So many launches, too many to know them all, we know, we complain, but in the end we are still excited about new perfumes to smell, new scented experiences to make and new lines to explore.
2014 is half way over, so what is your favorite perfume so far this year?
Vero’s Rozy made a splash, a new Malle is out, Jul et Mad launched another winner for their small line, there is the exciting new launch of Papillon Perfume…. and so many more.
Which one is your new love?
My Answer:
My perfume frenzy has slowed way down, so I don’t go out of my way to smell stuff anymore, and despite that I had some great surprises this year so far.
Frederic Malle’s Eau de Magnolia was one of them (I ordered it unsniffed, people! Luckily it worked out!), Aqua Sextius by Jul et Mad was the second (despite the butchered latin, sorry, I’m a nerd!)
So far 2014 is an excellent year in my opinion.
What about your top favorite new release?
Olfactoria's Travels 
Hey there Birgit,
I have a tie for favourite. When I say favourite I am meaning most worn. The one that gets the spritz time and again in front of others. A masterpiece that lures me back to relive the magic.
Mohur Extrait by Bertrand Duchaufour for Neela Vermeire Creations
Chenonceau by Marlen Harrison for King`s Palace Perfumery
The ones I’m most interested in trying are the two new ones from The Vagabond Prince.
Portia xx
Very interesting choices, Portia! You do a really good job at smelling (almost) everything!!! 🙂
Thanks Birgit,
There are too many releases to smell everything. I wonder if anyone could?
There are at least 20 frags from 2014 here that I haven’t even got my nose on yet, it seems like an insurmountable pile some days. How lucky am I that there could be such a wonderful problem.
Blessed.
Portia xx
Ha, it is really a great problem to have.
I’m enjoying so far the new Diptyque Geranium Odorata! Have a lovely week! xx
That sounds enticing to me too (love the packaging, I must try it!)
it’s a floral! but not overpowering! if you like floral perfumes give it a try! I’m not usually a big floral perfumes wearer but this one is really nice! xx
This is the one I really have to try!
definitely! 😀 xx
Thanks for your take, Annie.
Guerlain’s Terracotta Le Parfum!It’s an antidote to the current cooler winter weather here in the south,and reminds me of days on a balmy beach!NOT exactly new,but new to me:Nuxe Huile Prodigieux Or!I never thought I’d use an oil on my skin(ever) but this stuff is a complete surprise and smells Devine,even better layered with Terracotta!Dreams of Spring in September are kept alive by these two sunny discoveries!Happy Monday!
Ah, I can’t wait to smell this one! Should be soon…
Can I name 3?
Those will be Jul et Mad Aqua Sextius, Ann Gerard Rose Cut and Atelier Cologne Blanche Immortelle
I’m very curious about the Atelier too.
Lovely perfumes, Lucas!
You don’t know Blanche Immortelle yet? Shall I send you a sample?
Very kind of you, Lucas, but no need. I can smell it here.
Alright, I will be curious to read your take on it laterl.
Ha,I’ve smelled so little from the new releases that I don’t probably qualify to answer this question,heck I’m far behind even on 2013 ones.Rozy failed to impress me,I’m afraid,and I’m a big Vero fan,but I agree Acqua Sextius was a pleasant surprise,not enough to feel like I need to buy a bottle,but yes I found it to be quite good.I could mention some of the perfume(not new releases) I’ve smelled for the first time this year and that have made a very good impression:Fate Woman by Amouage, Orlando by Jardin d’Ecrivains,Rubj Voile d’Extrait,1996 by Byredo,Oud 27 by Le Labo Labo,Immortal Beloved by Ys Usac,Maria Candida Gentile Sideris and Cinnabre, MDCI Promesse de l’aube.
Keeping up is impossible! 🙂
Those are wonderful perfumes on your shortlist, Ana.
I think I’ll go with you on Aqua Sextius, along with Nuit Andalouse by MDCI.
I haven’t tried Rozy but if I did, I’m thinking it would be on the list as well. 😉
Nuit Andalouse must be gorgeous!
Nope, I don’t even make a pretense of keeping up. I’m only just deciding that Bottega Veneta is pretty good and that was – what? 2012? I decided i liked Prada Candy only after a flanker or two had come out. Oh, I tried those new Le Labos . Were they 2014 or 2013? See, I’m hopeless. But I would certainly like to try the Malle Magnolia, maybe even this year. 🙂
You are right, Annemarie, easy does it! 🙂
I’m sure you’d enjoy the Malle, no matter what year you’ll get to it.
Ah, I would love to try Aqua Sextius!
My favorite releases are so far Jour d’Hermès Absolu and AC’s Cédrat Enivrant. To me both are easy to wear and easy to like. As soon as ALzD offers the latter in 30 ml, I’ll snatch it up…
I have fond memories of Roja Dove’s Nüwa but only tested it once and was impressed by Cartier’s La Panthère but don’t have to own it.
(And, have I ever mentioned that my favorite discovery is Mito???)
Have a nice week!
Cedrat Envirant is lovely and so nice for summer. Hope you get it soon! (And Mito too!)
I haven’t tried as many as I would like but, so far I love Dior’s new Privee, Cuir Cannage and Amouage Journey Woman. I don’t have it yet but I also really love the new Acqua di Parma Colonia Leather (excellent flanker!).
I think Tara liked Cuir Cannage too, it seems to be a very good addition to the line.
