Editorial Picks: Kristina's Favorite Fragrance Releases of 2024

Written by Kristina Kybartaite-Damule

The perfume industry shows no signs of slowing down – Parfumo.com alone has added 6,760 new perfumes to its database so far this year (compared to 6,137 in 2023 and 5,347 in 2022). Without a doubt, this isn’t the final count, considering all the smaller perfume releases that slip under the radar of online perfume libraries.

Of course, I wasn’t able to try over 6,000 perfumes, but I was blessed to test quite a lot this year. As I went through the fragrances I discovered in 2024, I managed to narrow down my top 10 favorite new releases. Here they are:

10. Sarah Baker Peach's Revenge

A bold take on a fruity peach note, this perfume combines everything delicious: amaretto, vanilla, caramel, cinnamon, and cardamom. It’s sweet and mouthwatering, evoking the scent of dessert, yet with an intriguing touch of iris and a generous dose of musk. Playful yet very wearable composition by Chris Maurice.

9. Nishane Tuberóza X

nishane tuberoza x — Photo: Kristina Kybartaite-Damule

A new interpretation of Nishane’s classic Tuberóza, this version by Dominique Ropion is creamy and sensual, with dramatic lipstick and violet notes. While tuberose remains the star, it’s neither indolic nor overpowering as tuberose fragrances can sometimes be. This refined scent is not only sophisticated but also a true compliment magnet.

8. Initio Narcotic Delight

The cherry note was a star in many perfumes this year, and Initio’s interpretation stood out for me. Blended with a boozy sip of cognac, tobacco, black pepper, vanilla, and hedione, this perfume is intoxicating and addictive. It carries the unmistakable DNA of the brand and is a true delight for fans like myself of Initio’s Side Effect or High Frequency.

7. Bon Parfumeur 502 Iris Cartagena

bon parfumeur iris cartagena — Photo: Instagram / KristinaKiiScents

This sweet and delicious creation by Clément Marx is among the best gourmand releases of the year, in my opinion. Boozy cocoa mingles with hints of coffee, vanilla, and powdery iris, creating a cozy and irresistible scent. It’s been receiving much-deserved love on social media – could this become Bon Parfumeur’s Baccarat Rouge 540? Time will tell, but with all of the attention it gets, it might be.

6. Kilian Old Fashioned

old fashioned kilian — Photo: Instagram / KristinaKiiScents

Fans of the house eagerly anticipated this release, hoping it would resemble the long-discontinued Single Malt. Created by Sidonie Lancesseur, Old Fashioned does indeed bear similarities to its predecessor, though they are not identical. The reminiscent wheat absolute and boozy whiskey notes are brightened with immortelle, cedarwood, and tolu balsam. Airy yet rich, it’s effortlessly wearable and very attractive.

5. Houbigant Vanille Impériale

As a long-time fan of vanilla fragrances, I’ve sampled countless vanilla releases, many of which started to feel repetitive. That’s why Vanille Impériale made me very happy – it is unique and very delicious. Though cherry isn’t listed among the notes, I’m sure I feel a little of boozy cherry vanilla that sets this fragrance apart. Blended with white florals and amber, this cozy and unique scent by Luca Maffei and Antoine Lie is a standout.

4. Roja RDHP20

Dedicated to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Roja Dove Haute Parfumerie at Harrods, this multifaceted fragrance is an ode to everything Roja Dove has created. It features aldehydic nuances, carefully curated florals, fruity notes, and an ambery, slightly earthy base. At times, it reminds me of Turandot or RDHP15, but RDHP20 is a masterpiece in its own right – like a kaleidoscope revealing different facets with every wear.

3. Xerjoff Levar del Sole

Xerjoff impressed me with several releases this year, including Louis XV 1722 and Quattro Pizzi. However, my favorite has to be the one I ironically don’t own a bottle of yet – Levar del Sole from the Casamorati line. This unique and heartwarming rose-centric fragrance is surrounded by juicy orange, cardamom, jasmine, and violet with base notes that include musk, benzoin, patchouli, and tonka bean. However, none of the notes listed is too loud or too heavily expressed – the blend is seamless and simply beautiful.

2. Thomas De Monaco Ultima Storia

Full disclosure: I work with this brand, but my opinion remains unbiased, as I fell in love with Ultima Storia long before our collaboration began. I was introduced to this creation by Maurus Bachmann in Milan last March, and it instantly became one of two citrus fragrances I truly adore (Verte Euphorie from L'Atelier Parfum being the first one). I am not a fan of citrus perfumes, as you can tell, but Ultima Storia is so much more than just that. Built around citron noir, it develops into slightly gourmand notes of roasted coffee and almond, with hints of leather and a soft powdery accord. Fresh yet long-lasting, it’s perfect year-round.

1. Marc-Antoine Barrois Tilia

This fragrance needs no introduction – it was one of the most talked-about releases of the year. Created by Quentin Bisch, Tilia tells the story of honeyed linden blossoms and heliotrope, with a generous dose of ambroxan. For me, it evokes memories of summer in Vilnius, where linden trees grew near my home. Tilia is so joyful and bright and has that lightness that we all need sometimes. Probably that's why it ended up in the first place for me this year.

Honorable Mentions

A few fragrances left a lasting impression on me, though I only sampled them briefly at boutiques or events. Others arrived too recently for me to fully form an opinion. If I’d had more time to explore them, my top 10 might have looked different. Here are a few worth mentioning: Les Eaux Primordiales Ambre, D’Elmar Kaya, Welton Mystique Myrrhe, Amouage Outlands, and BohoBoco Polish Potatoes.

All in all, 2024 was a fantastic year for perfume lovers. Wishing all our readers a fragrant and happy 2025 filled with even more scented discoveries!

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