Maher Olfactive Sagan Dalya Review (Shawn Maher) 2021 + Warmth When It Counts Draw

 

Maher Olfactive Sagan Dalya

Maher Olfactive Sagan Dalya ©Maher Olfactive

Native son and artisanal perfumer Shawn Maher of Maher Olfactive is his own person, and his aromatic compositions reflect an insistence upon excellence. Shawn’s fragrances are nothing if not original, outside-the-box and adventurous. When he branched out in 2020 into the Maher Olfactive brand (in addition to his existing brand Chatillon Lux), his goal was to create voluptuous perfumes without constraint, regardless of cost or materials.

Shawn Maher of Maher Olfactive and Chatillon Lux

Shawn Maher©

 On November 19th, Maher Olfactive releases a new extrait de parfum entitled Sagan Dalya, named for the rhododendron tea popular among the Buryats, Yakuts, and Mongol peoples as a strengthening and revivifying tonic.

Fresh Rhododendron Adamsii. Sagan-Dale, Sagaan Dali, White Wing, Shandala. Medical tea growing in mountains of Siberia, Russia, Buryatia.

Fresh Rhododendron Adamsii. Sagan-Dale, Sagaan Dali, White Wing, Shandala. Medical tea growing in mountains of Siberia, Russia, Buryatia.  via shutterstock

Maher Olfactive Sagan Dalya was quickened by raw material rather than having been inspired by tea. Shawn uncovered layers of fascination when he broke open a bottle of Siberian rhododendron oil: the possibilities began building upon themselves like bricks and mortar. I find that Shawn appears to enjoy dichotomy in perfume – a characteristic which we seem to share. In Sagan Dalya it manifests as a uniquely fresh and warm fragrance which is tenacious, mystical and earthy. The rhododendron note was verdant and leafy with that pine-similar tone which is indefinably fruited and wine-rich; it felt intuitive to ally it with the pungent sweet herbal/ green apple aroma of tagetes (marigold) – which possesses a touch of camphor (and complements Siberian rhododendron’s terpenic quality). Familiarity with Shawn’s perfumery makes it easy to follow his train of thought further: the inclusion of honeyed immortelle, spice softened by the mellow rondeur of beeswax and its furry underbelly undertone. Does tobacco adore immortelle? Indeed, it does, and the employment of a kiss of Kephalis (Givaudan, an ambery-warm woody tobacco aromachemical further enriches the melange, paired with plummy tones. A warm, jammy labdanum cocoons the lot, tempered by a dash of cypriol (often used to emulate oud) and a delicate dose of tonquitone musk (a synthetic but potent deer musk substitute with a hint of floralcy). Cypriol (aka nagarmotha) possesses many facets: it smells of a green leather, traces of cinnamon, vetiver and patchouli – whereas musk tonquitone is a powerful approximation of natural musk, and when contributing to the texture of Maher Olfactive Sagan Dalya it’s a bit of a shapeshifter.

In concert, the plethora of materials in Maher Olfactive Sagan Dalya sing seamlessly – like an ensemble in which the singers stagger their breath to create a lyrical line which appears endless. It’s a marvelous form of infinity, though: chalorous and cool, comforting and contemplative. The hearth may be warm, but you can hear the wind whistle through the forest as a few memorable draughts slither through the cracks in the windowsill.

Notes: Siberian rhododendron, tagetes, immortelle, tobacco, honey, beeswax absolute, labdanum, Kephalis (Givaudan), tonquitone musk, cypriol

Sample kindly provided by the perfumer – many thanks!  My nose is my own…

~ Ida Meister, Deputy and Natural Perfumery Editor

Editor’s Note:  Shawn Maher of Maher Olfactive was the recipient of the CaFleureBon Best Independent/ Perfumer House 2020

Sagan Dalya by Maher Olfactive 

Maher Olfactive Sagan Dalya

  

Thanks to the generosity of Shawn Maher of Maher Olfactive, we are able to offer a bottle of Maher Olfactive Sagan Dalya Extrait ($160) for one registered reader worldwide. To be eligible, please leave a comment explaining what appeals to you about Ida’s review and where you live. Do you have a favorite Maher Olfactive perfume?  Draw closes 11/22/2021

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52 comments

  • nounours7 says:

    I love weird smells, that is why I’m so addicted to niche fragrances. Rhododendron is something that was planted by my grand mother in her garden, I can’t even imagine the smell of the perfume with such notes, but it is soooo appealing to try. I believe that it’s a smell of magic garden… I live in France.

