Ex Nihilo perfumes: which one to try first
Ten of the Ex Nihilo perfumes 10ML stocks, all listed as unisex, sorted by character and season so you know which 3ml decant to order first.
Ten Ex Nihilo perfumes, in the order to try them
Take the first, then one from the floral or woody groups.
- 1Best overall
Pear, Bergamot, Mandarin Orange and Ginger over Orange Blossom, on Akigalawood and Musk: a citrus for spring and summer.
from €16.563 ml
Read the pick - 2Longest lasting
Blue Talisman Extrait de Parfum
Bergamot and Pear over Orange Blossom and Jasmine Sambac, on Amberwood, Sandalwood and Vanilla: a white floral, voted for summer.
from €21.693 ml
Read the pick - 3Best for summer
Pink Pepper over White Peony and Lychee, on White Cedarwood, Musk and Amber: the shortest note list of the ten.
from €16.113 ml
Read the pick - 4Best floral pick
Lychee, Bergamot and Peach over Jasmine and Peony, on Musk, Moss and Sandalwood: a white floral, voted for spring.
from €17.193 ml
Read the pick - 5
Lychee, Osmanthus and Bergamot over Peony and Freesia, on Musk and Sandalwood: voted for spring, summer and fall.
from €21.333 ml
Read the pick
Show all 10 picks
- 6
Bergamot and Pear over Lysylang and Peony, on Amber, Musk and Tonka Bean: an oriental floral for day and night.
from €17.103 ml
Read the pick - 7Best value
Ginger and Bergamot over Akigalawood and Cedarwood, on Vetiver and Tonka Bean: a woody, fresh spicy citrus.
from €14.223 ml
Read the pick - 8Best for evening
Bergamot, Ginger and Grapefruit over Cedarwood, on Amberwood and Patchouli: voted for fall and winter.
from €19.623 ml
Read the pick - 9
Speed Legends Living on the Edge
Pink Pepper and Mandarin over Clary Sage and Blackcurrant, on Vetiver and Tonka Bean: an aromatic, soft spicy scent.
from €17.193 ml
Read the pick - 10
Blood Orange, Peppermint and Rhubarb over Orange Blossom, on Akigalawood and Tonka Bean: a fresh citrus for day and office.
from €19.083 ml
Read the pick
In this guide
The Ex Nihilo perfume to try first is Blue Talisman, a citrus that opens on Pear, Bergamot, Mandarin Orange and Ginger and that community voters pick for spring and summer. If you lean floral, Lust in Paradise is a peony and lychee scent with the shortest note list of the ten, and if you want woods for the cooler months, The Hedonist Extrait is the one voted for fall and winter. All ten come as 3ml or 10ml decants poured from the original bottle.
How to choose between these Ex Nihilo perfumes
10ML stocks eleven Ex Nihilo perfumes, and this guide covers ten of them. All ten are listed as unisex, so there is no split into men's and women's scents to work through: you choose by character and season instead. Six of them are three pairs, each a plain scent and an Extrait of the same name: Blue Talisman, Fleur Narcotique and The Hedonist. The Ex Nihilo page lists every bottle; the aim here is a first pick. Buying blind is easier with a short read first: how to choose perfume without smelling it shows what to look for in a notes list.
A quick map by mood and season:
- Citrus with orange blossom: Blue Talisman, voted for spring and summer, and Blue Talisman Extrait de Parfum, voted for summer.
- Peony florals: Lust in Paradise, Fleur Narcotique, Fleur Narcotique Extrait and Gold Immortals.
- Woody and aromatic: The Hedonist, The Hedonist Extrait, Speed Legends Living on the Edge and Demon Dancer.
- Cooler months: The Hedonist Extrait is voted for fall and winter, while Fleur Narcotique Extrait and The Hedonist are each voted for fall among other seasons.
Seven of the ten are voted for summer, so these ten lean warm-weather in the community votes.
