Darren Alan Perfumes Hekate Review (Darren Alan) + Autumnal Equinox Giveaway

Darren Alan Perfumes Hekate Eau de Parfum

 Darren Alan Perfumes Hekate courtesy of the brand

I am unraveling the mysterious charm of Darren Alan Perfumes Hekate, a seasonal perfume that is back in stock for Autumn. Even the name is enchanting—Hekate — Goddess of night, spells, moon, and the quieter, older kinds of power. Hekate is an autumnal perfume built for twilight: dark, resinous, and slow to reveal itself. It leans into the season’s fragrant materials and the ritual of wearing scent, inviting me to explore layers that shift and deepen over hours.

I knew I had stepped into a world where darkness and appeal intertwine; the perfume itself is magic. Hekate is a mood that beckons me to explore the enchanting depths of the night and embodies the mystique of enchantment, the moon, and the unseen forces of nature.

Best autumn perfumes

forest path and moon via Sandi AI

From the very first spritz, Darren Alan Perfumes Hekate greeted me with the warmth of fir balsam. This resinous note transports me to a dense forest after a rain, its evergreen richness reminding me of the resilience of nature. The opening hits with a balsamic rush of fir—green, pitchy, slightly tarry, rounded by sun‑dried apricots that give a warm, almost jammy fruitiness. Mulling spices thread through this bright opening: cinnamon’s gentle heat, a whisper of clove, and a dusty, citrusy lift that smells like a hearthside pot simmering on a cold evening.

As the initial spark of Darren Alan Perfumes Hekate settles, the composition softens into a honeyed core. It isn’t syrupy honey but an ambered, slightly fermented honey that brushes against cedarwood’s dry, vertical grain and cypress’s smoky, aromatic sap. Patchouli weaves beneath, earthy and textured, adding leaf‑mold and leathered facets that keep the middle stage mysterious rather than sweet.

At the base of Hekate, patience, rewards you. The dry down is where this perfume truly transforms—an extended, luxurious climax. A synthetic castoreum accord brings animalic warmth (think vintage leather and a subtle, animal musk without cruelty), Cambodian oud contributes a dark, resinous smoke, and myrrh offers balsamic, slightly medicinal sweetness. Orris root adds a powdery, violet-like hush, and sandalwood rounds everything with milky, woody cream. Together they create a slow ballet of contrasts: animal and powder, smoke and cream, resin and root.

Photo Moon rise taken by Sandi

Darren Alan Perfumes Hekate invites everyone to experience its power, mystery, and beauty. It does not rush to reveal its secrets but rather evolves gracefully over time, making each moment a new revelation. Hekate is a contemplative fragrance that unfolds over hours; a strong initial presence that settles into a rich, intimate trail. Hekate’s longevity is substantial—good for evening wear, ritual moments, or any time you want a scent that announces itself but keeps offering new details. It’s theatrical without being costume-y—sophisticatedly dark rather than gimmicky. Great for cooler weather, where the resins and woods can bloom fully.

I am someone who favors depth over brightness this time of year, who enjoys scents that tell a story and change with movement and warmth. I have been wearing it when I want to feel a little dangerous, a little sacred, and undeniably present. Experience the mystery of Hekate yourself as a ritual—layered, slow, and quietly powerful.

As I embrace the unknown, Darren Alan Perfumes Hekate jolts my senses awake, armored for my intentions, a quiet guardian on the border between what is seen and what’s not. Hekate turns darkness into a promise of change. I inhale, let the scent settle, and suddenly I’m steadier, braver, holding my own ritual close.

Notes:  fir balsam, mulling spices, dried apricots, beeswax absolute, cypress, honey, patchouli, cedar, castoreum accord, myrrh, Cambodian oud, sandalwood, benzoin, orris root

Sandi Lundberg, Senior Contributor

Disclosure: A bottle of Darren Alan Perfumes Hekate was kindly offered by the brand; opinions are my own.

 

Hekate by Darren Alan Perfumes

Thanks to the generosity of Darren Alan Perfumes, we have a 50ml bottle of Hekate for one registered reader in the USA. You must register or your entry will not count. To be eligible, please leave a common saying what sparks your interest based on Sandi’s review and that you live in the USA. Draw closes 9/25/2025

Note: Hekate debuted in 2021 and is seasonal.

