Edible
Woody
Notesblack pepperblack teacadecoffeecopaiba balmfrankincenseleathermyrrhosmanthussaffronsandalwoodstyrax
Tags
#sexy
#smoky
Style
for her
for him
unisex
January 1618 A Japanese Galleon, the Pacific Ocean
Following a diplomatic mission to the West, a galleon carrying a delegation of samurai charges through dark ocean currents. Loaded with a rare and precious cargo, the ship’s hull is redolent of sweet-smelling tropical woods, heady Spanish leather, frankincense, fine black pepper and other exotic ground spices—the intoxicating spirit of a singular, extraordinary voyage of discovery.
A good perfume to visit if your are in a search for perfect true sandalwood, smoky and a touch dirty. Arquiste carefully selected the companions for its sandal in this formula: tea and osmanthus, coffee, myrrh and stryrax and others to give it a dark, sensual depth.
***
GQ US on Nanban:
"This is my signature scent. I wear it all the time. And let me tell you: I’ve never worn something that has gotten so many compliments—no sunglasses, no sneakers, no full-body rubber suit. People actually turn their heads and ask me what I'm wearing. And then they jot down the product name. Arquiste’s masterpiece introduces itself with Malabar black pepper and Persian saffron, gives way to coffee, sandalwood, myrrh, and Spanish leather, and embraces you all day with a blanket of frankincense, balsam, and cade juniper."
***
Financial Times' resident perfume writer Victoria Frolova on Nanban:
"... approach coffee notes creatively. Instead of mimicking nature, a perfumer instead might fashion a blend that hints at coffee’s pleasing bitterness and heady richness. Such is Arquiste’s Nanban (£160 for 100ml EDP). The composition uses a plush backdrop of woods to frame the smoky, spicy notes of myrrh and incense, with an accent of coffee to lend the composition a dark, delicious twist. It teases with its smoky, nutty warmth, but keeps its presence mellow behind layers of sandalwood and leather."
All about this fragrance
Vibe check
Nanban suits an evening when conversation slows and people draw closer. Its bitter coffee and smoky leather suggest the warmth held inside a heavy coat after coming in from the cold; sandalwood and resins give that darkness a softer, sensual edge.
How to wear
The woody, resinous composition is well suited to cool weather, when its warmth can unfold without feeling oppressive. Start with one or two sprays on the torso or neck, allowing the peppery opening to settle before adding more. Use a lighter hand in warm rooms, where the incense and leather may feel fuller.
Who it’s for
For lovers of smoky sandalwood, supple leather and incense with a bitter, subtly edible accent. Nanban will appeal to those who enjoy richly layered woods and resins but prefer coffee and spice to overt sugary sweetness.
Release year
2015
The nose
Rodrigo Flores-Roux is a Mexican-born perfumer whose work combines botanical detail with generous, richly layered compositions. Known for fragrances including Tom Ford Neroli Portofino and John Varvatos Artisan, he moves comfortably between luminous citrus, expressive florals and textured woods. For Nanban, he created an individual interpretation of Spanish leather, setting it among sandalwood, coffee, spices and incense.
Collaborators
Carlos Huber shaped Nanban’s historical concept and creative direction in collaboration with Rodrigo Flores-Roux. Drawing on his Mexican background and interest in connections between Japan, Mexico and Europe, he framed the fragrance around a Japanese diplomatic voyage and the mingling of materials carried across oceans.
Arquiste’s story
Arquiste approaches perfume as olfactive restoration: historical research becomes the framework for scents that evoke particular places and moments. Founded by architect and historic preservationist Carlos Huber, the house treats ingredients as building materials, assembling atmosphere through structure, texture and carefully researched detail.
Nanban’s concept
Nanban imagines January 1618 aboard a Japanese galleon in the Pacific, drawing on the voyage associated with ambassador Hasekura Tsunenaga. Its dark hold becomes an olfactory meeting point for woods, Spanish leather, incense and traded spices. The composition is a creative reconstruction of that atmosphere, not a reproduction of a surviving historical perfume formula.
Extra info
Nanban means “southern barbarian,” a historical Japanese term for foreigners arriving from the south, later associated with European influence in Japanese art. Its Spanish-leather accord is Flores-Roux’s own interpretation, emphasizing tobacco, coumarin and balsamic facets rather than the birch-tar emphasis associated with Russian leather.