Quick comparison
| # | Perfume | Label | Main notes | Lasts | Trail | Season | 3 ml | 10 ml | per ml |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Blue TalismanEx Nihilo | Best overall | Georgywood, Orange Blossom | Moderate | Moderate | Spring | €16.56 | €50.22 | €5.02 |
| 2 | Blue Talisman Extrait de ParfumEx Nihilo | Longest lasting | Jasmine Sambac, Orange Blossom | Eternal | Strong | Summer | €21.69 | €65.70 | €6.57 |
| 3 | Lust in ParadiseEx Nihilo | Best for summer | Lychee, White Peony | Moderate | Moderate | Summer, Spring | €16.11 | €48.78 | €4.88 |
| 4 | Fleur NarcotiqueEx Nihilo | Best floral pick | Jasmine, Orange Blossom, Peony | Moderate | Moderate | Spring | €17.19 | €52.02 | €5.20 |
| 5 | Fleur Narcotique ExtraitEx Nihilo | Freesia, Jasmine, Orange Blossom | Long lasting | Strong | Spring | €21.33 | €58.41 | €5.84 | |
| 6 | Gold ImmortalsEx Nihilo | Lysylang, Peony | Long lasting | Strong | Spring, Summer | €17.10 | €44.37 | €4.44 | |
| 7 | The HedonistEx Nihilo | Best value | Cedarwood | Moderate | Moderate | Spring | €14.22 | €43.02 | €4.30 |
| 8 | The Hedonist ExtraitEx Nihilo | Best for evening | Cedarwood, Lychee | Long lasting | Strong | Autumn, Winter | €19.62 | €52.38 | €5.24 |
| 9 | Speed Legends Living on the EdgeEx Nihilo | Blackcurrant, Clary Sage | Long lasting | Strong | Spring, Summer | €17.19 | €52.02 | €5.20 | |
| 10 | Demon DancerEx Nihilo | Blackcurrant, Orange Blossom | Long lasting | Strong | Summer, Spring | €19.08 | €47.34 | €4.73 |
Show all 10 picks
Community votes
Citrus and orange blossom, for warm days
Two scents that share Pear, Bergamot and Orange Blossom, with a longer base in the Extrait.
Blue Talisman by Ex Nihilo
- Top notes
- Bergamot, Ginger, Mandarin Orange, Pear
- Heart notes
- Georgywood, Orange Blossom
- Base notes
- Ambrofix, Musk
- Time of day
- Daytime
Blue Talisman opens with Pear, Bergamot, Mandarin Orange and Ginger. The heart is Orange Blossom and Georgywood, and the base is Akigalawood, Musk and Ambrofix. It launched in 2023 and is listed as unisex, with citrus, fruity, sweet, musky, woody, fresh spicy and white floral among its accords. The fruit and citrus lead, and the woods and musk settle underneath.
For Blue Talisman, most community voters rate its longevity moderate. Its sillage gets a moderate majority vote as well. It is voted for spring and summer and for day wear, and its listed occasion is work. We put it first for a warm working day.
Blue Talisman Extrait de Parfum by Ex Nihilo
- Top notes
- Bergamot, Pear
- Heart notes
- Jasmine Sambac, Orange Blossom
- Base notes
- Amberwood, Ambrofix, Musk, Sandalwood
- Time of day
- Evening
Blue Talisman Extrait de Parfum keeps Bergamot and Pear on top, Orange Blossom in the heart, and Ambrofix and Musk in the base. Jasmine Sambac joins the heart, and Amberwood, Sandalwood and Vanilla join the base. It launched in 2024 and is listed as unisex, with white floral, woody, sweet, fruity, citrus and amber accords, plus powdery, vanilla, aquatic and musky.
So the difference on the listing is a shorter top, a jasmine heart and a base that adds woods and vanilla. Community votes on its longevity lean eternal, then long lasting. Voters rate its sillage strong. It is voted for summer, for evening and day wear.
Peony florals
Four scents with Peony in the heart, from a peony and lychee floral to an oriental one.
Lust in Paradise by Ex Nihilo
- Top notes
- Pink Pepper
- Heart notes
- Lychee, White Peony
- Base notes
- Amber, Musk, White Cedarwood
- Time of day
- Daytime
Lust in Paradise has the shortest note list of the ten: Pink Pepper on top, White Peony and Lychee in the heart, and White Cedarwood, Musk and Amber in the base. It launched in 2021 and is listed as unisex, with floral, musk and fruity accords. Read it as a peony and lychee floral with a pinch of pepper at the start.