I was far too busy with other things and didn’t give the separation line between 2013 and 2014. I’m lost, I’m afraid… (though I liked Eau d’Magnolia)
No problem. Maybe Dom Rosa counts though?
You see, that’s the problem : I didn’t even know it was such a recent release…
🙂
My choices thus far for the year: Ann Gerard Rose Cut and Byredo’s Flowerhead! No doubt before the end of the year there will be many more to add to the 2014 list!
After reading your review I’m very curious about Flowerhead!
Birgit…it is one of those rare cases after reviewing that I just had to order a FB. I still haven’t received my order yet and I am itching for it badly!
I hope it comes quickly!
I agree with you on Flowerhead it was an immediate buy it now after sniffing. Also am loving Eau du Magnolia by Malle.
Flowerhead is must-smell for me asap!
My top favorite is Atelier Cologne Blanche Immortelle. I have not spent enough time with them yet but Ann Gerard Rose Cut and Aedes de Venustas Oeillet Bengale may become favorites as well. I got a sample of Jul et Mad Aqua Sextius; judging by the commenters who have this as a favorite, it may very well join the three I mentioned!
Another vote for Immortelle Blanche… very interesting.
Fun question and great to find out from you and others what I may have missed.
For me it’s Vero’s Rozy Voile d’Extrait, Dior’s Cuir Cannage, Papillon’s Tobacco Rose and Malle’s Eau de Magnolia. I agree this year’s turning out to be a good one.
Looks like I really need to try Aqua Sextius too.
You do! 🙂
It has indeed been a good year for you, so many favorite ones already.
Of the 2014 releases so far I loved the Rozy Voile d’Extrait, Cuir Cannage and Papillon’s Angelique. Honorary mention to CdGs Stephen Jones Wisteria.
I must try Cuir Cannage soon, it gets a lot of votes…
Like so many others I cannot keep up with all the new releases. I love Aqua Sextius and am really loving Stephane Humbert Lucas 777 as I am working slowly through his line.
SHL is an interesting, but oh so expensive line…
I’m watching that brand too (true, some of the 777 came out 2014 )
I would have to add the lovely Wit by Parfums DelRae to the list.
I am ashamed to say I haven’t even heard of a new Delrae… *slinks away*
Oh yes…Wit!!!!
Rozy Voile d’Extrait here and I am also agog to try Eau de Magnolia. Then to reprise Sabine, honorary mention to Papillon Tobacco Rose! And Tara, I wasn’t copying your picks, honest…;)
The British front is completely united. 😉
I haven’t tried that many yet, I like imperial tea (by kilian, bought for myself) and terracotta (bought for my goddaughter). I still have many to try (with Wit in first position, but I have now jotted down some of the scents mentioned above), I’m slightly disappointed with eau de magnolia, but I guess my expectations were too high.
Good picks, Bee. Another mention of Wit. Very embarrassing that I don’t know it. 😦
I terribly behind on the 1323 2014 releases (according to parfumo)! I would have said Nuit Andalouse, but I suppose that’s technically a 2013 release, so I’d probably go with Tralala. Quite a few that I haven’t tested yet, that I am very intrigued by though; like the new SHL777 perfumes, Malle…
OMG! 1323 already??? I give up.
I know…
The Mohur extrait is so gorgeous, but also so expensive it’s not something I can think of as accessible (although I do own a tiny bit thanks to a very generous friend). So far, my favorite release that I’m actually considering purchasing is Oeillet Bengale by Aedes de Venustas. It is a dry, dark spicy carnation, really unusual for a modern fragrance.
I love the Aedes bottles, so it is good to hear the third fragrance is such a hit with many. Maybe that is the one for me…
My favorite so far this year is Amouage Opus VIII, it’s truly gorgeous! I’ve decided I need a FB.
Glad you found something new to love, Eva.
I haven ‘t tried too many yet this year, but I do love the new Malle Magnolia . I haven ‘t decided if I like it as much as Grandiflora’s Magnolia Michel, but I do love the sparkle it has to it. I can’t wait to see what comes out the rest of the year.
Sparkle it has plenty indeed. The two Magnolias (Michel and Sandrine) beckon me too…
I’ve hardly tried any from 2014 and the only one I’ve bought is Teracotta. There are others I’d love to try though – Rozy, Rose Cut and the Papillon perfumes all sound lovely.
Terracotta seems to be a great release, can’t wait to smell it!
I’ve tried relatively few of this year’s launches, sadly; not enough time to get to London to test for free, and not enough funds to be ordering endless samples.
The ones I’ve tried are: Cartier La Panthere (from an extremely overheated duty free tester, which is probably why all I got was hot plastic & sugar), By Kilian Imperial Tea (good, but I’m not keen on the toasted-rice note and still think The pour un Ete is better), Guerlain Terracotta Le Parfum and Malle Eau de Magnolia. The latter smells great on paper, but on my skin it turns into a Cristalle edt dupe (minus the hyacinth and maybe with a very faint hint of the lemon meringue magnolia facet). The Guerlain is lovely, a warm friendly beachy scent, but since I already have Lys Soleia, Songes and the beautifully beachy dry oil version of Bois d’Orange (white flowers & vanilla) I don’t think I could justify purchasing it. Also it, despite its modern feel it still has something of the buttressed-bosom effect of Mahora, which I always found oppressive.
I’m very keen to try Rozy and I loved Gris Montaigne so the arrival of the new Dior, Cuir Cannage, is also whetting my curiosity. Something to look forward to…