  • Sorohan Adriana says:

    Shawn uncovered layers of fascination when he broke open a bottle of Siberian rhododendron oil with tobacco and immortelle a real magic tuch.
    I am from EU Bucharest Romania Europe

  • drjedi says:

    Ida’s review of Maher Olfactive Sagan Dalya describes it as a shapeshifter. I have tried a number of Maher perfumes (Treachery, Temp Rubato, etc.) and find this to be true – layers of nuances built in – just when you know what a perfume is like, something appears to tell you you don’t. Maher Olfactive Sagan Dalya has rhododendron, which I am not sure I know how it smells like. Maher perfumes are complex and very intriguing and I am sure Maher Olfactive Sagan Dalya is too. Would love to try it some day, Thanks for the draw. From USA.

  • WaltherP99 says:

    Maher Olfactive fragrances i’m familiar with , and i also know the sister company Chatillon Lux .
    Weinstrasse by Chatillon Lux , is in my possession for a longer period of time , and influenced by Ida’s Maher Olfactive reviews I bought the sample set, and later 50ml bottle of Treachery. If I have to rate my favorite Maher Olfactive:
    1. Treachery
    2. Tempo Rubato
    3. Nefertiti
    Sagan Dalya of course was not available when I bought the sample set, so I can’t share my own thoughts. Spicy , herbal with tobacco, musk and jammy labdanum … thank you Ida.
    Sounds really good to me , and traditionally for all Maher Olfactive fragrances, the artistic concept is present.
    Thanks lot
    USA

  • Jeremi says:

    The amazing photos and interesting details appeal to me about Ida’s review. I live in Poland, EU. Tempo Rubato Extrait de Parfum is my favorite perfume from Maher Olfactive.

  • Maryjean says:

    This definitely caught my eye and nose. Ida did a wonderful job of describing each note. I must say it’s an interesting Fragrance. Maher Olfactive Sagan sounds like something I would love to try. Thank you for this Chance. USA

  • Doni says:

    Never had rhododendron tea, and not because it’s so difficult to spell! Never heard of kephalis either but it certainly sounds like my kind of thing – rich, ambery, tobacco…y – everything that I associate with autumn. Leave it to the big GVD to give us something synthetically delicious. lol A stunningly elaborate description of the materials as well as the evocative bit at the end! That Siberian oil and its piney overtones really has me curious. Sounds like another unique creation from Shawn. Canada.

  • Claumarchini says:

    I am not familiar with the brand, but I am really intrigued by it and need to discover it. It has been featured many times in Cafleurebon so the fragrances surely must be unique! Ida’s review of Sagan Dalya gives indeed the picture of a complex and amazingly structured scent.. I love the idea of dichotomies, of it being cold and warm, contemplative and comforting at the same time! Thank you for the draw, I am from Italy.

  • Rob P Storness-Bliss says:

    My current favorite of Shawn’s is definitely Orris Forest among the other amazing fragrances that he comes up with. This review sparks my interest even more into Sagan Dalya and the imagery that it provokes with each different note. Love how they all weave together and written very well. Love how he takes fragrances apart and goes in a different direction than most perfumers. Curious to smell this soon and see how the Rhododendron and honeyed immortelle all work together. Sounds fantastic . I am from Vancouver BC Canada.

  • redwheelbarrow says:

    This sounds really interesting. I’m not completely sure I know what rhododendron smells like. I’m drawn to the tobacco and beeswax notes for sure. I also love dichotomy in a fragrance and tend to go for some more unusual combinations. I still intend to sample my way through this house as I’ve yet to experience any of Mr. Maher’s creations. Thank you for the draw from the US.

  • kdub2675 says:

    I find Ida’s review fascinating in regards to the creativity in not only Shawn’s talent for blending top notch fragrances…but also his creativity and understanding of his craft that gives him the ability to find and source such unique ingredients from all the far flung points of the world. Sagan Dalya sounds like a winner.

    I’m in the USA

  • Ben A says:

    Rhododendrons were one of the most distinctive plants in the garden of the house I grew up in. And they were also a highlight of UC Berkeley’s Botanical Garden, which I loved exploring as a kid. So I was immediately drawn to the idea of a fragrance built around a rhododendron note. I’ve never smelled any of Shawn Maher’s perfumes, but I’d love to try this one. I’m in Oklahoma, USA. Thanks, as always, for the generous draw!

  • moshe says:

    This new Maher creation sounds very original.
    I don’t know what to expect but I am intrigued by its notes, specially the siberian rhododendron, what a beautiful flower.
    I want this in my skin.
    Thank you.
    Kind regards from Mexico.

