Esscentual Alchemy

Esscentual Alchemy is a small American natural-perfumery project run by Amanda Feeley, who composes from raw botanical materials rather than synthetic aroma chemicals. Trained originally in classical music — she studied opera at Simpson College — Feeley has framed her work as a parallel discipline to composition, building scents in movements and motifs rather than around marketing briefs. Releases tend to be small batch and idiosyncratic, with names drawn from tarot, mythology and old herbal traditions, and the catalogue includes both perfume oils and alcohol-based extraits. The naturals palette gives the work a recognisably handmade character: warmer, drier and less linear than mainstream releases, with a strong lean toward incense, patchouli, jasmine and resins. Esscentual Alchemy suits collectors specifically interested in all-natural perfumery from independent American makers.