D.S. and Durga Big Sur Eucalyptus (David Moltz) 2023 +Limited Edition Giveaway  

 

 

  

Big Sur Eucalyptus D.S. & Durga

When visiting the new D.S. and Durga Madison Avenue store toward the end of last year the store’s manager introduced me to the brand’s recent release, D.S. and Durga Big Sur Eucalyptus. Let me just say I was intrigued by how David Moltz would interpret the soul of Big Sur. Having been familiar with Big Sur After Rain (got it for my daughter) I was really curious.

“Redwoods and other conifers hide groves off the side of the road. Eucalyptus abounds. When it rains, the scent of eucalyptus combines with fog to make an almost natural medicine lodge. Through the cracks in the trees, you can see the sweeping waves.” –says David Seth Moltz, the brand’s co-founder, and perfumer.

David Moltz and Kavi Durga of D & S. Durga

 David Seth Moltz and Kavi, Founders of D.S. & Durga

As a Californian (Southern), I have spent a fair amount of time in Northern California. It is a different state of mind for sure. While I love Carmel and the Monterey Peninsula, Big Sur is something else. “Big Sur” which translates to “the big south” has a most remarkable history. “There are mountains which seem to reach the heavens, and the sea beats on them…It appears as though they would fall on the ships.” wrote the explorer Juan Cabrillo. Henry Miller after visiting was awed by its “grandeur and eloquent silence,” and made it his home. Big Sur painter Emil White, a friend of Miller’ donated his redwood house to create the Henry Miller Memorial Library. Big Sur’s jaw-dropping beauty inspired noted American composer John Adams to compose The Dharma at Big Sur, and ‘Big Sur’ the 1962 book by novelist and poet Jack Kerouac, recounts the events surrounding his sojourns to Big Sur. To experience its mesmerizing charm and rugged beauty of winding turns, seaside cliffs, and views of the often-misty coastline drive the 96-mile drive on Highway 1 which takes about 2 1/2 hours. It can be intense in some areas since there are no guardrails at the edge, so little room for error.

 BIG SUR AFTER RAIN CANDLE by D.S. & Durga

Big Sur After The Rain D.S. and Durga Candle

“Our Big Sur After Rain is one of our most successful products. People have asked for us to make it as a perfume, but I don’t dig candle oils on the skin. So, I took the dominant accord, and many of the same materials and fashioned them into a foggy meditation on coastal California eucalyptus groves that sits wonderfully on the ol’ epidermis.” says David Seth Moltz, the brand’s co-founder, and perfumer.

D.S. & Durga Big Sur Eucalyptus

Big Sur pixels

So, does Big Sur Eucalyptus smell like Big Sur? And how often does a candle precede a fragrance? To answer the first question, very much so from my olfactive recollection. And to answer the second, hardly ever. There might be one or two. So it was the positive reviews from the customer base that demanded a fragrance to match. An offshoot of sorts of their best-selling candle Big Sur After The Rain. But don’t expect David Moltz to just re-create the candle in the form of a fragrance.

Best Eucalyptus perfumes

Eucalyptus tree free use

“Eucalyptus is one of my top five favorite smells in the world. The oil alone cannot encapsulate its real essence – balmy, green, woody, and deeply spicy. I hope this perfume captures this for all the seekers and tweakers out theresays David Seth Moltz, the brand’s co-founder, and perfumer.

Opening at the top there is a wicked wet green realistic blast of fresh Eucalyptus. This is not a medicinal green but a darker green. The Eucalyptus here feels like it wants to escape. It’s the real deal. It’s big out of the gate. It does settle down. There is also a slight cold ozonic (aquatic) component present but not enough to annoy me (not a fan). The Cyprus suggests the crisp green scent of a coastal forest, the faint smell of saltwater mingling with woody conifers.  Heart notes can be a bit understated but here David’s use of the cardamom brings on an aromatic sweet spiciness to the mix. The scent of rosemary can be a bit astringent at times but here it is too similar to the eucalyptus to rise above. Maybe its freshness is what I’m getting. But it’s the Magnolia note here that has that citrusy edge that ventures out and harmonizes well with the Eucalyptus.

In the dry down there is a spicy sour note that maybe might be a Vicks rub here or there but in a good way. And, there is certainly a little woodiness like a towering Redwood.  Many evergreens have strong scents, and they get their classic “Christmas” smell from gummy resins, but not so here. A petrichor note (not listed) gives it a calming mist mountain hop. So, like several of Durga’s scents, this is one of a kind. You either love it or hate it. Count me in with some love. If I were to pair this with a cocktail a G&T (gin and tonic) would be my perfect drink of choice. Use Hendrick’s Neptunia Gin and see what I mean.

