We are two-thirds of the way through a rather turbulent year, and for obvious reasons, it’s been a little challenging to get into stores and sample everything I’ve wanted to test. For that reason, my sample wishlist is never-ending. Though, I could probably say that in any given year. I looked back at my post from earlier in the year, January 2nd, and noticed that I had ticked off a couple of my wishes, but not all. Chanel still hasn’t released a new pillar for men, but they have given us a new Les Exclusifs in Le Lion that I’d love to sample. Le Lion has been compared with Coromandel and Shalimar, leaving me intrigued. It’s had a limited release so far and is slated for a worldwide release early next year.
I haven’t sampled enough new designer’s this year to get much of a grasp on whether they’ve lifted their game and released more daring fare. Despite the ridiculous bottle, I’ve heard that Moschino’s Toy Boy is a spicy rose well worth checking out. Tom Ford’s modern-day fougere, Beau de Jour, was a welcome return to form for the brand.
Not the way I would’ve drawn it up, but with the advent of COVID there was a marked slowdown in new releases. I partly ticked off my fourth wish. I still need to try all the new Comme des Garcons releases. I did delve into Rogue, Nishane, and Bruno Fazzolari with greater gusto, found them all to have some excellent high-quality offerings, but ultimately not enough to warrant a full bottle purchase. Finally, readers of the blog will know I picked up a great new book earlier this year, The Essence – Discovering the World of Scent, Perfume & Fragrance, thus fulfilling my fifth wish for some great new perfume reads.
So with only four months left, what else am I looking forward to trying? Serge Lutens recently released a new jasmine scent that’s high on the try list. My Instagram friend, Tete @niche_rare_fragrances, already has a bottle and speaks very highly of it. Tete has excellent taste, and anything new by Serge Lutens is worth a try. Guerlain has just released a new iris as part of their L’Art et la Matiere collection. Iris Torrefie by Delphine Jelk features iris, coffee, leather, and vanilla, and to say I’m highly anticipating sampling would be an understatement.
Another one my friend, Tete, picked up was Rouge Saray from Atelier des Ors. The mix of dates, plum, and cinnamon seems divine. It’s on my list too.
New Amouage and Frederic Malle releases are on the horizon. They are always worth my time, and I have to sample Zoologist’s new one, Koala, as an Australian perfume blogger.
I’ve tried a few scents from Carolina Herrera’s high-end collection and been very impressed. Iris Empire has just been announced, and the note breakdown has me excited. Iris, chocolate, davana, cinnamon, and leather. Sounds positively wonderful. We shall see. Love the bottle too.
What’s on your wishlist?
Note: Bottle images courtesy of Fragrantica
Great list! I am sure you will love Rouge Saray! Regarding Fils de Joie, I guess you will find it too feminine for you to wear, it’s a floral beast!
I am also curious to try tue new Chanel!
Thanks for reading and commenting, Tetê. Let’s see when we get the new Serge in Australia.
Lots of goodies here, Daniel. I’m really looking forward to the new Chanel Le Lion. Speaking of Chanel, there’s also the new Coco Mademoiselle L’Eau Privee for bedtime. Many of us wear perfumes for this purpose already, but this is being specifically marketed as one. Clever…
Thanks for reading and commenting, Rich. Yes, very clever idea from Chanel. I need to try that one too.