There are 27 days to go until the end of the year, and I don’t know about you, but Madame Persolaise and I are definitely not ready to bid farewell to 2014. We haven’t written our Christmas cards, we haven’t planned our festive menus and we certainly haven’t bought all our gifts yet. I feel a hectic three weeks coming on… during which I’ll also have to start thinking about my Best Perfumes Of The Year list… but let’s not go there today…
Whilst I’m trying to organise myself, you can take part in today’s special give-away, which forms part of Andy Tauer‘s series of Advent draws. Once again, Andy has kindly asked me to take part in his festivities, which started on the 1st of December on Now Smell This and will continue until Christmas on Andy’s own blog as well as various other sites.
The prize is a Tauer Explorer Set, which consists of three 15 ml bottles. The winner will get to choose the three scents, but please note that not all of Tauer Perfumes’ fragrances are available in the Explorer Set. For more details, please click here.
To enter, please read the terms and conditions below and then leave a comment on this post on the subject of your favourite fragrance discoveries of 2014. What were your highlights of the year? Which new releases did you enjoy the most? Which oldies did you finally get around to trying for the first time?
Please do take the time to read the terms and conditions carefully, as this draw is not open to readers from certain countries.
My thanks to Andy Tauer for making this draw possible and for including me in his Advent celebrations.
Good luck to one and all!
Persolaise
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Terms & Conditions
i) the draw will be closed at 6 am (UK time) on Friday 5th December; ii) the winner will be selected at random; iii) the winner will be announced on Persolaise.com on Friday 5th December; iv) if the winner has not made contact with Persolaise.com by Monday 8th December, an alternative winner may be selected; v) the winner’s address will be shared only with Tauer Perfumes, who will post the prize to the winner; vi) readers from anywhere in the world are eligible to enter EXCEPT for those based in Italy, Spain, Croatia, Russia and Greece, as Tauer Perfumes does not ship to these countries; vii) by entering this competition, you indicate that you are able to receive alcohol-based perfume products in your country of residence; viii) the prize will be shipped for free from Switzerland, using FedEx; local taxes, VAT and import fees may apply; these will not be covered by Tauer Perfumes; ix) Persolaise.com takes no responsibility for the contents of the perfumes, particularly as regards potential allergens and/or harmful components; x) if the prize is lost in transit, it will not be possible for a replacement to be posted; xi) relatives of anyone associated with Persolaise.com are not permitted to enter.
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Being that this is the first year I've been really into perfumes – EVERYTHING has been a discovery! I haven't tried a lot of new releases (except for what they have at the dept stores) and of those I probably liked B Balenciaga the most. But my favorite perfume of all that I have tried this year is probably Do Son. It's so lushly creamy and beautiful on my skin – it makes me swoon! I haven't gotten to try any of Andy's creations yet – but I have a couple samples coming my way! Thanks for participating in this generous draw!
I think this was the year I really got into orientals, which I had avoided for some bizarre reason previously. This is due, in no small part, to l'air du desert marocain 🙂 I can't wait to see what else I discover next year, thank you!
Thanks for the great draw. My most exciting discovery this year was Amouage Gold Woman. It is so rich and opulent and yet it melds very well with the skin. Something about it (the animalic quality?) makes it very human.
Cuir Cannage was a wonderful new release (I've committed to a 250ml bottle) as was Eau de Magnolia. Bel Ami Vetiver was a pleasant surprise, and I finally tried Tea for Two!
There are quite a few Tauers I've not tried yet, hopefully this could be the chance to do that!
My interest in perfumes only started a couple of months ago so everything is new to me! So far, it's been a mad dash running around to several Sephora locations in the city sniffing everything and shamelessly asking for samples, ordering niche fragrance samples online, and perusing perfume blogs for the next must try scent.
My favorite discoveries so far:
Tauer Perfumes-Le Maroc pour Elle: this was an immediate WOW! upon first sniff. I love the juicy mandarins, the rich, sensual florals, and the slight incense.
Serge Lutens-Tubereuse Criminelle: I had to try this infamous fragrance after reading several divisive reviews and actually love the menthol opening and the wintergreen-y tuberose.
Comme des Garcons-Kyoto: this sweet incense is meditative and comforting, especially now that the weather is colder.
Thank you for hosting this give away!
My highlight this year was regaining my sense of smell and celebrating with Chanel No. 5! My olfactory powers were almost down to zero as a side effect of medication. Thankfully I am no longer on that medication and can smell again, so I was delighted to borrow a bottle of Chanel No. 5 from a friend for a few days. It was remarkable. I have really enjoyed a sample of the new En Voyage Fiore di Bellagio. It is spicy and sumptuous in a wonderful way. An oldie that surprised me was another Chanel — No. 22. I've often wondered what made it feel familiar. A perfumista pointed out that for some people No. 22 has a touch of cola and I wanted to shout, "A-ha! That's it!"
