Spoturno L’Âme du Phénix, Alphée, Barbicaja, Spoturno 21 and Spoturno 21 Extrait perfumes: image Amaury Laparra courtesy of the brand.

Spoturno has its roots deep in a family legacy that is closely tied to modern perfumery. Spoturno showcases a standard of excellence and beauty with a unique creative vision: one that is liberated and inspired, creating unforgettable experiences. Each fragrance to date is composed by master perfumer Christopher Sheldrake. Spoturno holds in principles to heart, honouring exceptional craftsmanship by partnering with skilled artisans and acclaimed designers for the bottles and packaging; even the sample set is elegant. As an artist I’ve worked with many materials and there’s a beautiful tactile high-end feel to the entire presentation.

Véronique Spoturno and master perfumer Christopher Sheldrake images Laurent Zabulon courtesy of the brand

Through Spoturno’s gorgeous perfumes, the house tells tales of the history (1874-2025) of family, artistry, and freedom, rich with emotion and leaving a lasting impression. Each Spoturno perfumes has an effortlessly classy feel, smooth, sleek and elegant with a beautiful evolution that’s hard to capture in these short number of words. For this introduction to Maison Spoturno I’ve chosen two of my favourites to write briefly about.

Louise Spoturno by Elizaveta Porodina and L’Âme du Phénix by Amaury Laparra courtesy of the brand

 Spoturno L’Âme du Phénix: A flicker of pink peppers with a zing of grapefruit glows with finger and crackles of cinnamon as L’Âme du Phénix ignites. You feel this bright flame rise from the raw patchouli, as its joined by a powerful aromatic richness giving the wild patchouli an elegant smoothness. Cedar’s powdery woods from a gentle smoky body, as if they have been planed into a graceful vertical form. L’Âme du Phénix radiates a creamy warmth from ginger, with nutmeg hinting at an ashy shadow while spices dance and shimmer at the periphery. The citruses in Spoturno L’Âme du Phénix are stunning; the grapefruit contributes a layered complexity with its zest and pith, enriching the creamy ginger with a lush texture.

The patchouli Christopher Sheldrake used has this oily earthiness that gives L’Âme du Phénix this 70s’esqe toughness, yet as the leather arrives it’s seeps in, making its feel rich and luxurious, a darkness that wraps around you in a warm embrace. L’Âme du Phénix burns bright at its heart, (a Phoenix can only burn bright for so long before it’s enveloped in a darkness). The spices seem to darken into a burgundy hue as the ginger melts into a creamy vanilla amber powdery smokiness. Sweetened by tobacco and complemented by lavender, L’Âme du Phénix evokes a twilight-like smokiness. L’Âme du Phénix feels luxurious with just enough rough to be fun. It’s a refined wildness oozing with a deep patchouli and elegant leather, with a gentle powdering of ashy spices. L’Âme du Phénix is the olfactive equivalent of a polished yet rugged figure, impeccably dressed, while the flickering flame of fiery ginger in its eyes gives a devastating look and a summons you can’t refuse.

Notes: Grapefruit, Lavender, Pink Berries, Ginger, Nutmeg, Cinnamon, Cedarwood, Patchouli, Amber (cistus labdanum), Leather accord, Vanilla, Tobacco accord.

Louise Spoturno by Elizaveta Porodina and Spoturno 1921 by Amaury Laparra courtesy of  the brand

Spoturno 1921: Fresh dense citruses are mouth watering and creamy with sweet and sour facets creating a swirl of delight that soon thickens into a luxurious floral haze with a touch of narcotic orange blossom that beckons you near. You can sense the beginnings of an elegant rose with velvety petals drawing you into a lush floral bouquet. Spoturno 1921 is dripping with an elegance that feels deeply luxurious; the darker undertones of ambergris and resins enhance its beautiful characteristics as the creaminess intensifies. The sandalwood and ylang ylang melt together creating a delicious sensual base for florals and aromatics to gracefully dance over. The vanilla enriched by the citrus, transforms into a subtly tangy woody creaminess, while tonka introduces a touch of dry coumarin, giving Spoturno 1921 a powdery texture reminiscent of silky cool velvet with a gentle yet sensual amber smoke. You can feel the rose fully bloom, enveloped in balms that feel lush and enticing, as if a gentle touch would dissolve it into a delicate, powdery haze of smoke of powder.

Myrrh allows dark balsamic stars to twinkle in the exquisite powdery woody ambers of Spoturno 1921, while jasmine sways freely beneath them. The florals glide gracefully, exuding seduction as this opulent perfume envelopes you its intoxicating powdery smoky musk. The citrus seem to last forever, casting a brightness that flickers like candle light above the stunning powdery amber haze, that slinks over your skin in a very seductive and sensual way, with a perfume scented cigarette holder in hand dripping in silks that sway with elegance. Spoturno 1921 is addictive to wear, feeling like a vintage masterpiece you have just unearthed yet smells so fresh! This is the new roaring  20s’! Stunning and luxurious in all the best floral amber ways. Swoon.

Louise Spoturno by Elizaveta Porodina and Spoturno crest courtesy of the brand

Each fragrance offers a stunning journey, yet encapsulating the beauty of Spoturno 1921 in a brief description is quite challenging. Both the EDP and its exquisite Spoturno 1921 Extrait version deserve thorough, dedicated reviews; the Extrait’s citrus opening alone is breath taking. Christopher Sheldrake’s Spoturno perfumes evolve gradually, unveiling new layers as they wear. They truly exemplify the art of fine perfumery.

Notes: Lemon, Damascus Rose, Bergamot, Mandarin, Orange Blossom, Lavender flowers, Ambergris accord, Ylang-ylang, Jasmine grandiflorum, Sandalwood, Vetiver, Civet accord, Musks, Tonka bean, Myrrh, Vanilla

Disclaimer: Samples were generously gifted to J. His thoughts and nose as always, are his own.

J Wearescentient, Senior Editor, artist and olfactive writer.

Note: The formula for Spoturno 21 was discovered by Véronique Spoturno in her famous great-grandfather’s (Francois Coty-Spoturno’s archival collection, and reinterpreted by Christopher Sheldrake.

Follow us on Instagram @cafleurebonofficial @maison.spoturno @veronique.spoturno @christopher.sheldrake @wearescentient

This is our Privacy Policy