Basmati rice in a perfume? That was definitely a first for me and the reason I initially gravitated towards the display of Calé Fragranze d’Autore when in Milan this time. And this is where I discovered Mistero – the heavenly men’s fragrance that has become a staple on my husband’s dresser.

Dry, woody and fiery, this robust composition is fabulously peppered with the smokey, balsamic woodiness of agarwood, which melds with a comforting semi-sweet distilled rum accord. To this are added hints of Basmati rice, saffron, mint, rhubarb, pimento and hazelnut – all of them combining to create a warm, resinous and spicy composition that carries with it the nuances of a precious distilled liquor and conjures up smoky campfires that have been dampened by the rains… the same rains, probably, which drench India’s rice fields to nourish the precious Basmati.

Mistero carries with it the nuances of a precious distilled liquor and conjures up smoky campfires that have been dampened by the rains

Distinguished by its long, slender grains, Basmati rice has been grown in India since the 19th century and is revered due to its nutty aroma and delicate, nuanced flavour. Its name means “the fragrant one” in Sanskrit, and Basmati is the world’s most sought-after rice because of its alluring smell – it can fetch 10 times the price of other rice grains. India, happily, is the largest producer of this aromatic and flavourful goldmine.

And this is the note that appears half-way through Mistero’s development – slightly powdery and comforting – made even more interesting by the presence of spices. This is the perfect olfactory tale for a boutique brand whose creations are inspired by stories and narratives. Silvio Levi, President of Calé, calls the creations “olfactory poetry”, aimed at people who like to “listen” to perfumes and follow the narrative that unfolds from within. Italian nose Maurizio Cerizza has beautifully interpreted Levi’s stories, transforming them into stirring perfumed poems that raise this boutique Italian brand head-and-shoulders above today’s far-too-generic and commercial compositions. Mistero, for me, is just the beginning of a storyline I hope to explore more deeply in the coming days!

Its name means ‘the fragrant one’ in Sanskrit, and Basmati is the world’s most sought-after rice because of its alluring smell – it can fetch 10 times the price of other rice grains. India is the largest producer of this aromatic and flavourful goldmine