Statik Olfactive Finding Forbidden Love (Paul Kiler) 2025 + Tea and Temptation Giveaway

Finding Forbidden Love Statik Olfactive

 Statik Olfactive Finding Forbidden Love Bottle courtesy of the brand

I found out a few years ago that there is a discussion in the perfume community as to whether making perfumes is an art or a craft. Some of my favorite perfumers come down firmly on the idea that it is a craft, not an art–that to call it an art would be to elevate a craft into something amorphous, when perfume is quite tangible. It should not surprise you that I happen to come down on the side that perfumery is art. It’s chemistry and inspiration and yes, craft, but ultimately, it’s olfactory art. Opinions vary, of course, so I’d love to know yours.

Art is subjective. When I first smelled Statik Olfactive Finding Forbidden Love, I hesitated. I should admit up front that I own two tea centric fragrances and that one of the most famous, Tommy Girl didn’t ‘suit me. Calice Becker is a genius so that’s not on her, or the very pretty perfume that sold (and continues to sell!) in the millions. I mention this to make clear that we all have our preferences. And Finding Forbidden Love took me out of my comfort zone.

Finding Forbidden Love by Statik Olfactive

White Tea, Photo by Vincent Roman on Unsplash

It opens with an aldehydic, almost soapy top note–a white tea made of white peaches, with luscious flowers–jasmine and rose–just underneath. When I think of white tea fragrances, I think of something light and sheer, but this perfume has more substance than that, which I credit to the incense in the middle notes. White peaches are drier than yellow peaches, which you can smell here–this is not a cloying peach (Kiler mentioned his son helped guide this direction when they were on a trip in Japan–he suggested “trying to emulate the white peach of drinks found in Japan and other Asian countries”).

Peach tea

 White Peaches via Pixabay

Statik Olfactive founder Chris Martin also told us, “We really wanted Finding Forbidden Love to stand out as a peach fragrance unique and unlike any other out there. Peach is such a popular trending note in perfumery, and most of them have a thick, syrupy, saccharine sweetness to them. We wanted this perfume to stay bright, airy, and fresh. After speaking with perfumer Paul Kiler, he recommended the use of white peach, which has a different scent profile than that of the typical yellow peach that is widely used. White peaches are sweeter, more floral, less tart, and less syrupy than their more common yellow counterpart.”

It then dries down into a creamy sandalwood, sweetened by raspberry and honey, but again, leaning leftward a bit with some Davana to cut the sweetness. This is truly an expert composition.

Paul Kiler of PK Perfumes

Perfumer Paul Kiler was the recipient of The Art and Olfaction Awards-Aftel Award for Handmade Perfume 2019

Entirely self-taught, Kiler has said that he has no interest in becoming a French-style perfumer; his vantage point is uniquely American. I love this about our North American perfumers many of whom are self-taught or who are mentored by other American perfumers. Some of the most interesting work in perfumery today comes from them (read Paul Kiler of PK Perfumes Profiles in American Perfumery here).

Best Japanese inspired perfumes

Photo by Tom Rumble on Unsplash

The more I sprayed this perfume, the more I appreciated it. The more I began to actually… crave it. And it struck me that my reaction fell perfectly in line with the entire idea of this perfume, of finding forbidden love. The story Kiler thought of is a simple one, as old as time: a commoner falling in love with a noble, in an ancient time before our own, somewhere in Asia. He can smell the jasmine in her hair as they stand in a white peach orchard, and the white peach scent mixed with the roses nearby are a heady scent that he will forever treasure as a memory of her innocence, and their love. Forbidden, but somehow right. The first perfume also made for Statik Olfactive by Kiler, is another tea scent: The Forbidden Temple. Where that perfume leaned dark with a blend of black and green teas, this one leans light. Yin and yang, black and white, shade and sunshine. I’m incredibly curious as to whether there will be a third perfume in this tea lineup, and what that will smell like.

