D.S. and DURGA Jazmin Yucatan, Pistachio and Italian Citrus (David Seth Moltz) + D.S. and Durga Greatest Hits Volume 1 Giveaway

Four Seasons Resort Tamarindo D. S. & Durga Jazmin Yucatan, Pistachio and Italian Citrus

Four Seasons Resort Tamarindo (courtesy of Four Seasons): Hernando wore D.S. and DURGA Jazmin Yucatan, Pistachio, and Italian Citrus

Love is in the air. I have been invited to four weddings. The first was last August. I went to Los Angeles to participate in an intimate wedding of forty in Malibu Canyon. While in town I visited the D.S. and Durga Venice boutique to write up a profile for our We Love This Store feature. I just celebrated the second wedding at the Four Seasons Resort Tamarindo in Mexico which is a sprawling 3,000-acre ocean-side resort on a private natural reserve. The property’s design incorporates elements of authentic Mexican style and pre-Hispanic heritage that took ten years to build. Major Wow Factor. White Lotus anyone? This fabulous wedding had two hundred-plus guests but felt so intimate. The bar has been set very high for our next two weddings! When travelling I always pack samples to try out. Getting ready for the first night of festivities, I realized my sample bag of scents had only D.S. and Durga fragrances. Now I have never worn one brand’s fragrances exclusively for one week, so uncharted territory. Not to fear, this tastefully controversial brand with exceptional quality has numerous scents to choose from. So, it allowed me a chance to try a number and D.S. and DURGA Jazmin Yucatan, Pistachio, and Italian Citrus Stood out.

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

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

There’s nothin’ you can know that isn’t known

Nothin’ you can see that isn’t shown
There’s nowhere you can be that isn’t where you’re meant to be
It’s easy

All you need is love
All you need is love
All you need is love, love
Love is all you need -Songwriters: John Lennon / Paul McCartney All You Need Is Love lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Tratore

D.S. & Durga Jazmin Yucatan review

D.S. & DURGA Jazmin Yucatan

“Once-thriving cities are preserved in russet orange limestone ruins. Overgrown green vines and dark grasses swallow temples back into the jungle.” -David Seth Moltz on D.S. and DURGA (Jazmin Yucatan)

While the Four Seasons resort is not on the Yucatan Peninsula (it’s on the Pacific Coast) the jungle surrounding the hotel was striking in the same way. The opening is an explosive sweet, juicy floral with a jasmine accord for people like me who love the smell of jasmine. The jasmine here is so photorealistic. It’s a smooth, and clean complex aquatic. I can get past its somewhat linear humidity realistic wet and humid big ol’ dampness that reminds me of cement after a warm rain. At the base is copal, a resin that smells like perfumed wood. Burned as incense for spiritual and therapeutic purposes it is used in ceremonies and rituals by Indigenous peoples of the Americas. Dare I say this smells like Mexico? Oh, of course it does! A sensual treat.

Top Notes: water, passion flower, bergamot; Heart Notes: jazmín yucateco, sambac, clove; Base Notes: snake plant, vetiver, copal

 

D.S. & Durga Pistachio Eau de Parfum

D.S. & Durga Pistachio

I think pistachio is an elegant nut. Also, a fun nut. It’s around good climes and everyone seems to dig it. We made this on a whim; a fragrance with no story that just evokes the fun of pistachio (especially as a dessert flavor). It was a STUDIO JUICE (limited edition of 100 bottles). People went nuts for the concept (pun somewhat intended) and we knew we had to add it to the line. It’s dank and unabashedly sweet which is something I don’t normally do.” -David Seth Moltz.

Released in 2022, Pistachio is a soft gourmand that has taken on a cult-like status. Delivering on a pistachio nut note without being pastry sweet, it layers a fresh and cozy earthy nuttiness. Yes, there is much patchouli too but not that 70’s head stores kind.  Make no mistake, this is not kids’ stuff, this is for the grown-ups. This is oddly delicious in the best possible way. The sweetness was creamy (vanilla crème), bordering on milky and the saltiness brings on the salted shells of the pistachio. Fun to wear. I found on different wears that the patchouli can be more prominent at times than the pistachio and then vice versa. Trying to figure that out. Sillage and longevity are surprisingly good.

