Carl Kling Parfums Clary Fig Review (Antoine Lie) 2023 + A Warm Smile Of A Giveaway

Carl Kling Parfums Clary Fig

Carl Kling Parfums Clary Fig

I’ve long been a fan of the work of perfumer Antoine Lie. Ever since I first sprayed Commes des Garcon’s Wonderwood in a Viennese streetwear boutique that I’ve long forgotten the name of, nearly a decade ago, I’ve dug his pointed style. He’s a perfumer who confounds and provokes (Etat Libre D’Orange Secretions Magnifique being probably the most notorious and bodily case in point with its notes of blood, sweat, sperm and saliva) but then he also made Puredistance’s White and MV2Q ,so we absolutely know he’s capable of sculpting impeccable perfumes of differing shades.

Perfumer Antoine Lie with founder Carl Kling parfums founder

Perfumer Antoine Lie & founder Carl Kling pictured in Paris 2024

His work with Swedish house Carl Kling Parfums was already something I’d noted as the brand released simply produced videos interviewing Lie in the run up to the release of two new “fig focused” perfumes. Being the type of person who, sadly, is perpetually online, I devoured them and then I simply moved on with my day. But that seed of their collaboration was lodged in my brain and from time to time I checked back in with brand, hoping for UK (read: London) stockists.

It took a work sanctioned trip to Brighton in East Sussex to finally get nose time with the duo. At Soliflore, a lovingly curated independent boutique on the Laines, I found them sat unassumingly on a shelf amongst an array of other cool things that I’d been itching to smell. But it was Clary Fig and Clary Fig alone that I came away reeking of that day.

Soliflore, 28 Gloucester Road, North Laines, Brighton

Soliflore, 28 Gloucester Road, North Laines, Brighton. Photo by Oli.

Like a lot of  perfumistos, I thought that there is already a bit of a zenith for figs in perfumery and it’s probably Olivia Giacobetti’s Philosykos for Diptyque. Clean, green, milky and with a slight underscoring of white chocolate, it remains an unbelievably deft and comely fragrance – one that I would happily swoon over for months at a time. But Lie’s emphasis is very much on the “clary” part of this composition, highlighting clary sage’s herbal leaning, lavender-like, amber friendly rush. The support of the fig accord alters the green tone wonderfully, giving the sage a width and texture to dissolve into. Plus serving less of those coconut facets and more shimmering green and fougere-ish leanings swerves any possibilities of straight forward fig fragrance comparisons.

Clary Fig Parfum

Carl Kling Parfums Clary Fig

Carl Kling Parfums Clary Fig is a warm smile of a fragrance that feels very carefree. For one, it’s not dour nor heavy nor very serious. Yet, it’s construction is masterfully layered – when the milk tones open up in the heart, there’s a creamy, gourmand fig aspect to it along with caraway seed. Then the code switches from the initial burst of sage green freshness wonderfully – there’s just this pervasive approachability and welcoming positivity about it. Fresh but edible, green but not astringently so, it’s a happy fragrance that is addictive once you put it on skin.

Notes: lemon, caraway, clary sage, fig, milk, sandalwood, musk

Disclaimer: samples of both Clary Fig and Fig Nuit were provided by Carl Kling Parfums.

–Oli Marlow, Senior Contributor

All images used courtesy of the brand unless otherwise noted.

Clary Fig by Carl Kling

Thanks to the generosity of Carl Kling, we have a 10ml bottle of Clary Fig available in the UK and EU ONLY. You must register or your entry will not count. To be eligible, please leave a comment saying what sparks your interest based on Oli’s review and where you live. Draw closes 9/19/2025

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13 comments

  • Ginandsniff says:

    I am so keen to try this! I can only imagine what magic Antoine Lie can spin with a fig note. As an aside the range that Soliflore has curated is great. I’m in the UK

  • Dorothy Gardner says:

    I’ve always had a love-hate relationship with Fig. Give me a pack of fig rolls and 10 minutes later all that will be left is the packet. Walk into fig scented room and I’m looking for the door. I think we can blame a scent starting with P by a company starting with D on that. Nevertheless as with tuberose and jasmin I like to challenge myself and find a fig I’d like enough to wear. I think I may have found one here.

    Live in London

  • Jeremi says:

    Oli’s review of Carl Kling Parfums Clary Fig sparks my interest with its description of Antoine Lie’s unique take on fig, emphasizing clary sage’s herbal, lavender-like notes paired with a creamy, gourmand fig accord. The fragrance’s approachable, carefree vibe and masterful layering of fresh, green, and edible elements sound addictive and distinctive, setting it apart from typical fig fragrances like Philosykos. I live in Poland, EU.