To be honest I haven't actually tried that many 2014 fragrances but my favourites have been Rozy (EDP) and Anubis. Both of which filled a gap and are very different perfumes for me. They feel like perfumes for an occasion. My sample of Tobacco Rose is nearly empty as well and that one is growing on me. Like Tiffanie above I really love En Voyage Fiore di Bellagio as well – Old discoveries that I fell in love with are Iris Silver Mist – I don't know how everyone finds this chilly I find it really comforting and beautiful. Also I've fallen for Lonestar Memories which I hated last year and Angel Le Cuir!
This was the year I discovered SO many scents that completely knocked my socks off after a few years of fatigue. Interestingly, many of these scents had been around. Some had not.Some top picks: SHL 777 Khol de Bahrein. Perris Monte Carlo Bois d'Oud, Vicktoria Minya Eau de Hongrie, By Kilian Smoke for the Soul (yes indeed!), Phaedon Tabac Rouge. Oh, there's more, but I won't go on and on!! Thanks for the great draw!! 🙂 Oh, and I've been a lurker. Cheers!
This year I was glad to have discovered the Olympic Orchids range by Ellen Covey. Her Tropic of Capricorn is a delight! And I also fell head over heels for Patou's 1000… Thanks for the chance to enter this draw!
Thank you for this wonderful giveaway! This year I have sampled quite a lot of fragrances and the highlights include Andy Tauer's creations, but the absolute star for me was Sotto la Luna. I smelled it, swooned and in a short time ordered a full bottle of this beauty. I have also discovered Hylnds from DS & Durga and I am already planning to buy Bitter Rose Broken Spear for my birthday in February.
I made a trip to Hermes to try the new Cuir d' Ange and can't seem to figure it out but will return for another try. While there, I checked out the Vetiver Tonka and find myself fascinated by it,… I will try that again and hope I hate it so I don't have to fork out the money for it. I finally tried Guerlain's Shalimar (modern) and confess that I can't appreciate it at all, perhaps the older formulations were more appreciable?. I also smelled SL L'incendiaire and though I loved it, I find myself unable to part with that MUCH money.
My favourite fragrance discovery of 2014 is Carnal Flower, I am going to buy a bottle.
Honorable mentions:
Aoud by Roja Dove
Fetish by Roja Dove
La Fille de Berlin by Serge Lutens
Montecristo By Masque
Bel Ami Vetiver was a great surprise and I am really impressed by the tenderness of "L'Orpheline" and puzzled by the cold reception
Thanks for draw
My favourite new fragrance of this year is Seve du Pin by Dawn Spencer Hurwitz. I never thought I would enjoy a pine perfume but this one is full bottle worthy – calming and uplifting. Honourable mention to my reacquaintance with Ormonde Woman.
I tried a sample of Carillon Pour Un Ange by Tauer on my arm, and then mowed the lawn – an unforgettable experience.
Great to see you holding Andy's advent calender day, Persolaise! Well, actually there were many nice discoveries in 2014 – Medittorosa and the beautiful scent Le Mat, Ombre Indigo by Olfactive Studio – the scent that has all things I love inclusive the fluid color ;). Avant-garde, surprising and challenging Baruti and Zoologist. And very classic Volnay and Detaille.
This year I discovered Apres L'Ondee, so it was a GOOD year 🙂
My favourite new release was easily Wit by DelRae. Happy floral that makes me smile even in the darkest winter days when someone has robbed all the snow but it's still freezing cold!! I quite liked Panther and Or du Serail too but otherwise it was a bit boring perfume year for me (I haven't tested the new Minyas or Andy's Gardenia yet, tough).
I have been having lots of fun with my decant/sample drawer and today's Aurore Nomade is particularly wonderful. Other new discoveries are the Amouage attars (oh my poor wallet) but on the positive side, I now have enough perfume&oils to wear until I turn 60 (34 y-o at the moment). Wouldn't mind trying some Tauers, though:)
Being a member of the Dutch Fragrance Community I bought 2 decants of David Jourquins'Cuir d'Reve and Altesse. Also explored Guerlain's as Cuir Beluga and some different Shalimar perfumes. But the David Jourquins are my favorites so far. But on my wishlist is l'Orpheline !!!! Thanks you for the draw! Mary
I am one of those people who get
sneezing from just one whiff of fragrance that is too strong , but I also want
to wear a fragrance . I know some others might have the same issue , and
wondered if you could recommend some perfumes with a /subtle/low
sillage , inoffensive pleasant , fresh scent from – Thanks Marco
My favorite new fragrance that I finally got around to trying is actually LDDM by Andy Tauer… I got it in the luckyscent sample pack and I'm in love with it!
Regards,
Ricky
My favorite new release is probably pure wood, my husband wears it really well and thats the latest fragrance that came into our family so yeah!