Top Notes: pistachio, cardamom; Heart Notes: more pistachio roasted almond; Base Notes: even more pistachio, patchoulivanilla crème

D.S. & Durga Italian Citrus

Our Italian Citrus varies the formula in a few ways to create a fresh citrus scent where the citrus actually lasts into the dry-down. Overall Italian Citrus is lush and lasting.This is the accord that I want to take all the way down to the base. Instead of the herbs of classic colognes, we use violet ionones to keep the sweet going south. In the base, the liquid crystal smell of copaiba balsam, a white resin from South America, blends with incense absolute, and oakmoss. This gives an afterthought of citrus. Copaiba for the fresh peppery bergamot, incense for the orange-lemon notes, and oakmoss for the green.”  David Seth Moltz

From the early days of the brand, this 2011 release is fresh, simple, and sweet, with a subtle hint of a little darkness on the edge of town thrown in. There is also that posh summer resort vibe but don’t dare think about it smelling sun tanny. Most likely, because it was one of the earlier fragrances in the collection, it’s more conventional than those that have followed. For sure warm weather wear. The citrus trio of top notes fades away to a drydown that is a spicy slice of paradise smelling humid, aquatic, and earthy, with some warm greenness. Overall, this is a light airy and dare I say exemplary masculine eau-de-cologne. For sure one of the more classic scents in the Durga collection.

Top Notes: pressed lemon, chinotto, blood orange; Heart Notes: green mandarin violet leaf incense; Base Notes: copaiba balsam, musk ambretteoakmoss

To best enjoy these fragrance, listen to the accompanying Spotify lists:
PistachioJazmin YucatanItalian Citrus

The nose behind these fragrances is David Seth Moltz.

Disclaimer: samples were sent to me by D.S. & DURGA. My opinions are mine and only mine.

Hernando Courtright ~ Senior Events Contributor and Brand Ambassador

All Photos are courtesy of D.S. & DURGA except where credited otherwise and cannot be reproduced without permission.

Greatest Hits Volume 1 D.S. & Durga

 Greatest Hits Volume 1 D.S. & Durga

  • Thanks to the generosity of D.S.& Durga we have Greatest Hits Vol.1 -D.S. & Durga, a set  of six of some of the brand’s bestsellers for one registered reader USA ONLY. You must register here. To be eligible please leave a comment on what you enjoyed about Hernando’s reviews and how he matched a fragrance to each wedding he attended. The draw closes on 02/09/2025 and the winner will be announced within 10 days.

ÇaFleureBon has written extensively about D.S. and Durga over the years. Read David Seth Moltz’s Profiles in American Perfumery in his own words from 2013 here.

Please read Hernando’s review of Big Sur EucalyptusDeep Dark VanillaRockaway BeachBlack Magenta, WE LOVE THIS STORE: DS & Durga NYCWE  LOVE THIS STORE: D.S. & DURGA Venice, California Boutique

Follow us on Instagram @cafleurebonofficial @CourtrightMgmt @dsanddurga

This is our Privacy and Draw Rules Policy.

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.

 

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27 comments

  • I love this review! You’ve picked three I’ve always wanted to try but haven’t yet. My top three favorite from this house is the LE Salem Gothic,LE Big Sur/After The Rain, and Debaser. I hope to win the discovery set. I have a feeling there are more out there for me to love. I’m located in US.

  • Very nice review. It’s difficult to comment on Hernando’s review of Pistachio since I already own a bottle. While he talks about the patchouli, to me it is all about the nut. So much so that, whenever I’ve worn it I’ve had to grab a bag of pistachios and start snacking away.

    During my visits to D.S. & Durga in NY, I’ve not sampled Jazmin Yucatan nor Italian Citrus. His descriptions make me regret that decision. I’d be curious about a photorealistic jasmine, and if it would be reminiscent of jasmine lei given to me when I was in Asia.

    I never put my nose to Italian Citrus because I already own several Acqua di Parma colognes and the boutique had other things to try. Now I’m wondering if I made a mistake.

    Interestingly, these three are not in the Greatest Hits Vol. I sample pack. So, even if I’m lucky enough to be selected, there’s a need to return to the boutique during my next trip to NYC.

    Located in the US.

  • Brad Woolslayer says:

    I’ve been interested in D.S. and Durga for sometime now. These 3 fragrances sound very interesting. Pistachio is a note that I’d love to experience in a fragrance, as well as a unique spin on jasmine and Italian citrus. I’d love to try the discovery set. I live in Maryland USA.

  • Oh how i love DS Durga! I have been obsessed with this perfume house since I first smelled Pettigrain Sur Fluer made for Anthropologie! Each one of the reviews captured my heart, and I was transported to each wedding in my mind… absolutely beautiful. I am in Colorado USA thankbypu so much for the reviews and draw!

