Best Autumn Perfumes 2021 photo by Cristian with digital effects by Steven
“Aprils have never meant much to me, autumn seems that season of beginning, spring. -Truman Capote, Breakfast at Tiffany’s
The editors and contributors of CaFleureBon live all around the world and even during these strange almost surreal times, we all find comfort in our favorite autumn perfumes, (see part 1). Part two of Best Autumn Perfumes 2021. We conclude today, September 22, 2020, the autumnal equinox the time in the earth’s annual cycle around the sun in which day and night are equal in length
Photo by Emmanuelle© Paris Luxemborg Gardens
Autumn in Paris seems a promise of being back to an almost-normal life. At least it seems so. It is my favorite season: the golden tree leaves, the sharp evening light and the delicious comfort food scents that appeal to my senses. No surprise I always fall for bold fragrances that will warm me up as well. Last November, while France was going through its second lockdown, I discovered Visiteur Cabaret Nocturne, a tuberose fragrance created by the brilliant Cécile Zarokian. Being a huge fan of both perfumer and tuberose, I immediately ordered a sample and, of course, it was love at first sniff. Visiteur Cabaret Nocturne is a provocative tuberose, with spicy facets of pink pepper and cumin, both dark and luminous that plunges me into the heat of the night. Mis en scene: A 1920s American speakeasy where the curls of cigarette smoke mingle with the scent of lipstick on the crystal goblets and the clinking of liquor bottles grabbed by shadowed bartenders. Over time the tuberose takes on even more breadth, a bit animalic, and is rounded by creamy sandalwood. It is delightfully decadent and sultry, yet intensely elegant and captivating. So Cécile Zarokian! And so easy to fall for… Visiteur Cabaret Nocturne is my latest purchase at Jovoy Paris, and from now on one of my signature scents!
Notes: gin accord, pink pepper, orange, smoke, sandalwood, powdery notes, tuberose, tobacco, cumin, animalic notes.
Emmanuelle Varron, Senior Contributor
photo by Michael Devine©
Neil Morris of Neil Morris Fragrances’ creations have always struck an emotional chord in me. Be it the Prozac-replacement Zephyr, the spicy, fruity Me, the spectral Vision in Black or the sun-drenched Seaflower, I’ve gladly joined the journey. Last fall, Michelyn wonderfully co-conspired with Neil to bestow upon me a magnificent gift: a bespoke Neil Morris fragrance to celebrate the premiere of HBO’s “The Undoing” (I played Detective O’Rourke). The fragrance, Primal Oudh, formed an olfactive backdrop to a joyful chapter of my life. Both the gesture—and the composition—touched my heart. Inspired by the mysterious complexity of “The Undoing” (in which everyone is a suspect), Primal Oudh presents darkness upon darkness: birch tar, oudh, Indian frankincense, leather and castoreum contrast with notes of sweet, creamy coffee and tonka bean. The result is drop-dead gorgeous and honestly, too good to keep to myself. While I covet my exclusive bottle, I urged Neil to share it with the world. This sumptuous, gothic elixir is now available to all! In yet another kind-hearted gesture, Neil has renamed Primal Oudh to … Oudh Devine. I’m honored, touched and eternally grateful. Nagarmotha, Indian Frankincense, Ambergris, Amber, Oak, Coffee, Ionone Alpha, Birch tar, Animalis, Castoreum, Oud, Leather
Michael Devine, Contributor
via pixaby
Bogue Profumi MEM (Antonio Gardoni): The approach of fall brings melancholy; summer’s languor gives way to seriousness; faces in the street become preoccupied, and my wardrobe gets maddeningly sensible. My antidote is wearing a fragrance that is all-out gorgeous, sexy as sin, and just a tiny bit bonkers. And that, my friends, is Bogue Profumi MEM. Perfumer Antonio Gardoni uses a crazy amount of lavender — four different versions, no less — and combines them with a voluptuous ooze of linden syrup and cherry pipe tobacco for one of the most unusual, sexy, delicious, lavender scents on the market. Now, excuse me while I slip into opera gloves and tiara and head to the office. Notes: Petitgrain, mandarin, grapefruit, lavender (4 different species), ylang ylang, lily of the valley, white champaca, jasmine grandiflorum, rose damascena, bourbon geranium, vanilla, peppermint, laurel, Siam benzoin, rosewood, sandalwood, Himalayan cedarwood, labdanum, ambergris, musk, castoreum, civet, amber Lauryn Beer, Senior Editor
L’Artisan Parfumeur Mandarina Corsica by Despina Veneti©
