Best Perfumes of 2014 (Part 3) + ÇaFleureBon Fragrance Editors and Contributors Draw

best fragrances 2014 cafleurebon

 

You have read quite a lot from The Silver Fox and me, Our Best and Worst of 2014 and our Top 30 so I want to turn today’s  "Best of 2014" Perfume post over to Steve Johnson, Sr Contributor, Einsof, Natural Perfumes Editor and West Coast Contributor and to Susie Baird, Contributor.

 

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Steve Johnson, Sr Contributor

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Beaver Zoologist Perfumes (Chris Bartlett) Finally an animalic I can wear!  Castoreum and linden blossom make for an odd, but delightful and approachable combination.  This is the scent that convinced me to wear "skanky" perfumes -although it is relatively subdued, smelling of clean wet fur and fresh air. An absolute joy and a great debut for Mr. Wong.

Corsica Furioso Parfum D'Empire (Marc Antoine Cortichiatto)  Fifty shades of green. Verdant and spicy, with tart lime and massive amounts of mastic.  This is Marc-Antoine Cortichiatto’s  first fragrance under the Parfums D’Empire brand since 2012 and well worth the wait.

Paris * LA A Lab on Fire  (Laurent Le Guernec)-  kooky, sweet and irresistible. an endless candy-colored horizon of fizzy Coke and French almond cookies dusted with baked seafood spices.

maison francis kurkdjian masculin pluriel perfumes

 Pluriel Homme Maison Francis Kurkdjian (Francis Kukdjian )  An innovative twist on a classic category- the fougere and an example of why Francis Kurkdjian is one of the world’s greatest perfumers.  Gorgeous lavender absolute and a surprising leather accord. A sharp as a razor vetiver note roughens things up and takes it out of the barbershop.

.Sea Salt and Wood Sage Jo Malone (Christine Nagel)- Earthy and comforting – a virtual trip to the beach I'll definitely require in the cold ferocity of February. Christine Nagel’s Swan song and one of the best Jo Malone fragrances in recent years.

 

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Einsof, Natural Perfume Editor and West Coast Contributor

Capricorn Strange Invisible Perfumes The Perfumes of The Zodiac Collection (Alexandra Balahoutis)  I enjoy the way the entire collection can be layered to address different astrological and olfactive aspects of ourselves. Even if you don't believe in astrology, this 100 percent botanical fragrance is one of masterful duality, just like those born under this star (December 22-January 21). There is a sensual play of iris and jasmine which is juxtaposed against a warm vanilla and rich white cognac note. Smoldering frankincense curls throughout.  I have gone back to it again and again as a scented respite from the cold.

 

april aromatics erdenstern

Edernstern April Aromatics 

 Edernstern April Aromatics (Tanja Bochnig):  This house continues to be a vanguard of botanical perfumery, and  Tanja’s  rendition of  botanical musk has become an obsession of mine.

 Dr. Dreidel 3000 Smell Bent ( Brent Leonesoi)  A seriously complex and intricately woven scent from the pop artist of the perfume world. The depth of the wood notes is superb– I used every drop.

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Samarinda EDP Providence Perfume Co

Samarinda Providence Perfume Co. (Charna Ethier) From one of my favorite natural perfumers, Samarinda is a perfumed journey to a tropical rainforest.. Brilliant use of roasted seashell, (also known as Choya Nakh) which gives this Oriental perfume smokiness that serves to enhance the spices  and steamy florals. Loamy, spicy and darkly sensual but never overwhelming.  Just beautiful.

Shangri-La (Hiram Green)  is a lovely nod to the history of  chypres in perfumery and a stunning second offering  from  natural perfumer Hiram Green.  Shangri La is proof that natural perfumery in the 21st century doesn’t have to be paradise lost but indeed can be paradise found. For those who seek the Lost Horizon, the vintage perfume treasures of a bygone era, Hiram Green’s Shangri La honors and respects the legacy of Francois Coty's masterpiece Chypre; which is remarkable in an all natural palette.

Woodcut  Olympic Orchids  (Dr. Ellen Covey) is a  fragrance that  speaks directly to environmental concerns that suggests life essence of precious trees spilled on the ground. Woodcut, a fitting name for the liquid that rests on the skin, stained with sugar coated cedars. This is as beautiful in its insistent longevity as it is in the urgency of its message.

