DECEMBER 21, 2024
Welcome to the ScentAdvice Awards!
In this lengthy article I take you through my 25 favorite discoveries this year and my 25 favorite new releases of 2024.
First, I want to thank everyone who has used the ScentAdvice site or app this year and welcome first-time visitors. This week, the website surpassed 2 million visits, exceeding my projections for 2024. Aside from that, the r/newfragrances Reddit group is growing quickly, as it’s found its 3000th member last week. Plenty of reasons to celebrate…
At the end of the awards, you will find the end of year GIVEAWAY, where you can win 10 of the fragrances that made it on to one of the lists. I hope you take some time out of your day to read through the Awards to learn about 50 fragrances that are worth checking out. There may even be a midway rant (yes, a rant) If I could’ve hired Ricky Gervais to roast the state of the perfume industry, I would’ve. Enjoy your reading!
As is tradition (this being the second time counts as a tradition right?), I start off with my favorite discoveries during 2024, before diving into the best new releases from this year. The following list are fragrances that came out in earlier years, that I (properly) tried and reviewed for the first time during 2024. The main reason for including these, is that there are some fragrances that would’ve been worthy of last years’ awards, but I didn’t get around to them in time. Point in case; there are many 2023 releases on this list.
Disclaimer: Fragrances are listed with [#AD] only to state that I received a bottle as PR previously. There has been no involvement, influence or payments to alter the ranking. Similarly, brands who participate in the giveaway were contacted by me, after compiling the list and this has had no effect on the ranking (and several of the fragrances in the giveaway are not gifted by a brand, but out of my own pocket).
Look back at 2023
Last year’s top discoveries were #1 🥇 Jazeel Ghala, #2 🥈 Etat Libre D’Orange Experimentum Crucis & #3 🥉 Les Abstraits Belle Ame. I definitely stand behind this ranking a year later. I still own all the fragrances that I had from the list, with the exception of #20 Oman Luxury Angham; a great release, but not the easiest wear. Electimuss Pomona Vitalis & Maison Sybarite Bed Of Roses are the two from last year’s discoveries that are still on my wishlist currently.
Honorable mentions
I did not to include fragrances of which I’ve only smelled a vintage version, as the (sampling) experience with those can vary to extremes. Some of the best in that category that I discovered this year were Yves Rocher Venice EDT, Yves Rocher 8e Jour EDT, and Estee Lauder Youth-Dew EDP. There were at least 3 fragrances that I’d already reviewed in earlier years, but re-reviewed this year, that definitely would’ve made this list: Xerjoff XXY, Eris Parfums Mxxx. & Eris Parfums Ma Bete.
MY FAVORITE DISCOVERIES
25. Aedes de Venustas Cafe Tabac (2023)
Bertrand Duchaufour
Not my favorite from Aedes de Venustas (my favorite is higher up in this list), but a worthy newer addition for this excellent brand. The type of fragrance that Aedes had room for in their collection, as it’s a bit darker and sweeter, but Duchafour kept it well-balanced and mature, so it fits in with the brand’s DNA.
24. Chris Collins Kingmaker – Master Of Oud (2023)
Hamid Merati-Kashani
My favorite Chris Collins so far, due to the fact that it dares to take a risk. This is not your average accessible oud, but one of the more skanky and daring ouds that you’re be able to find at the bigger retailers where you may find Chris Collins. I wouldn’t wear this frequently myself, but I applaud its boldness.
23. Montale Nepal Aoud (2014)
To find a Montale on this list was a surprise to myself, especially an older Montale, as I find most of them bordering on obnoxious. Nepal Aoud ironically is, obnoxious, screechy, loud,. It’s Montale to its core, but it fits the scent profile perfectly. Skanky oud and a fresher, sourish side with rose (not at all your typical rose oud). Think of the contrast in the direction of Sarah Baker Symmetry. I was caught off-guard by this one, in a good way.
22. Regalien EFIL (2023)
Last year, I briefly smelled Efil and didn’t give it a second thought, while Dem from the same collection made the best of 2023 list. Dem is still my favorite by a large margin, but after giving Efil a proper wearing, I liked it a lot more than I figured. A thinner, ‘airy’ soapy and floral scent with a fluffy apple hint that grows ever so slightly sweeter and milky smooth.