Regards,
Samantha
Year 2014 was actually quite good for me in terms of knowing some older stuff as well as getting to know new scents so of which are really great. After a long time I've found myself a bottle of brilliant Guerlain's Heritage EDT with batch code from 1993 (!). It is amazing first formulation, the “real one” (today's one is very far from that unfortunately). Absolutely stunning herbal (lavender!) woody-ambery scent, totally masculine and incredibly chick. Besides I acquired two little decants of Guerlains L'Heure Bleue and Vol de Nuit – so two of perfumery milestones. Both are great although my favorite one is of course L’Heure. Mesmerizing, addictive, a bit melancholic. Beautiful.
As for new 2014 scents my favorite is Journey for Men of Amouage. It is by far the best masculine of Christopher Chong era in my opinion. Very masculine mixture of spices, dry woods with an amazing tobacco note. I also have to mention a well done gourmand-woody Guerlain for men – L’Homme Ideal . Really good work of Thierry Wasser! Also Dior’s Fahrenheit EDP is worth a word here. In my opinion it is the best Fahrenheit’s flanker by far.
Basing on 2014 I have high hopes for 2015!
I was all about incense this year. I tried – and loved! CdG Wisteria Hysteria. I also tried CdG Blue Encens, but although I enjoyed it quite a bit, it wore too close to the skin for me. I like a bit of sillage. The incense *big win* for me this year was Tauer Incense Rosé. It has the complexity, the longevity and the projection I most desire. I
I discovered Byredo 1996 earlier this year and HAD to buy it. It was love at first sniff! It has been my most complimented fragrance 🙂 Sadly, I still haven't gotten round to smelling many of this years new releases on my sniff list – most notably Andy's Sotto la Luna and Penhaligan's Tralala. I did however manage to get hold of some Papillon samples and was pleasantly surprised. Tobacco Rose is just gorgeous! I would also like to smell the new Zoologist perfumes.
Oh my, I've discoveered so much in this year that I don't know where to start 😀 The perfume I finally got to try and love is Dior's Eau Noire – not love at first smell as lavemder is hardly my thing, but it grew on me and now I can't live without it 🙂 A whole brand too quietly crept under my skin and that's Comme des Garcons – loved the Blue series, but that led me to remind myself of old favorite and to dicover some of their creations I hadn't even tried before. I also finally discovered MY linden this year, after a loooooong search. I also recently discovered L'Air du Desert Marocain (shame on me) and it's looking like another bottle on the shelf 😉
Fragrant greetings, Elitsa
My big discovery is actually a new formulation of Etro Patchouly. Who says reformulations are bad? The newer version is more unisex and very versatile while the older version is definitely more masculine. I love the new version.
My other discovery is Penhaligon's Iris Prima which is a lovely soft iris/ leather combo with added hedione and paridisone. Very addictive, I just cannot get enough of it.
As for recently released fragrances: En Voyage Perfume – Fiore di Bellagio is an awesome flower perfume. Amazing flowers and resins.
I wonder what new releases lay ahead?
Fragrant greetings,
JoyceK.
Sotto La Luna Gardenia was one of my favorite releases.I get rich and very sensual scent.Thank you for the draw!
Vlada
My post disappeared! Here's another -Thank you for hosting the draw! Discoveries this year include Andy's scrumptious Sotto La Luna Gardenia, Imaginary Authors Memoise of a Trespasser (gorgeous) and a surprise was Burberry Brit Rhythm as I'm not keen on the other Burberrys, I had strangers come up to me in the street asking what it was…in a good way!
I finally bought some actual bottles this year after years of sampling – Chanel Sycomore, Bois des Iles, IUNX Eau d'Argentine (oh yes, baby),Eau Blanche, and a Hermessences set of 4 small bottles. Yes, it's been a good year. I've also gone through my sample collection and kept notes and pared it down a bit. Now I'm more focused on enjoying what I know I like. Somehow I think I'll continue exploring though. I certainly haven't explored nearly enough of Andy's fragrances.
My explorations this year were focused to old, discontinued and hard to find scent mostly along with a lot of noticeable new ones. Andy's Sotto La Luna was one of them, I had the pleasure of meeting him and sampling this new love of mine at Les Senteurs!
MariaA
I have loved discovering rose as a note, especially Mohur. So hard to get your hands on a bottle though!
My highlights this year were Coven, Dries van Noten and Sotto La Luna Gardenia – quite a lot of light and shade in those but the most unexpected discovery was Adam Levine for Women – surprisingly good!
2014 is my first full year living in Mongolia, and not coincidentally, the year I really learned to appreciate Musc Kublai Khan! There is a lovely scent tradition here of men passing their snuff bottles to each other when they meet as another level of introduction, and when family members are reunited, they lean right in to each other's faces to breathe in the person's scent. I have a tiny decant of MKK that I sometimes show people as my own snuff bottle, and people take a sniff and give me a bit smile.
I fell in love with so many this year, the latest loves are Dans Tes Bras and Tubereuse Criminelle. And I adore Incense Rosé!
