Gentleman’s Nod SIDAMA (Ugo Charron) 2023 + The Birthplace of Coffee Giveaway

SIDAMA by Gentleman's nod

Gentleman’s Nod SIDAMA bottle, photo by Rachel K. Ng

My neighborhood in Paris, colloquially known as the Goutte d’Or (drop of gold), is one of the most prominent African communities in the city, situated in the 18th arrondissement. During a quiet dinner with my Parisian roommates near Marché Dejean, I discovered the beautiful ritual of real Ethiopian coffee. The fruity-floral complexity of my first cup has remained a rich olfactive reference. The Ethiopian town of Sidama is widely regarded as the birthplace of coffee, and Chris Christiansen of Gentleman’s Nod has taken Ethiopian coffee, its nuances and complexity as the spark of inspiration for Gentleman’s Nod SIDAMA.

Chris Christiansen of Gentleman's Nod and Ugo Charron of MANE

 Chris Christiansen of Gentleman’s Nod and Ugo Charron of MANE collage 

Chris enlisted MANE perfumer Ugo Charron to create SIDAMA which was nominated as a Finalist for an Art and Olfaction 2024 Independent award. This perfume is truly unique and I can understand why it was shortlisted. It opens with a striking coffee note that captures the especially fruity aspects of real Ethiopian coffee and facets of blueberry and raspberry mix with the slightly caramelized, almost nutty coffee notes.

Ethiopian Coffee Beans

Ethiopian coffee beans via unsplash

Ethiopian coffee is known for its sweet fruity flavor, shot through with a jasmine aspect. The rum absolute used helps to add a sweetly spiced nuance. A white floral softness surrounds a juicy peach/apricot note. There is a natural coffee resinoid used in the fragrance which extends as a through-note for an unusually long time into the heart (a great accomplishment, as real coffee materials do not tend to linger in fragrance).

Gentleman's Nod SIDAMA review

courtesy of the brand

Gentleman’s Nod SIDAMA continues to deepen and sweeten into its heart with dark chocolate, iris, and Tropicalone™. The MANE material Tropicalone™ adds tropical fruit into the mix, with aspects of passion fruit, pineapple, and mangosteen, highlighting their creamy and milky nuances. Softly sweet iris blends beautifully with dark chocolate and leads us into the woodsy ambery dry down featuring coffee wood, vetiver, Oranox™ and patchouli. The transition from heart to dry down brings out an exceptional facet to this fragrance. The deepness turns to dark wood and stoic contemplation. There is a sense of calm, shelter and strength, even wisdom, to SIDAMA that brings to mind ancient gathering in Ethiopia. I imagine the coffee wood has something to do with this sensation, as the vetiver and patchouli offer their usual comforts. Oranox™ is an ambergris substitute material made from clary sage that provides subtle glints of light and warmth in the dry down. Had I smelled this last year, it would have made my Best of Scent. Looking forward to exploring more fragrances from Gentleman’s Nod.

Notes: coffee, rum absolute, apricot, mixed berries, Tropicalone™, iris, dark chocolate, coffee wood, vetiver, Orcanox™, patchouli

Bottle my own, opinions my own.

~ Rachel K. Ng, Senior Contributor

Gentleman's Nod SIDAMA 2024 Art and Olfaction finalist

Gentleman’s Nod SIDAMA courtesy of the brand

Thanks to the generosity of Gentleman’s Nod, we have a 50 ml bottle of SIDAMA for a registered ÇaFleureBon reader in the USA & CANADA ONLY, (if you are not sure if you are registered click here – you must register on our site or your entry will be invalid). To be eligible please leave a comment on this site with what strikes you about Rachel’s review and where you live. Draw Closes  6/15/2024

Chris Christiansen of Gentleman’s Nod is 177th in our American perfumer series, read his profile here.

I had the pleasure of meeting Mane Perfumer Ugo Charron at the World Perfumery Congress 2022.  Ugo was named Michelyn’s Rising Star of 2022 and was recently featured in our ÇaFleurebon’s Young Perfumers series (read his path to perfumery here.) Ugo also received a 2023 Art and Olfaction Golden Pear award for Saskia by Grandiflora Fragrances with perfumer extraordinaire Christoph Laudamiel.

Follow us on Instagram @cafleurebonofficial @rachel.k.ng @gentlemansnod @ugoartperfume @mane_1971_

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31 comments

  • Ramses Perez says:

    I am a coffee drinker and a coffee fragrance lover so this was a pleasant read. Never had Ethiopian coffee before but if it’s a bit sweet like Rachel mentioned, I’m gonna like it. What strikes me the most about this one is how the perfumer mixed coffee with some fruits. Typically coffee fragrances tend to go gourmand-ish or boozy, but the addition of the fruits in here signal this can very well be used in the spring/summer months. The chocolate nuance is also bordering in that gourmand territory but it looks like it’s short-lived in this one. Overall, the bottle and fragrance seem to be very masculine and deep which I appreciate. Cheers from the USA.

