Gong by Floraïku: A Delightful Summer Amber

Written by Kristina Kybartaite-Damule

Floraïku recently introduced a new perfume in their collection—Gong. It beautifully blends juicy citrus with amber, and surprises with an unexpected accord.

Floraïku is a French brand I’ve been following and appreciating for years. The influence of Japan is evident not only in their packaging—which resembles bento, the traditional Japanese takeaway boxes—and their artistic caps, but also in the haikus created for each perfume. The attention to detail and the quality of the presentation have always fascinated me.

Of course, as beautiful as the packaging is, it would mean little without the fragrances themselves—and those, I also adore. The scents feel authentic and unconcerned with trends. Instead, they are creative and tell stories—some exotic and unfamiliar, as if from a faraway place somewhere in Japan, others nostalgic and comforting. I still remember how deeply This July Evening resonated with me—right in the middle of summer, reminding me of the meadows from my childhood.

But today, let’s talk about Gong.

Smiles in the air
Floating thoughts
Gong

I was lucky to experience Gong before its official release, in Milan, during Esxence. It instantly caught my attention as a different kind of amber fragrance—lively, bright, and somehow mystically delicious.

Photo credit: Kristina Kybartaite-Damule

Gong stays true to Floraïku’s Japanese inspiration, and not just through its name, which refers to the harmonious and meditative atmosphere of a tea ceremony.

It opens with zesty Japanese citrus yuzu, which, paired with pink pepper, feels energizing and joyful. However, it’s far from a simple citrus fragrance. As the scent develops, warm, ambery benzoin emerges, creating a cocooning, calming sensation. It never feels too heavy, though. While amber is often associated with autumn, this one is light and airy enough to be perfect for summer.

The scent finishes with a woody accord. The notes list includes guaiac wood and vetiver, but on my skin, sandalwood sings the loudest—with its creamy, slightly powdery facet.

As I tested the perfume, pressing my wrist to my nose, I noticed something delightfully sweet—reminiscent of a dessert. At first, I thought it came from the benzoin and sandalwood, with their cream-like sweetness, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that there was something more to it. Only after reading the official description did everything click into place.

Gong features a Dorayaki accord—a nod to the beloved Japanese sweet that resembles two small pancakes with a filling in between, often enjoyed during teatime. The sweetness in the perfume, just like in the actual dessert, is gentle and refined. I find it to be an exquisite addition to the composition, enhancing its uniqueness and supporting the storyline. That kind of thoughtful consistency is something I truly appreciate.

Dorayaki / Photo credit: Unsplash

[the sample was kindly sent for review.]