Thank you for hosting the draw and good luck to everyone.
Ajda
This year I discovered Oscar de la Renta – Espirit, and hope to discover Tauer line ! thanks for the draw.
Hi! My fave 2014's release is by far Bogue's Maai, being the proud owner of a numbered 30 ml bottle 🙂
As for oldies, I tested several, including classic feminines. But none was better than this contemporary classic…
Discovery was definately Mona Di Orios "Cuir", oldies but goldies Youth Dew and I really enjoyed the re-release of L´Artisans "Jour de Feté". 🙂 …and it seems to me, all these perfumes fit wonderfully the cold, dark December…Thanks for the exciting draw !
Regards,
Sensual
Une Rose Chypree was the best discovery. Next Geste by Humieckie & Graef and I discovered the world of Arabian oils… Delightful!
I've discovered few older scents I never had a chance to try: Perles de Lalique, Magnifique, Bottega Veneta and they are all on my wish list, especially the latter one. I also tried Gris Clair for the first time, it was nice but I wasn't convinced.
From the new releases I enjoy Dior Homme Intense very much, for myself – a very nice iris there, Rocha Songes d'Iris and I'm looking forward to sample Lush's Rose Jam and other.
I'd say it's a tie between Tauer Zeta (drained my sample), Atelier Cologne Grand Neroli (which I bought) and Bottega Venetta Eau Légère.
This year, I received a small decant of vintage (1940s) Chanel No. 5 and was blown away! I finally "get it" after years of thinking I just wasn't a No. 5 fan.
One of my best discoveries was Jolie Madame, and it was also one of my most inexpensive purchases! A new release that made me very happy was Cuir Cannage – clearly I have a thing for leather 😉
So many! Akkad, Jubilation 25, Prairie Nymph, some DSH, Fate Man, Wood Violet and Voile de Violette… I could go on!
Maybe Fleur d'Osmanthus by Roger & Gallet, simple yet light and feminine 🙂
thanks for the wonderful draw! andy's rose flash was a favorite for me.
2014 will be remembered as the year I discovered Tauer perfumes! Incense Rosé blew me away! Hopefully this draw will enable me to discover more. Best Wishes to all!
This year, I got into Serge Lutens Santal Majuscule–love it!! Also, DSH Dirty Rose. Andy's Le Maroc Pour Elle is still a big favorite.Thanks for hosting this wonderful Advent calendar!
My great discover of the year was the world of niche perfumes…Oh my…you can lose yourself in those magical perfumes. One of my favorites (till now, cause I have explored only 0.01% from niche, and I have much more to find out in the next years) is Carillon pour un ange, Portrait of a Lady and Lady Vengeance.
This year I developed a rose-mania. It surprised me as for many years I avoided this note in perfumes, I've always loved live flowers though. After lots of sampling I know that strong rose-patchouli and rose-oud pairings are not for me. My favourite roses at the moment are 2000 et une rose, La fille de Berlin, Intense cafe and Une rose vermeille. Thanks for the draw.
Cheers,
Petalis
I don't know if I discovered anything this year: I tried a bunch of mass-market scents and disliked nearly every one of them. But I did finally get some Serge Lutens Rahät Loukoum — I'd tried it before as the wax sample but never really got a chance to live in it — and it is kind of like a discovery because it is genuinely wonderful and complex and fun.
My 2014 favorites inlude Le Galion Iris, Atelier Cologne Santal Carmin, Ann Gerard Rose Cut and many more.
Thanks for hosting the draw today
The new fragrance I looked forward to trying was Sotto la Luna, following Andy's blog made its arrival even more exciting. I finally tried Guerlain Vetiver, it wasn't the vetiver for me, which is fine because there are so many amazing vetiver scents to explore.
It's incurably generous of Andy to do this advent calendar-I look forward to it every year.
I discovered Annick Goutal's Nuit Etoilee this year, which I adore. It reminds me of my favourite beach-it's the pine that does it! I also discovered Calypso, which is a great rose scent in an elegant black bottle.
Carole MacLeod
I lived for a year in a small city that only seemed to have the standard fragrances. Now that I'm back in civilization I'm looking forward to following my nose, particularly Tauer.
This year I was at Pitti frgrance in ferenze. To see how perfume world works. And how big perfumer present their work. By the way I'm very new to perfume's magic world. So decided best way to start the journey is to go and see them live. And talk to them. Experience their creations in their presence. I went to Mr. Andy Tauer's stand as well. Spoke to him very briefly. He is very humble and down to earth person. I loved most of the perfumes from that visit. But I specifically remembered visiting Masque from italian guys at that event…there Russian tea is something i can't forget. I'm still carrying smell with me, in my memories. I loved that smell so much that I bought similar type of Samovar (russian tea kettle which they used for their presentation) to just remind me that very smell. Very soon I will be very proud owner of that scent. I placed my order on Luckyscent 😉 I'm still discovering many thing about perfumes. Every spritz is like new finding for me. Hope this new passion will stays with me till my last breath.
