When I think of recent Tauer Perfumes launches (Eau d’Épices and Une Rose Vermeille), I think of Lady Gaga’s costumes and all things “radioactive.” These attention-seeking perfumes, with the half-life of uranium-235, are bombshells: once applied to skin and clothes their effects last (almost) forever — through showers, baths, heavy-duty laundry cycles, and dry-cleanings. The scents wear ME, and during the course of a day, they wear me out (I get tired of their non-stop blare). Yet, I couldn’t resist trying Carillon pour un ange*, Andy Tauer’s homage to lily of the valley (one of my favorite flower scents). How would Tauer create such a delicate aroma?

Carillon pour un ange’s list of notes includes lilac, rose, ylang-ylang, green lily of the valley accord, jasmine, leather, ambergris, moss and woods. Carillon pour un ange starts off with a tropical-smelling, floral accord that reminds me of plumeria (probably a mix of rose and strong, sweet lilac) — with some added “greens.” There is a certain old-fashioned, creamy aspect to the opening; I detected a familiar scent from my past, and it took me awhile to “get” it: Jergens® lotion! (Since I haven’t smelled Jergens body lotion in at least ten years, I can’t vouch for the accuracy of this comparison with today’s Jergens formula…or should I say formulas …there are at least 15 moisturizers in the current line!)

During mid-development, Carillon pour un ange smells like one of my favorite fragrance combos…

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