Lord's Jester Creations are Heaven-Scent

It was a love story that first brought Adam Gottschalk to Land O’ Lakes as child.

Specifically, his father, Peter’s, love story.

Recently divorced, his father came to the area on a business trip about 35 years ago. And before he returned home to Manhattan, he’d met the woman who later became his wife—a woman who means the world to his father, Gottschalk said.

Fast forward to 2006: Diagnosed with multiple sclerosis six years before, Gottschalk discovered something that changed his own life, setting in motion a love of a different kind.

It was a book that sparked Gottschalk's passion: Perfume by Patrick Suskind. He became fascinated by the natural perfume industry; a small, specialized market since the introduction of Chanel No. 5 in 1921, which marked a transition from natural to synthetic perfumes, Gottschalk said.

Before the success of Chanel No. 5, all perfumes were made from natural ingredients, using a variety of processes. But the introduction of lower-priced synthetic ingredients made the transition a financial “no-brainer” for most in the industry, Gottschalk said.

It was a dying art, of sorts; an art that Gottschalk would make his own.

He spent the next three years studying the old processes of natural perfumers.

He wasn't all that sure of himself at first, he said. But "I kept creating perfumes, and I got better and better at it,” Gottschalk said.

And by 2009, Gottschalk felt he had mastered his craft. “Through years of practice, trial and error, by then I knew what worked.”

He became a certified professional member of the Natural Perfumers Guild. And in 2009, Gottschalk founded Lord’s Jester in Manhattan, a small, independent perfume house that creates “sensual, unisex” scents from all-natural ingredients.

The scent of synthetic perfume is overwhelming, Gottschalk said. “Natural perfume, you have to hug or kiss somebody to smell it.”

The name of the company comes from Gottschalk, which means “God’s Jester” in German, according to the company’s website.

“I call all my perfumes by the names of Greek gods,” Gottschalk said.  

And the heavenly connection doesn’t end there. Perfume connoisseurs take it a step further, calling his creations “divine.” 

Gottschalk moved the Lord’s Jester studio from Manhattan to Land O’ Lakes about 8 months ago to be closer to his family, he said.

“I spent a lot of time here when I was young,” Gottschalk said. “I love it here.”

And since making the move, he has embarked on a new project, designing two new scents, Daphne and Anthea. Both are perfume extracts—a first for the indie perfumer. 

Extracts are super-concentrated, Gottschalk said. “I thought these would be great for Valentine’s Day because they’re very romantic in their intensity—really sensual.”

And beyond the creations Gottschalk already has formulated, the company also offers custom scents.

“A custom perfume is really meant for only that one person,” Gottschalk said. “The formula is secret.”

A custom design starts at $350. Gottschalk sends dilutions of 18 essences, gets feedback from the client, and then sends six more. He takes the feedback—“what you liked and why”—and creates a formula.

“I usually get it right the first time,” Gottschalk said.

Shop for Lord's Jester perfumes online. Sample packages and custom orders also are available.

Editor's note: Mr. Gottschalk was kind enough to allow me to sample several of his perfumes. I am not a perfume fan. I get cranky, sniffly and sneezy when I can smell it. But I have alternated between Ares and Daphne for the past few days, and I pretend to rub my nose with my forearm just so I can catch a whiff. Today I sprayed it in my hair, because that's a bit more discreet than constantly sniffing my own arm. It's sublime. Sexy. Sophisticated. (Sniffing my own arm—not sophisticated.)

I'm hooked. And I haven't even tried the others yet.