  • drewactor says:

    Great review and I love Shawn’s work my favorite is Nefertiti. I enjoyed the reviews breakdown of the notes and expanding on the aspect of rhododendron used in teas and it seems that was just the inspiration for this fragrance and not necessarily a focus on tea. Thanks for the draw. In VA, USA.

  • Gig84 says:

    Sagan Dalya is one of a kind leather , tobacco ,camphor , florals and labdamun fragrance ,with more than good performance .
    I’m extra curios about one of its characteristics “it felt intuitive to ally it with the pungent sweet herbal/ green apple aroma”
    I just love Ida reviews , Sagan Dalya sound fantastic , intricate fragrance with lots of twists.
    Thanks for the draw
    USA

  • RobertQ says:

    The biggest thing that stood out to me about idas review is when she mentioned the notes sing seemelessly together, which given the notes list is facinating because so many of them could easily take over 🙂

    I’ve not tried anything from the brand yet but have watched and read so many reviews about them.

    I live in Israel

  • Amaziz89 says:

    In concert, the plethora of materials in Maher Olfactive Sagan Dalya sing seamlessly – like an ensemble in which the singers stagger their breath to create a lyrical line which appears endless. It’s a marvelous form of infinity, though: chalorous and cool, comforting and contemplative. The hearth may be warm, but you can hear the wind whistle through the forest as a few memorable draughts slither through the cracks in the windowsill.

    Notes: Siberian rhododendron, tagetes, immortelle, tobacco, honey, beeswax absolute, labdanum, Kephalis (Givaudan), tonquitone musk, cypriol. Intrigued by the description by Ida and the notes of honey, tobacco and beeswax sound great. A house that I am not familiar with but I am intrigued by nonetheless. Thanks a million from the United Kingdom

  • Ozzyaziz says:

    In concert, the plethora of materials in Maher Olfactive Sagan Dalya sing seamlessly – like an ensemble in which the singers stagger their breath to create a lyrical line which appears endless. It’s a marvelous form of infinity, though: chalorous and cool, comforting and contemplative. The hearth may be warm, but you can hear the wind whistle through the forest as a few memorable draughts slither through the cracks in the windowsill.

    Notes: Siberian rhododendron, tagetes, immortelle, tobacco, honey, beeswax absolute, labdanum, Kephalis (Givaudan), tonquitone musk, cypriol. Intrigued by notes and mix curious to see how it smells like on skin. A house that I am not familiar with I am afraid. Thanks a lot from the UK

  • Suzanne Wlaschin says:

    Dear Ida is a wordsmith par exellence, and her fragrance reviews are invariably an intensely pleasurable read. The mentions of notes of pine, beeswax, tobacco and immortelle all attract me, but it was the mention of cypriol, or nagarmatha, that really had me pricking up my ears. This was an element in the sadly discontinued (and in my opinion underrated) mainstream perfume Lancome Magnifique. I am not expecting it to smell anything like, but that note just really interests me. I would LOVE to have a bottle of Sagan Dalya.

  • mdellaroc says:

    This scent contains so many of my favorite notes, tobacco, beeswax, labdanum. I think this would be magical. I’d love to try it. In maryland.

  • frw says:

    Ida’s comment about the dichotomy in Shawn’s work resonates with me, as does her imagery around a warm hearth and whistling wind. Sagan Dalya sounds amazing and I’d love to see how the notes come together. I don’t yet have a favorite Maher perfume but they sound special and interesting. From USA

  • Steve A says:

    What’s appealing is experiencing the combination of immortelle and tobacco notes. I haven’t tried any from the house before. US

  • Ruthyj says:

    As a tea lover i think i will love it. It sounds relaxing and that is what appeals me.
    Thanks for the opportunity.
    Mexico.

  • Kevin Pedrazs says:

    I think it was a great review by Ida. I have never tried rhododendron nor smelled it. But the mix of the notes seems pretty appealing to me. I would love to try this fragrance. I am from the U.S.

  • Startlit12 says:

    Wow, Sagan Dalya sure sounds unique! I actually have to admit I have no idea what Rhododendron smells like, or Kephalis, or tagetes…so this sounds like an exquisite, yet mysterious and exotic concoction to me. This earthy fresh potion slowly shifting into something deeper, rounder and sweeter sounds like a lovely shapeshifter indeed.
    I am from Denmark and never smelled anything by Maher Olfactive before.