I rarely write about presentation because what’s important to us is the jus, right? But Statik Olfactive founder Chris Martin has outdone himself. His bottles arrive like a gift, packed in confetti and gilt. The bottles are beautifully designed and better made than perfumes that go for three times the price. My perfume has gold flakes in it (you can order with or without but reader, why go without?) and the bottle itself feels hefty and luxurious.

Finding Forbidden Love Statik Olfactive

12 ml flacon

Their 12ml sizes look like mini bottles, complete with gorgeous caps. This type of thoughtfulness really shows how much they value their customers and their experience with the brand and I think it’s commendable.

If you want a beautiful white tea fragrance that is sophisticated and substantial enough to wear this fall and winter as the weather gets colder, take a sniff of Statik Olfactive’s gorgeous Finding Forbidden Love.

Top Notes: White Peaches, White Tea, Jasmine, Rose, Cypress Wood; Middle Notes: Frankincense, Opoponax, Labdanum; Base Notes: Raspberry, Davana, Honey, Sandalwood

Disclaimer: Statik Olfactive generously provided a bottle of Finding Forbidden Love for me to sample, but my opinions are my own.

Mimian Morales, Contributor

Finding Forbidden Love by Statik Olfactive

Thanks to the generosity of Statik Olfactive, we have one 50ml bottle of Finding Forbidden Love for a registered ÇaFleureBon reader for a USA  and EU Draw (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 with what you thought of Mimian’s review of Statik Olfactive Finding Forbidden Love and where you live.  Draw closes December 1, 2025

Please read Nicoleta’s reviews of Creme de Menthe Cafe here, Scarlett Lady, Karl’s review of Into The Wild and Sandi’s review of Home for The Holidays. Steven included Statik Olfactive Finding Forbidden Love in his Best of Fall Video

Learn more about each fragrance by visiting the official website.

Statik Olfactive fragrances can be purchased on their website, as well as Emanuel New York, Stele NY (coming in December), and Absolute Fragrances.

Editor’s Note: Now is your chance to buy a Statik Olfactive Perfume at incredible prices for Black Friday through December 1, 2025

 

Code BFBottle: Buy a 50 ml of any fragrance and receive a 12 ml of your choice FREE, or a 100 ml and receive your choice of a 50 ml. FREE SHIPPING.
CodeBF30 and receive 30 % off your entire order

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34 comments

  • acg233 says:

    Well if this perfume doesn’t sound perfect! I love the idea of starting with peach (and an airy peach at that) and adding in tea. As an aside, interesting conversation at the beginning about perfume as a craft versus an art. I think both!
    USA

  • Teresa C says:

    I”m not commonly drawn to tea or peach fragrances for just the reasons stated here; peach tends to be syrupy and sweeeeet (and I amp sweet) and tea tends to be fleeting and light. With winter coming on, this is counterintuitive, but the review makes this fragrance sound like a year-round candidate. I can actually picture it under a holiday tree at a winter party, with the sweet but not cloying elegance and the golden glitter (or is that the yellow satin of the box or the gold in the juice?) It sounds amazing! I live in the US.

  • reyessence89 says:

    Mimian’s impression of Finding Forbidden Love is clashing my scent memories of white peaches, which is the many summers spent in the French countryside. To me, white peaches will always be a summer scent, until I read Mimian’s review. Colour me intrigued! I promise I will be very open-minded if I’m lucky enough to win this generous prize. And American perfumers are crashing the party! It reminds me of the American fashion designers blowing away the French couture houses in The Battle of Versailles.
    I live in NE, USA.

  • Ensorceler says:

    Mimian’s review of Statik Olfactive’s Finding Forbidden Love beautifully captures the perfume’s evolution, making a compelling case for perfumery as olfactory art.

    As a fragrance enthusiast, this review resonates deeply with a sophisticated scent, highlighting Kiler’s self-taught American expertise that feels fresh amid trending peach notes. Exceptional discovery—now craving a sample with those gold flakes.

