The Top Note | Vol. 11 — A Sacred Scent & a Soft Heart
Photo by Gantas Vaičiulėnas via Unsplash
The Top Note | Vol. 11
Community · Luxury · Art · Perfume
The Top Note is our weekly fragrance letter from The Taliaferro, released every Thursday evening. Each volume blends storytelling, fragrance education, Black cultural insight, and community connection.
Opening Note
A short note to girls that like to play in the snow:
It’s okay to play in the snow,
just as long as you don’t become like it.
dont let the temperature of this world
change the temperature of your heart
be set
determine to keep your heart soft and pure
regardless of the clouds and winds
that surround you
if you were to take just one trait from the snow
Let it be your love that covers the earth like a blanket
For you hide the heart of some
and uncover the heart of others
your presence doesn’t go unnoticed
we see you…
— a father that loves hard
Featured Fragrance: Spikenard
Spikenard — Considered one of the most sacred scents, with an archaic yet deeply spiritual background. This fragrance is earthy and nostalgic, traditionally reserved for sacred purposes.
In the Bible, it is identified as the “essence of nard” and was poured on the Lord Jesus shortly before His Passion. At the time, this scent was extremely rare and is documented in Scripture—specifically in the account of Mary—as being worth a full year’s wages.
This fragrance is not for the faint of heart; it is herbaceous, bold, and reverent in character.
Client Spotlight
“KING SPIKENARD — First off thank you sir for an excellent presentation on this juice! From what I've heard spikenard is very earthy and can be pungent. However, this fragrance has been blended extremely well! It's still earthy in the beginning, but the drydown is something I've never smelled before. It's a mix of that earthiness and a bit woodsy. I love this fragrance and will be getting another bottle of this along with The Woods. My favorite scent profiles does contain woody, earthy, smoky, leathery, and forest-like tones. Finally, it's an honor to support your goals and dreams with this business! You're producing quality products and service! Hopefully we'll see you in commercials and billboards someday! Love and light brother.”
— Phil
The Blend — The Cost of Spikenard
In ancient times, harvesting true spikenard was dangerous and costly. The plant grows in the Himalayan regions of India and Nepal, often at elevations exceeding 10,000 feet.
Harvesters endured treacherous terrain, extreme cold, and long trade routes stretching across continents. Once prepared, the oil traveled thousands of miles before reaching the Middle East and Mediterranean regions.
When Mary poured spikenard on Jesus, it was not simply perfume — it was sacrifice, reverence, and love made tangible.
Community Connection
Shout out to @MrCologne76, one of our beloved fragrance community members.
@MrCologne76 is the founder of Black Owned Fragrance Week, an annual initiative created to celebrate, inspire, and spotlight Black-owned fragrance brands.
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Follow @MrCologne76 →
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Black Owned Fragrance Week →
Closing Note
“Goodbye loneliness… now that joy has taken over.”
— Blackstreet, “Joy”
May your heart remain soft, your love remain pure,
and your presence continue to warm every room you enter.
— The Taliaferro Family
Want to explore past issues of The Top Note? View the Top Note Archives →