As you pass the tiny stage, you come across a large canvas tent, illuminated within, the exterior dotted with odd splatters. In front of the tent stands a scorched wooden cart covered in a jumble of bottles, jars, vials and twisted steel implements, and an elaborate, gold-gilded sign reads:
“Doc Constantine Cures What Ails Ye!
Liniments, salves, potions and elixirs for every malady of the body and spirit!”
A scream splits the air, jarring you. You see shadows move jaggedly within the tent, there is another scream, and all is suddenly still and silent. After a long heartbeat, the door flap opens. A man steps out wearing a crystal-eyed schnabel mask in the style of medieval plague doctors, carmine streaking his sleeves, vest, and the blonde hair that crowns him. He pulls off the mask, and you see a handsome figure, almost beatific. He rolls a cigarette, lights it, takes a deep pull, and winks at you slyly as he gestures at the multitude of concoctions he has for sale. A bent crone, her body as bowed and knotty as an ancient oak, shuffles up to the wagon with rosy-cheeked, tow-headed maiden following her at a small distance. As she approaches the doctor, the crone gestures at herself, running a gnarled hand down her body in a sweeping movement, and casting a sideways glance at her grandchild. Smiling an angel’s smile, Doc Constantine hands the old woman a potion the color of cold, congealed blood. She drinks it quickly, gasping. Before your eyes her body shimmers and blurs, and a shower of dark sparks seems to engulf her. Where the crone stood, there is now a voluptuous, raven-haired vixen, vibrant, sensual, at the prime of her life and sexual vitality. Her shriek of joy is interrupted by another’s scream of shock: the rigors of age have not vanished; they have moved aside, and the young woman has aged horribly, taking on the crone’s burden.
Sheer musk, cedar smoke, fir needle, chaparral, black amber and leather.
suzy_darling –
I was having chocolate cravings and The Candy Butcher was calling to me. When it’s fully dried down it smells like dark deep chocolate but the heavy cream note keeps it from becoming too bitter. I was in my kitchen sniffing the chocolate I had, 60% and 70% dark chocolate bars and a tub of baking cocoa powder to compare. The real stuff is a ton more bitter. The heavy cream note in this scent keeps the chocolate scent warm and delicious like cocoa on my skin. I think the scent description and the beautiful artwork of the candy butcher herself is spot on and I adore her. It’s not very sweet but very delicious, dark, and decadent.
Lauren –
Dark, dark chocolate, a little vanilla, a little creme (not the milk note the lab uses, or at least not very prevalent, as that sours on my skin). The exact scent of a flourless chocolate torte I’m fond of making. Begs for a second bottle, because I’m like to be devastated if I ever run out.
Meghan –
There are several BPAL blends that use chocolate (Velvet & 13 come to mind), but this blend is like smothering dark chocolate cake all over. It’s heavenly. It could be boosted with a drop of pure vanilla (not flowery vanilla), but that might be too much. Part of the loveliness of this blend is its rich cocoa that isn’t sweet. If you’re looking for pure dark chocolate, this is the blend for you. Will be re-ordering.