Top 10 Fragrances 2025 Ida Meister and J Wearescentient
Now that you have heard from Ermano and me, (our top 10 2025 fragrances here) and (The Best Fragrances of 2025 here) we continue our Top 10 Fragrance of 2025 year in review with Deputy and Natural Perfumery Editor Ida Meister and Senior Editor J Wearescentient.. Ida lives in South Boston, Massachusetts, and J is bubblin’ in Dublin, Ireland (2992.6 miles/4816.1 away) their choices (with only one brand overlap) are very different. Now it’s time to reveal their respective top 10 fragrances 2025-Michelyn Camen, Editor-in-Chief
Top 10 Fragrances 2025
As another calendar year rolls round to completion, I did my customary check a website which attempts to keep track of how many new releases 2025 yielded: over 9,350 releases are listed to date so far (and we have the temerity to wonder why we haven’t smelt them all!). Surely there are many which have fallen between the cracks: it’s simply astounding! Surprisingly, 2025 is the first year in which I didn’t experience the usual level of difficulty choosing my top 10 that I have in previous years. Some of this can be attributed to the increasingly thorny tariffs that we’ve recently experienced here in the U.S. Some factors remain constant for the time being: the number and size of event venues continue to explode upon the global fragrance scene, illustrating quite beautifully the venerable adage, “one cannot dance at 10 weddings with one behind.” It is impossible for any one individual to attend them all, fin. Vanilla and fruity, pastry-inspired fragrances continue to have a solid following; ouds aren’t going anywhere. High-decibel perfume is ubiquitous and shows no signs of slowing down in popularity. Sustainability continues to be a concern, as companies make public their efforts to decrease their carbon footprint (i.e., recyclable materials, upcycled fragrant components). ~ Ida Meister, Deputy and Natural Perfumery Editor
Top 10 Fragrances 2025 Ida
Frederico Parfums Copal Blanc (Justin Frederico): In a year of many vanillas, perfumer Justin Frederico has accomplished something extraordinary: a truly modern vanilla encircled with aromatic elements of ancient Mexico. Tuberose, copal resin, and Mexican lime embellish a voluptuous vanilla accented with precious spice and wood. Justin had become smitten with tuberose and began cultivating it in his garden this past summer. Copal Blanc perfectly harmonizes its lushness with a highly nuanced resinous base. It’s as natural as a second skin and pleasurable to wear all year round. Once it becomes available, I’m confident that it will garner a considerable fan base (I was privileged to collaborate with the perfumer in this instance, but Copal Blanc merits recognition – with or without my input). @fredericoparfums
Olivier Durbano Deus ex Petra 21 (Olivier Durbano): In the Tarot, the Major Arcana is rendered complete by its 21st card, The World. Deus ex Petra 21 made its debut during the harvest – which signals the closing of one chapter and the beginning of a whole new life cycle. This was by design. Sacred intention infuses all of Olivier Durbano’s work: As flame reduces physical matter to ash, purifying and removing all dross – so Olivier Durbano Deus Ex Petra 21 reveals the rekindled embers of the spirit when the stone speaks, after we have been distilled to our very essence. Incense, fig, exquisitely herbal/ verdant/spiced tones are garnished with fir balsam, ambergris, vetiver and musk. Natural-smelling and spiritually uplifting. @olivierdurbano
Neela Vermeire Creations Eshal (Bertrand Duchaufour): Eshal, aka The Flower of Heaven, was one of the major aromatic coups de foudre. I experienced at this past year’s Esxence: shimmering, sensuous, and intricate tuberose as only Neela and Monsieur Duchaufour are capable of rendering her. Solar citrus, bigarade and lime garland a fleshy, deftly spiced tuberose with turmeric and cinnamon; all the aromatic elements repose upon a deeply resinous foundation. With their characteristic generosity of spirit, Neela and Bertrand’s Eshal inhabits both carnal and spiritual realms with finesse. @neelavermeirecreations @bertrand.duchaufour
Maison Galimard Héritage Collection,T (Yusuke Masuda): Esxence 2025 afforded me the opportunity to rediscover of the House of Galimard, which has been in existence since 1747. Their emblematic trio of the Grasseois cultivars of jasmine, rose, and tuberose parfums take one’s breath away in their veracity and deceptive ‘simplicity’. To my mind, there is nothing effortless in the realistic summoning of a truthful soliflore. It was difficult to choose a favorite amongst the three (not unlike Paris’ dilemma on Mount Ida and the three goddesses), but T (tuberose) received my final vote. T is a prime example of the irresistible allure of an anti-gourmand floral gourmand set in a corona of just enough bitterness, spice, and warmth to counterbalance the cool carnality of tuberose. @galimard_parfumeur @masssu_fr @amelie1985