 

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.Susie Baird, Contributor

 

Angelique Papillon Perfumes (Liz Moores). A shape-shifting green nymph and deeply evocative.

Architects Club Arquiste (Yann Vasnier).  A truly sophisticated vanilla with the perfect balance of citrus, woods and sweetness. (3x winner ÇaFleureBon)

 

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Hedonist Iris Parfums Viktoria Minya (Minya Viktoria). Extremely classy and understated yet rich with Ms. Minya's signature opulence.

Ombré indigo Olfactive Studio (Celine Verleure and Mylène Alran). Brooding, shadowed, resinous and  narcotic.

Rozy Eau de Parfum- Vero Profumo (Vero Kern). The perfect vintage-style floral. Powdered rose, thorny and and uni sexy. If you have not been intrigued by this most wondrous of scents after reading three days of accolades  for Vero Kern and  Rozy perfume from ÇaFleureBon,  what are you waiting for? (3x winner)

Terracotta le Parfum– Guerlain. (Thierry Wasser) The one Guerlain that shined for me this year and ever so brightly. Reminds me of sun-kissed rooftops made of baked tiles. Soft, glowing and oh so feminine.

That is a wrap… On behalf of all of us at ÇaFleureBon  A Happy New Year and we look forward to the scents that will rock our world in 2015.

best fragrances 2014 cafleurebon

 

For our Best of Perfume 2014 Draw: Thanks to Tanja Bochnig we have a 7.5 ml deluxe sprayer of Erdenstern for all readers worldwide. For our readers in the US and Canada, Victor Wong of Zoologist Perfumes is offering a 60 ml bottle of Beaver. For our US readers we have a 5ml Travel Spray  of Hiram Green Shangri La thanks to Indigo Perfumery. To be eligible please leave a comment with your thoughts on Steve's, Einsof's and Susie's  picks for the best of the year, where you live and which you would like to win. Draw closes January 3, 2015

 

Our draws  for Our Best and Worst of 2014 and our Top 30  are still open, so if you have not entered  to win full bottles of  Masque Milano Tango, Russian Tea, Mona Di Orio Myrrh Casati, Imaginary Authors Yesterday's Haze and Arquiste Architects Club, click on the two  links provided above.

We announce the winners only on site and on our Facebook page, so Like Cafleurebon and use our RSS option…or your dream prize will be just spilled perfume

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50 comments

  • Steve, Einsof and Susie: you’ve added some different picks to the mix, many which sound super enticing to me! The Samarinda is the only one of your choices I own. I would love to try Hiram Green’s Shangri La. I live in the US. Thanks!

  • I’m so happy to see Victor Wong’s fine contribution on the list. I don’t find it skanky, but it is animalic. It’s not like any other frag that I like much, so I applaud it highly. To me, it smells of fresh air, water, and animal fur without any of the normal oceanic or ozonic notes. Bravo! And bravo to this quirky list full of frags that I haven’t tried (yet) but will, especially Samarinda, Erdenstern, and Woodcut. I’m in the US and would be happy to win any of these. Happy New Year!

  • I have tried Einsoff’s pick Woodcut and totally agree with his take on this great new fragrance by Ellen Covey! I have yet to try Hiram Green’s Shangra-La and chose that as a pick for this draw. I live in the US. Thank you.

  • This article particularly piqued y interest in Dr. Dreidel 3000 and Woodcut. I would love to win Erdenstern and Shangri La. I am in the US, thank you!

  • I haven’t tried many of these – but so many are on my wnat to try list. Shangri-la (finally just tried Moon Bloom!), Architects Club, Woodcut, Hedonist Iris… I’m in the US and I’d love to win Shangri-la, though Erdenstern sounds interesting too. Thanks for the draw!

  • I haven’t tried most of these but have orders in for several. Glad to see that Woodcut made the list and Angelique which is gorgeous. I would love to try any of the three on offer but think Beaver would be my top pick. I’m in the U.S. thanks.

  • Francis Kurkdijan’s Pluriel Homme was definitely a hidden gem and unique among other 100s of Fragrances released this year. Glad to see in your list, Steve. Botanical musk from Aprill aromatics really intrigues me so I would like to try Erdenstern.
    Thanks USA

  • And more still that I didn’t try this year! Gee, where was I?? Still catching up on 2013 releases, no doubt. I would love to try Shangri La… I’m in the US, and sending thanks for the great lists of what I need to try yet and for the draw!

