” I’ve been fascinated with the Middle-ages since I watched Sean Connery’s brilliant depiction of Umberto Eco’s mystery-solving monk William of Baskerville. The Name of the Rose set the tone for everything I now consider medieval. Ancient manuscripts, cold dungeons and herbal potions. I don’t know when and where I stumbled over a recipe for Four thieves vinegar (I have a knack for stumbling over strange things) but I was instantly intrigued. There are many stories as to the origin of the name but the most popular one goes that a group of thieves where robbing homes during the period of the black death without contracting the disease, and when they were finally caught they offered the secret formula to their captors to be let loose.
If it’s true or not, we’ll never know but any romantic (myself included) chooses to believe it. Life is simply more fun if you do. As faith would have it, having this strange idea of creating a medieval potion spinning in my head I got a whiff of a potpourri Jeroen kept on his desk. It instantly transported me back 700 years in time. I discussed it with Jeroen and we decided that this fragrance had to happen.
I had to begin somewhere so I began by creating the balsamic dried rose petal effect that would be the backbone of the whole creation. It fascinates me what happens to the scent of things as they dry. Taking on a whole array of much cooler, austere facets. Rose as it dries takes on a slightly dusty aldehydic effect that would prove to play beautifully with the combination of unusual aromatics I decided to use. Marjoram, Oregano, Parsley leaf, Thyme and Green Lavender absolute (a strange version of that Simon & Garfunkel song). I added age by filling it to the brim with exotic balsams such as Benjoin, Tolu and Opoponax. Some warmer spices levelled out the intensity of the rose note and very soon I had made my very own medieval herbal potion. I can’t vouch for its plague protecting abilities but one can always hope”. Fredrik Dalman In-House Parfumeur.
To explore the Alinea Collection from the comfort of your home, we offer the Alinea Sample Set HERE
Make a selection of five different Alinea creations that you love to try and receive a € 35 gift voucher redeemable against any monadiorio.com 50 ml Eau de Parfum Intense flacon.
To truly experience the artisanal craftsmanship of the Alinea Collection, we welcome you to our Atelier in Amsterdam where you will be greeted by our in house-perfumer Fredrik Dalman and/or creative director Jeroen Oude Sogtoen.
Request your fragrance session
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