Sampling Bon Parfumeur – 502 Iris Cartagena, part of the house’s extrait line and a 2024 release that I first smelled at the brand’s introductory event at Perfumology a few days ago, though I’d previously ordered samples from Olfactif. It’s fittingly led by iris but mostly a gourmand, a blend of cacao, rum, vanilla, coffee, and woods, so the sharp yet buttery iris plays against the sweet, creamy, dark blend of gourmand elements, modulated by woods. It’s neither a full gourmand nor floral but something somewhere in between, classy and innovative. I’ve not quite smell an iris/gourmand crossover like this, even though the concept has been explored before by other houses, as I recall. The execution on the concept is very strong.
502 Iris Cartagena is extrait concentration and is priced at $220/70 for 100/15ml, sold in the US via the house website as well as great boutiques like Perfumology, Olfactif, and Ministry of Scent, to name a few.
Overall, I find this pretty captivating and high-performing, and I find the 15ml option a great way to try out before buying a full 100ml, or to have a travel-friendly option available. I very much like when brands offer bottle sizes less than 50ml for more modest consumption, less investment, particularly if/when there are several fragrances in a catalogue that I like to try out some more or if I cannot pick a favorite.