Cheers,
Husen
Earlier his year I ordered the Ineke Floral Curiosities Scent Library (and then got a bottle of Poet's Jasmine; will get Briar Rose at some point, too) and sniffed some Le Labos that I had not smelled before. Later, I bought Regime des Fleurs Turquoise. which has nice dried flower notes (to me, anyway) and Orla Kiely Eau de Parfum. Of course, I tested and bought some others, too, but these are the ones that are standing out to me at the moment.
This year's highlights were three mainstream releases from the last few years: Cartier Baiser Vole EDT — lovely green and delightful in the summer; Bottega Veneta — rich and comforting; and a lucky blind buy of Dior Escale a Portofino — on me this has an aromatic warmth that made it a regular go to in the fall.
Thanks for hosting Andy's generous draw.
— Lindaloo
I discovered the wonderful world of 4160 Tuesdays – well worth a sniff! The Sexiest Scent In The World (IMHO), The Dark Heart of Old Havana and The Lion Cupboard are my faves.
I always loved lily of the valley as a flower but I never could appreciate their smell. Until this spring, all of a sudden I really like their fragrance and had them in my house during their whole short season. For perfume, Ubar was my biggest discovery. I didn't like it on the blotter, I didn't like the first hour on my skin but then it got better and better with every hour, changing all the time, so full and wonderful, a long beautiful journey. I tried just a few newly released fragrances and Angélique by Papillon must be my favorite, a sparkling, light iris and mimosa. And I really appreciate your blog, always interesting to read and good food for thought.
Some of my favorites of 2014 were:
Finally getting my PHI Une Rose de Kandahar (just got in the mail last night!) that I've been watching for all year long.
Neela Vermiere's Mohur.
On the mainstream front, I really enjoyed the new Narciso.
Many thanks to Persolaise and of course Andy for the Advent draw!
Gina S from Canada
I've been trying to pare things down this year, as most of the collection is going to have to go into storage next year when I go on sabbatical. But I did try Iris Nazarena and Oeillet Bengale from Aedes, and enjoyed both. I've found a few MCMC fragrances that I've liked recently (Kept is a good, basic rose; Hunter is good this time of year; Noble is interesting). Also, early this year I got a sample of Erik Kormann Eau de Fröhliche #1, which is also a perfect fit for this month.
My favourite rediscovery has to be Une Fleur de Cassie by Malle. It's on my to buy list. Another great discovery was Fracas in extrait de parfum.
Favourite new release has to be La Panthère but I don't smell a lot of new things anymore.
Favourite purchase: L'Impacte de Pour un Homme by Caron, the softest of lavenders.
This year I fell in love several times, lol, most of them were with Frederic Malle fragrances. I had tried a few of his earlier fumes but I think my brain's ability to appreciate these had to develop before I was really able to 'get' them. Loved the new Eau de Magnolia and received a decant of the Iris Poudre that was immediate and I'm sure will be long lasting love.
Other new loves this year in no particular order – Masque's Russian Tea, Tauer's Gardenia, Byredo's Flowerhead and Amouage's Opus VIII
A perfume friend kindly send me many samples while I was traveling in the US this summer. Not too much to discover outside the mainstream in India. I loved the two jasmine samples she sent, both from Serge Lutens – A La Nuit and Sarrasins and was lucky enough to be surprised with a full bottle of A la Nuit by my partner when he traveled outside India and brought it home. My big purchase this year was Andy Tauer's Le Maroc Pour Elle which I have been longing to own in a full bottle after winning a sample set on the advent calender giveaway more than a couple years ago – maybe even three years ago. Thanks Andy ad Persolaise for another chance. Merry Christmas.
My favorite discovery of the year is a classic. Bandit by Robert PIguet. I would live in this except I have to go scent free at work. Merry Christmas to all.
My favorite new fragrance for this year was by far phi une rose de kandahar!
I'm still new to perfumes, and thus far have avoided ordering over the internet for fear of never stopping! From a sample pack from a perfume fairy godmother, I discovered the EDP of Nuit Etoilee (the EDT is nice but doesn't grab me in the same way). And I blind bought Hermes Eau d'Orange Vert and wore it obsessively all summer. I've tried lots of new and old scents that I like, but I'm trying to learn to distinguish like, and even appreciate, from absolutely love, before I buy too many full bottles that languish unused.
Thanks for hosting this draw. I'd love to try any of the Tauer scents; so many sound amazing 🙂
My favorite new fragrance of 2014 was Rose Flash by Andy Tauer. One of the most perfect gourmand roses ever.
Another discovery was actually from 2010 and that is Kilian's Rose Oud which I basically became obsessed with and is one of my favorite rose fragrances of all time.
