New Niche Fragrance Review: PK Perfumes – Unique Twists on Classic Perfumery + Reader’s Choice Bottle Draw

PK Perfumes Header CaFleureBon

Paul Kiler, the West Coast perfumer behind the line of PK Perfumes, believes in sourcing and using the best ingredients possible to create unique, bold, and interesting scents. Using both natural and synthetic notes and accords, he worked on his line for several years before releasing it. PK Perfumes was received well at the recent Los Angeles Artisan Fragrance Salon, receiving several awards. I enjoyed trying all of the perfumes Mr. Kiler has created, and have selected a few favorites to review.

PK Perfumes #2 Ginger Zest CaFleureBon

Oranges on Blue by Loma Roberts

I am a fan of ginger in perfume, so was interested to try Ginger Zest de Citron. This fragrance is quite unique, in that it pairs the ginger and citrus with other spices, so it becomes quite gourmand while retaining a fairly transparent quality. The citrus feels more bitter than bright, and is a nice counterpoint to the spicy warmth of the ginger. The sillage is comforting, and I am wafting an air that reminds me of a fragrant curry. However, it isn’t so foody that you wouldn’t want to wear it. If you enjoy that type of spice aroma, this is a good one for you. I’m finding it quite pleasing on a chilly day, but it will be interesting to see what it will do in heat.

Notes: Ginger and zesty citrus in the top and middle, some spices including a very light dose of curry spices, as well in the middle, and sandalwood and others in the base (per PK website)

PK Perfumes #1 Carissa CaFleureBon

Bouquet by Judith Geher

Carissa is a lovely floral composition that is summery and green at first, with a burst of intense floral notes. This is not a shy, subdued perfume; just a few drops and I am wafting like mad. The rose note is nicely blended with the sweeter tuberose and jasmine, making this a true bouquet. The tuberose is just slightly mentholated, adding interest. The flowers are fairly dominant throughout, although the woody and resin notes soften and envelop them. I am thinking that this would be an excellent winter floral perfume. It is so heady that it may be too much in hot weather, but so many winter scents are based on spices, woods, and resins, this would be a welcome alternative if you feel like something sunny.

Notes: Bright Greens, Sheer Rose, Tuberose, Jasmine, Silver, Opoponax, Myrrh, Australian Sandalwood, Orange Blossom, Ambergris, and musks

PK Perfumes #3 Violet Chocolatier CaFleureBon

Bittersweet Chocolate Violet Truffles by The Mad Hausfrau

Any chocolate fans out there? I don’t wear many perfumes with chocolate notes, but Violet Chocolatier is so much fun, I can’t help but love it. Wearing it puts a smile on my face. The opening burst of heady cocoa is joined by a swirling miasma of soft apricot and unique floral notes. The blend is skillful, so that although it is chocolatey, it’s not overwhelmingly so. The flowers and light spice notes hold their own. Once everything has calmed down, the aroma becomes even more floral, with a bit more of the violet peeking out. I like this scent, because it takes a couple of notes I don’t care much for, chocolate and violet, and brings a new dimension to them.  It’s a fun perfume to wear, and could be my favorite in the line.

Notes: Chocolate covered Apricots, Cocoa Absolute, Nutmeg, Hazelnut, Violet, Magnolia, Jasmine, Rose, Honey, Gardenia, Amber, Benzoin, and Pemou Root, oh, and a bit more Chocolate

PK Perfumes Footer CaFleureBon

Some other perfumes in the line that I enjoyed sampling include: Zaffran, an enticing leather/saffron; Dirty Rose, which is musky and will be a hit with skank fans; Red Leather, sexy leather with a cherry on top; Café Diem, featuring a soft coffee note; and Ere, a classic forest masculine. They all have strong sillage, especially in the first hour or so, and good longevity. My samples were kindly provided by PK Perfumes. Mr. Kiler will be showing his line at the Second SF Artisan Fragrance Salon in March.

I received my samples from Paul Kiler. As a special treat, he is offering a 15 ml bottle of any one of his creations to one lucky reader. Please visit the PK Perfumes website and let us know in the comments which perfume you would like to win. Draw ends January 18, 2013.

We announce the winners only on site and on our Facebook page, so Like Cafleurebon and use our RSS option…or your dream prize will be just spilled perfume

Tama Blough, Senior Editor

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


81 comments

  • One more for Violet Chocolate! This or Ginger Zest de Citron. I think I’ll stick with chocolate, though.

  • lovely website! I would love to try Carissa though Pentecost sounds lovely as well! never heard of this line so very interested to try!

  • I am so in love with PK Perfumes website. Wowzers! All those gorgeous fragrance descriptions.

    I believe I’d love to win Cafe Diem. I do love my coffee scents.

    Thanks for the draw!

  • Oh my gosh, I can’t get enough saffron, so would love to try Zaffran! Thanks for the article and the draw — I hadn’t heard of this line before. 🙂

  • Maybe I’m just tired of winter, but the description of Pentecost sounds so spring like and breezy. Thanks!

  • Carissa sounds like a great winter floral, just the thing for these dark, short cold days. Thank you for the draw!

  • Gosh, a line I haven’t heard of before! They all sound interesting but I do love to waft so I’d pick Carissa. Thanks for the draw!

