Nocturne Alchemy: Tarrie Cats with Clive Barker

Nocturne Alchemy is a perfume oil house that I have recently become enamored with and I have many scents to share and review in the coming months. They have a rather large catalog of permanent and limited scents  that I am exploring one by one. However, in true Julie fashion I leapt into the brand by going straight for the jugular and ordered a set of five vanillas that Nocturne Alchemy created in collaboration with Clive Barker, the British renaissance man who writes horror, directs horror (Candyman, Hellraiser), creates visual art and comics. Through his website you can purchase this limited run of Tarrie cats perfumes which as based on the Tarrie cats in his The Abarat Quintet book series. Even though it states "sold out" at the bottom, you can see in green text "in stock." The complete set of 5 ml bottles runs $150. I did use a 20% off coupon that was available through the Clive Barker Facebook page. 

Tarrie #1 (wrapped tail)- Crystalline vanilla, Indian sandalwood, white clove, ho wood.

In the bottle, vanilla, woody and a touch smoky, lifts up. On the skin, ho wood exhibits airy cedar characteristics and the woods shimmer in a pool of vanilla sweetness. There is still a whiff of smoky warmth, and paired with the refined and mellow clove, the coziness lingers. The drydown sings of vanilla sandalwood, velvety rich and fat with cashmere and cream. I can see why this particular Tarrie is robust on the label. The woods in this one really steal my heart. 

Tarrie #2 ( arched body)- Tahitian vanilla, coconut milk, nutmeg, galbanum.

Sharp green tropical leaves and fronds sway lush and dewy on a faraway island once the lid is removed and the first inhale takes place. Layered on the flesh, sugary coconut and clear vanilla unfold. The nutmeg paints in strokes of brown coconut husks while the galbanum lingers as green sticky sap, giving life and definition to the coconut palms. As it settles into the skin and ages a dark coconut emerges, silky sweet. 

Tarrie #3 (big horn ears)- Kobalt vanilla, Indian oudh, black patchouli, vetiver, clove stem.

Edgy black patchouli and dried hay vetiver pour from the vial. Spread on the skin, shadows and forebodings creep in on the brimstone patchouli laced breath of the devil. Smoky vetiver and oudh contribute to the blackness, slinking in tendrils of inky incensed woods. A kiss of vanilla keeps the creosote and ebony shades from falling into the abyss of melancholy. The base whispers of herbal patchouli and arid vanilla. An incredibly noir scent that would be apt for Halloween or dark moonless nights.

Tarrie #4 (curve out ear tips)- French vanilla, vanilla ice cream accord, vanilla bean, vanilla infused white amber.

Uncapping the amber glass reveals rich homemade vanilla ice cream and caramel candies. Dabbed on the wrists and crooks of the arm, the ice cream accord flashes white hot with a bit of ozone then sinks into a toothsome vanilla creme. Those vanilla amber sprinkles glimmer on the decadent treat. Primarily this is a vanilla cream scent and though perhaps a bit fleeting and light, I may douse myself in a healthier amount next wear. A delicious vanilla gourmand.

Tarrie #5 (whole group)- Crystal vanilla musk, vanilla absolute, armoise mugwort, French origanum, black cardamom, white sandalwood. 

Held in the bottle, my nose pulls out grain and woods and an herbal potion. Once rubbed into the flesh, the scent of oregano and marjoram, fresh with pine and lemony zesty citrus speaks of wild rambling herb gardens in a quaint forest, verdant and alive. With time it sweetens and smoothes through a deep cardamom and sandalwood mixture that is swirled with fluffy vanilla. A surprising favorite!

Of all the Tarries, at the moment I am loving #1 and #5 the most but will happily wear them all as they all smell unique. What are your favorite NAVA (Nocturne Alchemy/VApothecary) favorites? Did you order anything once NAVA reopened back at the end of June? I am looking forward to slowly sharing and reviewing some of my NAVA purchases. I did get an ICONS III Copal bottle, a few dinos, and limiteds and some permanent collection scents. I am also eyeing a few of the new summer limited releases.  What about you?