Even though I’ve already mentioned Liquidambar by Diptyque in my Christmas Gift Guide: http://scentwords.com/scented-candle-gifts-for-christmas/, it definitely deserves a more in-depth analysis and separate post. Liquidambar is one of Diptyque’s 2015 Christmas collection candles inspired by the olfactory attributes of trees.

Size and burn time: 

Standard size –> 190g/ 6.5 oz, burns for 60 hours.

Mini size –> 70g/ 2.4 oz, burns for 20 hours (see pics)

Official price:

Standard size –> €58.00

Mini size –> €30.00 (slightly more expensive than the candles from regular collection)

Ingredients:

high quality vegetable/ paraffin wax mix; custom scent mix out of natural ingredients; cotton, lead-free wick.

The producer on the candle:

“A celebration of nature’s delights, which embraces the redness of this large autumnal tree. Its enveloping liquid amber is spiced with nutmeg and cinnamon, then cloaked in the scent of muscovado sugar, providing a sweet and warm veil of gourmand accents.”

Liquidamabar is a flowering tree also called sweetgum. Scientific and common names refer to the resinous sap (liquid amber) exuded by the trunk when cut. So is this what the candle contains? I think we should explain some terminology here.

If you are a fan of „amber scents” and failed to buy essential amber oil it is because the amber as a fragrance component in modern perfumery is a blend of different resins, synthetic components and oils like vanilla etc.

The name „amber” comes from the Arabic word ambar, the synonym of ambergris, which is a substance found in the digestive system of sperm whales and has been used since ages in the perfumery world as a fragrance component and fixative (to prolong the scent’s longevity) (currently illegal in some countries).

Neither is amber fragrance directly derived from the fossilized tree resin known as amber.

By heating the fossilized amber and mixing with nitric acid you can produce a musky scented oil of amber, however, the direct burn brings out only a very slight pinewood scent. Both procedures being costly and not effective in creating an intensive scent.

The closest thing to what we understand when thinking of „amber scent” comes from blends of woody resins of some trees. One of these resins, called styrax/ liquid amber, obtained from the Liquidambar tree, resembles the scent of aged ambergris and smoked ambar, and is being used in perfumery. Other resins used in the „creation” of amber scent include benzoin, balsam of peru, frankincense, myrrh and copal.

(source: Wikipedia and others)

Subjective scent and scent throw evaluation:

Liquidambar by Diptyque will surely please those not used to very pungent blends. The amber wood scent intertwines with sweet (not that spicy) cinnamon and nutmeg creating a warm fragrance that
intensifies with the burning time. After putting out, the scent persists in the room for many hours, bringing out a surprising and dominating clove note. This amber candle might seem very “leathery” when smelled straight out of the box, yet thanks to the spices and sugar is very woody and warm when lit. It also, like any other Diptyque candles, smells ever so slightly when unlit, making it a very sensual addition to your nightstand.

Packaging

The candles from Diptyque Christmas collections wow with beautiful painted tumblers and additional decorative cardboard sleeves. The 2015’s design was created by the French painter and artist Julien Colombier. What I love about the scent and the packaging is how universal they are. Despite the fragrance elements (spices) and colours (green and red) being associated with Christmas, Liquidambar by Diptyque can be perfectly burned all year long and will not look weird in your chilly spring or autumn arrangements. The scent is sexy and the design classy.

Aditional comments:

The burn on this candle is perfect, also thanks to its small size/. I got a full melt pull after around 2 hours,

Would I repurchase:

Liquidambar by Diptyque was so nice, I will definitely have an eye on their 2016 limited collection.

Where to buy:

Official producer’s webpage as well as various shops (all bigger on- and offline lifestyle stores like SpaceNK, Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus, Mecca and many more… consult “Links” section in the upper menu).

Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post. The first picture has been taken from producers’ webpage.