I travelled to the Sunshine Coast a few weeks ago and visited the Ginger Factory. It’s always an enjoyable experience walking around the manicured gardens and mini rainforest. However, I didn’t travel to the tourist attraction just to walk around the gardens. Instead, I’d gone to pick up a Christmas present for a family member. I won’t go into much detail about the park, but it’s a mini theme park-style set up with a large ginger factory that manufactures ginger-based products ranging from confectionary to beer. Here’s a link to a couple of pages if you want to read about it:
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buderim_Ginger
- https://www.gingerfactory.com.au
It had been years since I’d been to the Ginger Factory, and I was surprised at how it had expanded. There was even a store selling perfumes, body products, candles, etc., that I spent a reasonable amount of time exploring. Surprisingly, there were many more sandalwood-based products than ginger products for sale on the shelf.
I couldn’t help but feel a little disappointed, as ginger happens to be a perfume note I thoroughly enjoy, but I didn’t find a single ginger perfume to sample. No matter, I’ve got several perfumes in my collection showcasing ginger as the star ingredient. I prefer it in fresh fragrances, but I also own some heavier scents that contain the note. So, my trip offered the perfect opportunity to wear one of the most neglected scents in my collection. I never know when to wear it; there never seems to be a suitable occasion, but a trip to a ginger factory surely must qualify.
I’m talking about Five O’Clock Au Gingembre from Serge Lutens. It’s a warming, soothing blend of candied ginger, cinnamon, Earl Grey tea, honey drizzle, sweet amber, and peppered citruses. It’s a testament to Sheldrake’s expertise that Five O’Clock, even with the predominance of gourmand notes, never goes down the path of sugar overload. Instead, it strikes a skillful balance between freshness, sweetness, and spice. There is a richness to it, though, that might make you think twice about wearing it in warm weather.
Another one of my other favorite ginger scents is L’Artisan’s Tea for Two. The delicious brew features tobacco, cinnamon, gingerbread, and vanilla, among other edible and drinkable notes. The smoky lapsang mixed with the tobacco gives it an air of darkness. However, thanks to an infusion of warming spices and gingerbread, I think of Christmas and my grandmother cooking in the kitchen. Fabulous memories!
If it weren’t so damn warm in Australia at this festive time of the year, I’d be wearing the Serge & L’Artisan more often, but instead, I usually end up going with one of my favourite ginger scents of all time, Dior Homme Sport 2008. The 2008 version features a considerable dose of ginger. It’s easily my favourite sports scent. The GOAT. The Federer of fresh fragrances if you like. Dior regularly updates their sports flanker, but none can go head to head with the 2008 version and end up relegated to the bench. Here’s what Dior said about it back in the day.
“The creator of this edition is Francois Demachy, who found his inspiration in the special flavors of red pepper from the U.S.A. The original idea was to create a fragrance that evokes the feeling and sensation that we have while eating candy. Very spicy, burning effects with fresh burst that simply make you breathe deeply.”
To use a sporting analogy, Demachy hit it out of the park!
I used to own a whole kit bag of Dior Homme Sport ancillary products. The spray-on deodorant and shower gel regularly played a part in my grooming routine. Even though now 15 years old, this backup bottle (I went through 3 bottles I think), at veteran status, still holds up well—hall-of-fame caliber stuff.
What’s your favourite ginger perfume?
Note: All photos are my own. All perfumes I purchased.
Some more photos from the Ginger Factory.
