Wales Perfumery: Coast, Country, Forest

I’m reworking this article in timely fashion. Although it was originally written in July 2022, Wales Perfumery has a launch coming up later this week which I have the honour of attending. I thought I’d get up to speed so that when I review the new Wales Perfumery Celtic Collection, you’ll be as up to date as I am. Since this was written, Founder Louise Smith has launched Seren (Star) too, so watch out for that one next.

Visiting Wales Perfumery HQ

July 2022: Visiting Wales Perfumery had long been on my wish list and when Louise Smith, founder, owner and perfumer extraordinaire invited me to her debut perfume launch of Coast, Forest and Country, I was thrilled. My dear chum Lisa Jones was the driver and a disembodied voice was navigator. As ever, we were both up for an enthusiastic sniff.

Louise’s rural base, which she shares with her son and her husband, is nothing short of idyllic. Wherever you look, your eyes meet the rolling green hills of beautiful Monmouthshire and acres of sky. The silence feels nurturing and benevolent. Pink roses frame the entrance, along with a sign that is highly likely to be original, although I didn’t ask as I only saw it as we left. (see fig 1!)

We began our visit in the cabin-style shop, which felt incongruously Christmassy with its cosy beamed interior. The scent inside was gorgeous: a ramshackle mixture of fragrance ingredients, exposed wood and rustic gifts. Amazingly, this is the first time Louise has made perfume, having been a conscientious student of her craft for many years.

Louise and her sister Jane made us feel very welcome indeed and I must confess to getting serious workshop envy from Louise’s beautiful studio. Did you know she can make 800 candles in one day thanks to a mysterious machine that looks like a tumble drier?

Inside, the studio was remarkably ordered considering how busy it needs to be. It is set up as a perfumery workshop/school as well as being the hub of Louise’s industry. Imagine creating a unique fragrance whilst looking out across the view below! Incidentally, there are also three tucked away glamping pods available which you can book here.

Although this post isn’t about me, I was nevertheless thrilled to see that Louise had a copy of The Perfume Companion on prominent display in her studio, the subject of many recommendations from Louise to her students. If Sarah McCartney is reading this, and I bet she does, I hope her ears were burning- my grandmother’s way of saying that you’re being talked about. The subject of Sarah’s generosity came up as Louise and I are both members of Sarah’s online scent school, Scenthusiasm. Louise is there to learn about perfume making and I’m there because I might pick up something useful that will make my writing more informative. Also, Sarah is of course, my co-author.

The studio reminded me a little of Mandy Aftel’s Museum over in California, which I was lucky enough to visit back in 2018. There are curiosities galore: things to sniff and miniature collectables to marvel at. We were all in raptures over an elderly bottle of original Tweed. Did you notice that perfume cupboard in the first photo? An original perfume cabinet with logos on. What a collector’s item!

I was very interested in the “mood boards” that Louise had created for her three fragrances, There were remnants of seaweed, and other raw ingredients to represent each of her perfumes: Coast, Country and Forest. Not that there was no genuine seaweed in Coast, but it certainly got you in the mood.

What do they smell like?

Now we arrive at the actual perfumes themselves. Louise was raised in beautiful Pembrokeshire, a place we both know well from our childhoods. It’s a stunningly beautiful county and you can walk its entire coastline. In fact, I’m there again in a few week’s time. No offence Cornwall, but it’s Pembrokeshire every time for me.

Coast, Country and Forest are all beautiful olfactory tributes to Wales and I couldn’t have been more pleased that this was finally being done, and in such talented and creative hands. Let’s have a sniff.

Coast (Arfordir)

Being half amphibian, Coast was my favourite, although I would happily buy and wear all three from this collection. Coast has that tang of seaside when you catch a taste of salt in the air above the wet green scent of seaweed. It is both green and mineral with enough citrus fruit (four types!) and a hint of airy coastal flora to make it a lingering joy as you move around throughout the day.

Country (Gwlad)

Country gets it spot on with its zesty fern-like greenery and a touch of wet moss. There is a sweetness on top, akin to the yellow centre of a daisy. This the narcissus/daffodil note that simply can’t be left out of a scent that celebrates Wales. I love how this is a modern 21st Century fragrance, and yet it could fit into any timeframe from today to a hundred years ago, with many parts of Wales still remaining unchanged. I played outside a lot when I was a child, as clichéd as that may sound, and this really brings back the scent of grass and crushed ferns. Perfection!

Forest (Coedwig)

This is a fragrance for anyone who has ever shuffled their feet through a pile of golden leaves long after they grew up. It’s earthier and darker than Country, with depths of damp vetiver and patchouli adding texture and a sort of 4D feel if you close your eyes. Sandalwood, cedar and fir needle give you that lush green canopy above, while a damp forest floor lies beneath your feet.

Verdict

I’m proud of my beautiful home country and I can wholeheartedly say that perfumer Louise Smith has captured Wales in all its abundant natural glory. These are beautiful, timeless classics that I will never tire of. They are worthy ambassadors of our fine principality.

Where to buy them

You can buy Wales Perfumery Coast, Country and Forest from the Wales perfumery website. There’s a Discovery Set too. If you want to book a perfume making workshop have a look at this page.

Disclosure

I was kindly invited to the launch of these three perfumes by Louise herself. I paid for my own Discovery Set. Opinions are all my own.