And last, my greatest treasure was my re-discovery and appreciation of Chanel No 5. After decades of not getting it and feeling like I was forcing it, I fell head over heels in love with it. How did I miss its magnificence for all these years? I have a rather large collection of Les Exclusifs which are phenomenal and I felt were the best of Chanel but my love for No 5 has surpassed them all.
But Andy Tauer remains one of the most fascinating perfumers out there and I am sort of obsessed with his creations and the chance to win a set from him made me sit down and write all this out when I am actually supposed to be elsewhere. 🙂
Thanks for the opportunity and I have enjoyed reading the comments. Good luck to all!
My favorite fragrance discovery of the year has been finding out how absolutely wonderful the international perfumista community is. I've been fundraising for Tama Blough, a perfume blogger who has terminal cancer, and I've been stunned by the generosity of people all over the world, including many well-known perfumers, such as Andy Tauer, who have been contributing to help Tama during her time of need. This is something I never expected when I first fell into this mysterious passion for fragrance!
Mine is Van Cleef & Arpels Un Air de First. What a beautiful fragrance.
I have really fallen for Bond No 9 New Haarlem. Bought a bottle and wore it as my wedding scent.
I'm rediscovering grassy scents. Not too often, but sometimes one needs to smell like a lawn.
Oops, I think I commented in the wrong spot, so please forgive my technical incompetence.
My biggest discovery this year is an oldie – Guerlain's Chamade. I love it – every time I put it on, I feel happy! I've tried some new fragrances, but nothing has much has stuck with me. Oh, I do like Andy's Noontime Petals – I would love to get an Exploer Set that contains that one! thanks for helping with Andy's giveaway.
Sotto la Luna and Rose flash/Andy Tauer
Thank you Persolaise & Andy for this. Andy's Rose Flash is is actually great… It brings a smile to my face every time I put it on :-). Montecristo From Masque Milano is also excellent… I'm not sure if it came out in 2014, but I discovered it this year & it's really beautiful!!!
my biggest discovery… l'ombre dans l'eau
– Dominika
Why I had not paid attention to Shalimar before this year is beyond me. Also, Andy's Gardenia Sotto la Luna is a dream. I now own both…I'm a lucky guy 🙂 Thanks for the draw and Happy Holidays!
I've had many discoveries this year, but Hermes Bel Ami Vetiver, Byredo Bal d'Afrique and Frederic Malle POAL were awesome.
This year I was lucky to find L'Artisan Parfumeur's rare and discontinued Riviera Palace and L'Eau de Merveilleuses 🙂 – if speaking about my long-term wish list of discontinued perfumes. I like LAP for being so water-coloured and clear.
I've discovered CdG Kyoto this year, which resulted in me purchasing a full bottle. I love it for being a good grounding everyday scent.
I spent a fair bit of the summer spraying Guerlain's Terracotta fragrance. I also discovered the Oriza Legrand perfume house and am working my way through and liking their sample set. But the best perfume of 2014 for me (because I missed it in 2013) is Andy Tauer's Phi une Rose de Kandahar which will definitely be my Christmas holiday fragrance.
Phi. No question about it, I bought a back-up bottle as well, just in case…
Parfums de Nicolai Kiss me tender, Ann Gerard Rose Cut and Andy Tauer Phi
were the best .Looking forward to new additions.Thank you for the opportunity
My best discovery of the year is definitely Diptyque L'Eau Trois.
I love so many scents, Andy's incense rose is my favorite!
having been looking for fresh scents containing citrus, green, whater and or linden, İ've just come across Tauer perfumes. Since yesterday my journey has lead me from ZETA a linden blossom theme, which surprised me by being more complicated then expected, but very interesting. to Orange star, again much less citrus, then expected, and bringing up memories of my childhood in the eary seventies in Turkey. Noontide petals combining fresh, warm and deep feelings and again reminding me of early childhood. Right now İ am experiencing Charillon pour un ange, feeling like an angel, light, fresh and again close to those childhood-smells İ would not have rememberd.
such different scents, İ don't know which İ will make to my own, all of them will accompany me on this wonderful olfactory journey İ've just taken on. thanks four this opportunity, all the best and love, Neşe
Vintage formulations of old Guerlains have been my big discovery this year. Vintage Vol de Nuit in parfum was my big score. My biggest miss of 2014 was Andy's Rose Flash which sold out before I could buy. My little decant of that one will have to last me a while. 🙂
I think my highlight finds of 2014 have been Si Lolita and vintage Jacomo Parfum Rare that have pepper and cinnamon in them respectively. I don't get the absolute latest releases in Alabama but I did like Si by Armani enough to ask for a sample , Girl by CDG/ PW seemed nice too. Thanks for the drawing and happy holidays to all!
Not new to me, but I was thrilled to get another (actually 2) bottles of PHI Une Rose de Kandahar! The other great discoveries of 2014 were Aedes Copal Azur, Papillon Anubis, MDCI Nuit Andalouse and Dior Ambre Nuit.