Community votes on its longevity lean moderate, then long lasting. Voters rate its sillage moderate. It is voted for summer and spring, for day wear, and its listed occasion is work.
Fleur Narcotique by Ex Nihilo
- Top notes
- Bergamot, Lychee, Peach
- Heart notes
- Jasmine, Orange Blossom, Peony
- Base notes
- Moss, Musk, Sandalwood
- Time of day
- Daytime
Fleur Narcotique opens with Lychee, Bergamot and Peach. Jasmine, Orange Blossom and Peony form the heart, over Musk, Moss and Sandalwood. It launched in 2022 and is listed as unisex, with white floral, floral, fresh, fruity, citrus, musky, rose, tropical, powdery and woody accords. A fruity opening gives way to a white floral heart.
Most community voters put its longevity at moderate. A majority of voters put its sillage at moderate as well. It is voted for spring and for day wear, and its listed occasion is work.
Fleur Narcotique Extrait by Ex Nihilo
- Top notes
- Bergamot, Lychee, Osmanthus
- Heart notes
- Freesia, Jasmine, Orange Blossom, Peony
- Base notes
- Moss, Musk, Sandalwood
- Time of day
- Night out
Fleur Narcotique Extrait is credited to the perfumer Quentin Bisch. Lychee, Osmanthus and Bergamot open it, Peony, Freesia, Orange Blossom and Jasmine form the heart, and Musk, Sandalwood and Moss finish it. It also launched in 2022 and is listed as unisex.
Compared with Fleur Narcotique, Osmanthus and Freesia are added, and the accords are floral, woody and musk. The votes differ too: voters rate its longevity long lasting. Votes on its sillage lean strong. It is picked for spring, summer and fall, for night and day wear. That is a wider spread of seasons than any other perfume in the ten.
Gold Immortals by Ex Nihilo
- Top notes
- Bergamot, Pear
- Heart notes
- Lysylang, Peony
- Base notes
- Amber, Musk, Tonka Bean
- Time of day
- Daytime
Gold Immortals is the oldest launch in this guide, from 2020, and is credited to the perfumer Jordi Fernandez. Bergamot and Pear open it, Lysylang and Peony form the heart, and Amber, Musk and Tonka Bean the base. Listed as unisex, its accords are oriental, floral and musky. It is a peony floral set on amber and musk.
Community votes on its longevity lean long lasting, then moderate. Sillage votes for Gold Immortals lean strong. It is voted for spring and summer, for day and night wear.
Woody and aromatic scents
Four scents with woody and aromatic accords and citrus on top.
The Hedonist by Ex Nihilo
- Top notes
- Bergamot, Ginger
- Heart notes
- Cedarwood
- Base notes
- Musk, Tonka Bean, Vetiver
- Time of day
- Daytime
The Hedonist opens with Ginger and Bergamot. Akigalawood and Cedarwood form the heart, and Musk, Vetiver and Tonka Bean the base. It launched in 2021 and is listed as unisex, with woody, fresh spicy, citrus, oud, aromatic, warm spicy and fresh accords. Ginger and bergamot lead into cedarwood and vetiver.
Most community voters rate the longevity of The Hedonist moderate. Its sillage takes a moderate majority vote too. Voters choose it for spring and fall and for the day; the listed occasion is work.
The Hedonist Extrait by Ex Nihilo
- Top notes
- Bergamot, Ginger, Grapefruit
- Heart notes
- Cedarwood, Lychee
- Base notes
- Amberwood, Patchouli, Tonka Bean, Vetiver
- Time of day
- Night out
The Hedonist Extrait is credited to the perfumer Jordi Fernandez and launched in 2024. Bergamot, Ginger and Grapefruit open it, Akigalawood, Cedarwood and Lychee form the heart, and the base is Amberwood, Patchouli, Tonka Bean and Vetiver. Its accords are woody, aromatic and citrus.
Against The Hedonist, it adds Grapefruit, Lychee, Amberwood and Patchouli. Most community voters rate the Extrait's longevity long lasting. Most voters rate its sillage strong. It is the only one of the ten voted for winter, alongside fall, and the only one voted for night wear alone.
