HISTOIRES DE PARFUMS
THIS IS NOT A BLUE BOTTLE 1.8 – SOLD OUT

2026

‘TOP NOTE
A spark of freedom,
A rush of the unknown,
The daring of stepping off the path.

HEART NOTE
Unshakable confidence,
The truth beneath imitation,
The rhythm of authenticity.

BASE NOTE
A quiet strength,
The permanence of self-revelation,
An aura of limitless possibility.

This perfume doesn’t tell you anything.
It speaks to you.
It doesn’t describe you. It reveals you.
It follows no path, because it is yours.
It smells of confidence, of freedom, of the unknown.
It smells like what you are when you stop imitating.
This is not a blue bottle.
This is Sold Out’ – Histoires De Parfums

No notes listed for this release, which is always interesting when reviewing a scent; we’re always massively influenced by what we read. Going in with zero influence is probably the best way to go. So what do I smell?

First of, I smelled this on my brother (who’s bottle I’ve stolen for this review) and on on paper first and wasn’t instantly intrigued by it. However, after wearing it, the scent grew on me significantly; it may just be one of the best (if not, the best) from the This Is Not A Blue Bottle collection; which is generally not bad, but definitely nothing special.

To my nose, this opens quite bright and sharp, with orange or bitter orange. It has a combination of citrus, soapiness and sweetness. As time goes on, it feels like frankincense is most prominent here. That combination of almost honeyed sweetness, but with a soapy bright edge. I could also imagine ginger for that.

The texture sets off sharp, but grows smoother, almost creamy. At times reminding me of a sweet, vanillic/caramelized creamy orange blossom style scent. Still, that fizzy bright quality that I usually get from incense stays on the forefront of my mind while smelling This Is Not A Blue Bottle 1.8.

Overall, quite pleasant.