My Biggest Fragrance Discoveries Of 2021

A note from the brand: Costa Azzurra captures the easy sensuality of a purely uninhibited escape. The exhilarating aroma of sea air, fresh aromatic notes, evergreens and citrus set the scene and mingle with deeper woody scents – a crisp medley of cypress, oaks and aromatics.

Who would like Costa Azzurra: This is great. This is how to release a designer perfume but with niche ingredients. Costa Azzurra does everything, and even more, you could possibly ask from a great summer scent.

I have compared the original Private Blend edition and this Signature Line re-release and they are almost the same. Depending on which bottle you want, they are both worth having in the perfume collection.

Costa Azzurra reminds me somewhat of Giorgio Armani Acqua di Gio Profumo and Tom Ford for Men but done much better. That “Tom Ford effect” as I like to call it is something only seen in Tom Ford perfumes, and Costa Azzurra delivers.

Probably the scent I have been impressed with the most this year, and that says a lot if you consider it is a woody-aquatic fragrance.

I would advise not believing the notes since there is zero Oud and Seaweed here. The scent is composed of juicy citruses at the top, gentle woods in the heart, and sea-salty incense in the base.

• Perfumer: Yann Vasnier
• Perfume Oil Concentration: Eau de Parfum
• Fragrance Type: Citrus Aquatic
• Release Date: 2021
• Most dominant notes: Driftwood, Lemon, and Seaweed
• Target Audience: Unisex
• Age Group: 20+
• Seasons: Spring and Summer
• Occasions: Any occasion
• Longevity and Sillage: 6 – 8 hours with moderate projection
• Compliments: High
• Likeability: High
• Uniqueness: 4/5
• Value for money: 10/10
• Accords: Aromatic, Woody, Aquatic

A note from the brand: Enjoy the delicate fragrance of the eau de cologne Colonia Club that Acqua di Parma created for men. Elegantly dynamic and fresh, the Colonia Club scent is characterized by original top notes of neroli, mint, and galbanol.

The energetic vitality of the mint and the freshness of the galbanol give a new spicy perspective to the traditional Colonia.For the gentleman who experiences life with passion!

Who would like Colonia Club: I like Colonia Club more than I really should. Since I’m not a big fan of those old-school green macho perfumes from the 1970s, I was truly amazed at how good Club smells.

Is it the most natural mint note you have ever smelled in perfume, or that hint of salty and musky ambergris in the base notes, I’m still trying to decide.

One thing is for sure, you should get your nose on this Acqua di Parma’s hidden gem. Thankfully, Acqua di Parma rarely discontinues its release, but I do fear this one getting cut from production at some point.

A modern composition that pays homage to the legends from the old days such as Brut and Polo works in any season, as a super versatile fragrance. Don’t get discouraged by lukewarm reception.

Colonia Club is one of a kind masterpiece worthy of my Holy Grail Scent approval.

• Perfumer: n/a
• Perfume Oil Concentration: Eau de Cologne
• Fragrance Type: Green Aquatic
• Release Date: 2015
• Most dominant notes: Mint, Ambergris, Lavender
• Target Audience: Unisex
• Age Group: 25+
• Seasons: Spring, Summer, and Fall
• Occasions: Business, Leisure, Sports, Night Outs
• Longevity and Sillage: 6 – 8 hours with moderate projection
• Compliments: Medium
• Likeability: Medium
• Uniqueness: 5/5
• Value for money: 10/10
• Accords: Aromatic, Green, Aquatic

A note from the brand: Dior Homme redefines a new, masculine sensuality with its composition of smooth and raw wood. In the heart notes of tender wood lies the virility of Atlas Cedar embracing the enveloping warmth of Haitian Vetiver tinged with spices. The wood is chiseled in-house at Dior.

Dior Homme conveys all the facets of modern masculinity. A man, yes, but a man of many nuances: confident in both his strength and his tenderness. Dior Homme Eau de Toilette’s bold scented trail leaves a sensual imprint.

Who would like Dior Homme 2020: Oh, yeah. You better believe it it’s Dior Homme 2020. Of all the fragrance discoveries from this year, I’m the proudest with the latest iteration of Dior Homme.

For all the negative feedback from the fragrance community just because it has the same name as the previous Dior legend, and as I already said in my review, Dior Homme 2020 is going to become a modern classic just like Hermes Terre d’Hermes did.

I’m actually surprised no one until 2020 took a chance with Iso E Super in the designer realm. That molecule is everything we needed to start shifting from the blue fragrance era of the 2010s. It is time, and the time is now.

