The Apothecary of Petra

For a fragrance named after the heart of the Nabatean kingdom, I expected a tapestry of ancient aromas - smoke curling from smoldering resins, the sun-warmed dust of rose-red sandstone, and bittersweet spices once traded along the caravan route. Petra does a great job of capturing this image.

As we emerge from the narrow Siq and behold the Khazneh, we're met with a sweet burst of candied liquorice and herbaceous tea. It smells like a medicinal tonic from an ancient apothecary - something endured for its healing promise rather than relished for its flavour.

As we wind through the sunlit gorge, a sanctuary carved into the rock reveals itself. Outside, a bronze brazier smolders with smoky, ashen myrrh, and upon entering the sacred chamber, the air sweetens with tendrils of vanillic smoke and woods worn smooth by centuries of devotion. Here, in this perfumed stillness, we decide to lay down our burdens and let the air of antiquity wash over us.

I adore ancient history, so it's no surprise that scents inspired by such periods really get my imaginative juices flowing. That said, Petra is simply a sweet, slightly smoky liquorice. I loathe liquorice, so this isn't something I would wear, but once settled, it ends up smelling quite nice. If you love liquorice, anise, or fennel - herbaceous notes with a medicinal twang - then this scent is an absolute must-try.