The Hedonist Ex Nihilo 2021 Eau de Parfum

The term 'Hedonist' can be interpreted in two ways: Often it describes a person who primarily focuses on indulging in their own pleasures and is therefore perceived as selfish. However, the philosophical definition is different, as the essence of hedonism is based on the idea that life is finite and that the focus should not be on a supposedly existing afterlife, but solely on the meaningful design of a fulfilled life in this world, which leads to the intrinsic pursuit of pleasure (not just physical). This is exactly why we enjoy things like perfumes.

With The Hedonist, Ex Nihilo has definitely chosen a rather straightforward path to attract enough people who will find pleasure in this fragrance, as it follows a tried-and-true structure. I must say upfront that I would not classify it as particularly fresh, because although there is a certain citrus-fruity component and the slight sharpness of ginger is noticeable, it lacks the zestiness that creates a truly refreshing effect. Instead, the woody facets quickly come to the forefront. Ambroxan is consistently present, but rather warm and not metallic, as is often the case in too high a concentration, and the pleasantly dry note of cedarwood complements it perfectly. Akigalawood seems to be quite en vogue right now - at least I just referenced it in my last comment on Bois Impérial by Essential Parfums. This transparent blend of green and earthy nuances, without the dark, somewhat dirty effect of pure patchouli oil, fits well into the overall picture here. Unfortunately, I cannot filter out vetiver, but I can detect a subtle sweetness that aligns with the warm side of The Hedonist. The creaminess that real tonka bean brings is thankfully absent here.

Jordi Fernández's creation presents itself as surprisingly long-lasting, and the sillage should not be underestimated (which I initially did). The price is certainly inflated, but in my opinion, The Hedonist is an absolutely versatile, modern fragrance that combines warmth and transparency. However, I must admit that at too high a dosage, it becomes a candidate for headaches for me.

And so the circle of hedonism closes: Instead of always chasing something new and carrying around an unhappy feeling of missing out, we should more often enjoy the things we already have. How long this will be the case for me with The Hedonist, I cannot yet say, but I have particularly enjoyed its scent outdoors in the fresh air.