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 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 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.

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.

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 there” says 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

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