Indigo Smoke

Black tea and smoke drifting through the Wuyi Mountains. Indigo Smoke by Arquiste is a bold, atmospheric fragrance inspired by the smoking of tea leaves in ancient China. Bright citrus and aromatic herbs open the scent before it unfolds into dark lapsang souchong tea, incense, woods and a smooth leathery warmth. Created with master perfumer Calice Becker, it balances freshness with shadowy depth.

The Story

Arquiste founder Carlos Huber set the brief in May 1646 in the Wuyi Mountains of Fujian, where monks who grew tea and indigo fled an attack by Qing soldiers and, to preserve their crops, smoked the tea leaves over pinewood fires, an origin story for lapsang souchong. The fragrance evokes rivers, blue mountains and temples, and was composed with perfumer Calice Becker.

How It Smells

Opening
Bergamot and mandarin oil keep the opening lifted, with a lapsang souchong accord and vetiver introducing the smoke.

Heart
Apricot accord, cassia and carrot seed oil bring a dry fruitiness and spice, with guaiac wood adding a meditative, smoky woodiness.

Dry Down
Maté tea absolute, cedar leaf oil, pine tar and incense settle into a smooth, elegant, almost leathery warmth. The tea is dark, rich and slightly dry.

Fragrance Notes

Top

• Bergamot
• Mandarin Orange Oil
• Lapsang Souchong Accord
• Vetiver

Heart

• Apricot Accord
• Cassia Oil
• Carrot Seed Oil
• Guaiac Wood

Base

• Maté Tea Absolute
• Cedar Leaf Oil
• Pine Tar
• Incense

Fragrance Profile

Smoky · Woody · Aromatic · Tea