First Impressions – Mizensir

Mizensir - Incensum - Dry, woody leather with incense, and a fresh touch of ginger giving the fragrance a zing. Fans of Gucci Guilty Absolute, Jo Malone Bronze Wood and Leather and Comme des Garcons Avignon should be drawn to this one. It certainly isn't as smoky as Avignon, and it's a little more subtle … Continue reading First Impressions – Mizensir →

First Impressions – Akro

Akro is the brainchild of Master Perfumer Olivier Cresp, his daughter Anais and her West London partner Jack Miskelly. The brand was founded in London and has six scents in their collection, centred around addiction and vices ranging from drinking to smoking to caffeine. Olivier Cresp is the author of some of my favourite scents, … Continue reading First Impressions – Akro →

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 – Frederic Malle, Le Labo

Frederic Malle and Le Labo are two of the largest, most well-known niche houses in the game. When they release a new fragrance, I'm always interested in testing them out. Over the last couple of weeks, I sampled their two new releases, Rose and Cuir and Baie 19, and I was underwhelmed by them both. … Continue reading First Impressions – Frederic Malle, Le Labo →

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 →