Rogue Perfumery Fiesole 1908 Reserve courtesy of the perfumer
“My idea of heaven still is to drive the gravel farm roads of Umbria and Tuscany, very pleasantly lost.” ~ Frances Mayes, Under the Tuscan Sun
Manuel Cross Of Rogue Perfumery near Henry Creek, earlier this week from his house (photo for ÇaFleureBon taken 7/25/2026)
Rogue Perfumery Fiesole 1908 Reserve is the second composition in artisanal perfumer Manuel Cross’ Rogue Reserve Collection – a growing series of luxe limited edition all-natural perfumes of superb quality. I say this in all candor: Manuel keeps moving from strength to strength as he continues to create contemporary fragrances which possess the time-honored lustre of haute parfumerie. I very much enjoyed his earlier work, and with his inaugural Reserve parfum Mousse Illuminée Grand Cru, I stood in awe of its elegance, complexity, and beauty.
Manuel Cross flipping through 1895 printing of K. Baedeker’s Italy for Travelers via the brand
Fiesole 1908 reveals another aspect of Mr. Cross’ expertise, equally manifold and fascinating. This latest fragrance fêtes a bygone era populated by immense creativity which took place in an ancient Tuscan comune (township) of the Metropolitan City of Florence at the turn of the 20th century.
Fiesole is believed to have been founded by the Etruscans around the 9th century BCE and is world renowned for its Roman and Etruscan ruins. It is Florence’s most affluent suburb, populated largely by the upper classes, and a center for higher education which includes campuses maintained by Harvard and Georgetown University. Fiesole has always attracted the intelligentsia, commencing (most significantly) with Giovanni Boccaccio (his Decameron takes place there) and Dante Alighieri. Marcel Proust envisioned it, but was never well enough to travel to this city – but other writers and artistic luminaries such as Charles Dickens, Alexandre Dumas, Hermann Hesse, Henry James, Paul Klee, and Frank Lloyd Wright did. They adored it. In 1908, Fiesole was a preeminent intellectual hub: American art historian Leo Stein (brother of Gertrude) hosted artists and writers in his villa there: that prompted a visit from Henri Matisse. Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas sojourned here as well, and author E.M. Forster penned his much-loved A Room with A View in Fiesole that same year. Perfumer’s Note: “While Rogue Perfumery Fiesole 1908 Reserve is not a literary inspired fragrance, the imagery is”.
Stock image provided by the brand
“Maybe money can’t buy happiness, but it can get you a nice little villa in Tuscany, and that’s close enough for me.” ~ Lois Greiman, author
Manuel Cross dressed in a waistcoat courtesy of the perfumer
In the midst of all this creativity, the natural magnificence of Fiesole was, and remains – an inspiration. Under the Tuscan sun, this little corner of the world teems with an abundance of light – fragrant, full of contrasts – from its silvery green olive trees to vivid, wildly varying sunsets. These are the aspects which Manuel Cross celebrates in Fiesole 1908. Everything is illuminated, solar, expansive, larger than life. This extraordinary parfum continually shifts shape as it reveals each facet of aromatic entanglement, from the sunny juiciness of petitgrain and bergamot to the crepuscular charm of precious woods, oakmoss, botanical musk and true (gasp!) ambergris. In the heart of the matter lies unique seasoning: the gin-inflected crispness of juniper, anisic limpidity of fennel, and nutmeg’s seductive spice. Classic, timeless rose and jasmine ally themselves with rosy/minty/herbal geranium for a rich floral bouquet caressed with a gently indolic touch. What I love most about Fiesole 1908 is its generosity of spirit and individuality: there is nothing to date this composition, as it will appeal to discerning noses which favor both modernity and vintage-style perfumery. Its tenacity is remarkable, and lingers for many hours after application – which is considerable, given the parfum’s all-natural proclivity. Another aspect is how good it smells on men as well as women (or anyone in between): my rather fastidious husband applied it posthaste when Fiesole 1908 arrived, and was amazed at how compelling it was on his skin. Years ago he wouldn’t touch a floral, but a fragrance of this caliber made my skeptic alter his previous perspective.
Manuel Cross of Rogue near Henry Creek
With both limited edition parfums released in the same year, I’m going to have a devil of a time choosing between them for 2026’s best – and I think it’s going to be a tie. Do sample some while you still can. When you understand how costly such a perfume is to compose for a small independent brand, it becomes clear why a limited quantity of the jus exists. I’m doling out mine judiciously, because I will be sorry when there is no more.
Notes: petitgrain, bergamot, juniper, fennel, nutmeg, rose, jasmine, geranium, sandalwood, cedar, oakmoss, ambergris, musk
Bottle gifted by the perfumer – many thanks! I treasure it. My nose is my own.
~ Ida Meister, Deputy and Natural Perfumery Editor
Rogue Perfumery Fiesole 1908 Reserve courtesy of the perfumer
courtesy of the perfumer
Thanks to Rogue Perfumery and Manuel Cross, we have a very special giveaway for a 50 ml bottle of Rogue Perfumery Fiesole 1908 Reserve (which is nearly sold out) for one registered reader in the USA ONLY. To be eligible please leave a comment about what strikes you in Ida’s review of Rogue Perfumery Fiesole 1908 Reserve, your favorite Rogue perfume, and where you live in the USA. Draw closes August 3. 2026
Please note there’s a limit of one per customer, so don’t hesitate to buy NOW
Fiesole 1908 Reserve is currently available at Luckyscent.com and Scent bar in Brooklyn.
Please read: Profiles in American Perfumery, Manuel Cross of Rogue Perfumery.