Also available at Fragrance Vault

Darren Alan is the perfumer for Statik Olfactive’s Scarlet Lady read Nicoleta’s review Read Nicoleta’s review of our 15th Anniversary fragrance Lipstick Queen

Enjoy Darren’s Profile in American Perfumery

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27 comments

  • Sybelle16 says:

    The key takeaways for me where Hekate celebrates the seasonal shift into Fall and Hekate highlights that tonal shift–depth over brightness: a balsamic tinged fir balsam that gives it an animalic nature combined with woody cedar, it is green, dense and sweetened with honey, fruity notes of apricots, mulled spices and citrus notes evoke a pot of wassail simmering on a stove on a chilly night. Hekate is a dark, warm, enticing scent that reveals its true nature over time. It is rich yet intimate.
    USA

  • Ben A says:

    Fall is my favorite season. And whenever there’s a change of seasons, I always look forward to switching up the fragrances I wear. Sandi’s review makes Hekate sound like an absolutely perfect fall fragrance. I live in Oklahoma, USA.

  • Ramses Perez says:

    If I have learned one thing about Darren Alan is that he makes dark, daring fragrances. He loves the animalic facets but still finds a way to add some bright notes to compositions offering a relief. Hekate makes its presence known once a year and that time has come. An enchantress Goddess of dark that’s both sensual and mysterious is what this fragrance gives. For the autumn months, I really lean into the darker, sweeter and deeper compositions to pair with the weather outside. Let the fall vibes in. I’m located in the USA.

  • agnes says:

    I’ve been itching to try some of Darren’s perfumes and this is high on my list! The list of notes alone is enough to get my attention, but the vivid descriptions of its mystery, unpredictability and dynamism in Sandi’s writeup are what inspire me to enter. I’m in the US.

  • Agent47 says:

    The name Hekate instantly sparks curiosity—it’s named after the Greek goddess of magic and mystery, so you know it’s not your average fragrance. Reading the review feels like stepping into a spell: it starts with foresty fir balsam and spiced apricot, then shifts into smoky incense and animalic warmth. That dramatic transformation makes it feel alive, like it’s telling a story on your skin.

    If you love perfumes that evolve and surprise you, Hekate is worth exploring. The review doesn’t just describe a scent—it invites you into a mood, a moment, a ritual. From NY, USA

  • frometa55 says:

    This fragrance Hekate calls my attention because of the warm fall like notes it has , Orris being one of them sparks my interest even more. The way Sandi describes the fir balsim note as a rain forest and the jammy apricot makes it feel even more inviting. I live in the USA .Thank you Cafleurebon and Darren for the opportunity at this giveaway

  • EPTrail says:

    You had me at dark, resinous smoke! I’m eagerly waiting for November when I can wear his Fêtes de Noël perfume again. I really enjoy his deer musk accord and would be curious to sample the synthetic castoreum used in Hekate. I’m in the US.

  • snowflake15 says:

    It’s amazing how the perfumes are coming out fast and furious! This one seems like a walk at sunset on a crisp autumn evening. Wearing a cape to stay warm and appreciating the smells of the forest. I can’t wait to try it! I like that it develops slowly. I have a few of his perfumes and am eager to see what he comes up with next. USA

  • Danniel says:

    You had me at dark and resinous. You kept me with smoky and animalic. I too want to feel dangerous and sacred. This sounds like something I need to experience for myself! I am in the USA.

  • Daniel Rutan says:

    Hekate sounds like such a magnificent and alluring journey through the night. I love resinous and spicy fragrances. Sandi did such a fantastic job of creating the sensory landscape for this fragrance, and I can’t help but want to explore the world of Hekate!! I live in the US.

  • quixoticcynic says:

    This sounds glorious, and the house/perfumer is completely off my radar, so what a treat. Sandi’s desire for “depth over brightness” as things get colder is right up my alley, and the way these notes unfold sounds like something I need to experience, one way or another. (Fir, then honeyed amber and patchouli, and oud and castoreum?! Wow.) I’d love to be entered into the giveaway, and I live in the US.

  • rachel wiener says:

    I’m drawn to fragrances that conjure the dark magic of Autumn. I love the sacred and scary dark feminine of ancient times, so the name is also a draw for me. I’ve heard nothing but wonderful things about Darren’s work and would love to try this as well as his other creations! From Brooklyn, NY

  • Doni says:

    This one is probably my favourite from Darren for the autumn. Love Sandi’s “slow ballet of contrasts” description, because that’s precisely how I feel. Definitely not a saccarin-laden honey and the animalics are a great touch. Wouldn’t consider it an animalic perfume though. Whomever is fortunate enough to score this one is in for a treat. Especially if you like your woods spicy and rich. A 9/10 for me.

  • Brandon J says:

    What a description of Hekate. The unfolding of the fragrance as mysterious and provocative of the night and season. The balsam, honeyed resinous nature, the woody touches and the leathery musky dry down. The smell of fall captured in a bottle. I live in NY, USA.

