Why candles & perfumes? Why Words & Whiskey? Why us?
Here at Words & Whiskey, we pride ourselves on the development of scents and aromas that transport you to another world, another place in time, or simply to enable certain feelings.
As much as we love the thought of reigning in Dracula's mighty castle or bartenders flinging fiery cocktails in Mexico; some times we just want to go back... Back to a time when we were children and the scent of nan's baking or dad's cologne filled the air. Back to a time we wish we had more of. Some times (all the time) we want to feel less anxious while we surround ourselves in a floral bubble bath.
Rest assured that each small batch offering will be the magic carpet to your chosen destination. Whatever and wherever that may be.
"So, why Words & Whiskey?"
The owners, realised that the massive candle & fragrance market didn't quite match our personal passion for what these other companies were selling. The market is filled with great smelling products... but very few people actually care about what they're creating. So after years of wanting to be in the candle supply business, we just did it. We took steps to start our own candle business which has since evolved into a complete fragrance company.
The Whiskey side of things comes in with Owner J. who makes his living selling and educating people on different types of alcohol. He had this to say about W&W:
"Like every family, growing up I was surrounded by the aromas of life.
If it wasn’t a diffuser or a candle throwing around different scents, it was nan’s cooking, dad’s cologne, my sister’s soaps. I was constantly in the presence of something that now brings back moments in time.
Moments loved, and lost.
I’ve also found myself describing sensory experiences for half a decade.
As my hobby of drinking quality spirits turned into a profession, I am put in daily circumstances of explaining certain beverages to people. This helps them to understand what goes into some of the finest drams around and what unique qualities are selected to give you a specific mouthfeel, a certain finish, a curated experience. It’s not about shooting vodka at the bar; my job is to make you understand every detail that makes distilling, an age-old art form, present in modern society
And that’s why it’s Words & Whiskey. Not only is the alliteration pleasant but it connects me to the brand with my ever-growing love for the spirit that started it all.
Thanks to the experience representing world renowned and locally respected brands, I’m able to bring my sensory skills into play to help develop something that takes you places"
The Words aspect comes in with previous Co-Owner A. who has spent years teaching children of all ages the beauty of literature as an English teacher. While A. is no longer with the business, Words & Whiskey would not be where it is without her. Her influence and commitment to the brand is highly respected as she helped pave the way with patience and an open mind.
A. had this to say about what W&W meant to her:
"Ever since I could read, I would immerse myself in the wonderful books and stories around me. As a young child, I was painfully shy and introverted, to the point of that some adults asked my mum if I was a mute or couldn’t talk. Although I have definitely branched out since then; I still am a shy and introverted human. The ‘classic’ kind of personality that runs to the fantastic worlds, unspeakable horrors or glorious adventures that books offer, rather than facing the real world. Although, the real world seems to be doing a pretty bang up job with the unspeakable horrors as of late.
My love of literature and stories has been a constant in my life. This is even reflected in my profession as an English teacher. Pardon the cliche but words are my bread and butter.
I often feel overcome with reverence when I stop and consider the existence of books. Or rather these portals into another time, place or headspace. How lucky are we, that we have the opportunity to consume the musings of humans long gone, as well as those emerging.
With that in mind, I think that is why candles were such a fitting token to accompany an appreciation of words. Symbolically, much like stories, candles serve as an illumination of our experience of being human."
As a final note - every release is an ongoing dedication to J's little sister, Jenna.
She was a sucker for a good candle and a bookworm to say the least. Give her the choice of going out to a party OR curling up with a cup of tea and an old book in bed, and I bet you can imagine what she would choose.
J would bring home new candles for himself or as a present for Jenna and she would instantly snatch them off him, crack the lid, bury her nose into the wax and breathe a deep breath of the chosen aroma. It's safe to say that an eye roll would follow with anything that was related to sweets, cake or anything gourmand. So in memory of a life taken far too young due to cancer, we continue for her, we create for her, we live for her.
Jenna owns more of Words & Whiskey than anyone else; And it is with her in mind that we construct something she would be proud of.
(We miss and love you so much Jen)
If you would love to know more about the brand, please don't hesitate to send us an email or reach out on our socials below.