Vaara: A Fragrance Fit for a Maharaja

In July 2013 British perfume house Penhaligon's will release Vaara, a fragrance inspired by the city of Jodhpur in Rajasthan. Vaara started life as a private commission for His Royal Highness Maharaja Gaj Singh II, who desired a personal fragrance that reflected his deep love and family connection with Jodphur. Named for his granddaughter, Vaara offers a unique glimpse into the scented life of a Maharaja.

The task of exploring and capturing this complex and vibrant world was taken up by Master Perfumer Bertrand Duchaufour, an olfactory painter of aromas and moods with many scented masterpieces to his name including Amaranthine (2009) and Sartorial (2010) for Penhaligon's.

Bertrand travelled to Jodhpur to explore the life of a Maharaja; visiting historic forts, family palaces, exotic gardens and bustling city markets. His journey provided him with an abundance of inspiration for the fragrance and the end result, Vaara, cleverly captures the spirit of this fascinating part of India.

The fragrance begins with a delicious blend of coriander and carrot seeds, creamy saffron and juicy quince: ingredients discovered during his trips to local markets in Jodhpur. The heart of Vaara belongs to the gardens of Balsamand, the Maharaja's summer palace, with two glorious roses blended elegantly with a billowing white note of Indian magnolia, a touch of freesia and a whisper of iris. The fragrance settles into a luscious combination of honey, white musks and resins dripping over an aromatic base of tonka, cedarwood and sandalwood.

Modern and intensely atmospheric, Vaara is a fragrance fit for a Maharajah, full of charm and majesty.

• Head Notes: Quince, Rosewater, Carrot Seed, Coriander Seed, Saffron
• Heart Notes: Moroccan Rose Absolute, Bulgarian Rose Oil, Freesia, Indian Magnolia, Peony, Iris
• Base Notes: Honey, White Musk, Cedarwood, Sandalwood, Benzoin Resin, Tonka Bean