Blue Kalbar: SE

How many colors go into a painting? How many different notes to compose a symphony? To make a perfume, the perfumer uses specific ingredients to achieve exactly the desired scent – not one more, not one less.

Twenty of the most precious aromatics in the world compose Blue Kalbar. Genuine civet paste, creamy sandalwood, and a duo of unequaled artisanal Oud oils are on the list. But at the heart of the fragrance lies the buttery warmth of blue lotus, sought out in person across the Thai countryside (the struggle to find it again is the main reason for Blue Kalbar’s long hiatus.)

The annual production of blue lotus absolute in the region is only about three kilograms, as it takes about three tons of flowers to produce a single kilogram of oil! And during the past two years, essential oils and absolutes of this caliber have been even harder to produce. So, perfumers have to act quickly to seek out the best batch.

“Blue Kalbar contains an amazing Blue Lotus oil that is completely breathtakingly beautiful. The whole oil is sweet, floral, ethereal, serene and gentle. It lulls you away in its pretty spell, you seem to notice new notes in it all the time.”

A deep sense of comfort meets you right from the get-go. A delicate arrangement of frangipani, rose petals and lavender attempts to fly off untamed but is reigned in by the rich lotus embrace. The suave of the fragrance shines through the lotus as you begin to pick-up the pineapple-cedar-woodsy rays of blue cypress, dancing onstage with the golden-honeyed sweetness of kewda, the two together bring the sensuality of the blue lotus to life even more.

The mimosa meets lotus delight sways back and forth throughout your experience, aroused by the incredible fusion of what might seem like totally contrasting ouds with a dash of orange blossom. If you thought that quality blue lotus is a rarity, check out these carriers: vintage ambergris from the treasury of Sultan Qaboos, wild-harvested aged Nagaland oud to make the buttery lotus even smoother, and the piercing incense of one of the most exquisite Papuan ouds to imbue the lilies with added cool blue. All that, with Japense cedar and a touch of nutmeg to add a maturity that calms you to the point of wondering into your daydreams.

In addition to the antique grey ambergris exalting the brew, this limited edition of Blue Kalbar also adds vintage Ta’ifi rose otto from the treasury of Sultan Qaboos. The rich, creamy floral soul of blue lotus coupled with the lush sweetness of frangipani is wondefully beautified by the piercing-yet-smooth tone of the finest Ta’ifi rose you can imagine, distilled years and years ago.  And then, the entire concentration of the perfume has been upped by 5% compared to the already strong previous pure parfum.

Blue Kalbar is beautiful. And when you let it, the fragrance will reveal its enchanting pheromonal allure that makes an intimate moment even more memorable. Its inviting aroma makes you want to hug whoever’s wearing it, and never let go.