    – USA –

  • Nuvare Aenra says:

    The concept of a “forbidden love” captured in a scent is just so compelling. I’m fascinated by the choice of white peach instead of the usual yellow one – that idea of it being less syrupy and more floral/airy is exactly what I look for in a perfume. The structure sounds incredible too. Starting with that almost soapy, aldehydic tea, moving through incense (which must give it such a unique backbone), and drying down to a creamy sandalwood cut with davana? That’s a journey I want to experience on my skin. And can we talk about that bottle? The fact that it comes with an option for gold flakes and is packaged like a gift just adds to the luxury. It really does feel like the brand puts thought into the entire process, from the juice to the presentation. This review has me absolutely convinced I need to try this.
    EU

  • GPGod says:

    What I liked most about Mimian’s review is how it opened with that “art vs craft” question and then quietly answered it by example. The way she writes about Finding Forbidden Love makes it feel like more than just a pretty tea scent, it comes across as an actual story on skin. That aldehydic, almost soapy white tea made of white peaches, with jasmine and rose underneath, already sounds different from the usual fluffy peach trend that’s everywhere right now.

    I really appreciate the decision to go with white peach instead of the typical syrupy yellow peach. The way Chris Martin and Paul Kiler approached that.. aiming for something bright, airy, and fresh instead of thick and saccharine, makes this stand out in a very crowded genre. The incense and resins in the middle (frankincense, opoponax, labdanum) are what really hook me though; a tea fragrance with real backbone and warmth is way more interesting to me than another sheer shampoo-clean take.

    The drydown sounds addictive: creamy sandalwood with raspberry, honey, and davana keeping the sweetness in check instead of letting it go full dessert. And I like how Mimian ties it back to the “forbidden love” narrative, the idea of this commoner/noble story in an ancient Asian setting, white peach orchards, jasmine in the hair, and that scent becoming a permanent memory. It’s a simple picture but it makes the composition make sense. Her point about American, self-taught perfumers like Kiler coming at perfumery from a different angle also rang true for me, some of the most interesting work is happening outside the classic French mold.

    The attention to presentation doesn’t feel superficial either. Smaller 12 ml bottles that still look and feel luxurious, the option of gold flakes, that kind of detail shows the brand respects the juice and the wearer. Overall, the review convinced me that Finding Forbidden Love isn’t just another “cute peach tea,” but something I could actually reach for in colder weather and not get bored of.

    I live in the USA.

  • RH says:

    Mimian’s review had me chewing on the art vs craft perspectives, which I hadn’t ever considered w/r/t perfume making. It sparked an interesting conversation between me and my partner, who is a visual artist. He’s not into fragrance the way I am and it was a lovely opportunity to share a bit of my passion with him.

    Beyond that, I am always drawn to tea fragrances! I live in the US.

  • wonderscent.mari says:

    I’m captivated by the idea that Finding Forbidden Love has white peaches and feels so light, so airy like a sweet breeze without overpowering the whole gentle flower white tea blend. The description of it sounds so beautiful and delicate. I also loved the presentation of it, cause it captures perfectly an ethereal romance. Very intrigued too that it can be also enjoyable in cold days of fall and winter time.
    Thanks to Mimian, Cafleurebon & Statik Olfactive for this generous draw and review!
    From EU

  • kellyatwood says:

    I’m so intrigued by the combo of the white peach and white tea. This fragrance sounds absolutely divine! I’ve never sampled anything from this house but have heard really good things, excited to get my nose on this! USA

  • xoe says:

    Mimian’s review is interesting. It’s rare that anyone on CafleureBon mentions anything that they ever didn’t like. So, it was refreshing to read that Tommy Girl didn’t work for her. I’m really into white tea lately, and I love a contras of light and dark so I’d love Finding Forbidden Love. I am in the US.

