After the annual reviews for January & February, March & April and May & June, the 2025 review for July & August now follows. These two months focused on numerous individual reviews as well as the presentation of the new Gravel line, including interviews with two perfumers and the presentation of the Commodity collection.
July 2025
July began with a small, self-contained series on the French niche brand Sora Dora, which combines family history and contemporary perfumery in a special way. In several articles, I took a closer look at Sora Dora – from the brand itself to individual fragrances that show very different sides of the house.
- Sora Dora – Where stories become fragrances
- Visiting the enchanted forest – Brocéliande by Sora Dora
- Vanuatu by Sora Dora – Scented journey to the South Pacific
- Red by Sora Dora – A fragrance full of contrasts, warmth and sensuality
This was immediately followed by the review of Velvet Iris by Essential Parfums, a beautiful, creamy, leathery and greenish-earthy iris fragrance that elicited surprisingly different facets from the noble iris. And then summer really took off: Histoire d’Orangers Extrême by L’Artisan Parfumeur, Pomelo Assoluto by Gritti and Isleta by D:SOL MMXVI spoiled us with sunny, Mediterranean-inspired notes, while Sueño Latino by Aedes de Venustas evoked the atmosphere of a tropical rainforest in a special way.
This was followed by several contributions to the Gravel brand, an American fragrance house with an extraordinary history, which was founded in 1957.
- The new Transcendence Collection from Gravel – Interview with David Chieze
- Eau D’Ominance by Gravel – The essence of strength
- Interview with Mirella Pomina: The perfumer behind Eau D’Esire by Gravel
- Eau D’Esire by Gravel – Olfactory desire
- Eau D’Aspiration and Eau D’Evolution by Gravel – Between aspiration and evolution
Matsu Kï by Masakï Matsushïma was cheerful, optimistic and wonderfully summery at the end of July. The citrusy-bright fragrance had a carefree and cheerful effect, with a medium presence and good longevity – an uncomplicated companion for warm days that immediately spreads a good mood.
August 2025
New Notes’ creations are often bright and colorful, and with Mangomina D and Felina, the Italian niche fragrance label remains true to this line – a bright and present mango scent meets a gourmand and spicy pedigree kitten sipping coffee. Splendid! This was immediately followed by Idilìos – the scent of heaven. The perfume reveals apricot osmanthus blossoms with tropical coconut accents and has a transparent, airy and cotton-soft effect – perfect for summer.
Vanille Carbone by Atelier Materi combines three different vanilla nuances to create a mineral-bright and airy-transparent spice fragrance that is incredibly exciting. Anyone who likes vanilla in perfumes should definitely keep this creation in mind.
Herbert Stricker was also the subject of the fragrance diary in August. I presented his olfactory homage to his childhood in the mountains of South Tyrol in the article Fleur Alpine by The Nose Behind – also a creation dedicated to vanilla, here in the form of the alpine orchid Nigritella.
It then became tropical, fruity, summery and sunny with Kolada by Kajal Perfumes. The extrait de parfum is inspired by piña colada and is surprisingly airy and transparent. Anyone who prefers exotic creations can put Kolada on their to-try list for this summer.
It remained fruity. Three fruity summer fragrances: La Playa, Whipped Cherry & Orange Crush Extrait were the focus of the next review. Whether creamy-floral with pistachio and coconut, fruity-gourmand with juicy cherry or molecular-minimalist with tangy orange – with these three there is certainly a suitable fragrance for everyone for the warmer season.
Castley by Parfums de Marly sets masculine accents: citrusy and luminous at the start, spicy and woody throughout and always clearly and elegantly structured. A modern freshie with depth that skillfully combines freshness, peppery spice and warm resins – stylish, versatile and pleasantly uncomplicated.
Anelo by pernoire is an energetic summer companion thanks to tangy pomelo, juicy pineapple and a hint of ginger, which meet creamy, woody warmth. Tropical but never sticky, transparent yet long-lasting, making it an ideal daily wear candidate for hot days.
With The Cut by Penhaligon’s, I present you with a modern interpretation of fougère. Lavender, basil and mint provide a cool, herbaceous opening, followed by a woody finish. Elegant, precise and versatile – a fragrance with British understatement and Savile Row character.
A small series of reviews on the US brand Commodity rounded off the August articles. The label stands for clear lines, minimalist design and the conviction that simplicity is the true luxury. Particularly exciting is the Scent Space concept, in which each fragrance is offered in three intensity levels – Personal, Expressive and Bold – and thus serves different needs in terms of presence and charisma. Here are my contributions:
- Commodity – modern niche fragrances from the USA
- Commodity Juice – a fragrance full of energy
- Commodity Milk Parfum – a fragrance like a second skin [+ prize draw]
- Commodity Gold perfume – sensual fragrance with a golden shimmer
In the next part of this review, I will tell you how the fragrance year 2025 developed in late summer and with the first hint of fall in September and October.
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