  • Congratulations on the review, Paul.
    For those who may not know, Paul Kiler has been quietly and unselfishly promoting the interests of artisan perfumers for years now. It is great to see his line become available after its long development and that it is achieving well deserved recognition.
    Go Paul!

  • marcopietro says:

    I like PK web site, and its creations sounds really interesting.
    My favorite? No doubt: Ere! It has all notes that I love.
    Thanks for the draw!

  • Real perfumery…am totally in agreement with that, I love the sound of the fern note in Ere, but would love to win Violet Chocolatier.
    Thanks for this draw!

  • These sound lovely and I like the layout of the website =) I would actually love to try the Cafe Diem ~

  • Thanks for noting and reviewing this line! I’d never heard of it before, and love most of the fragrance descriptions–as well as the fact that they’re available in 4ml sprays!
    Hmmm… Violet Chocolatier, Ere, Zaffran, Cafe Diem, Lita….

    I would choose Zaffran which won the coin toss with Cafe Diem.

  • Tough to choose, but I think I’d like to try Red Leather first from this very appealing line. Thanks for the draw.

  • I’d love to give Red Leather a try since it sounds like something really unique. I’ll be sure to order some samples since Zaffron and Dirty Rose seem interesting as well.

  • Klara Madarasz says:

    Thanks for the draw! Biiig floral perfumes are really my things so I’d love to try Carissa!;)

  • OOh..these all sound so good. I would love to try Zaffran I think:) Thanks so much for the draw.

  • I don’t own any ginger perfumes and love the scent of fresh ginger, so my choice has to be Ginger Zest de Citron. thank you for this generous draw!

  • SisterSpecies says:

    Always glad to know there are more niche artisans making olfactory art. Dirty Rose and Ere both sound quite intriguing but I would like a shot at winning Zaffran on this cold winter morning. Many thanks.

  • Red Leather for me, please! Castoreum, civet, leather, davana, carnation…is just for me!

    Thank you for the draw!

  • Paul has been such a wonderful advocate for artisan perfumers! He is an incredibly nice and generous person, and is, as an individual, as uniquely layered as his perfumes are. Great to see him getting reviewed!

    Red Leather and Zaffron are my picks!

  • I checked out the website and I would love to try Pentecost, Violet Chocolatier and Cafe Diem. They all sound interesting and tempt me to place an order. Though at the moment Cafe Diem is my top choice.

  • Very pretty site and I’m excited to try the whole line. I would love to win Violet Chocolatier (though Zaffran was a close second). Thank you for the draw and good luck to PK. I wish this line was going to be at the Elements show later this month.

  • Just when I think all the major note pairings have been accomplished…violet chocolate!

    Zaffran is the one I am most intrigued to try, thanks for the opportunity.

  • Hi All, Thanks for your notes of interest and appreciation… 🙂

    SujaanNY, My work just might be at the Elements Showcase with a Distributor I recently met over Christmas Break in Alexandria while on vacation. I’m not quite sure which show he was/is going to, however, it might be another…

    Virtually no one has heard of my work because it just launched in late Sept at the Los Angeles Artisan Fragrance Salon. This review is a good launch/tour party… But I have studied for seven years before I launched.

    Violet Chocolatier was actually inspired by the painting by Daria Jabenko, that is found on the product page gallery. I am a very visual artist, ( I suppose because I am also a visual artist… Funny how that works ) and this image inspired me to make the fragrance.

    Fragrantly Yours,

  • I just read PK’s comment posted, and I would have to say that the Violet Chocolatier would be my choice to try. I, too, am very visual and upon learning that this particular fragrance was inspired by a Daria Jabenkp painting (I googled & found her illustrations beautifully fun & highly romantic)… fingers crossed the fragrance is as delicious as it sounds. ty for drawing!

  • Congratulations to Paul Kiler for this launch and thank you for coming and commenting above! I wish youlots of success !! Carissa caought my attention, I’d love to win it and sample all of them! Thank you for the draw!!

  • Hi,
    my choice is for Carissa. I like all perfumes with rose-tuberose-jasmin and this one also has sandalwood and myrrhe which I looove so much…. So, I think this can be the one I like!

  • I am currently on a ginger kick…I’m adding it to all sorts of juices and it adds such a great touch. I think I’d really enjoy Ginger Zest de Citron, with the dominant ginger overtones. Yum!

  • I would pick Ere or Pentecost, I don’t know what to do. Both seem to be the kind of fragrance I’m wanting these days… What a difficult choice!
    Well, just because the photo in the web is wonderful, I pick Pentecost!

    Thanks!

  • I am torn between Red Leather and Dirty Rose. I’m thinking both sound like they smell amazing!

    Thank you for the draw.

  • Cafe Diem seems delicious. I love a good coffee scent, so that would be my vote.

    The ginger and leather scents sound really good too.

  • I am proud to finally announce that the PK Perfumes website is finished… YAY!YAY!YAY! I’m doing a HAPPY Dance around the Perfumarium!!!

    I also added an option for a Discovery Sampler Pack, which I forgot at first… Live and Learn, right?

    Congrats to our Bottle Winner of Violet Chocolatier, I Know she’ll just LOVE it!

    Thanks to all of you for your interest… Fragrantly yours,
    Paul Kiler
    PK Perfumes