Marquis de Sade & a few L' Artisans – delightful, quirky fragrances!
2014 favorites so far: Amouage Fate Woman, Roja Dove Gardenia, Aedes de Venustas Oeillet Bengale, Vero Profumo Rozy (I can't decide whether I like the EDP or the voile the best) and Tauer Une Rose Chyprée. All decants and wishing I could afford full bottles for sure.
My most exciting fragrance discovery of 2014 was not a fragrance at all, but the world of perfume blogs and writing, which lead me into an entirely new way of thinking about scent. Before, I would buy a bottle almost at random, use it till I ran out or I got bored of it, then stop wearing perfume entirely until I suddenly got the crazy itch for a new delight and rush out and buy the first thing that smelled good enough. And repeat.
The discovery? Not just the rich array of voices and experiences and new information, but the idea of a multitude of scents, for different moods, different weathers, different pleasures. The idea of thinking about scent as more than just a vague background murmur of "mmm, I smell nice". Of the huge variations and interpretations of classic ideas, of wild invention, and every intention. It's been like discovering a new colour in the spectrum that I'd never noticed before.
No new releases this year, but I got to try some oldies. Highlights include Amouage Gold man, Chanel's Cuir de Russie, and Andy's Cologne du Maghreb.
My favorite perfume discovery this year has been how grateful I am that I purchased backups of my favorite scents I grew to love on my perfume journey, while they were still available in vintage form and affordable. With all the d/c's and reformulations happening nowadays at a lightening pace, and the cost of d/c fragrances on the Internet, these would be lost to me now.
–Anna
My favorite perfume discovery has also been a lesson in patience. I fell in love with PHI months ago, but didn't place my order soon enough and it sold out. I finally got my own full bottle in November after waiting for what seemed like a very, very long time. Totally worth it! Happy holidays!
My favourite discovery for 2014 is Pentachords white. I cannot live without it! An interesting new release was Illuminun 234 for the absinthe note. As for the oldies, Vol de Nuit and Apres L'Ondee stole my heart! Thank you for the GA!
I discovered my affinities towards gardenia and tuberose, thanks to Van Cleef & Arpels Gardénia Pétale and Serge Lutens Tubéreuse Criminelle repectively.
Among the new releases that I have tried, Laine de Verre by Serge Lutens impressed me the most, with its mineral aldehyde and extremely tart citrus, very interesting. I also find La Panthère by Cartier quite lovely, and its bottle is a plus.
I finally got to smell Annick Goutal Myrrhe Ardente, very lovely. It's a pity that it's discontinued.
I've heard of Andy's perfumes before but this year has been the first time I've been able to sample them and I have to say his perfumes have been my biggest discovery. Also I would have to say Ormonde jaynes four corners of the world has been another great discovery for me this year especially nawab of oudh.
Ahraz
I got a chance to re-test Artisan's Seville a l’Aube and discovered that I liked it far better than I did the first time around.
I`ve been ordering sample sets from “cottage industry“ perfumers here in the states – it has been FUN!! Thank you for the draw!! 🙂
This year I ve became Ukrainian (it s all about politics and situation around in the society). Concerning of perfumes I found Estee Lauder Very Estee really nice and interesting and I ve discovered beauty of classic Jean Patou fragrance"1000" . Thanks, Lubka
My great discoveries this year were Cuir Ottoman – so incredibly chic, I think I associate leather scents with sophistication because when I was a little girl a hug from my mother smelled like a combination of Shalimar and her leather gloves.
Also Une Rose Chypree is fabulous – a platonic friend of mine kept sniffing my neck and saying 'Wow, oh my goodness, wow, no, no, I'm a married man!'
First, thanks to both you and Andy for this wonderful holiday treat!! This year I rediscovered scents from my past such as Cristalle and No.19, and 24 Rue Fauborg. And, of course, spent much of the year in Andy Tauer, especially Reverie au Jardin and Incense Rose.
thank you for giving us this happy event again this year ! in 2014, Tam Dao by Diptyque was the first perfume i got to wear , my brother gave it to me as birthday gift. i love it. and also found Reverie au Jardin is brillant when i sprayed in the bath tab, i had such an relaxing gorgeous time in bath!
I discovered Guelain Vetiver, then worked out. The scabs on my knuckles smile like an old tree to the ocean.
I subscribe to a monthly sample service that specializes in niche and indie perfumes and was pleasantly surprised by the selection of colognes and other citrus/aquatic fragrances presented this summer, having believed myself to be "not into" those categories. But Cologne du Maghreb, Imaginary Authors' Mosiac, and Profumi del Forte Tirrenico stole my heart during the California heat waves this summer!
Hey rivercitylizzy – what's the name of that sampling service? Sounds great!
Amdy' Kandahar Rose – also Amouage's Beloved
This year my discovery was Commes Des Garcons Jaisalmer—-cardamom, amber, really lovely!
