The Burren Perfumery’s latest launch is an essential collection …
The Burren Perfumery has just launched a collection of organic and natural essential oils, featuring eleven pure essential oils, from sweet orange to rosemary, and three special house blends.
For me, this perfumery in the exquisite landscape of Co Clare is one of the most special and unique places to visit in Ireland. I love the care and attention to detail that goes into every single thing they do. Perfumer Sadie Chowen has owned The Burren Perfumery since 2001: she runs the company with her husband Ralph and their team of local staff. They make everything by hand in the Burren, using certified natural and organic ingredients. If you’re interested in beautiful things made locally with integrity, using the highest quality ingredients, this is where to come.
ESSENTIAL OILS
What’s the story behind these new essential oils? “Natural oils form the foundation of our perfumes, creams, lotions, soaps and candles,” explains Sadie Chowen. “For several years we have been quietly developing this collection, with the aim of celebrating the beauty and integrity of these precious plant extracts.
“The journey of an essential oil begins long before it reaches us. A seed is sown in the soil in France, Italy, Madagascar or elsewhere. It grows slowly, drawing nourishment from the earth and sun. At harvest, it is gathered by experienced hands and transported quickly to a nearby distillery so that its character is preserved at its freshest. Then the olfactory essence of that plant is captured, through steam distillation, cold pressing or CO2 extraction.”
No two harvests are ever identical, explains Chowen. “Like wine, essential oils vary from year to year according to soil, climate and growing conditions. A lavender oil this season will not be the same as last year’s. This natural variation is both the beauty and the challenge of working with living materials.”
Chowen has sourced each oil with great care, from growers and specialist suppliers from all over the world. “Behind each bottle lies years of dedication, skill and patient work,” she notes. Neroli essential oil is one of the most precious (€48 for 10ml).
“Neroli essential oil, distilled from the blossom of the bitter orange tree, requires around 1,000 kilograms of freshly picked flowers to produce one kilogram of oil. Sandalwood is harvested from heartwood that has matured for 15 to 20 years, then carefully distilled in a process that yields only a fraction of its weight in oil.”
The Perfumery’s own house blends include Balancing, a soothing fusion of pure organic oils sweet orange, geranium bourbon, roman chamomile, palmarosa and sandalwood. The Relaxing blend features calming oils such as lavender, neroli, clary sage and cedarwood.
HOW TO USE THE OILS
Sadie Chowen advises adding a few drops to a warm bath or massage oil. Or try creating your own customised blend to use in a diffuser.
THE PACKAGING
“Over several months, I hand-drew the flowers and plants represented in the collection,” says Chowen. “These illustrations form part of the packaging and reflect our respect for and delight in the plants from which the oils are made. The oils are bottled in protective violet glass to shield them from light. The paper packaging is FSC-certified and printed with vegetable inks in Ireland.”
Available at The Burren Perfumery and online, from €10.