  • John Gahlt says:

    Rachel’s review of Gentleman’s Nod SIDAMA is captivating for several reasons. Her vivid descriptions transport readers to the heart of Ethiopia, evoking the rich cultural heritage and olfactive complexity of Sidama’s renowned coffee. The detailed breakdown of the fragrance notes, from the fruity coffee opening to the deep, woodsy dry down, highlights the intricate craftsmanship behind the scent. Rachel’s personal anecdotes and sensory language make the review not only informative but also deeply engaging, leaving readers eager to experience the unique, award-nominated fragrance for themselves. Her ability to convey the emotional resonance of SIDAMA truly stands out, emphasizing the perfume’s blend of tradition, innovation, and olfactory artistry.

    Canada

  • Doni says:

    Deja..view? Either way, it’s great to get a new perspective on a nominated fragrance. Interesting that Rachel got a hint of blueberry in the opening. Normally, I’m an unflavoured medium-dark roast man myself, but I do appreciate fruity nuances in my beans before grinding. She’s right about coffee accords not lasting though, at least without a hefty dose of fixatives. It’s one aspect that I usually find a bit disappointing in modern coffee fragrances, especially if they go heavy on the woody ambers to compensate. Sounds like Orcanox was used to good effect here. Always love getting Rachel’s takes as she’s an incredibly insightful and valued member of the community. Not to mention kind, patient and considerate. Just a few things I picked up from our interactions on YT. 🙂 Very interested to try this one myself! From Canada.

  • Steve A says:

    Not a coffee drinker but love love love the smell of it. Some interesting notes to the coffee in this. I’m interested to smell how the iris and chocolate fair in the mix. US

  • Sherin Thomas says:

    I love coffee note in fragrances, super sexy in fall . Love to try this. From PA, USA

  • ThatMulattoDude says:

    This is quite interesting. I wouldn’t say I’m an everyday coffee drinker but I do enjoy a good cup of Java. Ethiopian coffee, with its fruity elements, is a genre I have not tried. I’m not sure how this mix plays out in reality but I’m intrigued to have this fragrance in my collection. Appreciate the generosity of Gentleman’s Nod in the opportunity of a giveaway. Many blessings from Virginia, USA.

  • FragranceIsMe says:

    Thanks to Rachel’s article I learned that the Ethiopian town of Sidama is considered the birthplace of coffee.
    I like the fact that this is a unique coffee scent. The notes sound absolutely wonderful in this creation. Looking forward to the olfactive experience this fragrance has to offer.
    Warmest regards from PA, USA

  • Eris.can.swatch.kaos says:

    I love a great coffee fragrance. This description sparks much interest. I live in Oregon.

  • Surya says:

    What struck me most about Rachel’s review of Gentleman’s Nod SIDAMA is the vivid and evocative description of the fragrance, which transports the reader to the origins of Ethiopian coffee. The intricate detailing of the notes, from the fruity and floral coffee to the luxurious dark chocolate and tropical fruits, creates an olfactory journey that feels deeply personal and culturally rich. Living in Nashville, TN, I appreciate how this fragrance brings a piece of the world’s coffee heritage into a sensory experience, much like how our vibrant music scene brings together diverse influences to create something truly unique. The depth and complexity of SIDAMA, as described, seem to parallel the rich tapestry of sounds and stories that define Nashville.

    I live in Nashville, TN.

  • Felicia says:

    The tie into Ethiopian coffee in Sidama and it’s unique fruitiness sounds amazing. I was surprised by the Iris and tropicalone, with its passionfruit and mangosteen sounds very intriguing. Congrats once again to Gentleman’s Nod for their Art and Olfaction finalist
    USA reader

  • wallygator88 says:

    Thanks for the writeup Rachel.
    I found this scent through the wetshaving world (Gentleman’s Nod) and managed to pick up a sample. I have no idea if my sample was a work in progress, but my experience on both skin and paper put me off.

    I did pick up an initial pretty coffee note, but as is with coffee, it was fleeting and disappeared quite quickly to be replaced by a pretty fruity musky scent that just continued.

    I do hope to try this scent again, to compare and see if my experience was a one time thing, especially since it’s won quite a few awards.

    Cheers from WI, USA

  • Arron_Q says:

    I love the smell of coffee, but have surprisingly few coffee-focused fragrances in my collection. This one sounds interesting due to the inclusion of the fruity notes. I’m sure they work well to counterbalance the bitter astringency from the coffee. Sounds like a winner. Best of luck to all. I live in NC, USA.

  • AromaDulce73 says:

    Had the pleasure of meeting Chris at the Golden Pineapple Awards in California. Great guy and was able to smell a few Gentlemen Nods fragrances including Sidama. I’ve never had Ethiopian coffee but would love a full bottle to get a full wearing experience.

    Los Angeles Ca. USA

  • moorhawk says:

    My wife will love the coffee scent on me for certain. Another boozy fragrance just like the last DSH one. Although it has apricot, this sounds a little heavier and darker than the DSH. Looking forward to the fragrance from the Rising Star awarded perfumer. Thanks for the draw. From USA

  • Z R says:

    I can’t say I’ve ever tried a fruity coffee fragrance before. I love coffee – so much so that sometimes I go to bed looking forward to the cup I’m gonna make the next morning! I’m in the USA.

