Scent-sational: MiN Treats Us to a 'Journey of the Senses'

Last week, in the midst of a sudden spring downpour, a small group of editors met at MiN's Soho location for what promised to be an intriguing expedition of sensory delights. While the store's exterior could easily go unnoticed amongst the other Crosby Street boutiques, the interior was a rustic wonderland of grooming delights. The set-up was decidedly sophisticated with the room bathed in warm candlelight and various bottles in every shape, size and color imaginable lining the tables which framed a cozy lounge area complete with overstuffed leather couches and chairs and beyond that a bar with 'boys' club' vintage appeal. To the side were ceiling-high wooden shelves stocked with colognes, shampoos, soaps, shaving accouterment and the like, artfully arranged and curated with an emphasis on hard-to-find but desperately chic offerings (think stunningly crafted razors and shaving cream brushes from Taylor of Old Bond Street, and a plethora of fragrances from light and airy to robust and musky).

We were greeted in the rustic space by MiN founder Chad Murawczyk and Vice President Mindy Yang who gave us a rundown of what to expect from the evening. We were going to be treated to a "flight" of five scents and accompanying each would be a bespoke beverage by drink 'architect' Yusef Austin (who proved to be everything you'd want in a man: devilishly handsome, chatty, charismatic and knows how to pour a mean cocktail -- sadly, he's straight and taken), and a small nibble, each trio paired to highlight each others' nuances. For example, we started off inhaling whiffs of L'Artisan Parfumeur's Havana Vanille (Rum, clove, tobacco, honey, Cuban humidor) before sipping Austin's beverage (clove-infused Bourbon, Mescal, bitters) and followed by a sweet date. While we adore grooming products and know our fair share about them, we were clearly in the hands' of masters as every element -- be it drink, scent or morsel -- all played off each other in an aromatic and flavorful game of checks and balances (much like how our government should work). Each of the five pairings had their own special story and each one was a food-, drink- or product-lovers delight, yet all in incredibly different ways. By the end of the night (and the five drinks) we had succumbed to our most urbane bacchanalian urges and munched tender lamb and rich macarons, sipped drinks of Limoncino and Jasmine tea-infused Whiskey and sniffed some of the most heavenly fragrances (personal favorite? Typical Me) the world has to offer. When we finally left, the clouds had parted, ensuring a perfect coda to a beautifully mastered symphony of decadent delights.

For more information on these made-to-order events, contact levi@min.com or click here.