Earlier this month, Mumbai’s beauty insiders woke up to some pleasant news: the launch of M. Micallef’s latest artisanal fragrance, GnTonic. Given that the maison has had a successful run for the past 25 years, it comes as no surprise to note how excitement levels piqued. What followed shortly was a bevy of connoisseurs and writers thronging to Colaba’s Neuma to get a whiff of what awaited…

With its name derived from the initials of Geoffrey Nejman, head mixologist for M.Micallef perfumes, GnTonic opens with bright notes of citrus, mint, and ginger. The woody and amber base leaves the elixir with a youthful, feel-good aura, hence making it a versatile fragrance for people across ages. In a candid chat, perfumer-couple Martine Micallef and Geoffrey Nejman share the inside story with us.

What has been the inspiration behind the fragrance?

GN: I told my wife Martine that my favourite drink is Gin and Tonic, and I’d like to conjure up a fragrance that comprises the same set of ingredients that go into my drink—lime, mint, bitter orange ginger, and a secret ingredient that lends a refreshing flavour of tonic water to the fragrance. The finalisation of the fragrance took about six months to complete. That’s the story.

What are the highlights of GnTonic?

GN: The idea is “anytime anywhere”. So whether you’re in Grasse, Milan, Bombay, Delhi, or Hong Kong, this spritz works for any place at any time. We’d like to believe that the fragrance has a fresh and youthful energy to it. Also, to say, this is an artisanal offering. It is handmade, and there certainly aren’t going to be a million bottles of it. We have attached any labels to it, meaning, GnTonic wasn’t made strictly for men or women. The fragrance is versatile and solely depends on the wearer’s choice.The spritz is good for ages across the spectrum: 22 to 77. (7 because it has always been my lucky number.) My wife has helmed the aesthetic part of GnTonic, while I’ve focussed on developing the notes of the fragrance, as I have a nose for it.

How does one pick the right fragrance?

GN: It’s a very difficult question as a fragrance is a personal choice. We can only recommend and advice you by looking into your eyes. It always gives us some insights into your personality, and we are usually right.

How best would you describe the fragrance?

MM: Fresh, yummy, and a whiff of happiness. We’d leave the rest for you to discover.