sfumato

Hardcover Book - 416 pages

Dr. Kevin Peterson, co-founder of Sfumato, explores cocktails from the perspectives of an engineer, a perfumer, and a bar owner. Cocktail Theory - A Sensory Approach to Transcendent Drinks is a detailed look at the theory and philosophy behind the Detroit cocktail bar, Castalia, that operates as a Sfumato's brick and mortar by day, but by night transforms to serve scent-paired drinks.

Using data visualization and experimental results, Kevin makes a case for breaking cocktails into their individual sensory components, optimizing each aspect, then putting the pieces back together for an ideal drink. Cocktail Theory is approachable for home bartenders and professionals alike.

Flavor principles are accompanied by recipes that have graced Castalia’s menus, along with practical tips for executing elevated drinks at home. Cocktails are placed in the context of a larger experience, and supported by exercises to improve your palate, allowing you to transcend recipes and understand why certain drinks work, or not.

Castalia has been featured in the New York Times, Imbibe, Vinepair, and the Wall Street Journal, and Cocktail Theory is an in-depth look at what makes scented cocktails work.

(From Kevin) If a book about how to create scent-paired cocktails existed, I just would have read it, like I’ve read literally hundreds of other books about cocktails. If there was a single, concise source for integrating knowledge about the sensory system into creating optimal flavors, I would own it. But as I was working on creating peak experiences at Castalia, I kept bumping up against questions I couldn't find answers for. Or answers I had to search so meticulously for that it consumed me. So, just as I did when I was an engineer, I started designing experiments, sought out expertise, and analyzed a massive amount of data to build a conceptual model that describes the perfect drink.  And after almost 4 years, countless hours, and as much coffee as cocktails, I've captured that work in a book.

Handcrafted in Detroit, Michigan

*POST Instructor

Eclipse is a dark spice haven, deep and warm. The baking spice note of cardamom is offset by the sweetness of benzoin, creating the perfect scent for a winter's night.

• 9 oz
• 30 hour burn time
• 3.5 inches x 4 inches ceramic vessel
• handmade in Detroit

Ingredients:  soy wax, cardamom essential oil, benzoin absolute

Handcrafted in Detroit, Michigan

Arcanum smells like musk, raisins, and myrrh.

Ingredients:  Amberette Seed, Birch Tar, Virginia Cedar, Cistus, Coffee, Helichrysum, Myrrh, Peru Balsam, Spikenard, Tobacco, Tolu Balsam
 

Sfumato Fragrances creates scents from trees, flowers, herbs, and spices. With a philosophical preference for natural ingredients, this product is completely free of the synthetics prevalent in most modern scents. Each bottle comes in it's own stylish packaging for a classic look and easy gifting.

Available in 2 sizes:
Travel Size (8ml)
Standard Size (60ml)
 
 
Handcrafted in Detroit, Michigan

Through Sfumato we seek the ties between fragrance, science, flavor, and experience. Kevin is the nose of the company, blending compositions by engaging olfactory skills honed in the culinary world. Jane is the eyes, using her background in art and design to create the visual aesthetic. Breathe deeply and enjoy the unfolding.

This flight of fragrance includes a 1mL vial of each of our Black Label fragrances: Apricity, Arcanum, Mocha Valentino, and Nijananda.

Sfumato Fragrances creates scents from trees, flowers, herbs, and spices. With a philosophical preference for natural ingredients, this product is completely free of the synthetics prevalent in most modern scents. Each bottle comes in it's own stylish packaging for a classic look and easy gifting.
 
 
Handcrafted in Detroit, Michigan

Through Sfumato we seek the ties between fragrance, science, flavor, and experience. Kevin is the nose of the company, blending compositions by engaging olfactory skills honed in the culinary world. Jane is the eyes, using her background in art and design to create the visual aesthetic. Breathe deeply and enjoy the unfolding.

Gravitas smells like chai, amber, and mandarin.

