GALLIVANT
NIDA

2024

PERFUMER
Soizic Beaucourt

mandarin
cardamom
incense

tea
lilac
jasmine
violet
orris
sunflower

cedarwood
patchouli
moss
tolu balsam
amber

‘A tea-infused floral amber, in parfum concentration. Opening with mandarin, cardamon and incense. Heart notes: tea, lilac, jasmine, violet, orris and a sunflower accord. And the base is constructed around cedarwood, patchouli, moss, tolu and a respectful nod to our Baltic location: a radiant amber accord’ – Gallivant

‘Nida, on the uniquely beautiful Curonian Spit, a UNESCO World Heritage site off the amber-rich Baltic coastline of Lithuania, has long been the summer retreat of writers – including Nobel Prize winner Thomas Mann – artists and musicians. It’s also a summer nesting place and an important bird migration route – inspiring our limited edition decorated bottle. For me, its allure is the unique location, surrounded by water and nature. Peace and tranquillity. The beauty of a simpler, slower life and simple pleasures.’ – Nick Steward

It’s been a while since I’ve tried a new Gallivant and this limited edition Nida had been on my wishlist to try for a while. Honestly, I don’t always think to keep Gallivant in as high of a regard as I should; Bukhara still makes my overall Top 50 (2025) of my collection (which also houses Istanbul) and 2023’s Accra ranked high among my Best of 2023. And Nida is another one that would rank among my top picks from this generally recommendable brand.

Nida is a style that I’ve smelled before, but this is one of my favorite executions of it. This is a resinous amber, in a sparkling cola type of way, with the spices being quite forward, especially in the first hours.

I get quite a lot going on; the spices are prominent, but not too sharp, aside from a hint of sweaty body (cumin/cardamom). There’s a citrus; instead of the listed mandarin, I smell a balmy, orange; like an orange-scented candle. You have earthiness and roots (orris).

I would say that based on the listed notes and description, the florals don’t jump out at me on their own, although I’m sure they play a major role in the overall composition. Citrussy, coca-cola amber with that cumin/cardamom being the main stand out for me. And perhaps even more so a standout here is the texture. While it grows more resinous as it dries, it starts with a lovely sparkling, fizzy, soft spiciness. It has this hops-like, yeasty quality to it from a Zoologist Harvest Mouse, Floraiku Boyish or Penhaligon’s The Omniscient Mister Thompson.

I’d have to wear Nida again, as I was a bit distracted in the later hours and didn’t pay close enough attention on how it transforms. Either way, I loved the wear from start to finish. As with Accra, this is not the most mass appealing or easiest to digest (due to the sweaty spices, but they are delicate enough for most people to not feel daring I’d assume), but beautiful and intriguing. I could see this being my second favorite from the house, behind Bukhara.