Le Jardin Retrouvé Immortelle Babylone (Maxence Moutte): Clara Feder of Le Jardin Retrouvé quietly shared her first module with me in February – and soon it will be readily available. Unlike many immortelle-inspired fragrances, this eau de parfum beautifully illustrates its multiple facets: spicy/herbal/floral/golden. The complementary components (Akiglaiawood®, an upcycled material produced from patchouli oil – and Georgywood®, a minty green woody amber, both from Givaudan) frame the titular note as it sinks into a vanillic/labdanum/vetiver base dusted with cashmeran. To smell it is to know the depths of serenity @lejardinretrouve @maxencemoutte
Velvet & Sweet Pea’s Purrfumery Narcissus Poeticus 2 (Laurie Stern): I’m not wild about the idea of limited editions in general – but when it came to Velvet & Sweet Pea’s Purrfumery Narcissus Poeticus 2, I had to make an exception. Rare natural materials, superb longevity, and sheer sophisticated originality earned this parfum its top rating. The fruity, juicy notes further accent a unique leathery floralcy which follows – and the Tamil Nadu sandalwood upon which they rest is a joy. Deep, brooding yet never morose – Narcissus Poeticus is certainly one to sample before it is no longer available: once components are no longer accessible, that’s it. @velvetandsweetpeaspurrfumery
Parfumeurs du Monde Osmanthus Noir (Marc-Antoine Corticchiato): At Esxence I was able to sample this beautiful oeuvre by master perfumer Marc-Antoine Corticchiato for Parfumeurs du Monde. Osmanthus Noir presents a wine-like fruitiness which is complex and rewarding – not a simplistic fruity floral. I am simply mad for the inclusion of white wine lees and black olive; true apricot to partner osmanthus; Turkish rose and Indian sandalwood, all kissed with a dash of maté’s arid woody and delicately smoky character. Even if one is not normally a devotee of natural perfumes, this one is a winner. @parfumeurs_du_monde
Aftelier Patchouli Noir (Mandy Aftel): As you can see, it happened to be an unusually fine year for natural perfumery. Despite being ÇaFleureBon natural perfumery editor, I profess no particular bias: if a fragrance is entrancing, ç’est tout. Patchouli Noir transcends any preconceived ideas regarding patchouli and stands out as one of the more creative renderings of this famous member of the mint family. Calming, mysterious, and enveloping, this fragrance inhabits musky/earthy territory which is worlds away from Greenwich Village/Harvard Square-in-the-1960s-70s: sophisticated, complex, and seductive. @aftelierperfume
Sultan Pasha Extraits de Parfum Joyeux (Sultan Pasha): Well-known for his brilliant (and prolific) assemblage of attars, Sultan Pasha made the decision to compose four alcohol-based perfumes which present as variations-upon-a-theme. They cleverly encompass four different genres of fragrance: floral, chypre, amber, and fougère. I own each of these in attar form (Quintessentially Amber isn’t available as an attar) except the fougère (I adore them)– and so I sprang for Joyeux, a lavender-intoxicated fougère of incredible beauty. Lavender, clary sage, mint! Jasmine, muguet! And the base: swoon worthy Mousse de Saxe, Mysore sandalwood, patchouli, vetiver, opoponax, ambergris, cedar, and more. This is a birthday treat I couldn’t resist. @sultanpashaperfumes @sultanpasha78
Hiram Green Ultra (Hiram Green): Hiram Green never disappoints, and this past year’s Ultra was no exception. The perfumer was inspired by 1980s’ hedonistic disco scene, and it buzzes with a distinct electric charge. Unapologetically floral and ebullient, Ultra fairly bursts from the bottle with ylang-ylang, narcissus, neroli, jasmine – all joyously seated atop a leather/tobacco/hay/resin cushion. When your spirits flag, this is one to reach for and elevate them in the process. It’s a sure cure for the blues. @hiram_green
Top 10 Fragrances of 2025 Best Books: Les Voluptueuses and Demo Accords
Les Voluptueuses (Élisabeth de Feydeau) and Demo Accords by Pia Long and Nick Gilbert. It’s a tie – because two completely more disparate works of literature written about fragrance have not been written(to date). I have already reviewed Mme. de Feydeau’s book, and plan to write about Demo Accords very soon. One account is historical, the other falls into a hitherto-unknown realm involving political/personal/professional concerns. There is no way to compare tradition with avant garde; I highly recommend that you explore them both.
