Astier de Villatte

The interlaced lanes and cobblestones in this pastel and ochre old city hide the secret address of the famous Swedish Bitters Elixir. King Gustav II would give it to his Viking warriors to render them invincible. An inebriating mixture of wild plants, clove, lavandin, myrrh, vetiver and clary sage escapes from the bottle. Contains essences of Clary Sage, Haiti Vetiver, Virginia Cedar, Brasil Orange, Lavandin, Petitgrain and Clove. Perfume designed with Françoise Caron.

The best incense in the world is found on the island of Awaji, due to its favorable climate. For more than a thousand years it has been made here by the Koh-shis or Masters of Aromas, a tradition passed down from father to son. They alone perfectly master the four stages of production: the dosage of exclusively natural materials, precious woods, herbs, plants, vegetable resins, and perfume; the kneading of the dough, pressed and worked for a long time, then left to stand for two weeks to soak up the fragrance; the cutting of the dough, rolled into long, narrow ribbons, to the desired size; then drying in the west wind for three days before bundling the sticks.