  • petergigov says:

    Sophisticated fragrances like a lot, plus they always gets me positive feedback , and being a vain person that’s important to me.
    Leathery feel with a bit of fruity jammy twist , tobacco and resins , Sagan Dalya is a fragrance for people who know what they want in life , and how to get it.
    I also like the optimism coming from Shawn Maher.
    Haven’t seen Maher Olfactive in any boutique.
    Exciting giveaway, USA
    Regards

  • Andrei Artimon says:

    This definitely caught my eye and nose. Ida did a wonderful job of describing each note. I must say it’s an interesting Fragrance. Maher Olfactive Sagan sounds like something I would love to try. Thank you for this Chance. New York Usa

  • INYA says:

    As a fan of the scent of marigolds, my Mom’s garden was full of their vibrant colors, Sagan Dalya is calling my nose. My favorite Maher Olfactive fragrance is Tempo Rubato. Thanks for the opportunity to try another. Mich USA

  • Emily L says:

    Ida, what a descriptive review for such a unique fragrance. I would love to smell Siberian rhododendron. The honey and beeswax notes also sound delightful. I have yet to try a Maher olfactive perfume. Obviously, I need to! I am in Indiana, USA.

  • RonaldJ says:

    Thanks for the review Ida!

    Shawn is a familiar face on CaFleureBon and it’s always great to read about one of his new creations.
    I was particularly interested in your description of a fresh and warm fragrance which is tenacious, mystical and earthy. Tobacco and Honey are a great combination and when you say it adores Immortele as well I can’t wait to try this!

    Greetings from the UK!

  • GennyLeigh says:

    I wouldn’t expect anything less than a unique and unforgettable scent from Shawn Maher. I have may rhododendron bushes but have never experienced the pure oil. The green pine note would certainly pair well with the camphor herbal tagetes. It sounds refreshing. I’ve tried several of Shawn’s compositions including; Sunrise on LaSalle, Weinstrasse and Tempo Rubato. I’m in MD, USA.

  • GenevaX says:

    “Tenacious, mystical and earthy” is a description of my ideal fragrance. I’m not familiar with Maher, but I’m eager to try this. I’m in the US.

  • Fragrance Capital says:

    Thank you Ida for this intriguing review! if I became a perfumer, I’ll have exactly the same way as Shawn’s thinking. Therefore, I liked his perfume ideas especially Sagan Dalya. When I read the ingredients of this perfume, I felt that it is already in my unconscious mind 🙂 I hope to win this draw … will make me happy and answer many of my questions. Warm greetings from Sarajevo, BiH

  • Rishabh Bhavsar says:

    This fragrance seems to be very interesting and have never tried something with rhododendron in it. This definitely caught my eye. The perfumer has done a really good job of describing the perfume to the readers and the fragrance seems very interesting and tempting. Maher Olfactive Sagan Dalya is something I would love to try. Thank you for this Chance. From India.

  • Vahagn says:

    WOW !! Such a interesting ingredients are listed in pyramid of this perfume !!! Especially was interesting info about Kephalis .
    Unfortunately, I’m not familiar with Maher Olfactive perfumes.
    USA

  • wandering_nose says:

    Another sublime review by Ida! Such exquisite writing, this. I have been drawn to scents of nature as of late, with woods, tobacco, spices, leather and greens as my favorites. And I just love beeswax! Sagan Dalya sounds almost mystical in the dichotomies it contains. Warm and inviting but at the same time cool and reserved, bright but mysterious. An ultimate treat. I have not tried any of the Maher Olfactive creations as of yet but planning to when I get the chance. Based in the Republic of Ireland, EU

  • Uncle1979 says:

    Ida take on Sagan Dalya reminded of making, and later eating the famous Sunken Plum Apple Cake with Honey, while being somewhere in the woods.
    I have smelled Treachery , to me smells similar to Chocolate Ganache Cake with Wiskey and Raspberries i do on special occasions only.
    Appreciate the review, and the giveaway campaign
    USA

  • Michael Prince says:

    What appeals to me based on Ida’s review of Maher Olfactive Sagan Dalya is very detailed and sounds like another beautiful creation by the talented and brilliant perfumer Shawn Maher. I am intrigued by the note of Siberian rhododendron oil that Shawn uses in this and really would love the opportunity to try this. My favorite fragrance by Maher Olfactive is Sun Soaked. I am from the USA.

  • Bad Wolf says:

    It’s a poetic review, as always, but to be fair, I would want to try the newest Maher creation simply because of its name: Sagan Dalya is a smell and taste I’ve known since I was a kid. Tagetes and the smoky aspect of nagarmotha just make it all the more interesting!

    Orris Forest is the only one I’ve tried so far, it’s beautiful.

    Fingers crossed. Russia

  • xoe says:

    I love Ida’s comparison to a choir. A perfume in the round is what I think of. I am in the US. I haven’t tried any Maher Olfactive perfumes yet.

