EXCEPTIONAL OLFACTION: Wait one hot minute…it’s only July! Yes, I fully realize that there are likely stunning fragrances to come (or that I’ve missed altogether), with amazing scents just right around the corner. Before I step away from the microphone I wanted to give credence to those which have already impressed halfway through the year. With the unexpected blip that 2020 was worldwide, there have been delays, extensions, loss of some special houses and so on. Our extended Summer Siesta is also our final transmission here at Notetaking (which will remain here, at least through December as an archive). And there’s no time like the present to assess the variable essences – almost like Xmas in July, right?! Granted, all of these parfums actually date between 2014-2020, these are the fragrances which most impressed me and have saved themselves from elimination, both conceptually and on skin — all are of such superb quality that they must be mentioned again (and again). Honestly, the world of fragrance, as we know it, clearly doesn’t get any better in my humble opinion — of course, I am biased + opinionated. Please note that these are in a quasi order of sorts as our very tops were actually a four-way tie, so take this with a grain of salt, and do make time to check out these most beloved olfactory works of art!
Far from comprehensive, this grouping definitely represents what turned us on most in MMXXI (January-July). As an aside, I’ve truly loved serving up these daily reviews over these past twelve months. Thank you for the opportunity, and your welcome đ — Check ’em out + keep ’em comin’! – TJ
NOTETAKING’S BEST OF 2021 (thusfarâŠ)
Petrichor Plains – Mihan Aromatics (Julia Brown/Joshua Mihan, 2019)
LaAurora – Ricardo Ramos (Jorge Lee, 2017)
Nanban – Arquiste (Rodrigo Flores-Roux/Yann Vasnier, 2015)
Ghazal – House of Matriarch (Christi Meshell, 2018)
Sensual Blend – Urban Scents (Marie Urban Le Febvre, 2016)
Confluence – Chatillon Lux (Shawn Maher, 2020)
Odoon – Pekji (Ămer Ipekçi, 2015)
Pays Dogon – Monsillage (Isabelle Michaud, 2020)
La Couche du Diable – Serge Lutens (Christopher Sheldrake, 2019)
VĂȘtu de Vert – Motif Olfactif (Oswald Pare, 2020)
CONTEMPORARY CLASSICS
OBO – OK Fine Fragrances (Steven Demercado, 2019-2020)
Tzora Ltd Ed – Anat Fritz (Geza Schoen, 2020)
Sacred Incense – Elixir Attar (Ahmed, 2018)
Terror & Magnificence – Beaufort (Pia Long, 2019)
Saint Julep – Imaginary Authors (Josh Meyer, 2017)
Terroir – Kelly + Jones (Kelly Jones, 2019)
THE HONORABLES
Wulong Cha – Nishane (Jorge Lee, 2015)
Rausch – JF Schwarzlose (VĂ©ronique Nyberg, 2015)
Hermann A Mes Cotes Me Paraissait… – Etat Libre d’Orange (Quentin Bisch, 2015)
Kazimi – House of Matriarch (Christi Meshell, 2016)
Thank you to everyone for everything (+ to Julie Newmar!)
Au revoirâĄ
Daily Fragrance Reviews 
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