  • crownroyale47 says:

    What I like most about this review is how it treats perfume as emotion. When Mimian said the more they sprayed it the more they craved it I said I need this!! Lol.
    The orchard story actually works here because it helps me understand why the perfume is light and dreamy rather than sticky or heavy. I also respect their point about self taught American perfumers not chasing the French style. It makes the fragrance feel more personal. And when they mention the care in presentation at a fair price, it makes me want to try it myself.
    I’m from the USA. New Jersey.

  • MoSho says:

    This is such a a passionate, immersive review that communicates both the craft and the art of perfumery. Mimian experiences fragrance emotionally as much as analytically, and blends technical understanding with both storytelling and personal context, which makes it engaging even for readers – like me – who may not know the brand.
    Finding forbidden love sounds like a fresh, luminous tea scent with a warm backbone – that aldehydic, almost soapy opening note is how I prefer my perfumes to say hello :).
    And kudos for the attention to detail – I don;t think I’ve seen such beauty in a smaller bottle – usually, at around 30 ml and less, it’s like people lost their interest in an eye catching presentation.

  • olgAPOISON says:

    I loved the review it makes me want to try this white tea peach scent with a beautiful bottle. I am a tea scent girlie and i didnt try any white tea scents, except for the elizabthe arden one. Really excited, thanks, im from eu (croatia)

  • Annika says:

    Finding Forbidden Love sounds delicate and romantic and I couldn’t help but think how perfect it would be in springtime. The incense notes really seems to add complexity to the white tea and peach. The additional florals plus the raspberry and honey notes seem to steer the scent towards feminine. The bottle is glorious! MD, USA

  • SandiL says:

    I love how Mimian described how Davana added a lean from overly sweet to the base. I also agree with Statik Olfactive’s commitment to its customers with each perfume. I am in the USA.

  • Ramses Perez says:

    I can see both points of perfumery being an art and a craft and depending on how it makes you feel, it can be one of the other. Statik Olfactive is a house that came into my radar recently because of CaFleureBon and I’m glad it did. I was under the impression that they only created darker fragrances but I’ve been proven wrong. Finding Forbidden Love is a serene white tea fragrance with some heft to it. I consume tea all year but most importantly during the fall/winter to give that extra layer of warmth we need. Both the bottle and the 12 ml flacon are works of art (and craft) and I cannot wait what else they give us. I’m located in the USA.

  • Alen says:

    Great review, i love the tea based fragrances and the notes in Finding Forbidden sounds pretty amazing: labdanum, honey, tea and peaches, so good. I would love to try this one, i’m in the EU.

  • opalbear says:

    What a wonderful review! I love tea fragrances so much. A variety of tea fragrance, it seems I cannot get enough of them. Both of the tea fragrances sound amazing. And what a generous sale!
    I am located in California.

  • psebi101 says:

    I like tea so I am always curious about the direction of a tea perfume, because it can be dry like the tea bag or wet, or creamy. So this one sounds fizzy from the aldehydic description and creamy floral. I didn’t even knew there was a white peach, I am only familiar with the yellow one. Interesting composition, I bet it’s addicting.
    The presentation is gorgeous with bottle, cap and label. It’s front shelf display.
    I am in the EU, thanks for the draw!

  • Patricia Rojtasova says:

    Light and sheer, coupled with incense, not cloying peach and davana – I can see there is a promise of airiness and translucence . Very appealing from the notes, and the fact that it is a tea fragrance makes it even more so. I live in the EU and would treasure it.

  • Kassie Tocko says:

    i always love reading about the fragrances from statik olfactive! this tea fragrance sounds like the perfect specimen of a fruit tea fragrance- in my opinion, fruit in tea isn’t very juicy… it is more of the surface & that’s what it sounds like this fragrance mimics well. i love the cleanness of a good tea fragrance & i especially love fruity fragrances, so, this sounds absolutely heavenly! thank you for the review & the perfume for the giveaway, as always. :). this would be another dream to win! i am in the united states.

