Bitter Splash by Dries Van Noten
Bottle Design:
Dries Van Noten
We may earn a commission when you buy from links on our site, including the eBay Partner Network and Amazon.

Bitter Splash 2024

7.6 / 10 57 Ratings
A popular perfume by Dries Van Noten for women and men, released in 2024. The scent is citrusy-woody. It is being marketed by Puig.
Compare
Similar fragrances
We may earn a commission when you buy from links on our site, including the eBay Partner Network and Amazon.

Main accords

Citrus
Woody
Fresh
Leathery
Powdery

Fragrance Pyramid

Top Notes Top Notes
GrapefruitGrapefruit CypressCypress
Heart Notes Heart Notes
Carrot seedCarrot seed Orris rootOrris root GeraniumGeranium
Base Notes Base Notes
CedarwoodCedarwood LeatherLeather VetiverVetiver

Perfumers

Ratings
Scent
7.657 Ratings
Longevity
7.250 Ratings
Sillage
7.249 Ratings
Bottle
8.762 Ratings
Value for money
6.137 Ratings
Submitted by Spl3xx · last update on 01/06/2026.
Source-backed & verified

Smells similar

What the fragrance is similar to

Reviews

2 in-depth fragrance descriptions
Nanaafromgha

157 Reviews
Nanaafromgha
Nanaafromgha
2  
Criminally underrated
Okay, so why doesn’t anyone talk about how amazing this scent is?? Like yes, Soie Malaquais is amazing, but it’s not the only great scent that this house has to offer. Let’s get into it.

I take it that DVN named this scent to pay homage to a popular summertime cocktail involving bitters. You don’t necessarily get booze or alcohol from this, but all the aromatics definitely give the fragrance a “spirits” vibe. Based on the note pyramid, I wouldn’t say this fragrance is my usual type. I’m not the biggest fan of leather notes because they tend to go very plastic / medicinal on my skin, and geranium can be so sharp and overpowering. But in BS, the leather adds a chic smoothness to an intensely citrus and aromatic composition. The geranium here actually boosts the citric focus of this scent. The orris and carrot seed give an earthy heart to a fairly fresh fragrance. I read a review where someone compared it to Symphony and I could definitely see them being second cousins twice removed lol. The grapefruit is the star here as it is in Symphony, but there’s a bit more complexity and depth to BS. It was love at first sniff for me.

To me, it’s a perfect summertime fragrance that can be worn on many occasions. Performance wise, it’s good for a citrus scent, but I do wish it projected longer. Longevity is fairly good as well. Perfectly unisex, highly appealing, clean and fresh, and incredibly unique. I can’t wait to add this beautiful bottle to my collection.
0 Comments
Olfarte

25 Reviews
Translated · Show originalShow translation
Olfarte
Olfarte
Helpful Review 12  
I can hardly wait for winter to be over soon ...
... so that I can finally wear this fragrance.
Because Bitter Splash is actually my favorite of the four new Eau de Parfums from the eclectic scent worlds of Dries van Noten: A wonderful spring fragrance without any notable rough edges but with very distinctive features.

“Impossible combinations, olfactory duality, and the art of contrasts. The four new Eaux de Parfum are an ode to eclecticism.”
Quote Dries Van Noten

And here it is the citrusy grapefruit at the beginning that stands in contrast to the (slightly woody) leather at the end of the fragrance development.

“I chose to explore a paradoxical but balanced play of light and texture - the sparkling radiance of grapefruit covered by the matte softness of leather.”
Quote Suzy Le Helley, perfumer

And she succeeded (and fortunately so, as it also works on my skin, which often does not like leather notes)!

The opening is zesty grapefruit combined with mood-lifting cypress. And this freshness kick hits immediately!
As the iris root and carrot seed take over in the development, joined by geranium, the fragrance loses its acidity, becoming warmer and simultaneously spicier. The good mood remains :-)
Then the leather takes over, and bright woods spread out. A peculiar transformation, but a very pleasant one! And by then, I know why Bitter Splash is a spring fragrance for me but not a high summer scent.
Updated on 03/09/2025
3 Comments

Statements

16 short views on the fragrance
13 days ago
1
Splashy citrus, green punch and a floral undertone. Fabulous. A clean and vibrant scent. This is for fun energy.
0 Comments
23
5
Southern France. Departure. She stands by the roadside, cypress trees lead to the old farmhouse. One last hug. Farewells are always in season.
Translated · Show originalShow translation
5 Comments
15
13
Zesty sour grapefruit dominates warm brown leather woods. In between, there's a bit of synthetic iris cream, but it's okay. Almost too loud.
Translated · Show originalShow translation
13 Comments
13
5
Powdery iris combines not with flowers but rather with more rugged leather and wood notes. Strange, interesting but also a bit harsh.
Translated · Show originalShow translation
5 Comments
12
5
Bitter grapefruit juice lands on dried wood and spreads a zesty, sparkling, subtly woody scent.
Translated · Show originalShow translation
5 Comments
9
I can't get past DVN: BS is great again. First a fresh kick with lots of grapefruit, then closer to the skin. Like a favorite outfit.
Translated · Show originalShow translation
0 Comments
8
7
The brand overwhelms me. Loud retro lipstick iris slathers sour grapefruit, a bit drips on the leather jacket. Disharmonious.
Translated · Show originalShow translation
7 Comments
7
ahhh this one is fantastic, my favorite from the series. between fresh and soft. familiar notes beautifully intertwined. it should move in :)
Translated · Show originalShow translation
0 Comments
3 months ago
5
Zesty grapefruit, like a cup of coffee in the morning, cold water on the face, instantly refreshing.
Still harmonious and beautiful.
Translated · Show originalShow translation
0 Comments
4
Beautiful herbal-citrus freshie with good sillage, but nothing you haven't smelled before.
Translated · Show originalShow translation
0 Comments
More statements

Charts

This is how the community classifies the fragrance.
Pie Chart Radar Chart

Images

4 fragrance photos of the community

Popular by Dries Van Noten

Soie Malaquais by Dries Van Noten Sur Ma Peau by Dries Van Noten Camomille Satin by Dries Van Noten Rock the Myrrh by Dries Van Noten Fleur du Mal by Dries Van Noten Vanille Camouflage by Dries Van Noten Havana Gold by Dries Van Noten Santal Greenery by Dries Van Noten Neon Garden by Dries Van Noten Jardin de l'Orangerie by Dries Van Noten Mystic Moss by Dries Van Noten Raving Rose by Dries Van Noten Cannabis Patchouli by Dries Van Noten Rosa Carnivora by Dries Van Noten Voodoo Chile by Dries Van Noten Crazy Basil by Dries Van Noten Orange Smoke by Dries Van Noten