Bibliotheca

Bibliotheca is true to its concept—perfectly evocative of the type of cozy-hip corner record/book store that just feels like one’s second living room. In addition to the notes listed here, Alkemia’s website also mentions "leatherbound books" and “tweedy woolens.” The former is palpable; I’m not so sure about the latter (seems like a difficult-to-achieve fantasy note tbh) but the woolens are present if not literally then at least spiritually, if that makes sense. The vinyl and ink read as comfy and human—a little plasticky, but in a “Dad’s hi-fi” kind of way. A sweet vetiver comes through in the dry-down and it feels as comfy and familiar as the crackles and pops on your specific copy of a favorite old record. Alkemia excels at unusual high-concept scents catering to a very specific fantasy, and Bibliotheca is no exception—I’ve never encountered a frag that better evokes that specific feeling of the gentle contentment of being in a roomful of chic-but-slightly-dusty ephemera. The projection and the mood on Bibliotheca are both intimate, so I would recommend it for a quiet day at home.