ZGO Perfumery in San Francisco

It’s that time of the year where Father’s Day creeps up on us too quickly. I don’t know how it came about to fall on Sunday, June 17th- but there’s really no more perfect day of the year for it. Whenever I think Father’s Day, it’s always synonymous with the start of Summer- and am I ready for that! Father’s Day, at least around our house, is also all about a barbeque- partly because that’s a great Dad thing to do, and partly because it’s a great reason to have a bunch of people over, have a summer cocktail and do Dad stuff. Speaking of Dad stuff, there’s also that Father’s Day tradition of giving him that special gift. So, here’s a few fragrance ideas, a list of Best Fragrances for Father’s Day if you will, that every Dad would love to get on his special day. We decided to keep our Best Fragrances for Father’s Day at five, and realized that’s tough to do, but nonetheless- here they are. And we kept our top pick for last- so read on.

Yes, there must be a quintessential Fougere on this list, and what more classic fougere is there beside Penhaligon’s “Sartorial”. Of course, we all have our favorite Penhaligon’s (Juniper Sling and Opus 1870 were close Penhaligon’s runner-ups) but there’s something astonishingly gentlemanly about this one that reminds us there’s a tweed suit classy man in every bottle. Plus, at the time of this writing, Prince Harry and Meghan (now Duke and Duchess of Sussex) got married- so a bottle with the Royal seal on it seems perfectly appropriate for the times.

For our next recommendation- Dad doesn’t need to be a high roller. But this one is inspired by those smells you might find around the casino roulette table- it’s all whiskey, woody, smoky goodness. All bets are off! – that’s the French translation of this great fragrance from Jovoy Paris “Les Jeux Sons Fait”. And it’s probably much cheaper to buy a bottle of this perfume, then spinning the roulette wheel.

photo by Sebastian©

Of all the deep, rich fragrances- Oud is one of our favorites. And lately, even though, we carry more than twenty Oud fragrances in our store- “Sham’s Oud” by Memo remains one of our personal favorites. Why?- Because, its not too heavy funky, like Oud’s can be. But rather, elevated with vetiver, saffron, ginger, pepper. It is spicy, woody oudy greatness- just like Dad.

Now, if Dad is a little more modern, but yet- nostalgic. What better fragrance is there than “1996” by Byredo. Of course, Byredo is all the rage all around the world- but this fragrance may be a little lesser known. Even so, it is the fragrance that made me fall in love with Byredo from the beginning. Think of ambery, leathery, incense- I think that’s Iris and patchouli in there too. Well- I don’t know about you- but If I could go back to 1996, I would in a minute. Or at least, I can get a bottle of this for Dad.

Photo courtesy of Marc-Antoine Barrois©

Now, for the under the radar Dad, the one that’s great- but other’s don’t know it- only you. I’m not kidding when I say- this perfume is under the radar greatness, perfect for Dad. It is rich spicy saffron meets smooth, sexy, creamy leather. Not the cheap goods leather- but rather the Louis Vuitton© type leather.

Quentin Bisch and Marc-Antoine Barrois courtesy of Marc-Antoine Barrois©

Is it any coincidence that this fragrance comes from Jean-Paul Gautier’s understudy-now with his own shop and fragrance? Nope- no coincidence… meet Marc-Barrois’ perfume “B683”. This one was created by the famed young perfume star- Quentin Bisch… you just can’t go wrong here.

And now, drum roll please. One of our personal favorite brands of all time is France’s oldest candle wax-maker– Maison Trudon. Trudon comes from such a rich heritage- royal candlemaker- oldest French candle maker (circa 1643), most fabulous wax creations and scents. Last year when I heard they were finally releasing a select five perfumes- I thought, wow- they really have a big reputation at stake- can they pull it off? I can’t tell you how gratifying it is when your true love comes through for you. Of the five perfumes- there is that awesome “Revolution”- a smoky wonder. But- for Dad- it must be “Olim”. There’s just something hard to put into words that bring to mind- Dad- in this fragrance- it’s a classy masculine masterpiece that any Father would feel like a noble King wearing.

Claude Gratianne of ZGO Perfumery and his 93 year old Dad

Lastly, let me put in a little personal plug for my Dad: Happy Father’s Day- even at 93 years old- you’re still that special Dad that I love! Now let’s get the barbeque going! 

-Claude Gratianne, CEO of ZGO (Zen: Garden ~ Oasis) in San Francisco.

The Best Fragrances for Father’s Day described can be purchased online at www.ZGOperfumery.com. Through July 5th, 2018- ZGO is offering a 10% off coupon for their website: “Cafleurbon10off”; with free shipping over $75; and there’s a free gift wrap option.

Editor’s Note- This year I invited Claude Gratianne of ZGO Perfumery to do our Best Fragrances for Father’s Day Gift Guide. What is crazy is that I agree with each on his list and two would make my top five Best Fragrances for Father’s Day. My Dad? He’s getting Marc Antoine Barrois B683!! Bien Sur.-Michelyn

Thanks to the generosity of Claude of ZGO we have a Best Fragrances for Father’s Day $50 gift card to be used online or in store for a CON US registered Cafleurebon reader in the USA (if you are not sure if you are registered click here ( you can use it for yourself of course). To be eligible please leave a comment with what you thought of Claude’s Best Fragrances for Father’s Day picks and what you would use the giftcard to buy for your Dad and  choose one for you from the ZGO site (not on this list so click here). Draw closes 6/7/2018. The Winner will be announced on June 8, 2018 so that you should be able to get your E-Certificate in time.