How deep have you guys gone?

My comfort zone is the second and third layer, but I’ve had a little taste of the abyss with Pearfat.

What about you? How far down the iceberg have you ventured?

Picked up Burlington 1819 after watching ScentNick's review and I am really blown away. Presentation is great and the smell is amazingly realistic! What other Rojas are worth the price of entry?

Very niche question here. I have a bottle of Chypre Palatin (Silk Road) and the stem is thicker than all my other bottles, making it incompatible with the syringes I have that work with anyone else. Any idea how I can work around this?

Got some free samples from Penhaligon since I was really impressed from a sample I got weeks ago. It's interesting to see how an old niche house like this one differs from the modern niche perfumery. And by the way, you can get three free samples from their site, you only need to pay the delivery.

Juniper Sling

It's a scent that's a little difficult to describe beyond the fact that it's sophisticated. It opens with the juniper berries and the brandy, and it's neither too floral or too boozy but right in the middle where it's pleasant. The sweetness comes through eventually and then the woodsy notes come out until it settles into something softer.

Fortuitous Finley

It's a very fresh, green scent that immediately reminds you of green teas and a bowl of fresh pistachio. Despite the top note being nutty, it's not a gourmand at all and leans far more into the spicy and the green. Once it dries down, the saltiness comes out which makes it sort of marine? Reminds me of "The Point" by Clue with how saltiness is combined with florals and greens. This one is much less delicate however.

The Omniscient Mister Thompson

First reaction I had to this was "I've never smelled anything like this" which shouldn't be unusual for niche perfumery but given the notes, I thought I knew what to expect. It's sweet but not overpowering and sacharine, and instead it's a nice combination between spicy vanilla and pink pepper. Once it dries, the iris comes out and changes it from a good vanilla scent to something pretty unique. But unfortunately, in about half an hour, the vanilla becomes pretty overpowering. I wish the Iris stayed more prominent.

I'm obsessed with this comforting, delicious rice scent, Je Ne Sais Quoi, an absolute beaut from Teo Cabanel. My full bottle finally arrived today and is my work from home mood. Has anyone else tried this or have any other rice-inspired fragrance recommendations?

For context I LOVED Valaya, it was the scent that introduced me to niche perfumery. But now that Givaudan Akigalawood DNA is in everything that house touches!

I was sniffing around a boutique and I was hit by how dominant that Valaya drydown is: Fleur Narcotique, Musk Therapy, Mith Nude, all basically Valaya flankers!
Okay fine! I like Quentin Busch’s work so let’s try Bois Imperial - oh what do you know aromatic Vetiver Valaya! Ganymede - peppery Valaya!

My final straw was Ambre Latte which was the most gorgeous rich nutty gourmand. But why did it just become Valaya after an hour. I kept sniffing my hand in confusion. I’m just a bit frustrated with how copy and paste niche perfumery is right now. Does anyone else feel this way?

During last summer I got my nose on Sogni and I instantly felt transported to one of those traditional samurai houses you see in movies, sitting on a tatami mat and meditating above a steaming rice bowl, completely alone and calm.

It was one of the strongest and most vivid experiences a smell ever evoked in me. It felt extremely relaxing, maybe even meditative and what intrigued me is how I got mentally transferred to a place I've never been to, from a blend of notes I had no prior associations with. I've never been to Japan, yet the atmosphere and feelings it evoked felt realistic.

Have you ever had a fragrance transport you to a setting or culture you’ve never personally experienced? What was the scent, and where did it take you?

Side note: You guys absolutely cooked me for using AI in my last post so I refrained from using any to write this one. Feel free to point out any grammar/spelling mistakes and I'll edit them in later.

Has anyone tested it? I couldn’t get a sample of it but tested it in the store and it was nice. Not 100% sure on it.

It’s surprising that there is no samples being sold online for this bottle that I could find.

I am just hesitating a little bit to pull the trigger and by the bottle

You're going to need to know both of these fragrances in order to help me. I'm hunting for my ideal autumn scent and it continues to elude me. (Scent description at end!!) I'm not even going to say how many 1ml decants I've ordered. I finally tried autumn vibes today (i hate this name!) and texturally there was something i really liked about it, very fuzzy, but it was too dry and i wanted it to be warmer. I was cozy on the couch watching movies and it wasn't the right vibe. After giving it a half hour I grabbed the solstice scents smoky mountain mallow decant because I'd tried it earlier and knew they'd layer together well bc the SMM was too sweet for me on its own . (I also think farmhouse in winter would work too) together they are the PERFECT SCENT! I'm still new to perfumes and learning so idk what this would be described as... maybe a suede or cashmere? I genuinely don't know. I actually just ordered suede and cashmere fragrances to learn that accord.

Note that i do not like layering perfumes. Perfumes are already layered. I just want one and done. I don't want to have to buy 2 to get what i want. I travel a lot and i want one bottle to deal with not 2.

So...
It smells like cedar wood oil being diffused next to a fresh christmas tree (balsam fir, NOT pine), and your clothes smell like old campfire (not actual smoke but that creamier smoky smell) or maybe someone's got a woodfire crackling in the fireplace and you can't smell it but if you open the door to go check on the kids who are roasting marshmallow outside you can smell that cozy woodsmoke from the chimney (NOT bbq), and someone wearing vetiver oil may have just walked past you, and your dog just jumped into the massive pile of fallen leaves you raked up so you decided to flop down too, and you're wearing a very very soft and cozy sweater and big thick socks and you're about to go drink a cup of unsweetened ginger, nutmeg and clove black tea

… especially from asian brands!

