Maroquin
Annette Neuffer

Neuffer calls it leather and tobacco; Luca Turin praises it as a full-bodied, non-sectarian incense. While I can see/smell both perspectives, in my nose, the spice accord is most prominent: black pepper and saffron, abetted by carnation and spicy, cinnamon-like tamala leaf extract. Of course, tobacco, frankincense, and myrrh are evident, as is a leather note fairly removed from its more common brethren. All told, a well realized olfactory portrait of Morocco—or at least how one who’s never been imagines Morocco might smell.

I love leathers, tobaccos, incenses, and spices, yet in rolling it all together, Maroquin isn’t quite scratching any one of those itches for me. Still, it smells well made and expensive, so I have no doubt it’s someone’s dream backscratcher. And I won’t be relinquishing my sample.