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Post by Ainslie Walker
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Galerie de Parfum in Myer Melbourne held Australia’s first niche Perfume and Cocktail Masterclass in May. The event paired niche winter fragrances with bespoke cocktails designed by passionate mixologist Justin Ryann Forsyth. I travelled to Melbourne especially as it sounded like far too much fun!
Guests experienced fragrances whilst tasting the partnering cocktails. Presenters Lucy Borland, Training Director and Ricky Katyal, Business Development Manager for Galerie De Parfum explained the fascinating history of niche, the fragrance wheel and seasonal fragrances in focus.
Galerie de Parfum
Niche Winter Perfume and Cocktail Masterclass
Cocktail/Fragrance Menu:
– L’Artisan- Batucada lime, Jamaican rum, fresh muddled barbequed pineapple with roasted coconut rim. The beaches of Brazil inspired the fragrance, like a holiday in a bottle.
– P. Frapin & Cie -1270 combined intoxicating Drambuie honey scotch, whisky, lillet rouge and orange. Frapin first planted vines for champagne and cognac making in 1270, making them the oldest family run business in the world. The gourmand and woody fragrance proved popular with guests.
– Keiko Mecheri – Loukhoulm contained chocolate and cherry liqueur, amaretto, almond syrup, Campari and orange. The fragrance itself is inspired by Turkish delight and has notes of almond -a flawless selection for dating.
– Juliette Has A Gun- Gentlewoman champagne based, with peach liqueur, aperol, lemon and orange blossom to capture the Eau De Cologne style perfume which has a surprise additional note of almond.
– Penhaligon- Empressa dry brut based with muddled strawberry, lemon and vanilla. Already a seasonal hit, Empressa has recently launched in Australia. Classed as a woody oriental – Chanel Mademoiselle fans will undeniably love.
Alongside the theatrics of cocktail making, fashion blogger and illustrator Alexia Petsinis demonstrated her fascinating artistry skills, illustrating live, the exquisite bottle packaging of niche fragrances – with Loukhoum and Batacuda as her subjects. Absolutely amazing, I promise to write more on her soon!
Each guest left with a generous niche goody bag and cocktail menu booklets. The majority of guests made purchases from the hand picked niche selection – taking with them a special keepsake of the night.
As you can see from the pictures, it was well worth the trip! Stay tuned for some fragrant cocktail recipes you can make for yourself over the next few weeks on APJ
Ainslie
All photos Donated by Ainslie Walker
Australian Perfume Junkies 
What an amazing event Ainslie. That is one of the loveliest photos of you I’ve seen too, you look like a gorgeous movie star. They look like a fun crew, so wish I could have come and played with you all.
Portia xx
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It was brilliant, Portia and there’s already more planned for both Sydney and Melbourne! Next one we go together!! X
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What a fabulous idea. Worth the trip to Melbourne.
I agree with Portia, you always look so stylish.
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Aww thanks Tara! Hope to see you at the next one! X
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If I knew this was on I would have flown over as well! Looks like a fascinating event, thanks for bringing it to us. Will it be on again sometime, do you think?
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Hi Mark, yes it’s planned to be a seasonal event so both in Sydney and Melbourne they should pop up regularly. Can’t wait to see you at the next one!! x
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I want one of those paintings!And thank you for a few new ideas for what to sample next.
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Aren’t they divine?! She does commissions! Stay tuned as I hope to get a special APJ deal going soon! X
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That looks like so much fun! I’ve always loved the connection between perfume scents and the flavors of cocktails. Benedictine, Chartreuse and many, many rums could all be worn as beautiful scents. The book “Drinks” by Tony Conigliaro is a fun resource with a recipe for his Lipstick Rose cocktail.
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Hi Elizabeth – I will look that book up. I agree re wearing drinks – recently I went to a Sicilian wine tasting with Peter Bourne (“The Wineman”) and the final dessert wine we tasted, to me smelt and tasted exactly like Serge Lutens Jeux de Peau. I promptly (and to everyones surprise) poured it on myself and sure enough VERY similar!! Just a bit less osmanthus! 😉
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Utterly brilliant post.
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awww Ta Cookie Queen! xxx
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Well, hello Justin!!
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You know Justin? He was awesome and quite the perfume enthusiast too!
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This sounds like so much fun! What a great way to spend the day. Thanks for sharing all of it with us 🙂
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Thanks Kandice! It was fab. Glad you enjoyed xx
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