Featured in edits and sample packs
2020 Bestsellers | HimAwesome OsmanthusSandalwood SilhouettesThe Coffee Aroma in Perfumery
Also featured in
For the Trend-LoverIncense & Resin
Notesblack pepperblack teacadecoffeecopaiba balmfrankincenseleathermyrrhosmanthussaffronsandalwoodstyrax
Tags
#sexy
#smoky
Style
for her
for him
unisex
January 1618 A Japanese Galleon, the Pacific Ocean
Following a diplomatic mission to the West, a galleon carrying a delegation of samurai charges through dark ocean currents. Loaded with a rare and precious cargo, the ship’s hull is redolent of sweet-smelling tropical woods, heady Spanish leather, frankincense, fine black pepper and other exotic ground spices—the intoxicating spirit of a singular, extraordinary voyage of discovery.
A good perfume to visit if your are in a search for perfect true sandalwood, smoky and a touch dirty. Arquiste carefully selected the companions for its sandal in this formula: tea and osmanthus, coffee, myrrh and stryrax and others to give it a dark, sensual depth.
***
GQ US on Nanban:
"This is my signature scent. I wear it all the time. And let me tell you: I’ve never worn something that has gotten so many compliments—no sunglasses, no sneakers, no full-body rubber suit. People actually turn their heads and ask me what I'm wearing. And then they jot down the product name. Arquiste’s masterpiece introduces itself with Malabar black pepper and Persian saffron, gives way to coffee, sandalwood, myrrh, and Spanish leather, and embraces you all day with a blanket of frankincense, balsam, and cade juniper."
***
Financial Times' resident perfume writer Victoria Frolova on Nanban:
"... approach coffee notes creatively. Instead of mimicking nature, a perfumer instead might fashion a blend that hints at coffee’s pleasing bitterness and heady richness. Such is Arquiste’s Nanban (£160 for 100ml EDP). The composition uses a plush backdrop of woods to frame the smoky, spicy notes of myrrh and incense, with an accent of coffee to lend the composition a dark, delicious twist. It teases with its smoky, nutty warmth, but keeps its presence mellow behind layers of sandalwood and leather."
All about this fragrance
Vibe check
Nanban suits an evening when conversation slows and people draw closer. Its bitter coffee and smoky leather suggest the warmth held inside a heavy coat after coming in from the cold; sandalwood and resins give that darkness a softer, sensual edge.
How to wear
The woody, resinous composition is well suited to cool weather, when its warmth can unfold without feeling oppressive. Start with one or two sprays on the torso or neck, allowing the peppery opening to settle before adding more. Use a lighter hand in warm rooms, where the incense and leather may feel fuller.
Who it’s for
For lovers of smoky sandalwood, supple leather and incense with a bitter, subtly edible accent. Nanban will appeal to those who enjoy richly layered woods and resins but prefer coffee and spice to overt sugary sweetness.
Release year
2015
The nose
Rodrigo Flores-Roux is a Mexican-born perfumer whose work combines botanical detail with generous, richly layered compositions. Known for fragrances including Tom Ford Neroli Portofino and John Varvatos Artisan, he moves comfortably between luminous citrus, expressive florals and textured woods. For Nanban, he created an individual interpretation of Spanish leather, setting it among sandalwood, coffee, spices and incense.
Collaborators
Carlos Huber shaped Nanban’s historical concept and creative direction in collaboration with Rodrigo Flores-Roux. Drawing on his Mexican background and interest in connections between Japan, Mexico and Europe, he framed the fragrance around a Japanese diplomatic voyage and the mingling of materials carried across oceans.
Arquiste’s story
Arquiste approaches perfume as olfactive restoration: historical research becomes the framework for scents that evoke particular places and moments. Founded by architect and historic preservationist Carlos Huber, the house treats ingredients as building materials, assembling atmosphere through structure, texture and carefully researched detail.
Nanban’s concept
Nanban imagines January 1618 aboard a Japanese galleon in the Pacific, drawing on the voyage associated with ambassador Hasekura Tsunenaga. Its dark hold becomes an olfactory meeting point for woods, Spanish leather, incense and traded spices. The composition is a creative reconstruction of that atmosphere, not a reproduction of a surviving historical perfume formula.
Extra info
Nanban means “southern barbarian,” a historical Japanese term for foreigners arriving from the south, later associated with European influence in Japanese art. Its Spanish-leather accord is Flores-Roux’s own interpretation, emphasizing tobacco, coumarin and balsamic facets rather than the birch-tar emphasis associated with Russian leather.
Featured in edits and sample packs
2020 Bestsellers | HimAwesome OsmanthusSandalwood SilhouettesThe Coffee Aroma in Perfumery
Also featured in
For the Trend-LoverIncense & Resin