  • Steve has convinced me to try Corsica Furioso, and Susie has gotten me interested in Ombré indigo.

    But Einsof’s pick of Shangri-La is definitely the one for me, if I should be so fortunate as to win the draw.

    I am in the US.

  • So many more to try! I am adding Angelique to my list as well as Roxy. I am in the US and would love to try Erdenstern or Shangri La.

  • In the whole list of your picks, I only tried Ombre Indigo and like it. The one I’m so eager about is Woodcut. Beaver and Samarinda made me curious too. I think all picks would be so interesting. Hope to have chance to try them all. I’m in Iran right now, but have US address too.
    *** HAPPY NEW YEAR ***

  • rivercitylizzy says:

    I wish I could have tested so many of these picks this year–I am especially longing for Shangri-La, Terracotta, Samarinda, Rozy, and Sea Salt & Wood Sage–but alas, time and budgetary constraints prevailed. I hope to sniff them in 2015!

    Meantime I would be ecstatic to have a bit of Erdenstern to light my winter nights! I live in the US.

    Thanks for the draw and Happy New Year to all!

  • I am glad to see Beaver, Erdenstern, and Terracotta getting more love at the year’s end. Such great picks for best of the year. I live in the US and would love to win Shangri La. Happy New Year! and thank you for a fragrant 2014.

  • Totally agree with Corsica Furiosa, Architecs Club, Ombre Indigo… Don’t agree with Paris LA, Pluriel Homme… But, hey!, de gustibus… 😉 I’d like to sample the others too in 2015…

    I’m for ERDENSTERN… I live in the EU.

    Happy New Year!

  • I agree about April Aromatics as best perfume Erdenstern and Terracotta by Guerlain so so feminine I do agree 🙂
    I live in EU and I would be delighted to experience Erdenstern !

  • Not many hours left in 2014 to sample what I’ve missed, but I agree with most of those you’ve chosen that I did manage to try. Apart from Ombre Indigo, that was my scrubber of the year. I’d love to wwin Erdenstern (the name alone is lovely) and I live in the EU.
    Amny thanks.

  • I always wanted to try a fragrance of Tanja Bochnig. I heard a lot of good about these perfumes. So I would very like to win Erdenstern.
    I live in Europe.

  • I think I would pick Beaver, but all of them sound fantastic. I was saying yesterday how much I liked the inclusivity of CFB’s lists- there have been a lot of great releases this year! I’m in the US.

  • Everyone had such great choices. Terra cotta is on my list to try, it sounds wonderful.
    I live in the U.S. And would like to win Erdenstern or Beaver. Thanks for the draw!

  • I have to say that I enjoyed reading everyone’s picks! It’s extremely difficult to pick just a few when there have been some amazing releases this year! Wishing you all a Fabulous send off to 2014 and may the coming year be good to you all. I would love Erdenstern and Thanks for the opportunity! I am in the US.

  • I have to say, there are many of those picks I haven’t had the chance to try, some making me really curious, the beaver,Samarinda, Shangri-la, Hedonist Iris move to my must try list.

    I live in Germany and would love to win Erdenstern.
    Havr a happy good smelling new year!

  • From this new list I have to agree with the inclusion of Olfactive studios Ombre Indigo, it is amazing!
    I live in the US and my pick is Zoologist Perfumes Beaver.

    Happy New Year!!!

  • I haven’t had a chance to try any of these lovely perfumes yet, hopefully in 2015. I would love to win beaver! Thanks 🙂

  • Rozy and Architects Club have appeared on almost every list. Good to see Masculin Pluriel which Michelyn convinced me to acquire. Shangri-la is another one I have been hearing a lot about. My choice will be Beaver. thanks so much for the lovely draw. I am in the US

  • thegoddessrena says:

    Of this list, I own three–Samarinda, Rozy edp, and Terracotta Le Parfum. I’d really like to win Beaver since I love linden. I live in the US

  • Have tried none of the fragrances on these lists, but am most interested in Ombre Indigo and Hedonist Iris.
    I am in the US and would choose Erdenstern if I were lucky enough to win.
    Happy 2015!

  • Very different points of view make for great reading
    I did spring for pluriel femme and love it
    I want to start learning more about natural perfumes so I was pleased so many are featured
    Erdenstern, Capricorn, shangri la and woodcut sound like they are ones I must try
    I would choose Erdenstern or shangri la

  • Interesting and diverse picks all around! Must get to sampling ASAP… I’m in the US and would love to try Shangri-la. Happy New Year, all.

