Category: First Impressions

New fragrance impressions

First Impressions – Gallivant, Zoologist, Nishane, Kerzon, Choix

Gallivant - Los Angeles * - Earlier this year I wrote a blog article on Gallivant's initial 7 releases. My favourite was the black tea and vetiver combo in Berlin. Their latest, paying homage to the City of Angels may just be my new favourite. The opening is a bright, almost candied pineapple, mixed with … Continue reading First Impressions – Gallivant, Zoologist, Nishane, Kerzon, Choix →

First Impressions – Montale, Mancera, Parfums De Marly, Kilian, Maison Trudon

Montale - Sensual Instinct - A slight resemblance to BR540 from MFK, but very slight. It hints also at one of Montale's best sellers, Intense Cafe. Sensual Instinct is a rich, creamy gourmand from Montale with notes of Praline, rose, coffee, with a sweet amber, woody dry down. Fans of Intense Cafe should enjoy this … Continue reading First Impressions – Montale, Mancera, Parfums De Marly, Kilian, Maison Trudon →

First Impressions – Jul et Mad, Maison Sybarite, Parfums Dusita, Floris

Jul et Mad - Stairway to Heaven* - A cold, cloudy fragrance of aldehydes, red berries and musk's that evokes Mure et Musc from L'Artisan Parfumeur minus the luminous blackberry note. Does a reasonable job convincing the wearer of its inspiration of hiking through the mountainous Himalayas. Doesn't seem quite as approachable as the blackberry … Continue reading First Impressions – Jul et Mad, Maison Sybarite, Parfums Dusita, Floris →

First Impressions – Bottega Veneta, Dolce and Gabbana, Davidoff, 100 Bon, Jimmy Choo, Tiffany and Co, Hermes

Bottega Veneta - Illusione for Him - Bottega Veneta has an enviable back catalogue of fragrances that I place high on the designer pedestal so Illusione had a lot to live up to, and does it? Well not quite. It isn't as bad as what I've read online, but it is a fairly redundant release … Continue reading First Impressions – Bottega Veneta, Dolce and Gabbana, Davidoff, 100 Bon, Jimmy Choo, Tiffany and Co, Hermes →

First Impressions – Nishane, Tauer, Teo Cabanel, Strangers Parfumerie, Liquides Imaginaires, Note di Profumum

Nishane - Ambra Calabria* - I've not encountered anything by this Turkish house I've at least not liked. Ambra Calabria is no exception. A green, citrus scent with a wonderful sweet amber and vanilla dry down. The sweet notes never become cloying and the fresh green notes combine with the citrus (bergamot) at the top … Continue reading First Impressions – Nishane, Tauer, Teo Cabanel, Strangers Parfumerie, Liquides Imaginaires, Note di Profumum →

First Impressions – Costume National

Italian fashion house Costume National recently released two new fragrances onto the market. The fragrances named, I and J are intended to explore the balance between the fashion cultures of Italy and Japan. I managed to get my hands on a couple of samples. Below are my first impressions. Costume National I - Julien Rasquinet … Continue reading First Impressions – Costume National →

First Impressions – Dior, Maison Martin Margiela, Lubin, BDK Parfums

Dior - Spice Blend* - The latest edition to the Maison Christian Dior Line is Spice Blend. A fragrance designed to evoke / recall the sensation of bay rum lotion. The cinnamon, spicy, rum, bay leaf blend is true to its name and description. It smells great and is more of a return to form … Continue reading First Impressions – Dior, Maison Martin Margiela, Lubin, BDK Parfums →

First Impressions – Penhaligon’s, Jean Paul Gaultier

Penhaligon's - Heartless Helen* - I honestly feel Penhaligon's are investing much more time and money into the bottles of this "Portraits Collection" than they are the fragrances themselves. There are only three notes listed for Heartless Helen, mandarin in the top, tuberose in the mid and creamy woods in the base. It's a sparse … Continue reading First Impressions – Penhaligon’s, Jean Paul Gaultier →