Maison Noir

Maison Noir is a Swiss niche house set up in 2021 by perfumer Claudio Denz and David Weber, a former investment banker, after the two met again in Zurich. Most of its perfumes are unisex, and many carry a number in the name, so the range reads a little like a map. The common thread is warmth: amber, tonka bean and labdanum at the base, with woods and musk for depth. Fruit keeps it from getting heavy, from green apple and melon to raspberry. Icarus 347 is the bright one, fresh and green with a crisp apple bite. Somnia turns sweet and balsamic, praline and vanilla over amber. Volantis 685 is the odd one out: saffron heat with a cool, metallic edge. All three arrived in 2023, so a small bottle of each shows you the whole house in a week.

3 perfumes from Maison Noir, decanted in sizes from 3ml so you can try before you buy a bottle.