Leña

Leña, The Smell Of A Fireplace

For the 2024 holiday season, I launched Leña, a complex fragrance that faithfully recreates the evocative scent of a burning fireplace. Leña pronounced "le-nya" is Spanish for "firewood."

Developed with raw materials from different parts of the world and including the latest technology in terms of synthesized aromatic isolates, Leña has an extraordinary diffusion above similar products from the competition (yes, we tested) thanks to molecules like Ambroxan® from F&F (Flavor & Fragrance) Japanese manufacturer Kao and Sanjinol® from renowned manufacturer IFF.

Natural Exceptional Ingredients

Achieving a realistic burning log smell, which encompasses not only smoky but also resinous and ash accords, is crucial to the styling of this type of fragrance—a process in itself that requires time, extensive research, and development.

The skeleton of the fragrance formula contains cadé oil from Spain, a destructive distillation of the wood of a type of juniper, Juniperus oxycedrus, which requires rectification before use in perfumery. Cadé is an important element providing the classic smell of burnt wood. I also included choya loban from India, a rare product that results from the dry distillation of Boswellia serrata frankincense resin, which refines the smell of cadé, which can sometimes smell like bacon to some people! 

Hinoki, Chinese Thuja, and cedarwood Virginia essential oils provide a robust, dry wood base, and additional oils of bay leaf, jack pine, guaiac wood, and myrrh help round the sharp edges of the woodsy materials. 

The Finishing Touches

We speak of "decoration" in a fragrance when top, middle, and sometimes base notes include notes that enhance skeletal accords, further expanding on their qualities to achieve a final, inspiring effect on the nose. As such, in Leña, I included labdanum resinoid from Spain and aged patchouli essential oil from Indonesia, two traditional materials recognized for their olfactive beauty along the history of perfumery. 

The Crystal Vessel

I have been expanding my collection of vessels. Leña is available by order in a limited-edition, solid crystal, faceted piece that I had customized to my specifications. It is lead-free, and it comes with a matching crystal lid. The vessel has 12 facets that refract and reflect the light of the flame, producing interesting effects. Most home fragrance brands work with inexpensive so-called soda glass, sometimes painted or printed, rarely used completely clear. I prefer to work with the visual clarity of crystal, best enjoyed free of paper labels or other visual clutter. 

Leña will return during the Winter 2025 season and will be available through our retail partners and on this website. 

RHR