Castalia at Sfumato

Taste and smell are far more intertwined then most people realize. The sensation of flavor is actually a combination of taste and smell. In fact, without that interplay of taste and smell, you wouldn't be able to grasp complex flavors. If you don't believe us, hold your nose and start chewing a jelly bean, your taste will be very limited, but as soon as stop holding your nose you will immediately be able to recognize the flavor. When you are chewing, you are forcing air through your nasal passages and this air carries the smell of food and helps you identify and enjoy what you are tasting. Local Detroit perfumer Castalia knows how intertwined taste and smell are, so they decided to create an experience that would ignite both at the same time.

Castalia has created a one of a kind cocktail experience that pairs their unique scents created from trees, flowers, herbs, and spices with spirits that they have created to compliment each of their smells. That means that their drinks are meant to tickle your sense of smell, taste, and sight. For my first visit, I decided to try the Requiem for a Chupacabra, a cocktail that features reposado tequila, gentian liqueur, sweet vermouth, and absinthe. This drink was paired with the scent Survival Instinct, a scent which features Anise, Atlas Cedar, Basil, Carrot, Grapefruit, Lavender, Lime, Palo Santo, Rosemary, Spikenard, Tangerine, Vetiver. I loved the cocktail and the smell and immediately understood why someone would enjoy this type of experience. It was less like drinking at a bar and more like indulging in a treat. My only regret was that the drink was so strong that I couldn't enjoy another one.

The bar is small and only fits a few tables worth of guests at a time and the service is outstanding. There are books and small items for sale, including all of Sfumato's signature scents. If you like what you have with your drink, you can purchase it before you leave the bar. There is something magical about being inside a bar that smells so delightful, so it's worth stopping in just to be inside a space that smells so sensational while you have a drink. Castalia is open 6 p.m. until midnight Wednesday through Saturday and Sfumato is open Wednesday-Sunday from noon - 6 p.m. if you're just interested in finding a new fragrance. We highly recommend stopping in here the next time you want to try something different or impress a date. It's not just a bar, it's a sensory experience.

~S