  • MikeRinzo79 says:

    Big fan of DS & Durga and it was great that Hernando wire a few to the weddings he attended in Mexico. Jazmin Yucatán sounds wonderful. Authentic.I own a full bottle of a pistachio and it’s wonderfully nutty!!
    The DS & Durga greatest hits volume 1 does include a few I would like to try like Radio Bombay and Cowboy Grass
    Thanks so much

  • To be honest, I’m not clear on which fragrance was matched to which wedding, but the forced-experiement of using only one House’s scents for a whole week seems to have worked out great! DS & Durga is such an interesting brand and they don’t seem to waste any time being Same-y. They stand out in a world full of people copying each other. I’m off to read Hernando’s other reviews of this fascinating company!

  • Hernando’s review of Jazmin Yucatan is in stands out as it connects the fragrance’s green jasmine and river stone notes to a Tulum wedding, mirroring the jungle’s vibrant atmosphere.i live in Trzebnica, Poland.

  • I’ve never thought about choosing a fragrance for myself for a wedding. I am too busy considering what my daughter would like for her summer wedding in her dahlia farm. She is not too much into fragrance, so maybe I should focus on a choice for me. I wonder what Hernando would choose for a pacific NW wedding in September. I don’t know what it would be like to only have D.S. Durga perfumes for a week as I am not familiar with the line. I’d love to try them out. Thanks for the informative article. USA.

  • be more prominent at times than the pistachio and then vice versa. Trying to figure that out. Sillage and longevity are surprisingly good.

    Top Notes: pistachio, cardamom; Heart Notes: more pistachio roasted almond; Base Notes: even more pistachio, patchouli, vanilla crème. A great piece by Hernando really intrigued by the notes of pistachio, cardamom, patchouli and vanilla. Thanks a lot from the UK

  • Pistachio is a soft gourmand that has taken on a cult-like status. Delivering on a pistachio nut note without being pastry sweet, it layers a fresh and cozy earthy nuttiness. Yes, there is much patchouli too but not that 70’s head stores kind. Make no mistake, this is not kids’ stuff, this is for the grown-ups. This is oddly delicious in the best possible way. The sweetness was creamy (vanilla crème), bordering on milky and the saltiness brings on the salted shells of the pistachio. Fun to wear. I found on different wears that the patchouli can be more prominent at times than the pistachio and then vice versa. Trying to figure that out. Sillage and longevity are surprisingly good.

    Top Notes: pistachio, cardamom; Heart Notes: more pistachio roasted almond; Base Notes: even more pistachio, patchouli, vanilla crème. I don’t know how Hernando choose what to wear for each wedding but this sounds delicious with pistachio, cardamom, patchouli and vanilla. Thanks a million from the UK

  • I was very excited to read this review since D.S.& Durga happens to be among the few houses given a superlative rating by one of favorite fragrance reviewers. The discovery set is an awesome intro to the house. Thank you from TX USA.

  • Amanda32828 says:

    I haven’t had any experience with D.S. and DURGA, based on this dreamy review, it feels like, especially Jasmin Yucatan have the magic to transport you to a faraway place full of exotic flowers and plants. Apart from this one, Pistachio sounds like it have a great potential to become my favorite gourmand. Please include me on this giveaway, I am posting from Orlando, Fl. USA.

  • Jasmin is one of my favorite floral scents and a tropical mix sounds delightful. I’m definitely nuts for pistachios and with patchouli is tempting as it doesn’t sound too gourmand for my taste. You can’t go wrong with citrus in a high heat situation.

  • Love the descriptions, Italian citrus sounds right up my alley. These fragrances will always be associated to the weddings he wore them to, the mind doesn’t forget situations and fragrances! I try to pick a different fragrance for each vacation i take, although i think i could wear LV Afternoon Swim on every tropical island i visit, love it! USA

  • As an already avid fan of D.S. (and currently wearing Radio Bombay) I love reading Hernando’s take on how certain fragrances align with expressions of love depending on the setting. Jazmin Yucatan stood out specifically as Mexico has a dear place in my heart being of it’s heritage, and the combination of jasmine with copal really strikes my fancy!

    California based.

  • Jazmin Yucatan sounds stunning, and to pair it with the visuals, sounds and scents of an actual jungle sounds like the ultimate experience. I applaud Hernando’s choices (and descriptions). I often match scents to my mood, but now I think I need to take a page out of Hernando’s book and match it to the place as well. I’m located in the USA.

  • Eris.can.swatch.kaos says:

    I do love how different these three fragrances are. I can see the struggle of choosing which one to wear for the occasions. Pistachio has me interested and I really want to experience it. The citrus offering, Italian Citrus may lean masculine, but I’m for sure intrigued. Jasmin Yucatan probably smells heavenly and I can’t wait to try her for myself. I live in Oregon.

