Aromatically reminiscent of the dry and salty Mediterranean landscape, the bay leaf evokes a fresh, lively green effect of crackling tension. Herbal notes that whisper warmth give way to ever-so-subtle sweetness. This spicy note can be found in masculine fragrances, but occasionally dabbles in scents veering on the feminine (particularly in Chypres).
Bay laurel, or laurus nobilis, is an evergreen native to the dry, mountainous Mediterranean. Its glossy, smooth leaves emit their quintessentially herbal aroma. The fresh leaves are very mild and do not develop their full flavor and fragrance until several weeks after picking and drying.
Adorning oneself with the qualities of bay leaf is a human tradition that permeates millennia. In ancient Greece, bay laurel was used to fashion the much-coveted laurel wreath—a symbol of highest status. A wreath of bay laurels was given as a prize at the Pythian Games because the games were in honor of Apollo, and the laurel was one of his most characteristic symbols. This symbolism carried over to Roman culture, which held the laurel as a symbol of victory. We can also attribute the words “baccalaureate” and “poet laureate” to the esteemed bay leaf, as well as the expression “resting on one’s laurels”.
A burst of deep, tart blackberry juice, blending with the freshness of just-gathered bay and brambly woods. Vibrant and verdant.
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