This has been a year of stocking up for me! The reassurance to have those scents I love for the long haul (without reformation) is a big deal!
Perfume discovery of the year…. Rose Flash, and L'air du desert Marocain
from Tauerville
My biggest discovery of the year was purchased at the end of the summer – L'Eau Chic by Parfums de Nicolai. I'm so looking forward to wearing it regularly now that the austral summer has returned. The mint and geranium is fresh and cooling and I don't think it smells like toothpaste. Overall this was a year where I paused on my purchasing somewhat. Still exploring through decants and samples though!
Vero Profumo's Rubj family (extract etc) blew me away. I had to have it. Retried a perfume that I had a HUGE bottle of from a shop in St. Thomas back in 1970, Shalimar. Alas, it is no longer for me. I have Tauer's "Desert," but have wanted for a long time to try many others in his collection…I hope!
meant "extrait" 🙂
I discovered how beautiful Bois des Iles is in the extrait with a sparkly kinship to Coromandel, and an old-fashioned, smooth sandalwood drydown.
I smelled very few new releases this year, but did fall in love with an oldie: Lalique's Encre Noire (for men). Why did I wait so long to try it?…
One of my favorite discoveries of this year was vintage Balmain Ivoire. Such an elegant perfume, with a green zip that I love!
I haven't been able to sample as much this year but I did manage to try Cuir de Lancôme and found leather notes to be appealing. I liked Cartier La Panthere. And I have come to really like Chanel No. 19! Thanks for the draw! I have wanted to try the Tauer roses for a while
Unfortunately, I've been mainly out of the fragrances for 2014, so I didn't have the chance to pick up any.
Thank you for hosting this today! I have found some really exciting new fragrances this year – I am in the process of exploring the Opus Oils and Olympic Orchids lines – these indie perfumers (like Andy!) are so essential to the robust continuation of perfume-making traditions. I have also been trying some of the Arabian oil perfumes from companies like Al-Rehab and Swiss Arabian, – wow! I want to smell more of them, with or without oud. And one of my favorite discoveries was very mainstream and inexpensive – the delightful Madame Gres, with pineapple and cardamom, two of my favorite notes together at last. I wore the heck out of it in the hot weather.
I discovered that I actually really love white florals this year. It feels strangely grown up.
I've been sampling fragrances that I tried a couple years ago and written off. I'm always surprised when I have a different reaction and like it – feels like a lot of new discoveries.
Thank you for this awesome giveaway! This year I have sampled a lot of fragrances because of my Olfactif subscription, and I got to try the glorious L'air du Desert Marocain and also Cologne Maghreb, both just outstanding! 🙂
Lately I've really been on a Frederic Malle kick – I'm loving Carnal Flower, L'Eau d'Hiver, and Angeliques son La Pluie right now.
Thank you and Andy bith for the giveaway! My favorite perfume discovery of the year: Noir de Noir… I love a rich rose.
My favorite fragrance discoveries this year have been Andy Tauer Une Rose de Kandahar (I missd out last year 🙁 ), Dior Homme Parfum, Kalemat, Comme des Garcons Black, and Tom Ford Vetiver. I hate vetiver usually but Tom Ford has a way of making everything beautiful. i have not tried many new releases this year, mostly discovering releases of yesteryears but Comme des Garcons Black may qualify.
I think my tastes regarding classicals have been changing a little bit. it could be the result of being overwhelmed since i have smelled many since last year when my focus has been on classical creations. thanks Andy for the wonderful draw.
I am in the US
Wahoo! I'm entering with 1 hour to spare.
What were your highlights of the year?
Oh blimey I liked so many things that it's hard to remember. But since this is a Tauer giveaway, I honestly and sincerely thought that Sotto La Luna Gardenia was brilliant, despite what the naysayers say about it not being a gardenia. It might not have been a soliflore but it worked brilliantly for me. Other highlights for me were vintage Nahema Parfum de Toilette and Histoires de Parfums Tubereuse 2 Capricieuse.
Which new releases did you enjoy the most?
On the whole, I haven't really been keeping up with new releases. I guess there are just far too many in my backlog of previous releases that I haven't tried to even want to venture into new releases. But Sotto La Luna, for sure.
Which oldies did you finally get around to trying for the first time?
Coty! Emeraude, L'Aimant and L'Origan (got a vintage extrait of the last one and it was DIVINE)
My favorites this year have been Tom Ford's Patchouli Absolu, Portrait of a Lady, and Diptyque's Eau Duelle.
My favorite discovery this year is probably Zeta; it's completely different than the scents I usually enjoy. I finally got around to trying Chanel No. 19. I can't decide if I like the EDT or EDP better, the Poudre was my least favorite.
*** THE DRAW IS NOW CLOSED ***
Thanks very much indeed for all your entries.
Please visit http://www.Persolaise.com to find out if you've won.
My best discovery to date is Fiore d bellagio be En Voyage. A heady carnation scent that is intoxicating and suprised me.