The Top Note | Vol. 9 — Fragrance of Family
Photo by Shot by Sarai via Unsplash
The Top Note | Vol. 9 — Fragrance of Family
Community · Luxury · Art · Perfume
Welcome back to The Top Note — your weekly fragrance letter from The Taliaferro, sent every Thursday evening. This week, we’re exploring family, legacy, and a Juneteenth scent with a powerful message.
Opening Note
In the kitchen, many things happen.
Relationships blossom — and are repaired.
Recipes are written — and remembered.
Laughter is heard,
tears are sown.
Hugs are given,
fears are known.
Yams are cooking,
macaroni is popping,
Grandma is looking,
Auntie is mopping.
Grandpa enters —
favorite seat in the corner.
Uncle leaves —
he’ll be sober in the morning.
Thanksgiving.
A time to celebrate moments of laughter
and minutes of presence.
Don’t take the moments
or the minutes for granted.
With all the different scents floating through the kitchen,
never forget the fragrance… of… family.
Featured Fragrance: Amen
Amen — this fragrance from our Juneteenth Collection was inspired by an inspirational conversation with Travaulya, a fragrance influencer based out of the Tri-State Area.
She was asked what came to mind when she thought of a scent named Amen, and she mentioned something like: “lively, earthy, and green.”
This fragrance is the fruit of an engaging conversation around Black unity and what cultural support looks like.
All we could say at the end of that conversation — with all the high energy and love shared — was “Amen.”
Client Spotlight
Feedback via @thescentedrx_ on Instagram:
“Amen, the newest creation by The Taliaferro and latest addition to their Juneteenth Collection, might just be my favorite fragrance from this house.
Amen is deep, pronounced, and unapologetically bold. This isn’t a skin scent — it fills the room and lingers, leaving behind warmth, richness, and intention.
Right away, I get a thick, resinous, floral honey note — sweet but not juvenile — layered with a hint of salt that gives it lift and dimension. A touch of creaminess softens the edges, while a rum-like boozy nuance brings a warm, resinous depth that anchors everything beautifully.
The official listed notes are milk, honeycomb, and olive leaf, but this scent speaks louder than its listed ingredients. It smells like arrival. Like promise fulfilled.
It reminds me of the biblical weight of the word Amen — not just ‘so be it,’ but ‘it is so.’ To decree and declare truth, completion, and confidence in what God has said and done.
‘For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.’ — 2 Corinthians 1:20
This is a fragrance of presence, peace, and certainty — a benediction you wear on your skin.”
📲 Read her full review on Instagram →
The Blend — Black History in Fragrance
Most people know Augustus Jackson as the “Father of Ice Cream,” but his story has an unexpected connection to the fragrance world.
In the 1800s, Jackson created dessert bases using vanilla, citrus oils, cocoa, nutmeg, and spices — the same aromatic profiles that would later inspire modern gourmand perfumery.
His innovations helped define the sweet, creamy, comforting aroma combinations that shape scent memories today. It’s a reminder that Black hands have shaped the aroma world in ways far beyond bottled perfume.
Fragrance is history — and sometimes, it smells like something sweet.
Community Connection
Special shout-out to Kelsee and Chelsea of The Bosses of Beauty Podcast!
We wanted to take a moment to thank these wonderful ladies for interviewing our founder, HT.
He was able to share his heart and passion for fragrance, faith, and family.
The conversation was both engaging and inspirational.
🎧 Watch the podcast interview →
Closing Note
“So come with me and share the view,
I’ll help you see forever too…”
— George Benson, “Nothing’s Gonna Change My Love for You”
May your home be warm, your heart be steady, and your fragrance be unforgettable.
— The Taliaferro Family
Want to read more issues of The Top Note? Browse all volumes in the archive →