@elisabethdefeydeau @perfume.pia @nickrgilbert
Hardest Working Person in Perfume: I would have to posit that Hez Binkowitz of Hez Parfums has had a stellar year – not only with his own brand, but also as the nose for several others such as Statik Olfactive (Home For The Holidays and Crème de Menthe Café ) and Tempus Vitae High Tea. I look forward to his bright future! @hezparfums
2025 was the year I planned to smell more flowers and boy did I! I was spoiled for gorgeous bouquets for the year, which you will see in my Top 10 Fragrances of 2025. This was a hard and brutal selection process as it was a short list of 20+ to begin with. I ended up whittling it down by choosing those I’ve worn the most and ones that felt close to me. It’s a rather personal selection this year, I also know I have missed out smelling a lot I’d have love too.
David Falsberg of Phoenicia Perfumes
I’d like to take a moment to remember the incredible David Falsberg of Phoenicia Perfumes, his friendship and work remains very special to me and his passing is a great loss to the world. I will miss our chats and his amazing work. His flame will burn on. Hold those good people close and never forgot to tell them you care. –J Wearescentient, Senior Editor, artist & olfactive writer.
Here’s my Top 10 Fragrances for 2025 in no particular order:
Top 10 Fragrances of 2025 Wearescentient
Puredistance YSAYO (Antoine Lie):This was my first experience of Puredistance, and what a way to start! Antoine Lie takes us deep into his past and the greenery of his childhood region of Alsace in the north east of France. The power of vetiver with swirls of earthy greens and purple tones. YSAYO it’s a stunning refined raw expression of nature, letting vetiver shine in beautiful ways, it flows with nature, not against it. Stunning! @puredistancemasterperfumes @antoinelieolfactiveexperience
Sacré Français Paris Cœur Fauve (Alexandre Makhloufi): Cœur Fauve is the second release from Alexandre Makhloufi’s Sacré Français Paris this time giving us a leather in a unique green way. Beautiful strokes of herbal green and rose pinks cut through darker leather tones fuzzing into cosy textures where the edges meet. It conjures Matisse’s Green Stripe painting in my head each time I wear it. The way the chamomile and leather play off each other is rather special and beautiful, there’s something of the past brought into the now in Cœur Fauve. Their first release Sleep No More was in my Best of Scent’s 2024. Fits me just right.@sacrefrancais.paris
Headspace Tabac (Julian Rasquinet): A quintet of extraits from Headspace composed by perfumer Julian Rasquinet appeared late this year and Tabac felt like something missing in my life had been found. Tabac doesn’t shout, rather it envelops you and those around in a dark cosy hazy relaxed feeling, one that’s comforting yet rich with a reassuring endless depth you want to sink into. A delicious composition of tobacco and coffee with a swirl of sweetness revealing itself slowly like an intriguing hard to put down novel. Makes me feel like home.@headspaceparfum @julienrasquinet
Epichron Nightchild (Michael Nordstrand): I’m a massive fan of what Michael Wong is doing with both his One Day house and his newest, Epichron. Both releases are stunning but there’s something rather magic memory wise for me in Nightchild composed by perfumer Michael Nordstrand. It takes me back to the dark woods of Norway where a chrysanthemum blooms under the gaze of tall trees bathed all in a stark cold moonlight with cool incense smoke enveloping you. An experience that’s impossible to forget.@epichron_official @michaelnordstrandperfumer
Badar Parfums Rouge Éclat (Margaux Le Paih-Guérin and Amélie Bourgeois): Flair perfumers Margaux Le Paih-Guérin and Amélie Bourgeois wrap an array of glowing red tones, fragrant florals and milky woods around a delicious Medjool date. I like big dates and I cannot lie, though it’s the osmanthus in Rouge Éclat that gets me every time, making me stop as it blooms while playing off the elegantly balanced gourmand facets. It’s turned a few heads on nights out this year, feeling like you’re dining at a high-class Parisian patisserie while the florals tease out a soft elegance, Rouge Éclat’s iris and osmanthus combination is one I cannot get enough of. Delicious. @badarparfums @margaux.le.paih.guerin @ame_lie_bourgeois @flair.paris
Manos Gerakinis Wild Tuberose (Manto Liosi): This was one of my perfumes of the summer. Tuberose and magnolia star here bursting with a champagne sparkle of citrus and apple, with sweet peach kisses making its feel like summer love. Perfumer Manto Liosi infuses Tuberose with a modern elegance, creating a perfume that feels both classic and sophisticated, it captures the beauty of bright spring or early summers day as it’s warm gentle floral spices flirt with you enveloping you in a heady white floral haze and sensual waxiness. Dreamy. @manosgerakinisparfums @manos_gerakinis @mantoliossi
