The Story
Why it exists.
The beginning
That 70's Smell Botanical Perfume was released in 2010, with a composition credited to Amanda Feeley. The name points toward the visual memory of the 1970s, but the documented scent story is more atmospheric than literal: a pleasant memory of days gone by, vivid in feeling and strangely indistinct in detail. Its notes support that reading. Bergamot catches the light first, while rose, geranium, and lavender bring a polished floral register. Beneath them sit vetiver, galbanum, incense, sandalwood, nutmeg, and frankincense, giving the composition an earthy, smoky weight. Nothing more specific about the perfumer's inspiration is documented, so the honest reading is simple: this is a period-inspired fragrance built around recollection rather than reconstruction.
The interesting part is how its materials pull against one another. Bergamot supplies clean shine, while rose and geranium add a slightly formal, vintage politeness. Lavender softens that polish. Underneath, galbanum brings a sharp green edge, vetiver roots the composition in damp soil, and incense introduces resinous smoke. Sandalwood gives it a smooth center, but nutmeg keeps the result from becoming too neat. Frankincense deepens the dry, sacred quality already suggested by incense. Together, these notes make the fragrance feel composed yet unsettled, like an old photograph that feels familiar before you can explain why.
The evolution
The opening begins with bergamot's polished brightness, clean and almost immaculate, before galbanum and geranium introduce a greener, more angular energy. The citrus softens as the composition settles, while rose and lavender lend a floral, gently herbal character that feels dressed rather than casual. Together, they create a polished surface with deeper green shadows, setting up the transition from fresh garden air to something warmer and more atmospheric. Incense rises through the middle, carrying the scent away from brightness and toward a resinous, smoky depth. Its dry, incense-like character gives the composition a faintly ceremonial quality without becoming stark or heavily shadowed. Nutmeg adds warmth and spice, but the effect remains restrained rather than overtly sweet. As these elements recede, vetiver, sandalwood, and frankincense form the backbone of the drydown.
Cultural impact
That 70's Smell Botanical Perfume offers a distinctive way to explore fragrance as an atmosphere rather than a simple statement of scent. Bergamot brings a clean opening, while galbanum and geranium introduce sharper green notes. Rose and lavender add a soft floral layer, and incense shifts the composition toward dry smoke and resin. Nutmeg contributes warmth before vetiver, sandalwood, and frankincense settle into an earthy, woody close. Together, these notes create a personal mood of polished brightness, greenery, floral texture, and quiet smoke, inviting discovery without relying on nostalgia as a costume.
The House
Esscentual AlchemyEsscentual Alchemy crafts small‑batch botanical perfumes that blend natural essences with carefully selected aroma molecules. Since its first releases in 2010, the house has built a catalogue that includes The World (2011), Chocolate Hazelnut Twist (2010), Kama (2010), That 70's Smell (2010), Autumn Spice (2010), Purple Orchid (2010), Pro Fond (2015), Prata Viridi (2010), Dvora (2011) and Poir Indiscrète (2017). Each scent is presented in a minimalist bottle that lets the fragrance speak for itself, inviting wearers to explore memory, place and feeling through scent.
The Creator
Amanda FeeleyAmanda favors a minimalist palette, often starting with a single botanical note and building around it. She prefers absolutes of rose, jasmine, and orange blossom, paired with essential oils of bergamot, cedarwood, and sandalwood.