Fresh, spicy, and woody. Dior Homme 2020 is a perfect gift for your loved one. A scent everyone who wears now will praise to the heavens 20 years from now. Get it while the first formulation is still around.

• Perfumer: François Demachy
• Perfume Oil Concentration: Eau de Toilette
• Fragrance Type: Woody Spicy
• Release Date: 2020
• Most dominant notes: Cashmere Wood, Cedar, Pink Pepper
• Target Audience: Men
• Age Group: 20+
• Seasons: Any season
• Occasions: Business and Leisure
• Longevity and Sillage: 8 – 10 hours with moderate projection
• Compliments: High
• Likeability: High
• Uniqueness: 3/5
• Value for money: 10/10
• Accords: Woody, Spicy, Musky

A note from the brand: Molecule 01 consists of the molecule Iso E Super pure and singular. Iso E Super is a molecule that hovers close to the skin to create an indefinable aura round the wearer.

It is characterized by a hyper-modern cedarwood note with a velvety sensation. Perfumer Geza Schoen explains its allure: “Iso E Super is one of those skin-sexy scents that makes you want to nestle into it. It’s comforting, cocooning.

Who would like Molecule 01: If you still don’t own it, you have probably heard about Molecule 01 somewhere before. Believe it or not, Molecule 01 is one of the best-selling niche perfumes of all time.

Why? Because it works. If you aren’t one of those unlucky people that can’t smell Iso E Super, then you have smelled it before in many other perfumes, but not isolated like here.

This molecule smells like musky pencil shavings and is sexy as hell. Yes, I do know it takes your nose to “adjust” the first couple of times when you wear it, but trust me, once you start picking it up, you’ll know what’s the deal with this fragrance.

Wear it anywhere, any time, layer it with other fragrances, and boost their performance. Molecule 01 fits everywhere.

• Perfumer: Geza Schoen
• Perfume Oil Concentration: Eau de Toilette
• Fragrance Type: Woody Musk
• Release Date: 2006
• Most dominant notes: Iso E Super
• Target Audience: Unisex
• Age Group: 18+
• Seasons: Any season
• Occasions: Any occasion
• Longevity and Sillage: 8 – 10 hours with moderate projection
• Compliments: High
• Likeability: High
• Uniqueness: 5/5
• Value for money: 5/10
• Accords: Woody, Musky, Ambery

A note from the brand: Evoking a fragment of amber resin picked up by Serge Lutens during a wander through the souks of Marrakech, which lay forgotten for years inside a thuja wood box, this perfume marks a return to a focus on the identity and authenticity of unique ingredients.
1968: the year Serge Lutens discovers Morocco. A milestone date, and for him, a time of incredible revelation.

During one of his wanderings in the Marrakech souks, caught up in the crowd and the scents of the old city, Serge by chance falls upon a piece of amber wax which he purchases on impulse.

In 1993 the wax is retrieved, having been neglected for many years in a thuja wood box, to have its memory revived. “Ambre sultan” was unveiled to the Western world as a new olfactive style: a restoration of the authenticity of perfume through its raw materials.

Three decades later, “Ambre Sultan” has lost none of its elegance, splendor, and power and it remains a truly beautiful tribute to Arab history and culture.

Who would like Ambre Sultan: I don’t know what have I waited until now with Ambre Sultan. Being fully aware of all the accolades it receives on a regular basis, and the fact it is probably the best amber-based perfume of all time, Ambre Sultan came into my possession only a couple of weeks ago.

Not an easy-to-understand amber fragrance you see everywhere, and it will take some time for you to understand its greatness.

The power of Ambre Sultan is in its crazy green and spicy herbal opening that slowly transitions to a spectacular amber base.

If I had to explain it in a simple way it would be something like an old forgotten wooden box filled with Mediterranean herbs and amber resin sitting between all of this.

• Perfumer: Christopher Sheldrake
• Perfume Oil Concentration: Eau de Parfum
• Fragrance Type: Oriental Aromatic
• Release Date: 1993
• Most dominant notes: Incense, Amber, and Bay Leaf
• Target Audience: Unisex
• Age Group: 30+
• Seasons: Fall and Winter
• Occasions: Leisure and Night Out
• Longevity and Sillage: 8 – 10 hours with moderate projection
• Compliments: Low
• Likeability: Medium
• Uniqueness: 5/5
• Value for money: 10/10
• Accords: Oriental, Aromatic, Balsamic