Manos Gerakinis Parfums Imperial Malt, photo via the brand

 “The only real luxury is time, make yours memorable.”- Manos Gerakinis

Founded ten years ago, Manos Gerakinis Parfums is the first niche luxury Greek Perfume House. The perfumes are olfactive stories that fuel the imagination, feed the soul, and caress the senses, floating effortlessly between the East and the West, between simplicity and opulent extravagance, using the most intricate craftsmanship to deliver a fresh contemporary result in their approach to the timeless art of perfumery. All these elements are artistically blended together with the aesthetic sensibility of the founder and creative director, Manos Gerakinis.

Manos Gerakinis Portrait, picture via the official website

Manos’s creative journey has its roots firmly grounded in the rich kaleidoscope of aromas of his childhood back in Kavala Greece. From the heady scent of roses and saffron to the warmth of tobacco and honey, these early experiences laid the foundation for a lifelong fascination with fragrance. A man of eclectic tastes and a keen eye for detail, Manos refined his appreciation for the finer things in life during his decade-long career in London’s luxury sector. Returning to Greece, Manos sought a new means of self-expression – and so a bespoke fragrance, initially intended just for his own pleasure, ignited a passion that led to the birth of Manos Gerakinis Parfums.

Manos Gerakinis Parfums, mood photo from the lab, picture via the official website

“I have done nothing all summer but wait for myself to be myself again.” Georgia O’Keeffe

I received Manos Gerakinis Parfums Imperial Malt back in June, fell in love head-over-heels, and tucked it away like a treasured secret, waiting for the perfect moment to savor its magic. Now, as autumn begins to paint the world in hues of amber and gold, I prepared myself to consume the essence of this magnificent temptation that will perfectly complement the cozy nights ahead. Autumn, my favorite season – the time of fresh starts, of back-to-life resolutions, of early dusk, the crisp air whispering promises of cozy nights curled up under soft blankets, on your favorite leather armchair, a glass of Talisker whisky in hand, crackling woods burning in the fireplace.

 Mood photo, AI-generated image, Nicoleta

Manos Gerakinis Parfums Imperial Malt is the feeling of autumn – sublimated in a rich golden potion. A warm and deeply gratifying mixture of boozy elements and gourmand facets, painted on the backdrop of a smoky-woody-dark ambiance. Just imagine: ripe fruits, smoked coconuts, prunes steeped in liquor, crushed rich dark chocolate, the earthy delight of patchouli, the sensual touch of leather, and the delicious crunch of brown sugar. All to be savored next to the best (old) whiskey (old) money can buy.

The sun’s last rays brush your lips with a nostalgic golden honeyed warmth, reminiscent of the distant sea breeze and the ghost of summer past. A waft of sweet and sensual vanilla, like a veil of golden lace, dances and insidiously swirls on top of your skin, gathering momentum and heating up. Soon after, the plot thickens – storm clouds gather in the misty veil of the low-hanging autumn sky, the fog filled with burning wood smell – an elven-shade-of-ethereal that seems to emanate from the forests of Lothlorien. The earthy delights unfold, bite, and tease – a subtle trail of leather-brimmed patchouli – posh, proper, and demure makes a perfect pair to the shadowy vetiver, and together, they keep the sweetness balanced and the entire construction as enveloping and comforting as one can imagine. Above all, swirling and undulating like mysterious tendrils, are wisps of smoke – of gold leaves burning, all infused with the ripe juicy delights of the autumn orchard, all to be slowly consumed by fire. Wearing it feels like a heat wave that surges through, scattering and slowly diffusing the essence of autumn throughout your body, down to your tingling fingertips. It’s the scent of a slow-burning fire crackling nearby, calming your reptilian brain, all safe in your cave – leaving you languid, half-dreaming, and at peace. If it would have a sound, this is how I imagine the purr of a cat would be – a lazy orange kitten, drawing closer to the fireplace, with its whiskers nearly singed by the flames, oblivious to the chill in the air outside.

Decadent comfort, cozy warmth, and hedonistic pleasure – Manos Gerakinis Parfums Imperial Malt is uncomplicated yet oh-so-complex. I am smitten. I am purring.

Ioanna Tanionou, photo via the brand

Editor Note: The alchemist behind this boozy-gourmand-magic is Greek-born Ioanna Tanionou – a senior perfumer who masterfully blends scientific precision with an artist’s soul. A member of the prestigious British Society of Perfumers, Ioanna’s artistic spirit is woven deep into the fabric of her approach to fragrance creation. A firm believer in the emotional power of art, she views perfume as a medium for sharing feelings, memories, and sensations.

*I must confess that have followed Ioanna’s social media profiles and will be methodically stalking all of her new work, as after Imperial Malt, anything she comes up with next is automatically placed high up on my “must smell” list. Yes, take this as a warning- Imperial Malt is THAT addictively good!

 Top: Coconut Water, Brown Sugar, Dark Chocolate; Heart: Malt Whiskey, Plum, Vanilla; Base: Patchouli, Leather, Firewood, Vetiver

Nicoleta Tomsa, Senior Editor

Disclosure: A 10ml travel of Manos Gerakinis Imperial Malt was kindly offered by the brand, opinions are my own.

 

Manos Gerakinis Parfums Imperial Malt travel spray, photo via the brand

Thanks to the generosity of Manos Gerakinis we have a 10ml travel spray of Manos Gerakinis Parfums Imperial Malt for one registered reader in the EU and US. You must register or your entry will not count. To be eligible, please leave a comment saying what sparks your interest based on Nicoleta’s review and where you live. Draw closes September 4, 2024and we announce the winner within a week. You need to check back as we co not contact you.

Follow us on Instagram @cafleurebonofficial@nicoleta.tomsa @manos_gerakinis @ioanna.tan @manosgerakinisparfums

Also read my reviews for Omen, Anthem, Selene, Citrine, Methexis

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