by House of Gray
EAU DE PARFUM
Family: Oriental floral
Perfumer: Eugene and Emrys Au
Year: 2018
Notes: Fine tobacco, sugar, sampaguita, pastillas de leche, elemi
A special tobacco fragrance with an island feel. The fragrance is based upon the practice of reverse-smoking, which is common in parts of the Philippines. In this method, the smoker places the lit end of the cigarette in her mouth, directly inhaling the smoke, leaving virtually no smoke behind, only the scent of tobacco.
Layebana opens with a hypnotic floral note of sampaguita that is sweet and fresh, not screechy, which soon gives way to a heart of smooth, sweetened tobacco. The pastillas de leche (a candy made from carabao milk) is very subtle, supporting the tobacco with creamy and animalic nuances. Elemi resin provides a bit of green brightness that makes us imagine carefree days lounging in a hammock in the lush green landscape of the Philippine provinces.
