmine also swirls out of the mix from time to time then disappears completely.

I wear this more than once a week. Sometimes I spray this on my left wrist and Le Labo’s Santal 33 on the right wrist. Not layering; just to enjoy the difference in wafts. This will also tune your nose to the difference between creamy Mysore sandalwood which is called Santalum album and the native Australian, Santalum spicatum. Santal 33 is a stronger perfume and woodier while Trayee has delicate tendrils that curl around you as you move through your day or step into the night.

Trayee: Sandalwood Dream.

Trayee’s new Pierre Dinand designed flacon

Trayee – Neela Vermeire Créations
Perfumer: Bertrand Duchaufour
Released: 2012
Classification: Masterpiece
Neela Vermeire Créations – website

Notes
Top
blue ginger from madagascar, elemi oil, cinnamon bark, ganja effects, blackcurrant absolute, basil
Heart
sambac jasmine absolute, egyptian jasmine absolute, cardamom absolute, clove, saffron, sandalwood
Drydown
javanese vetiver, haitian vetiver, incense,
mysore sandalwood oil, patchouli, myrrh, vanilla, cedar, amber notes, oudh palao from laos, oak moss

Further Reading

Calming, soothing, meditative almost, but still lively and very much present in the here and now.
– Olfactoria’s Travels

Complex yet comforting. I can smell the quality in all her offerings. Trayee makes me feel spiritual, yet somewhat mysterious and slightly seductive.
– Wit Siamese

Trayee is more than just decadently sumptuous. It is elegant and evocative, mysterious and seductive, complex and quite mesmerizing. Wearing it, I was transported back to India. I was back on Matheran, but I was also in the palaces of Jaipur, the ancient temples of Jodphur, and the bustling markets of modern Udaipur. Trayee represents each part of the mysterious, complex, ancient beauty that is India. It is, very clearly, a work of love.
– Kafkaesque

Trayee is like a magical day in the heart of India. The day starts off with lingering temple incense from the night before. As the sun rises, the land comes to life with the color of the land and flowers which are blended in a fragrant symphony along with ripening fruit. This day is gloriously happy; a celebration of the world around us. As dusk approaches, the day begins to settle and once again, the incense in the temples begins to rise throughout the emptying streets.
– The Scented Hound

Gourmand stoner incense. Complex, intelligent yet delightful enough for daily wear.
– EauMG