  • Deso says:

    Crary sage and fig notes blended by master perfumer Antoine Lie for a Swedish house sounds like a carefree and edible combination of a high class. Greetings from EU.

  • nixa says:

    I’ve had the opportunity to try this fragrance and I must say it’s been on my mind ever since…

    I think Oli described it perfectly with “Fresh but edible, green but not astringently so, it’s a happy fragrance that is addictive once you put it on skin.”

    Hugs from EU ❤️

  • Jos says:

    What sparks my interest most from Oli’s review is Antoine Lie’s innovative approach to the fig note – rather than following the typical creamy, coconut-leaning fig path, he’s emphasized the clary sage to create something that sounds both fresh and gourmand. The description of it as “a warm smile of a fragrance” that’s approachable yet masterfully layered really intrigues me. I love that it switches from sage green freshness to creamy, edible fig with caraway – that sounds like a beautiful evolution on the skin. The fact that it manages to be “fresh but edible, green but not astringently so” suggests Antoine Lie has found a perfect balance that avoids the pitfalls of many fig fragrances.
    I live in the EU

  • Amaziz89 says:

    Carl Kling Parfums Clary Fig is a warm smile of a fragrance that feels very carefree. For one, it’s not dour nor heavy nor very serious. Yet, it’s construction is masterfully layered – when the milk tones open up in the heart, there’s a creamy, gourmand fig aspect to it along with caraway seed. Then the code switches from the initial burst of sage green freshness wonderfully – there’s just this pervasive approachability and welcoming positivity about it. Fresh but edible, green but not astringently so, it’s a happy fragrance that is addictive once you put it on skin.

    Notes: lemon, caraway, clary sage, fig, milk, sandalwood, musk A beautiful piece by Oli really intrigued by three notes in particular caraway, Clary sage, fig and sandalwood. I would love to try this on skin. Thanks a million from the UK

  • Ozzyaziz says:

    Carl Kling Parfums Clary Fig is a warm smile of a fragrance that feels very carefree. For one, it’s not dour nor heavy nor very serious. Yet, it’s construction is masterfully layered – when the milk tones open up in the heart, there’s a creamy, gourmand fig aspect to it along with caraway seed. Then the code switches from the initial burst of sage green freshness wonderfully – there’s just this pervasive approachability and welcoming positivity about it. Fresh but edible, green but not astringently so, it’s a happy fragrance that is addictive once you put it on skin. I fascinated by the gourmand aspects of fig and caraway and green herbal freshness of Clary sage. Thanks a lot from the UK

  • Kristof Raemdonck says:

    I live in Portugal, and what sparks my interest most is how Clary Fig seems to turn the fig theme into something greener and fresher. I wonder how clary sage can add texture, but I’d love to try. The idea of a warm smile fragrance with a creamy fig–milk–caraway twist sounds like a must-try. I’d love to experience this side of Antoine Lie’s work and maybe one day I muster the courage to also sample his Etat Libre D’Orange Secretions Magnifique.

  • mmerline says:

    I know it’s not as important as the juice, but I absolutely love this bottle design. I’d love to see more visual art used in this way. Plus I love a green fig fragrance, especially one “serving less of those coconut facets and more shimmering green and fougere-ish leanings”. Even the “creamy, gourmand” heart is pulled in a different direction by a caraway note. Really intrigued by this composition.

    I’m in the USA.

  • Spoma says:

    This is the part that really sparked my interest: “Carl Kling Parfums Clary Fig is a warm smile of a fragrance that feels very carefree. For one, it’s not dour nor heavy nor very serious. Yet, it’s construction is masterfully layered – when the milk tones open up in the heart, there’s a creamy, gourmand fig aspect to it along with caraway seed. Then the code switches from the initial burst of sage green freshness wonderfully – there’s just this pervasive approachability and welcoming positivity about it.”
    EU

  • phoenixad says:

    I’m really impressed by how Clary Fig balances its notes — the fresh burst of lemon and caraway in the top, blending into the creamy milk and fig heart, with sandalwood and musk rounding it out beautifully. It feels like a happy, slightly edible fragrance that draws you in without being overwhelming. I especially loved the part where the reviewer said: “Clary Fig is fresh, slightly edible, green. it’s a happy perfume that gets properly addictive once you put it on skin.” That quote really hit me because I’m always looking for scents that are joyful and comforting, not just loud. Writing from EU

  • wallygator88 says:

    Thanks for the warm and vivid review! The way Antoine Lie leans into clary sage with its herbal, lavender-like edge, paired with creamy fig and caraway, sounds like a fresh twist on a classic fig scent. I especially love that it stays green and comforting without getting too heavy or overly sweet—the milk-tones and sandalwood bring softness that balances beautifully. I’d love to try Clary Fig!
    Cheers from WI, USA