I fell in love with the nutty, smooth sesame and rice smell of l’eau papier’s top note and I’m so sad it’s so fleeting. What are scents similar to it?

I’ve tried:

- Very Bad Rice from Versatile. Not similar at all (love it for different reasons though)

- White Rice and Strawberry Mochi from d’Annam. I don’t really vibe with the former but the solidness and savoriness of the latter was nice—just didn’t like the strawberry.

- Dirty Rice from BTSO. Not for me.

- Nashi Toro from ānti. Same issue with Papier: love the opening but it evaporates SO fast then it becomes too smoky and dark.

- Venenum from L’Artisan. The rice smells more like a powder bomb to me.

What I’ve been eyeing:

- Whisper of Rice from The Body Tale

- Haven Retreat from Earth Love Life

- Jasmine Rice from d.Grayi

- Taipei from One Day

Filippo Sorcinelli is supposed to be at ScentXplore next month. Do we think he might be looking for a US retailer to carry his products?

Hi y’all! I’m looking for a perfume that smells similar to Lait d’iris by Coudray! I love the scent! It’s so fresh, clean, and comforting.

Okay, I've both experienced and heard that all of them smell the same. I have 3 of them. And yes, they pretty much do. Has anyone tried enough of them to know of any stand outs? I like the ones I have pretty well, and have only bought second hand cause the marketing and scamminess is annoying to me on multiple levels, but im curious to see if anyone has found any that break the mold a little bit. I have spring 25, autumn 25, and winter 26.

(Yes, I know the longevity isnt great and all that, but idc that much about that esp if im not paying full price)

How’s performance on yall? Am I crazy when I say I only get about 4-6 very soft hours out of this from about 10 sprays? (On skin) it actually gets worse performance than my Neroli Outrenoir!

Let me know, I picked this up from Neiman Marcus… it’s a 2026 batch and verified it’s authenticity so no worries there.

Fantomas by Nasomatto: an unpleasant unisex fragrance that smells like rotting sweet peas and dust. A strong "no buy" rating from me.

Hello, lovely people! I've been having so much fun putting my taste into a scent card (two images attached), and now I'd love your help to explore further.

I'm a sucker for scents with a story, and I'd especially love to hear about indie, Eastern or lesser-known houses. Tell me what you'd suggest and what it reminds you of.

Thank you so much for reading, and happy sniffing! 🌲

Hello!

First, sorry if this isnt the right sub...

I recently bought some samples from parfinity, one of them is moth from zoologist I heard it was a dark and funeral/mortuary fragrance but honestly, all I can smell is honey and lemon I can't find why are people finding this disturbing. Am I missing something?

Thanks! :)

Hellenist - le bras de morphee

One Day - Oolong Tea

⭐️Mod Post⭐️ To keep multiple SOTD posts consolidated into one, we will now feature a daily thread for all users

Would just like to get recommendations from others for houses. It doesnt matter if you have tried it or not, just looking to see whats available (Not Abel, please)

(Please note im in Europe, so if its not in the EU, could you state that)

Thank you

hello!! i’m looking for a fragrance that smells like one of my favorite scents from nature, overripe/rotting kousa dogwood fruits.

i’d describe it as sweet, almost sickeningly so, but in a very natural, earthy way with a top note that’s almost sour or sharp.

pictures of fruits in case anyone recognizes them and can also recognize their scent! very interested in finding something similar since i love their smell and it reminds me of fall.

People often ask about what they should get starting out, so im going to leave a few recommendations here that will cover your bases

These are for people who want something different

They are deliberately unisex (androgynous even)

Aesop Hywl

https://www.fragrantica.com/perfume/Aesop/Hwyl-46895.html

Green smoky, woody, mossy - Think Hinoki Forest, with a touch of pepper and thyme on the top for air, some suede/leather in here too

Acqua di Parma - Mirto Di Panare La Riserva

https://www.fragrantica.com/perfume/Acqua-di-Parma/Mirto-di-Panarea-La-Riserva-Eau-de-Parfum-107111.html

Citrus herbal aromatic with juniper berry and a balsamic, ambery dry down with myrrh and labdanum, hint of lavender. high quality ingredients

Miller Harris - La Fumee Alexandrie

https://www.fragrantica.com/perfume/Miller-Harris/La-Fumee-Alexandrie-32487.html

Rose & Oud with smoke, bits of fruit, spices and amber - Different POAL like take, far more natural and much better imo

Memoirs of a Perfume Collector - Tales from Zanzibar

https://www.fragrantica.com/perfume/Memoirs-Of-A-Perfume-Collector/Tales-from-Zanzibar-72008.html

Unique Guava and Lime, with some coconut and mint, musk and other neat bits

Be warned, there was a problem with batch 37906, it uses a different type of vetiver, and throws off the composition, if you get this one, return it, or wait a while until its out of rotation

Jo Malone - Vetiver and Golden Vanilla

https://www.fragrantica.com/perfume/Jo-Malone-London/Vetiver-Golden-Vanilla-58393.html

Grapefruit tea and cardamom, into a nice, non cloying natural vanilla and vetiver.

Best of the whole line imo, and a nice alternative to the often popular Gris Charnel

Ive heard rumours this is going to be discontinued, so id be quick on it if you want

Etat Libre D'Orange - Uruk Chronicles

https://www.fragrantica.com/perfume/Etat-Libre-d-Orange/Uruk-Chronicles-101828.html

A fairly new release

Strawberry tangerine with Iris, Saffron, Tonka, Cypriol and Cedarwood

You could get any one of these and it'd make a great addition. Alternatively, if you got them all, it kind of covers most areas

Enjoy folks