  • opalbear says:

    I’ve tried a sample of this and have wanted it ever since! It’s incredibly well made. I love a great basalmic fragrance and this one is just perfect with the dried apricots, orris and oud added to the gorgeous spices and resins. Darren Alan is an amazing perfumer. Masterfully does florals as well as woods and basalmic and his leather/Cuir accord is gorgeous!! I’m a long time happy subscriber to his monthly 10mls. Great deal for stunning perfumes.
    I am located in the U.S.

  • roxhas1cat says:

    This article makes me want to take a moonlit walk through a forest. I love a fragrance that really peaks in the dry down. I love for the magic to happen in the dry down. Gorgeous artwork to go with this article. USa.

  • Teresa C says:

    Dangerous, sacred, embracing darkness as guardian; wonderful imagery for this time of year and sings to my adoration of the season. The balance of elements you describe is quite a feat and one I’d love to try. And I could use a little bravery lately. I do live in the US.

  • Kensolfactoryodyssey says:

    Love what darren does!! Haven’t had the chance to smell this one.The resinous fir balsam and honeyed core really drew me in—I love autumn perfumes that feel like rituals. I’m in the USA.

  • reyessence89 says:

    Hekate, the goddess of liminal spaces. Did the name inspire the perfume or vice versa? The wearer is pulled in different directions by the perfume’s three distinct phases, but left at the crossroads to experience everything about Hekate. I loved the deep and animalic base when I owned Hekate. Gifted it to a very good friend who fell in love with the unusual honey notes. I also very much enjoyed the heart and found the honey to give a different animalic note that ushered the castoreum. I miss it, and would love to have another bottle. I live in the US.

  • jennapark says:

    I am loving that this fragrance is inspired by a cool fall woods almost Halloween vibe. There is nothing better. The author wrote about this time of year “valuing depth over brightness” that is exactly my feeling and i’m looking for fragrances that are dark, mysterious and unique this fall season.It sounds like Hekate is exactly that and i’m here for it. Sounds like this scent would be amazing for outdoor fall activities. USA Pennsylvania

  • Annika says:

    A fragrance inspired by Hekate should be earthy, woody, sensual and a bit mysterious. This perfume from Darren Alan sounds like it honors the goddess admirably, and is particularly welcome during spooky season. The forest elements, fruit and ambery honey complement the woods and the leathery castoreum accord. Sounds perfect for fall. MD, USA

  • mmerline says:

    Hekate is Alan working in his sweet spot, all rich honey, vintage animalics, and heady materials. He uses the good stuff: “A synthetic castoreum accord brings animalic warmth (think vintage leather and a subtle, animal musk without cruelty), Cambodian oud contributes a dark, resinous smoke, and myrrh offers balsamic, slightly medicinal sweetness. Orris root adds a powdery, violet-like hush, and sandalwood rounds everything with milky, woody cream.” I have a dwindling sample and have been very impressed. The progression is what shines for me—the transition from the dusty, spiced fir balsam opening to the honeyed heart is significant, as is when the myrrh and castoreum in the base reveal themselves. Excellent.

    I’m in the USA. Thanks for the giveaway!

  • aditu says:

    Sandi’s description of the unfolding layers of Hekate was excellent. I personally enjoy individually all of the elements of the layers she mentions, so I would love to experience how each one reveals itself as the fragrance develops – earthy resins, mulling spices, animalic oud. I also loved the way Sandi characterizes this fragrance as “theatrical without being costume-y”! That is so well put. I am in MA.

  • foreverscents says:

    Hekate sounds like a wonderful fragrance for the autumn season, especially for Halloween night. The apricot and mulling spices sound so rich and evocative. I agree with Sandi about loving the feeling of depth that comes with autumn, but I must admit that I am prolonging summer a bit by wearing Darren’s 2024 masterpiece Honeysuckle Summer.
    I live in the USA.

  • David says:

    This description along with the imagery provided definely is alluring and makes this sound like a standout among the mundane. The dark and damp gives it a certain feel but the complexity is juxtapose to the sweetness mixed in. Picturing it as a very rich and balanced elixir. Would like to win and enjoy this in the upcoming winter and it would be used sparsely as it is some strong so a little should carry you a long way. From North Carolina.

  • kasstocko says:

    What sparked my interest was the way Hekate blends myth, ritual, and scent into one experience—a perfume that doesn’t just smell beautiful, but embodies autumn’s mystery, depth, and quiet power.

  • wallygator88 says:

    Thanks for that mystical review! Hekate sounds like a fragrance steeped in ritual—fir balsam and spicy apricot open it with forested intensity and warmth, then it softens into honeyed woods, patchouli, and resinous cedar, before revealing a smoky, leathery base with oud, myrrh, and castoreum. The way it evolves over time feels almost magical, like layers of night unfolding. I’d love to try Hekate!