L’Artisan Parfumeur Mandarina Corsica (Quentin Bisch): In addition to his knack for delivering highly conceptualized creations, perfumer Quentin Bisch often includes surprising twists to his fragrances. In the case of L’Artisan Parfumeur Mandarina Corsica, he signs an unexpected olfactive carte postale of the eponymous French island while proposing an utterly sophisticated (yet no less delicious) gourmand scent. Its name may suggest cologne-like freshness; however, the fragrance is an ideal autumnal choice, hued in deep orange and caramel tones. The mandarin is indeed the star, albeit in its candied state (inspired by the perfumer’s memories of clémentines confites). Just like the actual Corsican confection reveals its soft, syrupy fruit flesh under a caramelized exterior, the fragrance’s mandarin note smells coated in burnt sugar with emerging nuances of aromatic zest and juicy pulp. The brilliant addition of immortelle (an emblematic Mediterranean plant), as well as the combination of warming tonka bean and sweet spices, add a natural vibe to the caramel note while providing that balmy feeling of still lingering Indian summer. Notes: Mandarin, Bitter Orange, Immortelle, Orange Blossom, Jasmine, Caramel, Tonka Bean, Vanilla, Cinnamon, Sandalwood. – Despina Veneti, Senior Editor
Photo of Amouroud Safran Rare by Olya Bar©
The golden season is finally upon us, and New York offers a kaleidoscope of autumn colors when it’s dressed in shades of copper, gold, and mocha. I cannot wait to wrap myself with cozy cashmere, indulge in a delicious old-fashioned cocktail, and finally wear the spicy, woodsy fragrances I tend to put away in the summer. In that smooth transition between suffocating humidity and an anticipated breath of refreshing fall weather, I often reach for Safran Rare by Amoroud, composed by Claude Dir. It creates an inevitable bridge between the end of summer and the fast-approaching romantic melancholy of fall; with sparkling bergamot and freesia, it slowly morphs into the heart of saffron, incense smoked rose, and the resinous warmth of oud, creamy sandalwood, and warm vanilla. The depth of Safran Rare rests quietly inside the timid, purple Crocus Flower, a flower that blooms for a few short days. Its rich red and fragrant stigmata are hidden inside, three per flower. Carefully harvested by hand, they are sun-dried to concentrate their precious, unusual, silken aroma. Its unique aroma is carefully preserved and celebrated in this composition. Is it the only fragrance I will wear in the fall? Of course not, but its sure marks the beginning of my favorite time of the year. Notes: Bergamot, Geranium, Freesia, Olibanum, Saffron, Rose de Mai, Jasmine, Cedar, Oud, Sandalwood, Benzoin, Vetiver, Vanilla.
– Olya Bar, Contributor
Photo of Autumn leaves NYC by Michelyn©
Strangelove Meltmyheart (Christophe Laudamiel) is a fall coat of many colors. Each note begins by dancing a solo performance, like a separate leaf swirling in the air before settling to the earth. Akin to an autumn day, Meltmyheart begins hopefully with glowing mandarin. The last blooms of summer –jasmine, magnolia and rose give way to deeper hues of ginger and dusty cocoa. Creamy sandalwood and buttery orris comfort me before calling it a night when Strangelove Meltmyheart wraps me in its sensual oud embrace that lingers until dawn. After over a year of social distancing, this autumn shows promise that my heart might melt again- Michelyn Camen, Editor-in-Chief
Disclaimers, the Best Autumn Perfumes 2021 were from our own collection or requested for this article; our opinions are our own
For our Best Autumn Perfumes 2021 draw
World Wide for one registered reader. AVAILABLE IMMEDIETLY. Simply go to neilmorrisfragrances.com and order any fragrance in the “vault” section, but — in the comments section upon checkout, indicate that you actually wish to purchase Neil Morris Oud Devine. A percentage of the sales will be donated to when you order a bottle to Tunnel to Tower Foundation for one registered reader. OR EMAIL NEIL @NEILMORRIS FRAGRANCES.COM
Neil Morris Oudh Devine will soon be found in the “Vault” section of Neil’s website.
photo by Emmanuelle©
Worldwide: Thank you Janne Rainer Vuorenma, for 75 ml of Visiteur Caberet Nocturne for one registered reader.
USA or Europe Thanks to the generosity of L’Artisan Parfumeur, we have a draw for a 100ml bottle of Mandarina Corsica for one registered reader.
US, EU, UK15 ml Thanks to Elizabeth Gaynes founder of Strange Love NYC 15 ml Meltmyheart for one registered reader
To be eligible for the above you must be a registered reader. Remember to click here or your comment won’t count. Tell us what you thought of part two of our best autumn fragrances 2021, which you would like to win, and where you live. You can list as many of the four as you would like. Draw closes 9/25/2020
Follow us in Instagram @cafleurebon @monbazarunlimited @despinavnt @elledebee @michaelpdevine @olyabar @visiteurparfum @cecilezarokian @strangeloveny @christophelaudamiel @lartisanparfumeur @quentinbischparfumeur @amouroud @bogue_profumo
We announce the winners only on our site and on our Facebook page, so like ÇaFleureBon and use our blog feed, or your dream prize will be just spilled perfume…
This is our Privacy and Draw Rules Policy