Editorial Picks: Angel’s Favorite Fragrance Releases of 2024

Written by Angel Hoque

2024 has witnessed a deluge of fragrance releases, making it a challenge to track them all. While I haven't smelled every single one, I've sampled enough to declare it a mixed bag: moments of elation contrasted with considerable disappointment. As our tastes evolve and expectations rise, truly exceptional fragrances are increasingly rare. However, some perfumes released this year deeply resonated with me; a few I consider absolute olfactory masterpieces.

Pelagos By Dusita

An absolute masterpiece. What a complex imagination and interpretation of the boundless possibilities where the sky meets the horizon. A melancholic iris, luminous and beautiful jasmine, blend with thyme and a salty ocean breeze accord. Smoky vetiver, earthy patchouli, and woods complete the fragrance, evoking a journey: a walk through rain-dampened woods, culminating in a black sand beach where the roar of the ocean meets the serenity of the horizon. The scent captures the peaceful yet powerful beauty of nature's chaotic harmony. You really need a lot of time to connect the dots between the perfumer’s inspiration and the olfactive interpretation in this bottle. It’s a niche perfume that will make you keep coming back just to study deep to get to the bottom of the mystery and once you unlock the mystery, the veils of mystical magical aura will engulf your true core.

Notes: Cypress, pine,sage,oakmoss, jasmin, orris,thyme, tonka, patchouli,Amyris, sandlewood, ambret, vetiver

Neroli Hasbaya by Atelier Materi

An addictive gourmand fragrance transports you to the heart of Lebanon. Bright neroli blossoms are embraced by warm pistachio and almond, settling into a creamy sandalwood and Peruvian balsam base.

Rich and captivating, it's a delight for neroli enthusiasts and newcomers alike. A classic orange blossom sweetness but with a chewy stickiness dipped in resins and chunks of pistachio. Yet another masterfully blended floral that may seem a familiar territory but has some untapped regions to explore.

Notes: Neroli Essence, Bitter Almond Extract, Pistachio, Orange Blossom Absolute, Damascena Rose Absolute , Musk, Peruvian Balsam Essence, White Sandalwood Essence

Old Fashioned by Kilian

I was more than happy to say “Welcome back Kilian”. What a delightful deliverance!

Escape to the heart of the Scottish Highlands with Kilian Hennessy's evocative fragrance, a collaboration with perfumer Sidonie Lancesseur. Inspired by the rich essence of a twenty-year-old single malt whisky, this scent embodies the warmth and intimacy of a historic family home, fire crackling merrily within. The fragrance opens with a vibrant bergamot, evolving into a sophisticated heart of orange blossom and tuberose, subtly enhanced by styrax and Tolu balsam, echoing the mysteries of barrel aging and the misty moors. A robust cedar base, infused with the sensual spice.

Notes: Wheat Absolute, Cedarwood Hyper-concentrated essence, Tolu Balm

Kilian Old Fashioned — Photo: Kristina Kybartaite-Damule

Tilia by Marc-Antoine Barrois

Sun kissed elegance in a bottle. AHH! This fragrance put a smile on my face!

Evoking endless summer holidays, this fragrance is simple, sunny, and joyful. Notes of honeyed apricot broom and soft heliotrope powder form a bucolic bouquet, enriched by velvety jasmine sambac. A grounding touch of smoky vetiver adds depth, intensifying the sun-drenched radiance.

Notes: linden, broom, jasmine sambac, vetiver, heliotrope, Georgywood, Ambrofix

Casa Blanca by House of Bo

The sheer sophistication in a bottle.

Casa Blanca is a captivating fragrance where white tea, white suede, and white oud intertwine seamlessly with smoky fig notes, creating an instantly alluring scent. Few perfumes offer such a profound sense of self, evoking feelings of ultimate confidence and invincibility. While initially appearing soft and understated, its true power lies in its divine and timeless elegance.

Notes: Mineral notes, white tea,labdanum, fig, copal, suede, vanilla, tobacco

Yasat by Widian

Widian's Yasat is a captivating fragrance, a harmonious blend of fragrant cardamom, creamy sandalwood, delicate floral undertones, and caramelized woody notes, all grounded by an enthralling musk. This consistently beautiful perfume, a testament to Widian's creative artistry, evoked feelings of happiness, groundedness, connection, and undeniable beauty.

Notes: Cardamom, sandlewood, caramel, cedar, vanilla, musk and amber

Guidance 46 by Amouage

All good things wrapped in Guidance but with a smoother blend, creamier facets, watery nuance and only the better. In the air, you don’t find any differences, it’s only on the skin that behaves somewhat differently and leaves a smoother scented sheen. My only and quite a strong complaint about this release is the retail price point but I guess, you can’t put a price on something that exudes class, exceptional craftsmanship and uncompromising refinement.

Notes: Pear, Frankincense, Hazelnut, Rose Water, Pink Pepper, Bitter Almond, Saffron, Rose, Sambac Jasmine, Osmanthus, Cistus, Sandalwood, Akigalawood, Ambergris, Vanilla, Ambrette, Georgywood, Cypriol

Silky Woods Elixir by Goldfield & Banks

I have loved Silky Woods with all my heart, and I have loved this one even more. A smoky and opulent reimagining of the original Silky Woods unveils the dark heart of Australian agarwood. This revered botanical essence, meticulously blended with fig, saffron, orris, and syrupy balsam, reveals both its complex, woody core and its verdant facets. The result is a richly sensual, gourmand perfume of luxurious intensity.

Notes: Fig, saffron, rose, peru balsam, orris, agarwood Australia, guaiac wood, Ambroxan, Clearwood®, vanilla, musk, oakmoss, cypriol, oud Assafi

Le Geste D’Edmond by Eight and Bob

A super underrated and luxurious warm spicy tobacco and vanilla fragrance that smells upper class and polished.

Sixteenth-century Europe was captivated by vanilla, a spice hampered by challenging cultivation. Then, on Bourbon Island, a twelve-year-old apprentice named Edmond Albius revolutionized vanilla farming. His innovative techniques transformed Madagascar into the world's leading vanilla producer. Eight & Bob's "Le Geste d'Edmond," a fragrance from their prestigious Les Extraits Collection, pays tribute to Albius's ingenuity and passion. This scent embodies understated elegance, evoking unforgettable moments. It's a perfumed testament to Albius's botanical genius and the profound impact of individual creativity on the history of this precious spice.

Notes: Madagascar ginger oil, Madagascar cinnamon, solve, bourbon vanilla, tonkalactone and ambrostar

Quatro Pizzi by Casamorati

My appreciation for this Xerjoff fragrance has grown slowly, revealing why it's so beloved. While not groundbreaking or entirely unique, it cleverly reinterprets familiar elements. The addition of creamy coconut and a hay-like tobacco sweetness to the tuberose-centered composition creates a luxurious, tropical experience. The opening is a vibrant blend of rum, davana, and pink pepper, leading to the captivating heart of tuberose. This sensual perfume lingers, evoking the heat and passion of Sicily, leaving a lasting impression.

Notes: Rum, davana, pink pepper, coriander, tuberose, coconut, hay, blonde leaf tobacco, tonka bean