  • Congratulations to all. I did not know that Chris Bartlett was the nose behind Zoologist’s Beaver. I’m glad to see that he got some much-deserved recognition here! I have not tried Beaver, but would love to do so.

  • Lillian Holloway says:

    I’m in the USA, and love this list. I haven’t had a chance to try any of them darnit. But everyone of these are on my list to get my nose into. Any of them would make me a very happy lady. Happy New Year to you all!

  • Fantastic list, with so many off the beaten path fragrances! The Terracotta and Beaver both sound intriguing and I’m adding them to my “to be purchased” list. I’m in the US and would be thrilled to win any of these.

  • Nick Rohrbaugh says:

    The review for Dr. Dreidel 3000 makes it sound very enticing, and the Beaver win strengthens my resolve to give it a try. I’m in the US.

  • I was surprise that Beaver Zoologist Perfumes would actually make the list. I live in the US.

  • I love what an eclectic mix you’ve chosen from such a wide variety of houses! I’ll definitely be having to do a little more research! I live in the us and I’d love to try the Shangri-La!

  • i love Steve’s pick of pluriel homme. I’m in the U.S. and I’d love to win the beaver

  • I’ve only tried the Ombre Indigo from this list, but many more have intrigued me. I just haven’t had the chance yet …

    I’m in the US and would most like the bottle of Beaver.

    Thank you to all the contributors, you all do such a great job! Happy new year to all.

  • Again, as in previous articles, there are perfumes I haven’t tried yet. Ombré Indigo, Pluriel Homme and Architects Club are fragrances that I like. As I appreciate and love Olympic Orchids perfumes, I’m going to try Woodcut. The fragrance that has my full attention is Erdenstern. Einsof published so wonderful review of it a month ago. I’m in the EU, Croatia, my choice is Erdenstern. Thank you.

  • Thank you for all of the lists and reviews! I especially liked hearing a bit about Capricorn, all the Zodiac SIPs sound great. I like the Architects Club, and now am very curious about Rozy which was also a 3x winner.

    USA
    Erdenstern is my top choice, but I’d love to try any.

  • I’ve only tried four in the list. Hedonist Iris is really lovely.
    Beaver would be my choice. US
    Thank you and have a wonderful new year!

  • Of the perfumes mentioned I only know Terracotta Le Parfum and I completely agree with this pick. The ones that are most alluring to me are Shangri-La and Erdenstern.

    As for my choice, I would love to win Erdenstern. I live in the Netherlands. Thanks for the draw and a happy New Year!

  • I don’t yet know any of these perfumes, but two of my favourite perfumers – Charna Ethier and Tanja Bochnig – are on the list, plus several more that I’ll definitely check out. Thanks for an interesting article.

    I’m in the UK, and I’d love to win Erdenstern. Thanks for the draw!

  • I’m glad Ombre Indigo was mentioned! It’s one of my favorites of the year and certainly the one I’ve worn the most.

    I’d love to try Beaver. I am in the US. Thanks for the draw.

  • I don’t know ANY of the perfumes the reviewers mentioned! I am most eager to try ANY Zoologist perfume, Papillon perfume, or Vero perfume, and especially dying to sample Erdenstern by Tanja Bochnig! I hope I win Erdenstern, because I am in Bulgaria (EU). Thank you for the chance! Best fragrant wishes for the new year!

  • It’S strange this year because I don’t know the most part of these scents, I agree with you with Hedonist Iris but Guerlain’s Terracotta it’s not what I expected to be, perhaps I must smell it again. I’m in Europe and then I would choose Erderstern. (I have looked for the ingredients list and I,m sure I would like it . Thanks!

  • I have not had the chance to sample any of these fragrances. Angelique sounds lovely and Beaver interesting. I live in the US. Thanks

  • I have only had the chance to try Terracotta Le Parfum, from these choices. By the time I thought to order it, it was out of stock everywhere! Lovely scent, though. I really would love the chance to try Beaver, if I won. It may evoke the woods during my morning run! Which would be awesome to me. I’m in the U.S. Thanks!

  • Cynthia Richardson says:

    I wear Jo Malone’s Sea Salt & Wood Sage since I read the original review and I love it! I live in the US and would like to try Beaver.