BPAL sniffing notes 48 - Ronin, Luperci, Olisbos, Inganok Jewelers, Smut, Okayaki

Ronin - White sandalwood, rice flower, honey, black pepper, and oakmoss.
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Peppery honey. No thanks.

*****

Luperci - Piss off, Saint Valentine! Lupercalia is an ancient Roman celebration, held on February 15th, that kicked in the advent of Spring with a very, very festive purification, fertility and sexuality ritual. The ritual began near the cave of Lupercal on the Palatine, an area sacred to Faunus, as well as Ruminia, Romulus and Remus. During Lupercalia, Vestal Virgins first made offerings of sacred cakes to the fig tree under which the she-wolf suckled the Sacred Twins. A dog and two goats were then offered in sacrifice to Faunus. The blood of the sacrifice was smeared onto two naked patrician youths, who were assisted by the Virgins, and the blood was wiped clean with sacred wool dipped in milk. The youths donned the skins of the sacrificial goats, wielding whips made from the goat skins, and then led the priests and the Virgins around the pomarium, and around the base hills of Rome. This was a ceremony of great happiness and merriment, and was of particular interest to young women: being touched by the goat-whips young men that led the procession ensured their fertility in the coming year. It is believed that, after the initial rite, male participants would draw the name of an available maiden, with whom he spent the rest of the night. This scent is for the Luperci, the Chosen of Faunus, the Brothers of the Wolf: raw, down and dirty patchouli, Gurjam balsam, and essence of Sampson Root sweetened with the heightened sexuality of beeswax, virile juniper, oakmoss, ambrette seed over honey and East African musk.
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Department store men's cologne. Expensive department store men's cologne, but department store cologne nonetheless.

*****

Olisbos - As for old flames and lovers-they're none left.
And since Milesians went against us,
I've not seen a decent eight-fingered dildo.
Yes, it's just leather, but it helps us out.

The ancient Greeks sure weren't shy about taking care of business. The port city of Miletus was once famed throughout the Mediterranean as a source of excellent stone, wood, and padded leather dildos. This scent is the celebration of an age-old pastime: polished wood, well-loved leather, and olive oil.
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You know how there's a distinct difference between the scent of black and yellow leather? This is definitely tanned *yellow* leather and it doesn't agree with my body chemistry. It's far too sweet for me. Also, it kinda reminds me of a hospital, for some odd reason. No thanks.

*****

Inganok Jewelers - Arkham, MA
Are you looking for the perfect ring to express your everlasting love? How about an amulet representing your sweetheart's devotion to Zo-Kalar, Hargag Ryonis, Tamash, or Nyarlathotep? Inganok Jewelers carries a vast selection of onyx jewelry, mined in Inganok, designed by the natives of Y'Pawfrm e'din Leng, and crafted by the skilled artisans of Celephaïs! Each piece is as unique as your last psychotic break!

Gleaming stone and silver.
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While not unpleasant, I can't say I particularly care for the *very* minerally smell of this one. It is definitely the scent of wet semiprecious stones. Bravo, Beth.

*****

Smut - After all these years, BPAL is smuttier than ever.

Three swarthy, smutty musks sweetened with sugar and woozy with dark booze notes.

In the vial, sugary musk. Color, leathery brown.

Wet on my skin, sugar and vanilla-y musk. This is, so far, one of the few red musk blends that hasn't made me physically ill. I <3 it bunches.

10-15 drydown - Whoo, mama is this strong! But I like it. And I have to say, Smut is an appropriate name for this one... It just makes ya feel kinda naughty. ;-)

*****

Okayaki - Olive blossom, cardamom pod, amber, morning star lily, bergamot, and a well-aimed snowball.

In the vial, it's very clean and almost green smelling. Pretty appropriate, given the notes. Color, very light green.

Wet on my skin, I quite like this. It's feminine without being cloying and overly floral. Josh actually asked what this one was before I had a chance to ask his opinion of it! Good sign. It has a nice citrus note to it that's not overpowering - enough to lift the whole thing up but not enough to bowl you over. I think I like the olive blossom, too.

10-15 minute drydown - Wow. Morning star lily and olive blossom have been added to the list of flowers that don't make me want to cringe in terror and I have confirmed that I <3 snow notes.