BOTTEGA VENETA
ALMOST DAWN

2025

pink pepper
black pepper
truffle

chestnut wood
patchouli

clearwood
sylvamber
cedarwood
tonka bean
Vanilla

‘Almost Dawn blends chestnut, rare truffle, and smooth vanilla into a deep and enveloping scent. Intimate yet expansive, it speaks to new beginnings and fresh encounters — a fragrance inspired by the first light of day, filled with awareness and optimism.’ – Bottega Veneta

I finally had a chance to briefly sniff the higher-end Bottega collection and I must say, on first impression, they seemed above average. My favorite off paper was Almost Dawn, so I put it to the test properly.

This one smells a lot like some of the Stephane Humbert Lucas to me, style-wise and scent-wise. It’s powdery, sandy, dry, with woodshavings as a promiment theme to my nose.

I was a bit surprised when I saw the notes. To my nose, this one reads like it would include iris or carrot seed, cardamom, maybe cumin. It’s woody throughout with spicy touches. It sweetens up after the opening, but it remains in that slightly charred, shaved wood profile.

This style of scent is one we don’t see all that often anymore and I think it’s because both on paper and when actually wearing it, it’s not suitable for ‘hype’ or ‘trends’. I feel like anno 2026, it’s a tough one to market. It’s mature, it’s straight-forward. I think mostly men would gravitate towards it. But it’s also quite good and while I’m not exactly running to get myself a bottle after testing it, I do appreciate it.