  • I love the idea of spending a week with a specific brand to get to know them in a different way! I’m not usually drawn to aquatic scents but a photorealistic jasmine might be the nudge I need to try Jazmin Yucaton. I appreciate Hernando’s reviews because they take the theme and stated goals of a perfume seriously, like the excellent review of Black Magenta! I am in the US.

  • I really appreciated how Hernando intertwined the experience of attending weddings with the journey of exploring fragrances. The comparisons between scents and destinations add a rich sensory layer to the storytelling, mirroring what DS Durga does with each of its creations. I used to own Jazmine Yucatán but haven’t smelled the others. My fav is Big Sur after the rain.

  • AromaDulce73 says:

    I’ve been to the D.S & Durga boutique store in Venice a few times. Very nice place. A discovery set would be perfect since there’s so many to choose from.

    It’s great that Hernando was able to apply these fragrances to the situations & festivities he was in. Says a lot about the brand.

    Los Angeles Ca. USA

  • I’ve only tried Debaser, but I’ve wanted to explore more of the D.S. and DURGA catalog for ages. Great idea to take a sample pack on vacation and spend some quality time with one brand’s fragrances. I’m intrigued by Jazmin Yucatan for its realistic jasmine and copal base note; Pistachio sounds like a lot of fun and I’m curious how they balanced it between salty, creamy and sweet; and Italian Citrus is a clever remix of the classic EdC that lasts longer and is still “exemplary masculine eau-de-cologne”. I forgot D.S. and DURGA publishes terrific Spotify playlists too—thanks for linking!

    I’m in the USA.

  • What fabulous weddings you get to attend, Hernando! I think Jasmine Yucatan was a marvelous choice given the setting in Mexico. I have never had the opportunity to try the fragrance, but it sounds beautiful and both fresh and romantic. Like a new marriage blooming in the lush jungle! I am in the USA.

  • foreverscents says:

    I really enjoyed this article. It made me think of which perfumes I would wear if I were to attend any weddings.
    I have tried Italian Citrus from D.S. & Durga. I think this would be a fantastic fragrance for a groom to wear on the special day. I love the citrus, green, and spicy aspects of the fragrance.
    Jazmin Yucatan would be perfect for a tropical wedding. Hernando mentioned dampness in the fragrance–that appeals to me. I like a nice tropically humid day.
    Pistachio sounds super-fun. I think this would be perfect for a wedding in the city, with lots of young people. The vanilla creme note sounds like it would compliment my favorite kind of cake.
    I live in the USA.

  • Regis Monkton says:

    For years now, I’ve been very intrigued to try a D.S.& Durga, but I haven’t had a chance to yet. This discovery set would be ideal. I’m most intrigued to try “Pistachio”, and I appreciate Hernando’s review of it. I’m interested to see: what the patchouli in it is like, how realistic the salted pistachio shells aspect of it is, and how grown up it is. I live in MD, USA.

  • wallygator88 says:

    Thanks for the nice writeup Hernando! Really enjoyed reading through your writeups and the matching.

    D.S. & Durga – Jazmín Yucatán

    Jazmín Yucatán evokes a humid jungle feel. Jasmine dominates, blending with other flowers perfectly creating its fragrance within which blends tropically through the fragrances. A balanced jungle, musk creates elegance in all elements that seamless work flawlessly together creating effort and high in beauty for people overall through its products themselves together to the fragrances with such tropical trees being there.

    D.S. & Durga – Pistachio

    Pistachio offers a gourmand without being too sweet. An intial touch within the spice takes shape but leads for the time that has come to come to encapsulate such fragrance itself and make the user immersed completely by that aspect alone that fully presents them together in complete beauty. A creamy pistachio presents and leads, along with hints of almond-y and amaretto-esque elements too within a showcase of what the performance delivers for fragrances beauty, and one finds immerses themselves so greatly in its unique composition and quality combined .

    D.S. & Durga – Italian Citrus

    Italian Citrus offers a classic citrus cologne; this fragrance consists within such quality. Notes with herbs creates a sharp but unique take in each elements, so seamless from its fragrance to give and encapsulate nature’s very elements behind each performance but blends into something which encapsulates this more naturally behind the work’s natural build overall. Longevity is at great standard without this causing such problem, and it leads onto one with pure love in each heart within because one really will enjoy being apart to such things they are for so perfectly together so they truly fit great alongside of everyone .

    Would love to try that

    Cheers from WI, USA

  • Sherin Thomas says:

    During my visits to D.S. & Durga in NY, I’ve not sampled Jazmin Yucatan nor Italian Citrus. His descriptions make me regret that decision. I’d be curious about a photorealistic jasmine, and if it would be reminiscent of jasmine. From PA, USA