  • Caro says:

    I love tea, but as Mimian expresses, tea perfumes have often left me on the fence. White tea perfumes often don’t do white tea justice making it a sheer and often overshadowed note. I am definitely adding Finding Forbidden Love to my to try list now, because it sounds well balanced. White peaches are also a note (and taste) I adore.

    Wisconsin, USA

  • roxhas1cat says:

    I’d love to experience this packaging. Sounds fabulous. I’ve not had a white peach in awhile, so I cannot remember my thoughts of the difference. The sandalwood/raspberry dry down sounds so very lovely. Very cool that he is self taught. Thanks for showcasing this fragrance. USA.

  • mmerline says:

    I’m not sure where I fall on craft versus art, but I like that both apply to perfumery, and the combination is one of the attributes that make fragrance special. I don’t have any experience with white tea accords in fragrance, but Finding Forbidden Love sounds lovely. I’m glad there’s a robust heart to make this more than a “light and sheer” white tea, but also while ensuring the peach is “bright, airy, and fresh”, and more floral than other peach fragrances I’ve enjoyed. Sounds great. (And I love seeing brands offer smaller size bottles, especially when they are presented with as much care as these are. Kudos.)

    I’m in the USA.

  • brentm says:

    I really need to try Statik, the white peach in this fragrance is what catches my eye. Sounds like a perfect spring fragrance but with the sandalwood and honey, could work for fall. Usa

  • Kensolfactoryodyssey says:

    I thought Mimian’s review captured the push-and-pull of this perfume beautifully—the way she described being taken out of her comfort zone only to start craving the scent made the whole story of “forbidden love” feel real. Her breakdown of the white peach, tea, and incense interplay painted such a vivid picture that I could almost smell it. I live in the Bay Area, USA.

  • heathers1966 says:

    this sounds like the perfect mix of fruit & not too much, but, the very beginning smell you get of fruit- the perfect smell… & tea. everything about this brand is a love for me, though! i live in the united states.

  • EPTrail says:

    Peachy white tea. I jumped ahead of waiting for the winner and ordered their discovery set when I realized they also produced The Scarlet Lady which Cafleurebon covered months’ ago. Dead or Alive too since I’m just an American West junkee. I’m in the US.

  • Jules says:

    I think that craft made with love and passion results in art
    This perfume sounds pretty unique to my unexperienced nose. I loved the description of it and would like to try this one out since I already love tea
    From EU

  • foreverscents says:

    The bottles and packaging for Finding Forbidden Love are absolutely gorgeous. I love the use of white peach and white tea in this fragrance. I used to live in Japan and loved drinking the peach tea and nectar drinks available there. Mimian’s question of art vs craft is interesting to ponder. I wonder if an American perfumer would have a different answer than a European perfumer.
    I live in the USA.

  • jennapark says:

    The bottle and presentation are stunning. I love a peach note in my scents. It brings such a brightness to a fragrance. I am very intrigued they used a white peach in this Forbidden Love. I am also very interested to see how the floral sweet peach translates to “bright and airy” which i prefer to sickly sweet. I feel like someone took my favorite notes in perfumery and made this for me. I am a fan of tea and i adore a honey note. Sandalwood gives fragrances a creamy feel. I am a sucker for a raspberry note. This sounds so unique and beautiful. I am in USA Pennsylvania

  • wallygator88 says:

    Thanks for the sensual and intriguing review! Statik Olfactive Finding Forbidden Love feels like a stolen moment of dark sweetness — the tea-leaf opening that lingers with floral whispers and a soft undercurrent of spice, slowly deepening into honeyed woods and resin. What struck me was the way the blend balances temptation and restraint: the sweetness never becomes sticky, thanks to a green-herbal crispness under the surface, which keeps the accord mysterious and elegant. I’d love to try Finding Forbidden Love!
    Cheers from WI, USA

  • Julia.111 says:

    I saw Paul’s contribution to perfume making in one of the perfume groups – this naturally made me interested in his creations!

    Location: Finland