Ingredients:  Atlas Cedar, Balsam of Peru, Bay Laurel, Benzoin, Black Pepper, Cardamom, Coffee, Coriander, Jasmine, Mandarin Orange, Nutmeg, Sweet Orange
 

Sfumato Fragrances creates scents from trees, flowers, herbs, and spices. With a philosophical preference for natural ingredients, this product is completely free of the synthetics prevalent in most modern scents. Each bottle comes in it's own stylish packaging for a classic look and easy gifting.

Available in 2 sizes:
Travel Size (8ml)
Standard Size (60ml)
 
 
Handcrafted in Detroit, Michigan

Through Sfumato we seek the ties between fragrance, science, flavor, and experience. Kevin is the nose of the company, blending compositions by engaging olfactory skills honed in the culinary world. Jane is the eyes, using her background in art and design to create the visual aesthetic. Breathe deeply and enjoy the unfolding.

This flight of fragrance includes a 1ml vial of each of our Black Label fragrances:  Epiphany, Gravitas, Siren Song, and Survival Instinct.

Sfumato Fragrances creates scents from trees, flowers, herbs, and spices. With a philosophical preference for natural ingredients, this product is completely free of the synthetics prevalent in most modern scents. Each bottle comes in it's own stylish packaging for a classic look and easy gifting.
 
 
Handcrafted in Detroit, Michigan

Through Sfumato we seek the ties between fragrance, science, flavor, and experience. Kevin is the nose of the company, blending compositions by engaging olfactory skills honed in the culinary world. Jane is the eyes, using her background in art and design to create the visual aesthetic. Breathe deeply and enjoy the unfolding.

Apricity smells like basil, frozen air, and angelica.

Ingredients:  Angelica Seed, Arina, Basil, Clary Sage, Davana, Elemi, Galangal, Galbanum, Hinoki, Plai, Rhododendron, Styrax
 

Sfumato Fragrances creates scents from trees, flowers, herbs, and spices. With a philosophical preference for natural ingredients, this product is completely free of the synthetics prevalent in most modern scents. Each bottle comes in it's own stylish packaging for a classic look and easy gifting.

Available in 2 sizes:
Travel Size (8ml)
Standard Size (60ml)
 
 
Handcrafted in Detroit, Michigan

Through Sfumato we seek the ties between fragrance, science, flavor, and experience. Kevin is the nose of the company, blending compositions by engaging olfactory skills honed in the culinary world. Jane is the eyes, using her background in art and design to create the visual aesthetic. Breathe deeply and enjoy the unfolding.

Epiphany smells like citrus, herb, and green.

Ingredients: Chamomile, Cypress, Frankincense, Galbanum, Grapefruit, Katrafay, Lavender, Petitgrain, Rosemary, Sweet Orange, Vetiver, Ylang Ylang
 

Sfumato Fragrances creates scents from trees, flowers, herbs, and spices. With a philosophical preference for natural ingredients, this product is completely free of the synthetics prevalent in most modern scents. Each bottle comes in it's own stylish packaging for a classic look and easy gifting.

Available in 2 sizes:
Travel Size (8ml)
Standard Size (60ml)
 
 
Handcrafted in Detroit, Michigan

Through Sfumato we seek the ties between fragrance, science, flavor, and experience. Kevin is the nose of the company, blending compositions by engaging olfactory skills honed in the culinary world. Jane is the eyes, using her background in art and design to create the visual aesthetic. Breathe deeply and enjoy the unfolding.

Mocha Valentino smells like cocoa, coffee, tobacco.

Ingredients:  Chinese Cedar, Cistus, Cocoa, Coffee, Elemi, Green Tea, Mandarin Orange, Neroli, Patchouli, Tobacco, Tolu, Vanilla
 
Sfumato Fragrances creates scents from trees, flowers, herbs, and spices. With a philosophical preference for natural ingredients, this product is completely free of the synthetics prevalent in most modern scents. Each bottle comes in it's own stylish packaging for a classic look and easy gifting.

