SALM

As I write this, it is the nighttime. I just learned of the great French composer and musique concréte pioneer Eliane Radigue's passing at age 94. I had planned to write down my thoughts on Salm, but decided first to play her Trilogie de la Mort. I apply the fragrance to my arms, and 'Kyema (Immediate States)' plays. There a transcendental drones from a ARP 2500 synthesizer, a sonic meditation on death influenced by Tibetan Buddhism. Salm becomes this smell of deliberate deceleration, as it opens medicinal and tonic, bitter and nutty, raw and organic, roots and rhizomes, I know immediately how this would challenge some noses, but it found my nose, and I feel very much at home with it. It's an ode to both mortality and vitality: the plant as whole and perhaps sentient, the tree tall and likely wise, both giving its life so that others can other beings can thrive. Their life force is extracted, the very sap—the blood—of botany, becomes a gift to be consumed with patience and hope. The copy for Salm suggests wooden structures and earthy roots and yes, I agree with this. Yes, it is even more remarkable that the astringency and vigor of Panax ginseng is so palpable here. There are intermittent planes that remind me also of maca root, sacha inchi nut, and linseed, turpentine. I then get the impression of 'naked' wood—untreated, unvarnished. It is an olfactory drone, best appreciated while sitting, unencumbered by other sensory stimuli, besides perhaps that of the works of Radigue. Smell and listen—yes, I am suggesting such an activity. I do it quite often. Over time, Salm feels beautifully pale, with balm and resin blurring into my skin. Perfume and impermanence, hand in hand, sunset then twilight, then darkness, then deep into the woods of the unknown. The skin scent of Salm is like the woods of the unknown, the opposite of oblivion, very aware, dry and round to the nose, feeling tactile enough to want to run one's fingers along its smooth surface.

a rooty warm piney insencey fragrance with a vetiver/sandalwood heart. there’s a slightly syrupy quality to it as well as the initial spritz comes through as a candied ginseng. the sweetness mostly fades in the dry down and a slight barbershop dusty powder emerges. it’s grounded and beautiful and ultimately clean while still retaining some personality with the vetiver, sandalwood and peru basalm. welcoming. unlike anything i’ve smelled

There is a fascinating complexity here. Bitter ginseng, particularly in the open, plays off incense and a slightly soapy and spicy fougere. Sometimes I get the ginseng, other times the spice or pine. Sweeter on skin than cloths. Better as a full wear than as a sample. It’s fresh and different while still having some traditional elements. Impressed by One Day again

I've been looking for an incense-y pine-like fragrance for fall and winter. Mississippi Medicine was my top contender for this category for a while... but I think this one pushed it out after I got a sample in my LuckyScent order. This is GORGEOUS. I huff the sample every chance I get.

I can't even remember why I decided to buy a sample of this originally, since it's so unlike the fragrances I normally try. Its opening is so intense in its scents of ginseng, ginger, balsam and incense I was sure I smelled like an apothecary shop. But even at its opening I could tell it was well made and well balanced, and, once the intensity of the ginseng died down, I really enjoyed the complex drydown. This is not the sort of thing I would normally choose to wear, but it's quite pleasant, and unisex to boot. You'd smell classy wearing this, if a bit unusual.

Man the One Day perfumer is extremely talented in creating very rounded but unique scents. If you like truly unique scents this is a must try imo. This is almost like a resinous pine candy up front and it slowly settles into a very beautiful sandalwood accord. Kinda indescribable but it explores very weird and unique woody facets. Super impressive work! Really nice but not something I could see myself wearing personally.

this is gorgeous. I don't think its something I'd wear, I would probably get seoul from the line if I were to choose something darker but if you like a sophisticated woody incense scent, you will love this.

It's incredible, you'd want huff the stuff constantly. It's very rooty, earhty, damp, but dry. Woody, nerdy elegance.

There's nothing mystical here for people of East Asian heritage. It's quite simply Korean ginseng candy. IYKYK.

This is straight peanuts and soap on my skin. So disappointing