In the 16th century, tanners used to scent chamois with essences of flowers, herbs and fruits and as a final step smear it with civet and musk. It is said by some, probably with a certain degree of truth, that Peau d’Espagne is of all perfumes that which most nearly approaches the odor of a woman’s skin.

In August 2006 Burr became the perfume critic of The New York Times. His column, Scent Notes, appears in T, The New York Times’ style magazine.

Luca Turin on the Science of Scent.