Available in 2 sizes:
Travel Size (8ml)
Standard Size (60ml)
 
 
Handcrafted in Detroit, Michigan

Through Sfumato we seek the ties between fragrance, science, flavor, and experience. Kevin is the nose of the company, blending compositions by engaging olfactory skills honed in the culinary world. Jane is the eyes, using her background in art and design to create the visual aesthetic. Breathe deeply and enjoy the unfolding.

Nijananda smells like ginger, jasmine, and sandalwood.

Ingredients:  Angelica Seed, Cistus, Ginger, Jasmine, Lime, Mimosa, Patchouli, Sandalwood, Vetiver, Yuzu
 

Sfumato Fragrances creates scents from trees, flowers, herbs, and spices. With a philosophical preference for natural ingredients, this product is completely free of the synthetics prevalent in most modern scents. Each bottle comes in it's own stylish packaging for a classic look and easy gifting.

Available in 2 sizes:
Travel Size (8ml)
Standard Size (60ml)
 
 
Handcrafted in Detroit, Michigan

Through Sfumato we seek the ties between fragrance, science, flavor, and experience. Kevin is the nose of the company, blending compositions by engaging olfactory skills honed in the culinary world. Jane is the eyes, using her background in art and design to create the visual aesthetic. Breathe deeply and enjoy the unfolding.

Siren Song smells like floral, clove, and pepper.

Ingredients:  Balsam of Peru, Benzoin, Bergamot, Black Pepper, Clove, Coffee, Coriander, Frankincense, Michelia Alba, Nutmeg, Rose, Rosewood
 

Sfumato Fragrances creates scents from trees, flowers, herbs, and spices. With a philosophical preference for natural ingredients, this product is completely free of the synthetics prevalent in most modern scents. Each bottle comes in it's own stylish packaging for a classic look and easy gifting.

Available in 2 sizes:
Travel Size (8ml)
Standard Size (60ml)
 
 
Handcrafted in Detroit, Michigan

Through Sfumato we seek the ties between fragrance, science, flavor, and experience. Kevin is the nose of the company, blending compositions by engaging olfactory skills honed in the culinary world. Jane is the eyes, using her background in art and design to create the visual aesthetic. Breathe deeply and enjoy the unfolding.

Survival Instinct smells like palo santo, anise, and earth.

Ingredients:  Anise, Atlas Cedar, Basil, Carrot, Grapefruit, Lavender, Lime, Palo Santo, Rosemary, Spikenard, Tangerine, Vetiver
 

Sfumato Fragrances creates scents from trees, flowers, herbs, and spices. With a philosophical preference for natural ingredients, this product is completely free of the synthetics prevalent in most modern scents. Each bottle comes in it's own stylish packaging for a classic look and easy gifting.

Available in 2 sizes:
Travel Size (8ml)
Standard Size (60ml)
 
 
Handcrafted in Detroit, Michigan

Through Sfumato we seek the ties between fragrance, science, flavor, and experience. Kevin is the nose of the company, blending compositions by engaging olfactory skills honed in the culinary world. Jane is the eyes, using her background in art and design to create the visual aesthetic. Breathe deeply and enjoy the unfolding.

Shimmer is the bright herbaceousness of fresh basil softened by delicate and powdery petitgrain. With a touch of black licorice, this invigorating aroma enlivens any environment.

• 9 oz
• 30 hour burn time
• 3.5 inches x 4 inches ceramic vessel
• handmade in Detroit

Ingredients:  soy wax, basil and petitgrain essential oils

Handcrafted in Detroit, Michigan

Solstice is the scent of a deep forest vale, with an evergreen freshness from the balsam fir, and a hint of rich smokiness from birch tar. The perfect scent for an escape to the great outdoors.

• 9 oz
• 30 hour burn time
• 3.5 inches x 4 inches ceramic vessel
• handmade in Detroit

Ingredients:  soy wax, fir essential oil, birch tar absolute

Handcrafted in Detroit, Michigan