  • Bryant Worley says:

    I think Ida’s review was very good, in that, in her verbage and description of the fradiance, she made it sound quite whimsical.

    Unfortunately for me, I haven’t gotten around to trying Maher Olfactive perfume. But, according to the notes on the site, I would like to sample Tempo Rubato Extrait de Parfum and Treachery Extrait de Parfum.

    I live in Waldorf, Maryland, USA.

  • Dosva says:

    What a informative article !! Lear so many about ingredients! Love tobacco and honey duet and with leathery cypriol and muck will sounds very interesting!!!
    From Armenia

  • aud604 says:

    I really must check out Shawn’s creations one day! This review has inspired me further to seek out his fragrances. I keep hearing his name pop up all over the place, so that is a very good sign. I’m really struggling to imagine this perfume, I’m guessing it would not be super “thick”, despite the notes. Thank you for the review. I am from Canada.

  • Barber82 says:

    From Siberia, to Europe and USA , well made creative fragrances always work . Personally I’m glad there’s no copycats here , Sagan Dalya is a fragrance with its own character, sweet, sour, bitter, leathery , with small doses of incense , I’m impressed.
    As a big believer in herbology, I know Siberian rhododendron oil . It has anti-inflammatory properties, and if you make a tincture you can use it as decongestant . The smell is like mix of a white wine herbs, pine needles and fruits.
    Thank you Ida, Shawn Maher
    USA

  • Brian says:

    I haven’t tried anything yet which was made by perfumer Shawn Maher, but I’d like to try his collected works. I’d like to see what the Siberian rhododendron in this fragrance is like-I can truly enjoy ingredients which are “pine-similar”. I’m not sure if I’d like the smell of tonquitone musk, but I’d certainly like to try this fragrance. I live in MD., U.S.A. Thanks for the giveaway opportunity; I hope that I win.

  • sephrenia300 says:

    What a charming review Ida! What really appeals to me about the review is Ida’s description of it as a very dichotomous fragrance, and that it’s a quality Shawn apparently really likes to doing in many of his fragrances. I am very curious about the idea of a fresh and warm fragrance, with sweet warm beeswax, honeyed immortelle, and sticky comforting labdanum mixed with herbal and camphorous notes. I don’t have a favorite Maher Olfactive perfume yet as I have not tried any, but I think Nefertiti would be my favorite just on the notes. I live in the US.

  • IvanVelikov says:

    Sagan Dalya ? Such an unusual name for such elaborate scent. Leather, woody, sweet , pine, camphor … All the notes are appealing to me, it’s deep and full, so I expect fireworks.Good performance is always a plus.
    Thanks to Ida and Maher Olfactive
    USA

  • wallygator88 says:

    Thank you for the great review Ida.

    I’m a huge Shawn Maher fan and have really enjoyed sampling Crystal Moon, Orris Forest, Tempo Rubato, Santal Auster and Nefertiti.

    I love how your review mentions Shawn’s love for materials and dichotomy. That is true of a lot of his scents. His Scent notes blog is something that everyone must read.

    I’m really excited to be able to sample tis, mainly because of Shawns enthusiasm for the Siberian rhododendron oil.

    Cheers from WI, USA

  • MikeJ says:

    Ida always does a super job at breaking down the notes, never disappoints!! Beautiful pictures as well as the fragrance IMO I love some tabacco fragrances must of my favorites are based around tabacco!! It sounds like one of a kind, can’t wait to get my nose on this!! USA

    Thanks Cafleurebon for the opportunity & good luck everyone!!

  • Bubeto_GG says:

    Sagan Dalya and Maher Olfactive i don’t know, but I’m well familiar with Siberian rhododendron oil for its health benefits, and also how the essential oil smells
    Anyone that has trained consistently hard for an extended period is likely to be familiar with injuries, as well as the aches and pains that unfortunately seem to become a part of everyday life. Siberian rhododendron oil is part of most modern Joint supplements packs.

    “pine-similar tone which is indefinably fruited and wine-rich”
    I 100% agree
    Siberian rhododendron oil , the essential oil smells like Sangria with Sauvignon Blanc Blanc , lost of fruits ,but mostly raspberries , and pine.
    I’m eager to know how the Siberian rhododendron essential oil is blended with the tobacco and immortelle , and of course the whole package.
    I would be really happy to win a bottle of Sagan Dalya
    Thank you
    USA

  • macaroni023 says:

    This sounds it might be my signature smell, it’s just a bit hard to know how siberian rhododendron, tagetes and immortelle notes smell and combine since I am not to familiar with it. Thank you Ida, for introducing me to Maher Olfactive Sagan Dalya, I was not familiar with this house.
    I am from EU