PARFUMS DE MARLY
VALERO
2025
bergamot
Cedrat
juniper
geranium
lavender
nutmeg
cypress
ambroxan
Cedarwood
sandalwood
Part of the 2025 set of Extraits: Carios, Eragon & Valero.
‘Valero Extrait de Parfum unveils a refined sensuality: subtle Bourbon geranium, elegant lavender, and sensual ambrox come together in an intensely sophisticated woody fougère signature.’ – Parfums de Marly
‘Valero explores the structure of a woody fougère, stoked by a desire for purity and transmission. I was looking for a simple yet extremely structured composition: lavender, Bourbon geranium, and cypress for the aromatic structure; patchouli and sandalwood for the base notes.’ – Julie Sprecher
Generally speaking, this collection of Parfums de Marly Extraits (Carios, Eragon & Valero) is hard to take serious. The bottles, while not ugly on their own, look like Middle Eastern copies of Parfums de Marly. More importantly, the raised price point, for what was already one of the most overpriced fragrance brands on the market, instantly opens them up to harsher criticism. Frankly, I went into reviewing them, expecting to dislike them. In reality; they are not bad; they are on par with what Parfums de Marly has put out before and I think I like all 3 better than previous release Castley.
That said, Valero is definitely the least interesting and most generic of the 3. It opens quite likeable; citrussy, fruity, bright. It’s not long before some aromatics get introduced (which is the case with all 3). Here, it’s done in the most ‘designer’, familiar smelling way. It’s the sweetest and most youthful of the set. It has a candied feeling to it.
Comparisons have been made to fragrances such as Versace Dylan Blue and Versace Eros. I think Dylan Blue comes to mind more so. I can’t pinpoint exactly what Valero smells of, but it’s 100% (not elevated or better performing or anything) in that range of ≈$50 priced designer staples.
It’s not unpleasant, but in a line of extremely overpriced, common smelling scents, Valero is the one with the worst perceived value proposition. I genuinely couldn’t recommend this to anyone at a 75% discount.
