The Story
Why it exists.
The beginning
Apres captures that specific moment after coming in from the cold, the lodge door closing, warmth spreading, the scent of winter air mingling with worn leather. Ellis Brooklyn's Bee Shapiro wanted to bottle the contrast: alpine air outside, bourbon warmth inside. Perfumer Frank Voelkl built it around that duality, bright opening notes evoking the first breath of cold air, then bourbon's honeyed heat and cedar's depth settling in. The result is a winter scent that feels lived-in, not aspirational.
Bourbon whiskey in a fragrance is a bold move, it can tip into novelty if not handled carefully. Here, it works because it's not just alcohol. It's the spirit's sweetness, its oak influence, the warmth of something that's been aged. Combined with suede (worn leather, a lodge jacket's softness), it creates texture rather than just smell. Praline adds sweetness that doesn't overpower, and violet keeps the heart graceful. The combination of bourbon, praline, and suede is distinctive enough to make this stand out in the crowded winter fragrance space.
The evolution
The opening is bright and bracing, cardamom and juniper with saffron's spice, reading like cold air and the first breath after stepping outside. Thirty minutes in, the bourbon arrives and with it the warmth. Suede and guaiac wood settle in, adding texture. By the second hour, it's vanilla, sandalwood, and cedar wrapping warm and close. The drydown is intimate, clinging to skin and clothes long after you've forgotten you're wearing it, lasting well into the next day on fabric.
Cultural impact
Apres fills a specific niche: winter fragrances that feel cozy without being heavy. The bourbon and praline combination gives it distinctive character in a crowded seasonal category. Wearers describe it as the scent of someone who walks in from the cold and brings the lodge with them, not loud, but unmistakably present. It's become a quiet favorite among those who want winter warmth without the typical spiced-mulled-wine overload.