Top Notes: Wet Wood, Pacific Spray, Eucalyptus Globulous; Heart Notes: Cardamom, Rosemary, Magnolia; Base Notes: Eucalyptus Cone, Cypress Dry Leaves

Big Sur Eucalyptus by D.S. and Durga is from the Studio Juice Series Limited Edition Collection. While unisex the eau de parfum does lean slightly masculine. It’s vegan, cruelty-free, and phthalate-free. Big Sur Eucalyptus is SOLD OUT! Keep looking for a return due to demand. The best options to experience Big Sur would be the Big Sur After The Rain Handset  (Soap and Lotion) here. 

To best enjoy their fragrance, listen to the accompanying Spotify lists. Always well-curated and this one is notable. BIG SUR AFTER RAIN

Disclaimer: Samples of Big Sur Eucalyptus were sent to me by D.S. & Durga. My opinions are mine and only mine.

Note: On January 31 a press release went out announcing that Manzanita Capital, the family office that owns Diptyque and Malin+Goetz, acquired a majority stake in the Brooklyn-based niche fragrance brand. Says David Seth Moltz, “Kavi and I and our OG partner Monogram Capital are excited to join forces with Manzanita. We’re hoping that their expertise and our fire will create a volcanic explosion of aroma from East to West to Mars and beyond.

Congrats Kavi, David & D.S. and Durga. Well done!

Hernando Courtright ~ Senior Events Contributor and Brand Ambassador

All Photos are courtesy of the brand except where credited otherwise and cannot be reproduced without permission.

Please read David ‘s Profile in American Perfumery

Thanks to the generosity of D.S.& Durga we have a sample set of three Big Sur Eucalyptus for a USA draw for one registered reader. You must register here. To be eligible please leave a comment on what you enjoyed about Hernando’s review of D.S. & DURGA Big Sur Eucalyptus. The draw closes on 02/07/2024 and the winner will be announced within 10 days later.

ÇaFleureBon has written extensively about D.S. and Durga over the years. Please read Hernando’s review of Deep Dark Vanilla Rockaway Beach and his WE LOVE THIS STORE: DS & Durga NYC

Enjoy Amber Kiso and Amber Teutonic by Lauryn here

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24 comments

  • Reading the review brought me back to my first longer visit to California last sumemer. I was walking and all of the sudden I was hit by this most amazing smell. I was in love. I looked around my self to figure out what is going on and I realized I was surrounded by Eucaliptus trees. This was the firt time I experienced this smell in nature and I was blown away. I was natually very interested in sampling this release espetially because it combines eucaliputs and green herbal notes with costal forest and slight ozonic notes. I think this could be a winner! I’m from Illinous US.

  • Maria Malaveci says:

    I was intrigued as I don’t believe I’ve ever owned a fragrance ever described like this! I also love the smell of Eucalyptus…. Thank you so much for the opportunity! I’m in USA.

  • thee_boy_wonder says:

    I just visited their store in NYC! I got to smell things that I’ve been dying to try! Such a cool brand! I think this fragrance sounds unique as I can’t recall many perfumes with eucalyptus!

    Pennsylvania, US

  • Brad Woolslayer says:

    I’ve never been to Big Sur, but the picture looks amazing, and I’d love to try a fragrance that can capture that scent. I’m happy to know that Hernando has smelled both the real and the fragrance interpretation, and can say that they smell similar. I live in Maryland USA.

  • I really enjoyed this review and the fact that this is a giveaway because I spent a year in Monterey and fell in love with the smell of the eucalyptus, the sea, the wet pine. Everything about that scent calls to me!

    I am in the USA

  • Sherin Thomas says:

    I had the opportunity to visit their store in NYC! I got to smell things that I’ve been dying to try! Such a cool brand! I think this fragrance sounds unique as I can’t recall many perfumes with eucalyptus! From PA,USA

  • I loved reading what an explorer, composer, and writer experienced about Big Sur. I love the area (it really does feel magical), and Durga’s auto fragrance and hand soap in that scent. Wet eucalyptus is one of my favorite smells, and I would love to have Seth’s perfume interpretation of Big Sur after Rain. Sounds like the purchase is good news for the future distribution of DS & Durga.
    Ca, USA

  • I loved the detial you provided about the background! It really helped contextualize the perfume.

  • recursivemask says:

    Hernando’s review is fascinating and evocative in equal measures. I just want to experience this scent so I can be transported to a eucalyptus forest after the rain! US.