Angelos Creatives Olfactives Narkissos (Angelos Balamis): The minute I smelled this I knew it was something special and would be on my Best of Scents list. Its heady white florals are tinged with greens and licked in a desirous way by a purring and sexy deer musk accord. Think dandelion horns wrapped in a sumptuous sensuality of creamy soft leather and gentle floral musks that have a clean vanilla benzoin richness drunk on a little ambrette musk. Narcissus’ mossy green facets shine here conjuring a vintage sexy furriness. Angelos Balamis is a gem of a perfumer whose love is felt in his works. Makes me swoon with delight every time. @angelos_creations_olfactives
Miskeo Parfums Allégorie De L’Eté (Marie-Pierre Blanchette): Miskeo Parfums Rococo Collection was released this year and what a stunning trio it was. Allégorie De L’Eté made me smile from ear to ear when I smelled a sample. Bitter greens and orange with a herbal twist conjure a magic chinotto accord with a touch of sweetness that rolls into a summer day laying in warm hay and gentle whispers of resinous spices like sun warmed skin. Allégorie De L’Eté feels a like summers dream I can spray on it’s all bright and cosy. Instant happiness. @miskeoparfums
Marc-Antoine Barrois Aldebaran (Quentin Bisch): Marc-Antoine Barrois and Quentin Bisch have added another star to perfumed night sky with the beautiful green tuberose glowing in milky moonlight. Dark greens make the white florals more sensual and elegant as maté tea teases out some dirty flirty whispers of darker raw leather, leaning in to the peppers fleshy vegative texture. The maté tea creates a soft smokiness for the more heady sensual fleshy tuberose petals to spread out on, making it feel beautiful diffusive, flowing out from its heady heart like waves of petals on an endless sea. It’s been extra nice to see many men discover the magic of tuberose this year through Aldebaran. A sensual delight. @marcantoinebarrois @quentinbischperfumer
Thomas de Monaco Jade Amour (David Chieze): Thomas de Monaco’s Flowers for Future bloomed this year in a trio of stunning abstract florals feeling like electric dreams. Perfumer David Chieze’s Jade Amour again made me instantly happy when smelling and wearing it. It feels like it glows in honeyed floral tones, sweet yet musky all creamy and warm. Playful and sensual feeling like it was rendered in neon and made blossom by David Chieze. It’s another perfume I’m excited to wear when the sun returns. A glowing unforgettable embrace. @thomasdemonacoparfums @davkze
Moritz Sülz and Andreas Wilhelm of Ylem
Best New House: Ylem Parfums (Moritz Sülz and Andreas Wilhelm): Ylem Parfums trio of perfumes made me very excited this year. Eastern Veil, Eye of God and Soap Bubble take their names from nebulas and feel like beautiful futuristic expanses flickering with clusters of stars in delicious tones. Creative director Moritz Sülz wanted to create something unique and different and with perfumer Andreas Wilhelm they have captured the feel of space with these stunning and beautifully considered releases. Everything from the design down feels considered and elegant, star charts are weaved into the boxes and bottles labels, with the nebulas coordinates printed on them. Holding the flacon feels as if you are lifting up a telescope to go dream in the stars. Ylem Parfums is ultra contemporary perfumery and the kind that keeps me excited and gives me hope for the future. A big love! @ylem.parfums @wilhelmperfume
Thanks to the generosity of Olivier Durbano, we may offer a 100 ml flacon of Olivier Durbano Deus ex Petra 21 for one registered reader in the EU ONLY. YOU MUST REGISTER OR YOUR COMMENT WILL NOT COUNT.
Thanks to the generosity of Hiram Green we have a 50 ml. flacon of ULTRA for one registered reader in the EU or USA. You must register or your entry will not count.
Thanks to the generosity of Badar Parfums we have a 50 ml bottle of Rouge Éclat for a registered reader in the EU or USA. You must register or your entry will not count.
Please share your thoughts about Ida’s and J Wearescentient Top 10 Perfumes of 2025. What sparked your interest? What do you want to try or have tried, where you live and which you would like to win was there a quote that resonated? Draw closes 1/1/2026
Remember there are draws you can enter for Kajal Topaz Sarah Baker Velvet Vendetta. Neela Vermeire Creations Eshal, Marc-Antoine Barrois Aldebaran, Etat Libre D’Orange Above The Waves and Anthologie by Lucien Ferraro. Next up Nicoleta and Oli
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