Signature Seraphim Red Zaharoff 2024

I have tested Seraphim Blue and liked it a lot. Want to pick up a FB as it's a really nice fresh aquatic ideal for summer. Naturally, I wanted to smell what Seraphim Red had to offer. The opening of Seraphim Red was a real letdown. It immediately reminded me of Vertus's Eau de Cyan which has a stale pond water smell. Not good. Unlike Eau de Cyan however, the stale water smell gradually became weaker as it dried down which at least made it tolerable after a while. The final result was something that reminded me of Megamare. I dug up my Megamare sample and sprayed it on the back of a hand to compare it directly to Seraphim Red. There is some similarity, but not enough that I would suggest Megamare as a similar fragrance. Megamare is more woody, while Seraphim Red was toned down on the woody accord and had a subtle floral accord lacking in Megamare.

Performance for Seraphim Red was decent with longevity being very good while projection was a bit more moderate. It is no where near the powerhouse that Megamare is. My preference overall is for Megamare.

Finally my first try of the latest from Zaharoff, Signature Seraphim Red, and like Seraphim Blue, it’s a very easygoing mostly-fresh musky blend with lots of smoothness and sophistication. I get a blend of woods, spices, aquatic notes, a bit of ambergris, and florals. It feels mellow and nuanced, not perhaps a fiery red that its name may suggest, but more a modulated red like a sunset at the beach, with sort of a year-round friendliness. I think both Red and Blue depart from the prior Signature offerings, largely, perhaps with the lone exception of Citrine, and blaze through new territory that widen the catalogue’s appeal considerably, even if they’re not among my favorites in the line (granted, it’s hard for me to choose, anyway). Overall, I quite like it, and feel that a side-by-side with Blue is in order to get the whole picture.

As with most of the Signature line, Seraphim Red is priced very reasonably, given its quality and presentation, in the current niche market, at $195/155 for 120/60ml. I continue to marvel at the 120ml pricing, especially, a few years into my appreciation of this house.

7 out of 10

The opening instantly transports me to a luxurious wellness temple. Eucalyptus makes a prominent appearance - fresh, clear, and invigorating like a sea breeze - rarely have I encountered such a scent. On my skin, it develops a very special effect: it wraps around me like a veil and draws my nose back to it like magic - it almost feels creamy.
Gradually, pine joins in and adds a calming depth and coolness to the fragrance. Shortly after, salty, maritime facets unfold. Aquatic freshness meets gentle creaminess, enveloped by cool eucalyptus and a hint of pink pepper.
Over time, orange blossom and ylang ylang shimmer through, imparting a floral, elegant warmth. The interplay of the compositions is perfect. Fresh and creamy, warm and cool.
Amber, musk, and sandalwood form the foundation and ensure a harmonious finish.
The fragrance feels wonderfully balanced and rounded, never becoming boring. Rather, it takes me on a journey of the senses - from invigorating freshness to maritime expanses to creamy coziness. An extraordinary and simultaneously calming composition.