  • hippononamus says:

    Big Sur after Rain was my introduction to DS&Durga and was a constant for me during the pandemic and an introduction of sorts to niche fragrances. Unfortunately most of their perfumes don’t work for me: too scratchy and the ac’s are a bit too prominent. I appreciated Hernando’s candidness in what does and doesn’t work for him in this garage. Despite my prior unsuccessful experiences with the brand, I’d still be keen to give this one a try. I’m in the US.

  • Being Caribbean and African, Vick’s vapor rub is a huge part of my culture lol. Knowing that this fragrance has aspects of that in the development of its scent is so comforting and makes me want to try this so badly!

  • The eucalyptus with the cyprus sounds wonderful. The cardamon and rosemary are also intriguing. Definitely need to acquire a sample.

  • Hernando’s review really spoke to how this perfume captures a landscape. I love the sound of a fragrance that evokes the misty, refreshing, crisp environment of a coastal forest. I’d love the chance to try it! I’m in MN, USA

  • AromaDulce73 says:

    This sounds very interesting. A fragrance that has eucalyptus can be a hit or miss depending on how it’s blended what other notes are being used. Seems like they nailed it according to this review. I live in California but haven’t made it to Big Sur yet. If I win I’ll take this fragrance on a ride up the Pacific Coast Highway.

    Los Angeles Ca. USA

  • Oooh having been born and raised in nor cal I know exactly what the eucalyptus smells like and the giant redwoods and lemony magnolia and roadside bushes of rosemary with their sea blue flowers. Nothing is more beautiful than an autumn eucalyptus leaf!! I am sad this is sold out – my hesitation on spending was ill timed… hopefully it will return!!
    Excited to win fingers crossed. In California

  • DS and Durga certainly do fragrance their way. Like you said you either love it or you don’t. I’d like to try thing one. In maryland

  • I have fond memories of my trip to Big Sur. It’s a magical place with a unique environment and intoxicating atmosphere. Eucalyptus can be polarizing, but I’m in the love it camp! I’m in the US.

  • This sounds absolutely gorgeous and I can understand why their customers demanded the candle be turned into a traditional fragrance. Though Eucalyptus isn’t native to California it’s completely associated with the state in my mind. I remember taking coastal walks where leaves and eucalyptus seeds pods get trampled underfoot and I’d love to sample this iteration of this scent. Thanks for the draw. I’m in the US. 🙂

  • Well, I might have to go buy that candle now. I have lived in Monetery, and one of my favorite smells was the eucalyptus trees in the sea air. This review makes Big Sur Eucalyptus sound like a sentimental journey I really want to make! I have tried Sel Vanille and liked it a lot.

  • David Seth Moltz’s description of Big Sur really puts you in it and I’m intrigued by how he captured that “natural medicine lodge” in a fragrance. I’m not familiar with Big Sur After the Rain, but borrowing its dominant accord and materials and remixing them into this Big Sur Eucalyptus fragrance is a clever idea, and a suprise (like Hernando mentioned, we rarely see candles turned into fragrances). The big steamy eucalyptus note sounds terrific; dark green, wild, medicinal. The cold aquatic component captures the coast and a mix of astringent rosemary and cyrpus builds up the forest. The sour note in the dry down is also curious. Would love to try this—great review.

    I’m in the USA.

  • D S & Durga is one of my favorite houses.
    I sure they do the eucalyptus note right.
    Thanls for the giveaways
    Oklahoma USA

  • wallygator88 says:

    Thanks for the wonderful review Hernando.

    While I have not had a chance to visit hBg Sur, have spent many nights in 2020 listening to John Adams’s Sharma At THe Big Sure, while lying on the floor of my house, escaping the confines of my quarantine mentally.

    This scent is such a wonderful way to olfactively experience that same journey. I love how many different types of green, particularly Eucalyptus, Cardamom and Fir is going on in thi scent.

    Also cool to see that they reworked the candle scent into something different.

    Cheers from WI, USA

  • foreverscents says:

    It’s a joy to take long walks in Northern California, smelling the eucalyptus trees everywhere. I am also a big fan of Henry Miller and his writing about Big Sur. I love fragrances that are slightly medicinal. Cowboy Grass from D.S. and Durga is one of my favorite fragrances. It has an astringency that I just love so much.
    I live in the USA.

  • The area around Big Sur is beautiful, I had a lot of fun exploring that part of California on a short but memorable vacation a few years back. The weather was perfect and I got to see the famous bridge on a clear sunny day, and then walk around the gorgeous coastal forest and cliffsides on a magically misty morning. Hernando’s description of this perfume ignites wanderlust. I’d love to try this D.S. & Durga perfume. I’m in the USA, thank you for the draw.