SEVEN GATES
CLEAN SLATE

2024

PERFUMER
Emilie Bouge

incense
artemisia
nutmeg
cinnamon

whiskey
vetiver
birch
guaiac wood

castoreum
Patchouli
papyrus
Leather

‘The horizon seems like desert and the sky like chromatic waves while the tumbler has last few drops. Bittersweet memories come to mind as the landscape surrounded by barrels… The road opens to a new beginning. A clean state of protected nature and species. Clean State is luminous and relaxing that vibrates with spirits of wilderness. A perfume created as an olfactory poem where nature is reinvented and highlighted as a precious object reflecting the duality of contamination and purity. This fragrance pays tribute to warm comforting spices, noble and majestic woody notes and exquisite amber notes charged with memories. Inspired by the clarity and lushness of nature; it blends artemisia, leather, guaiac wood, islay whiskey, papyrus and luscious cinnamon in the same pot. ‘ – Seven Gates

Clean Slate definitely threw me for a loop with its opening. I felt it opened…clean (maybe because of the name), citrussy, minimal, but warm at the same time. I felt that there was a blood orange, neroli or ginger here, which may just be the artemisia? Definitely a bit green and a slight sweetness.

Then the big and quick transition into leather starts. Very unexpected after the opening, still quite fresh at first, but definitely going into leather completely. It leans traditionally masculine and smells to me like the image of a modern, sharp suited gentleman.

I was not expecting such a huge departure from the opening minutes, but it does reflect the notes a lot more. Not the most exciting drydown for me, but if you love leather scents, obviously it will be more to your liking.