21. Parle Moi de Parfum Comete Paradis / 62 (2023)
Michel Almairac
A great mix of spicy dry vanilla and milky vanilla. Woody, with the coconut and cacao notes being more understated; this is everything I hoped Matiere Premiere Vanilla Powder would be. I still owe it to myself and the brand to explore Parle Moi de Parfum better in 2025.
20. Robert Greco Rauque (2023)
Christopher Sheldrake
As with Greco’s previous offerings, this is an acquired taste. It reminds me of a mature hay (tobacco) scent, with a tinge of dried fruits, spices and a tiny hint of Fahrenheit-esque gasoline. Textures are great in this fragrance. Happy to have tried it, but while I had some FOMO when I didn’t buy it (the limited edition sold out), I can’t see myself wearing this often.
19. Strangelove NYC Lostinflowers EDP (2017)
Christophe Laudamiel
My second favorite from Laudamiel’s Strangelove creations (the other follows later in this list). I smelled this before, but I finally tried the collection properly this year and it’s been worth the wait. Lostinflowers feels best described as ‘wonderfully unsettling’. Pretty flowers, a lot of lily-of-the-valley, acidic, but surprisingly sweet and dense for those type of florals. A complex wear that I probably don’t fully understand yet.
18. Jeroboam Unue (2020)
Vanina Muracciole
The opening of this one was rough to me, but it becomes lovely after. Aldehydic, laundry detergent with a fruitiness, a lot of jasmine and a smooth (sandal)wood base. Like a fruitier take on Guerlain Samsara. Very likely my favorite from Jeroboam.
17. Tauer Nexin (2023)
Andy Tauer
The first couple of thoughts on this (limited) release that I read or heard painted a mixed reception, but I was instantly appreciative of it; arguably my favorite Tauer alongside L’Air Du Desert Marocain. Picture a signature citrussy Acqua Di Parma-esque cologne, but creamier, almost buttery in texture. A strong dose of matching florals (orange blossom) follows.
16. Reine de Saba Aksoum (2022)
Dominique Ropion
The first hours of this fragrance are top notch and one of my favorites for a fresher scent. Citrussy, bergamot and floral, but almost creamy. It feels like a fresher take on a sun-tan lotion or hand cream. It grows sweeter in the drydown, becoming more generic to me and losing some of its magic, but this was a great release overall.
15. Wolf Brothers Goat (2021)
Laurent Marrone
One of my biggest surprises of 2024. To be brutally honest, I ordered two of the Wolf Brothers samples as a bit of a joke; a novelty to review, because of their eccentric notes (this lists goat milk, mushroom, truffle & fur). To my surprise, Bear was good and Goat even more so. I get a creamy fruitiness and animalic leather. It feels like an expensive fragrance for the money. It’s a tad daring, but this brand has exceeded my expectations so far.
You can win this fragrance below!
14. Guerlain Rose Centifolia Extrait 1 (2023)
Thierry Wasser & Delphine Jelk
The price made this release hard to justify, but this is a lovely, vibrant rose and definitely my favorite of these Guerlain Extraits. It feels like more of a full perfume than the others in this collection to me; with earthy tones, a greener rose, a sharp citrussy edge. It reminds me of several of my favorites like Jazeel Ghala & Frederic Malle Une Rose/Rose Tonnerre at first, with a hint of Portrait Of A Lady later on. Starting denser and revealing more brightness as it dries, like a reverse progression from what one would expect.
13. Majda Bekkali Mon Nom Est Rouge (2012)
Cecile Zarokian
I debated ranking this in my top 10, as I absolutely love it. The reason I ended up leaving it a bit further down the list, is that Mon Nom Est Rouge falls in Cecile’s lineage of Epic Woman, Epic 56 & Rose Aqor. The Majda Bekkali is the sweetest, most incense-heavy take on the DNA, but my heart lies with the others (Epic 56 especially). Still, I may have to add this to the collection as well one day.
12. Thomas de Monaco Sol Salgado (2023) [#AD]
Maurus Bachmann
Sol Salgado felt like a whole new experience for me when I revisited it this year. And it has grown on me with every wear since. Perhaps still not the most eccentric or original fragrance from the brand, but it has become my favorite Thomas de Monaco (although there is something more