Issue #992 Thu 28 May
Strands hints — May 28, 2026
A steady, methodical path through the grid awaits today. You will find this one rewards a patient eye and a calm hand.
Theme 3 reveals
Today's theme
You walk past a stranger on the subway and are suddenly pulled back to a summer evening ten years ago.
Personal grooming and liquid notes
OLFACTORY COMPOSITIONS
Spangram 4 nudges · 9 letters
The connector word
Single word noun
9 letters.
Starts with F, ends with E.
FRAGRANCE
Group hint 1 reveal
Show all starting letters
Starting letters
- 1 B (8 letters)
- 2 J (7 letters)
- 3 M (4 letters)
- 4 N (6 letters)
- 5 P (4 letters)
- 6 S (10 letters)
Group hint 1 reveal
Show the first two letters of each
First two letters
- 1 BE (8 letters)
- 2 JA (7 letters)
- 3 MU (4 letters)
- 4 NE (6 letters)
- 5 PE (4 letters)
- 6 SA (10 letters)
Theme word 1 of 6 5 nudges · 8 letters
A theme word
This citrus fruit is the distinct, sharp signature of a classic Earl Grey tea.
8 letters.
Starts with B.
Starts with BE.
BERGAMOT
Theme word 2 of 6 5 nudges · 7 letters
A theme word
A small, white flower that blooms at night and releases its heaviest sweetness after dusk.
7 letters.
Starts with J.
Starts with JA.
JASMINE
Theme word 3 of 6 5 nudges · 4 letters
A theme word
An earthy, animalistic base note that anchors a blend and lingers longest on the skin.
4 letters.
Starts with M.
Starts with MU.
MUSK
Theme word 4 of 6 5 nudges · 6 letters
A theme word
The essential oil extracted from the blossoms of the bitter orange tree.
6 letters.
Starts with N.
Starts with NE.
NEROLI
Theme word 5 of 6 5 nudges · 4 letters
A theme word
A crisp, orchard fruit whose juice adds a clean, watery sweetness to a top note.
4 letters.
Starts with P.
Starts with PE.
PEAR
Theme word 6 of 6 5 nudges · 10 letters
A theme word
This creamy, woody base note is prized by perfumers for its smooth, milky longevity on the skin.
10 letters.
Starts with S.
Starts with SA.
SANDALWOOD