A citrus scent steeped in Greek sunshine, complex and long-lasting. Intense freshness. Citrus peel, enveloped by salty sea breezes in a rocky landscape. A moment of pause with unexpected intensity. Corfu Kumquat takes its name and key ingredients from the majestic Greek island of Corfu.
Kumquats thrive particularly well on Corfu. The oval, small, bitter and orange-coloured fruit came to Greece from China in the 1800s. Today, it is mainly grown on the north coast of the island, where Prince Philip grew up, and is used to make liqueurs and sweets. ‘Anyone who comes to Corfu is captivated by the beauty of the island, its architecture and history,’ says Robert Gerstner, co-founder of Aedes de Venustas. ‘It's no coincidence that Queen Elizabeth spent many, many months there.’
When Robert Gerstner and Karl Bradl, founders of Aedes de Venustas, decided to create a citrus fragrance that would complement the baroque style of their perfume line, they turned to perfumer Ilias Ermenidis. It was a commission that the Greek-born perfumer immediately associated with his homeland, its truly royal charm and natural beauty.
His brief was to create an exciting citrus fragrance that carried the DNA of Aedes Perfumery. Nothing sweet or simple. Knowing that citrus is one of the ingredients that evaporates most quickly, he combined kumquat with Calabrian bergamot to create an invigorating concentrate that signals something new. The cedrat of Calabrian bergamot, which gives Earl Grey tea its distinctive flavour, is extracted from the thick peel of the fruit. It has a spiciness that is balanced by nuances of tangerine, mandarin and neroli. Salty ambrox and mystical olibanum evoke the seaside. Ginger, lavender, Granny Smith apple and rhubarb give the eau de parfum its rounded, centred fruitiness. Alaska cedar, a tree species belonging to the cypress family, vetiver and seductive musk and tonka bean discreetly form the base that holds the citrus cocktail together.
Ermenidis says of his creation: ‘It evokes a unique, joyful mood. It carries a chord that springs from my heart. In it, kumquat from the island of Corfu, Calabrian bergamot, salty ambrox and mystical olibanum come together and remind us of the part of the world to which we travel with our senses.’
Aedes de Venustas Corfu Kumquat is now presented in a high-quality, sophisticated bottle: peacock blue accents mark the ribbed bottle. The cap is matt black and embossed with the brand's insignia. It is a harmoniously smooth yet powerful and striking design with which Aedes de Venustas begins the next chapter in its success story.
