Bienaimé – Vesprée – Everything Old Is New Again

Ah yeah. That hits the spot! In my last post, I discussed Nordic Fougère, the fougère that really wasn't a fougère. Dunhill Signature Collection – Nordic Fougère and Egyptian Smoke – Decent Value. Today's scent rights the ship. I can tell immediately I'm going to enjoy Vesprée, Bienaimé's latest launch for men. This dark composition … Continue reading Bienaimé – Vesprée – Everything Old Is New Again →

Dunhill Signature Collection – Nordic Fougere and Egyptian Smoke – Decent Value

Dunhill Nordic Fougère. Notes: Top - basil, cardamom, black pepper. Middle - bamboo leaf, kumquat, geranium. Base - vanilla, sandalwood, patchouli. I had never tried Dunhill's higher-end line (Dunhill Signature Collection) until I sampled Nordic Fougère. Strictly speaking, I'm not entirely convinced it qualifies as a traditional fougère. However, a couple of elements hint at that category. Primarily, the … Continue reading Dunhill Signature Collection – Nordic Fougere and Egyptian Smoke – Decent Value →

Floraïku – Flying South – Not So Good, Al

I have never sampled anything from Floraïku. The brand comes to us from the creators of Memo Paris. They've been around since 2017 and have many perfumes to their credit - a whopping 39 according to Parfumo, not counting the hair mists. Their perfumes are inspired by poetry (haiku) and Asian culture. I've heard good … Continue reading Floraïku – Flying South – Not So Good, Al →

Guerlain – Tobacco Honey – Too Much Honey, Too Much Money

I never intended to order a sample of Tobacco Honey from eBay. Last year, while perusing the site, I came across a sample of Vétiver Fauve for sale. Knowing that this fragrance line is particularly difficult to find in Australia, I ordered the sample and had it sent to my sister's apartment. Imagine my horror … Continue reading Guerlain – Tobacco Honey – Too Much Honey, Too Much Money →

Atelier Materi – Black Oregano – The Best Of The Materi Extraits

Black Oregano, the latest extrait in Atelier Materi's portfolio, stands out as the most compelling to date. As per the previous three Atelier Materi – Extraits – Essentially More Of The Same, it's signed by Céline Perdriel. Right from the start, I pick up on the scent of leather, which gives the impression of dark … Continue reading Atelier Materi – Black Oregano – The Best Of The Materi Extraits →

Frédéric Malle – Contre-Jour – Ménardo’s First For The Brand

I don't get nearly as excited for a Frédéric Malle scent as I used to. Their lackluster recent releases (Uncut Gem, Acne Studios, etc.) and the departure of the brand's editor have further dampened my enthusiasm. The thrill is gone, as BB King would say. Well, not quite. My ears pricked up when I heard … Continue reading Frédéric Malle – Contre-Jour – Ménardo’s First For The Brand →

Mabelle O’Rama – Two Out Of Three Ain’t Bad

I think Phoenix Flame rises above the others in the range. Last year, while I was preparing my Indigo Perfumery sample order for my sister to bring back from New York to Australia, I decided to add a trio of perfumes from Mabelle O'Rama to my cart on a whim. I took a flyer on … Continue reading Mabelle O’Rama – Two Out Of Three Ain’t Bad →

Parfums MDCI – Vetyver Messager – Vetiver In A New Light?

Over the years, Parfums MDCI has slipped from my stream of consciousness and completely fallen off my radar. They made such a rollicking entrance when they debuted over 20 years ago. Their Chypre, their amber, and most notably, Invasion Barbare won the hearts of discerning perfume lovers all over the world. However, for various reasons—most … Continue reading Parfums MDCI – Vetyver Messager – Vetiver In A New Light? →

Manos Gerakinis – Sillage X – A Fitting Way To Celebrate

Sillage X is a well-crafted fragrance from the Greek brand Manos Gerakinis, released in 2024 to commemorate the company's 10th anniversary. I've noticed this refined, thoughtful approach in a few of their other releases as well, and I believe they're one of the few brands truly worth exploring. Rather than chasing trends or releasing thousands of … Continue reading Manos Gerakinis – Sillage X – A Fitting Way To Celebrate →

Hermes – Musc Pallida – Float Away On A Hermes Cloud

Have you ever experienced the dream of soaring through the air while floating on the clouds? It symbolises breaking free from all your worries, suggesting a sense of contentment. Surprisingly, it's quite a common dream. Musc Pallida, the new edition to the Hermessence collection, embodies the sensation of floating into the wide blue yonder —unshackled, … Continue reading Hermes – Musc Pallida – Float Away On A Hermes Cloud →