The Story
Why it exists.
The beginning
DeMer Parfum Limited, founded in San Diego in 2020, releases limited edition scents that read like short stories, each crafted by perfumer Deric Metzger. For Wayward Labdanum, Metzger was drawn to labdanum as a material that carries contradictions. It is resinous and ancient, often associated with sacred use, but it also possesses a honeyed sweetness that makes it surprisingly approachable. Rather than building a conventional opening that sets up the heart, Metzger chose to let Labdanum speak immediately, treating the entire lifespan of the fragrance as a sustained exploration of this material's character.
The choice to build a fragrance around Labdanum as the primary material reflects Metzger's broader philosophy: work with materials that have something to say and give them room to say it. In Wayward Labdanum, Labdanum is not one note among many. It is the voice of the fragrance. The supporting materials, from the bright White Grapefruit to the smoky Vetiver and the mineral Carrot Seed, are there to contextualize Labdanum's character, revealing different facets of it across the wear. The pairing of Labdanum with Myrrh, Cypriol and Oakmoss creates a structure that feels simultaneously warm and austere, ancient and contemporary.
The evolution
Wayward Labdanum begins without preamble. White Grapefruit appears briefly, a clean citrus note that passes like a flash of light across a dark surface before the deeper materials take over. Labdanum and Myrrh arrive together, their resinous warmth arriving in full force within the first minutes and remaining dominant for hours. Cypriol adds a faint smoky spice, while Sandalwood softens the edges. As the fragrance develops, Vetiver and Oakmoss emerge more clearly, introducing an earthy, dry quality that grounds the sweetness of the labdanum. Sage and Carrot Seed remain quiet contributors throughout, adding herbal and mineral complexity that prevents the composition from becoming too heavy. The drydown, arriving after several hours, sees the citrus gone entirely, with Vetiver and Sandalwood remaining as the primary impression, warm, dry, and intimate.
Cultural impact
Since its 2023 debut, Wayward Labdanum has found a niche among collectors who prize unconventional resin‑forward scents. Wearers often describe it as the perfume of a quiet wanderer, a scent that feels at home beside DeMer’s other literary‑inspired releases like Smoked Velvet and Vellichor Geist. Its blend of citrus and deep amber makes it a favorite for fall evenings, earning quiet nods in niche forums and modest buzz on social media.
