Fragrance better with age

I have had a decant of Carnal Flower Eau de Parfum for at least 7 or 8 years. I liked it then but I didn't love it. I recently revisited it and fell head over heels in love with it. I bought a new bottle recently but I haven't tried it yet. Now I am wondering if I love it more now (the decant) because it has macerated for the best or if perhaps my hormones have changed. Has anybody had the chance to try a more recent batch compared to an older batch? I am just afraid that the new juice will not live up to the decant gorgeousness.

What comes to professional brands like Frédéric Malle, maceration is a total myth. Professional perfume houses don't let their fragrances out to the sales before the maceration is complete so the fragrances won't macerate in customers' shelves at all (unprofessional small indie houses and perfume oils might be a different issue). Instead, oxidation is a real thing: the more air is in the container, the more likely oxidation changes the smell of the fragrance over time. Some people like this change, some people think it ruins the perfume. If your sample is oxidized, that might explain the change in the smell. However, it's actually more likely that it's just a change in your personal perception - might be that your nose is more developed now when you've smelled more fragrances, might also be hormonal and/or a temperature/climate thing because many fragrances perform very differently when the weather changes too.

Thank you for your reply Lempi 😊. I think your answer is plausible and that would set my mind at ease that I will like the new juice as well. I think my taste and hormones have changed making me love it instead of liking it. I am always afraid to be disappointed by new juice but I am confident my bottle will be loved when my decant runs out.

Great to hear that you found it helpful 🤗 This thing has actually happened to me too several times that I didn't really like a certain fragrance first but then fell in love with it later. I wish you will enjoy your new bottle! ☺️

Thank you Lempi 🤗