ONE DAY
OOLONG TEA
2021
PERFUMER
Michael Wong
Oolong tea
Clary Sage
Bergamot
Jasmine
Honey
Vetiver
Tonka Bean
‘Step into the quiet Japanese-style courtyard among the quiet forest alleys of Taipei, and enjoy the sweetness of brown tea and wagashi for a day.White light shines through the paper window in front of the green court, sitting quietly and holding the cup to let the temperature of the white porcelain soak into the palm of your hand. Hot water flows out of the traditional century-old wood, distilling the astringent aroma of dry tea.The aftertaste of the brown tea flowing in the mouth is clear, and the tea cakes on the wooden stand. The store manager brought a plate of desserts and honey cakes, rice flavors, sweet beans and honey flavors, pastries on ceramic plates. In the afternoon, oolong tea and a small portion of sweetness. Between the trees, scent of tea and beans waves in from the quiet japanese courtyard in a tranquil Taipei alley. The sun beams through the papered window, under the aged wood flow of hot water brews dried tea leaf into stringency and earthy benevolence. The clear bitter brown twists an aftertaste in your mouth. The old man presents you plated japanese confectionery on ceramic, honeyed cake, sweet grounded rice and sugared beans thickens the air and washes the bitterness. Portioned sweetness and oolong sophistication, the afternoon delight.’ – One Day
Oolong Tea won the 2022 Art & Olfaction Artisinal award. I’ve since had a travel spray and now, courtesy of the brand, a bottle of this gem. It’s become one of my most recommended fragrances in 2022-2023 for sure.
For me, Oolong Tea is the crown jewel of the brand’s Tea Collection, although all of them are very well done (and I also love Seoul, from their other line). Rightfully an award-winning composition, as this is a unique and strangely addictive scent. It strikes a balance rarely struck in Western perfumery when it comes to tea or gourmand fragrances.
The opening is on the bitter side. Like that feeling when you’ve left your tea bag in your cup longer than usual. An unmistakable tea scent greets you; transparent and bright, but it’s not the kind of ‘light tea’ we often see in fragrances aided by citrusses. It really feels like tea, with the familiar bergamot as a less prominent addition.
It blends in jasmine and does overlap a bit with how One Day’s Jasmine Tea feels. However, Oolong Tea has a different side. This is a gourmand leaning tea with honey. The description speaks of honey cake, sweet rice, pastries & sweet beans.
Not a full on gourmand. Not a scoop of honey straight to the mouth. A honeyed, bitter tea with a faint air of desert. Think of the genmaicha inspired Teo Cabanel Je Ne Sais Quoi, but tone it way down. Oolong Tea is softer, not as ‘toasted’ and the sweetness is subtle. One of the most refined takes on a gourmand.
While understated, with airy, clear textures, Oolong Tea is a solid performer. Arguably the best performer from the Tea Collection. That signature, palpable bitterness lasts throughout and makes you aware when coming closer to the skin. In the air, it’s all soft, sweetened and zen. Overall, an ‘artsy’ niche scent, that’s versatile and wearable, yet quite unfamiliar.
One of my top recommendations for brands to put on your radar. The only one that I’ve tried outside of the Tea Collection is Seoul, a magnificent coffee-vetiver scent that gives Oolong Tea a run for its money as my favorite. I look forward to exploring more.