  • Annika says:

    I’m a coffee addict and have done my fair share of single origin coffee tastings. I agree that Ethiopian beans have a tendency to be fruity and floral. My favorite one has blueberry and chocolate notes. SIDAMA sounds like a great gourmand tribute to Ethiopian coffee with the supporting notes of rum, iris and vetiver. MD, USA.

  • opalbear says:

    I’m trying to open my mind to coffee fragrances more and the mix of Iris with the creamy fruit with the ambergris note sounds so unique! I’m hoping I get to try this! Thank you for the chance. I am located in U.S.

  • Doubleoh says:

    I am not a coffee drinker but I love the smell of it and Rachel’s description of Ethiopian coffee is spot on and made me think about it. I use to have a neighbor that drank it every morning and I would sit there and talk to her while she drank it. Thinking about that scent and then the thought of adding tropical fruit into the mix, with aspects of passion fruit, pineapple, and mangosteen….yeah I know that’s some good stuff.

    I live in Dallas, TX

  • Ethan Nichols says:

    This sounds very intriguing! I’m a huge fan of ethiopian coffee, so I’m sure I’d love this juice!

  • Ethan Nichols says:

    This sounds very intriguing! I’m a huge fan of ethiopian coffee, so I’m sure I’d love this juice! I’m in the USA (NJ)

  • mdellaroc says:

    “Softly sweet iris blends beautifully with dark chocolate and leads us into the woodsy ambery dry down featuring coffee wood, vetiver, Oranox™ and patchouli. “ who doesn’t want to smell like this? I know I do. In maryland.

  • zibbyz says:

    I love coffee, both to drink and just to enjoy the aroma in the house or cafe. The other notes with this sound wonderful, and one of our favorite restaurants around the corner is Ethiopian, called Jebena. Some nights after going to bed, I can’t wait to have my coffee in the morning…I like hearing about Rachel’s neighborhood in Paris, and gentleman’s nod. Thank you for the review adhd the draw. In the us

  • mmerline says:

    I love a natural process Ethiopian coffee so I was intrigued to read that’s the focus of SIDAMA. Rachel pointed out it captures both the fruity and floral notes that are so notable about Ehiopian beans (I seek out blueberry-bomb coffees), along with the taste of the roast, and the natural coffee resinoid used here sounds like a smart addition. I’m glad this one lingers in the way many coffee fragrances don’t. SIDAMA might be the coffee fragrance I’ve been looking for—thanks for the great review, Rachel.

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

  • Awtz27 says:

    What strikes me the most about rachel’s review was her description of this unique kind of coffee fragrance, and to me Ethiopian coffee fruity scent remind me of those place where I can just focus on drinking my morning coffee while relaxing and looking at my surroundings ( basically a vacation place in the wilderness). The woodsy ambery and vetiver drydown spark my curiosity to once again indulge myself enjoy a rich blend of coffee every morning. Hopefully I can get my hand to try to unique fragrance. Im from California USA

  • gabriel94 says:

    Raleigh USA
    This review vividly blends personal narrative with detailed sensory description, starting with the reviewer’s experience in Paris’s Goutte d’Or and the introduction to Ethiopian coffee. It highlights the craftsmanship of Chris Christiansen of Gentleman’s Nod and perfumer Ugo Charron of MANE in creating SIDAMA, a fragrance inspired by Ethiopian coffee. The fragrance is described with rich sensory language, noting its fruity, floral, and spiced nuances, and technical insights into its unique components like Tropicalone™ and Oranox™. The review conveys deep cultural and emotional resonance, ending with a strong personal endorsement.

  • David Furman says:

    Deep, dark, and breweding. This sounds like a welcomed mystery. Coffee is a beautiful note but this has a boozy, inviting, sweet and nutty richness. I’m assuming at least and I love iris as a mid. The ingredients look top not and when absolutes are involved it gets serious. Thanks for the insight of this gourmand, I’m from Jacksonville, NC.

  • foreverscents says:

    Although I can’t drink coffee anymore, I do love fragrances that have a coffee note. SIDAMA appeals to me because of the fruity notes, especially the apricot and mixed berries. This fragrance seems deep and comforting, like I am sure an Ethiopian coffee ceremony would be,
    I live in the USA.

  • goldenswan says:

    This sounds like a delicious journey from: coffee, fruit, rum, fruit, and wood. Gourmands with coffee have been done, but to be a Finalist for an Art and Olfaction 2024 Independent award must make this very special. I love a good gourmand. From USA.

  • Teresa C says:

    I’ve never tried Ethiopian coffee, but the review makes it sounds so incredibly nuanced. The fragrance interpretation sounds amazing! I live in the US.

  • Diana D says:

    This fragrance sounds so rich and deep. I love coffee scents on my boyfriend. And when a patchouli note is added to it, it gives a chocolate vibe. I think he’d love this one.
    I live in the USA