Frederic Malle Contre-Jour review – Annick Menardo; 2026
Persolaise – For years, the arrival of a Frederic Malle perfume has been a cue for a total nerd-fest. But the brand’s latest release, Contre-Jour, pushes the opportunities for geekery to…
perfume review
Tom Ford Soleil Neige, BDK Vanille Caviar, Nez 1+1 Ansongo and other reviews – 2026
We’re trying something different. For the foreseeable future, the usual post-video updates will appear not here, but on my Substack. However, they will NOT be behind a paywall and you…
Chanel Gabrielle L’Eau review – Olivier Polge; 2024
– I confess I keep forgetting about the existence of Gabrielle. In my mind, the last high-profile, mainstream, feminine release from Chanel was Coco Mademoiselle. And yet, the Gabrielle line…
Serge Lutens Bois Roi D’Agalloche, Zurafa, Sidi Bel-Abbes, Tarab and Cracheuses De Flammes reviews (Christopher Sheldrake; 2015, 2020 and 2025)
– Reading between the lines, it would seem that Royaume is the brand’s update of the Section D’Or range, which launched in 2014 to loud protestations about its exorbitant price…
Born To Stand Out Black Creme, Hiram Green Ultra, Comme Des Garcons Monocle Syros and other reviews – 2025
For this year’s final review episode of Love At First Scent, I covered new releases from Comme Des Garcons and Zoologist, as well as Quentin Bisch’s much-hyped Black Creme for…
Coty Ambre Antique, Solferino showcase, Vranjes showcase and other reviews – 2025
My recent set of Love At First Scent broadcasts spanned the entire timeline of modern perfumery, from Fougere Royale via the 25th anniversary of Kenzo Flower to two brand new…
Tauer L’Air Du Desert Marocain Noir, Etat Libre D’Orange Above The Waves, BDK Impadia and other reviews – 2025
Please click on the link below to be taken to my Substack reviews of the following perfumes: BDK ImpadiaMontale Oud SapparotJeroboam BohaFerragamo Sublime LeatherTauer L’Air Du Desert Marocain Noir, Rose…
Brioni Les Extraits, Chanel Pour Monsieur, L’Entropiste Ensang Noir and other reviews – 2025
Foxes, wolves and serpents — just three of the creatures that came up in my recent set of Love At First Scent episodes, during which I covered new releases from…
Tauer Vanilla Absolue, Arquiste Nocturnality, Granado Apotecario and other reviews – 2025
There was a time when the word ‘Tauer’ was almost entirely synonymous with the idea of independent perfumery. Zurich-based Andy Tauer — a self-taught perfumer who started his brand by…
Creed Oud Zarian, Bon Parfumeur 403 Myrrh Shadow, Chambre 52 Soleil Tonka and other reviews – 2025
Please click on the link below to be taken to my Substack reviews of the following perfumes: Room 1015 Jasmine FreakStephane Humbert Lucas God Of FireMaison Mataha Printemps BlancBon Parfumeur…
Chanel Bleu L’Exclusif review – Olivier Polge; 2025
– Regular readers will know that I’m not what you’d call the world’s biggest fan of Bleu. I remain an admirer of Chanel. I believe they continue to give us…
Parfum D’Empire Madagascar Le Baume Vanille, Diptyque Lazulio, Le Labo Osmanthus 19 and other reviews – 2025
Osmanthus 19 4:10Eucalyptus 20 15:20 One of the few enjoyable things about summer ending is that it means I get to resume my YouTube broadcasts and my interactions with all…
Guerlain Shalimar L’Essence review – Delphine Jelk; 2025
– How do you mark the 100th anniversary of the release of one of the most important perfumes of all time? If you’re at Guerlain, then the answer would appear…
Cartier L’Envol (Mathilde Laurent; 2016) & Guerlain Coriolan (Jean-Paul Guerlain; 1998) perfume reviews
– In recent months, I’ve found myself thinking what a shame it is that Cartier L’Envol seems to have vanished for good. Released as an eau de parfum in 2016…
Floris Purple Memoire review – Penny Ellis & Nicola Pozzani; 2025
– For reasons that are probably related to various twists and turns of history, several perfume brands with British roots seem to have gone through extended periods of experiencing an…
L’Entropiste perfume showcase review – Bertrand Duchaufour; 2025
– A few years ago, the main trend in the perfume industry was the creation of high-end, exclusive (read: expensively-priced) ranges from established brands: Chanel’s Exclusifs, Dior’s Collection Privee, Hermes’…
Christian Dior Bois Talisman review – Francis Kurkdjian; 2025
– It all seems to have gone a bit topsy turvy in the world of Captain Kurk. His latest version of Dior Homme was a pleasant surprise, displaying a real…
Parfums De Marly Castley, 27 87 Hakuna Matata, Nicolai showcase and other reviews – 2025
It’s pleasing to see that Nicolai are enjoying increasing success and acclaim in the UK at the moment. Goodness knows, we could certainly do with a few more perfumers possessed…
Zara Leather Jardin, Bulgari Eau Parfumee – The Vert eau de toilette and other reviews – 2025
The power of a good recommendation. A little while ago, a long-time viewer suggested that I need to get my nose on Zara Leather Jardin, so I duly obliged and…
Balenciaga 2025 releases, Nissaba Les Alpes, Prada Paradigme and other reviews – 2025
Five reviews in brief 9:21Le Dix 12:50Getaria 17:09Extra 23:10Muscara 27:07No Comment 31:17 A few years ago, brands followed the ‘why make one when you can make three’ strategy of perfume…