Speed Legends Living on the Edge by Ex Nihilo
- Top notes
- Bergamot, Mandarin, Pink Pepper
- Heart notes
- Blackcurrant, Clary Sage
- Base notes
- Tonka Bean, Vetiver
- Time of day
- Daytime
Speed Legends Living on the Edge launched in 2023 and is credited to the perfumer Jordi Fernández. Pink Pepper, Bergamot and Mandarin open it, Clary Sage and Blackcurrant form the heart, and Vetiver and Tonka Bean the base. Its accords are aromatic, soft spicy, fruity, citrus, woody, sweet, vanilla and earthy, and it is listed as unisex. Pepper and mandarin open it, sage and blackcurrant form the heart, and vetiver closes it.
For Speed Legends Living on the Edge, community votes on longevity lean long lasting, then eternal. Sillage votes for the same scent lean strong, with moderate next. It is voted for spring and summer, for day and office wear.
Demon Dancer by Ex Nihilo
- Top notes
- Bergamot, Blood Orange, Peppermint, Rhubarb
- Heart notes
- Blackcurrant, Orange Blossom
- Base notes
- Ambrofix, Georgywood, Musk, Tonka Bean
- Time of day
- Daytime
Demon Dancer is the newest launch of the ten, from 2026, credited to the perfumer Jordi Fernandez. Bergamot, Blood Orange, Peppermint and Rhubarb open it. Orange Blossom and Blackcurrant form the heart, and the base is Akigalawood, Georgywood, Ambrofix, Tonka Bean and Musk. Listed as unisex, its accords are citrus, fresh, fruity, aromatic and woody. The top pairs Peppermint and Rhubarb with citrus.
For Demon Dancer, community votes on longevity lean long lasting, then moderate. Sillage votes for Demon Dancer lean strong. It is voted for summer and spring, for day and office wear.
Which Ex Nihilo perfume should you try first?
Pick by the mood you want:
- Start with [Blue Talisman](/perfumes/ex-nihilo-blue-talisman) for citrus and orange blossom in spring and summer.
- Choose [Blue Talisman Extrait de Parfum](/perfumes/ex-nihilo-blue-talisman-extrait-de-parfum) for the same Pear and Bergamot with jasmine, woods and vanilla.
- Choose [Lust in Paradise](/perfumes/ex-nihilo-lust-in-paradise) for a peony and lychee floral with the shortest note list.
- Choose [Fleur Narcotique](/perfumes/ex-nihilo-fleur-narcotique) for peach, lychee and white flowers in spring.
- Choose [Fleur Narcotique Extrait](/perfumes/ex-nihilo-fleur-narcotique-extrait) for osmanthus and freesia across spring, summer and fall.
- Choose [Gold Immortals](/perfumes/ex-nihilo-gold-immortals) for peony over amber, for day and night wear.
- Choose [The Hedonist](/perfumes/ex-nihilo-the-hedonist) for ginger, bergamot and woods.
- Choose [The Hedonist Extrait](/perfumes/ex-nihilo-the-hedonist-extrait) for grapefruit and amberwood in fall and winter.
- Choose [Speed Legends Living on the Edge](/perfumes/ex-nihilo-speed-legends-living-on-the-edge) for pink pepper, sage and vetiver.
- Choose [Demon Dancer](/perfumes/ex-nihilo-demon-dancer) for blood orange, peppermint and rhubarb.
| Perfume | Launched | For | Main accords | Community picks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Talisman | 2023 | Unisex | Citrus, fruity, sweet | Spring and summer, day |
| Blue Talisman Extrait de Parfum | 2024 | Unisex | White floral, woody, sweet | Summer, evening and day |
| Lust in Paradise | 2021 | Unisex | Floral, musk, fruity | Summer and spring, day |
| Fleur Narcotique | 2022 | Unisex | White floral, floral, fresh | Spring, day |
| Fleur Narcotique Extrait | 2022 | Unisex | Floral, woody, musk | Spring, summer and fall, night and day |
| Gold Immortals | 2020 | Unisex | Oriental, floral, musky | Spring and summer, day and night |
| The Hedonist | 2021 | Unisex | Woody, fresh spicy, citrus | Spring and fall, day |
| The Hedonist Extrait | 2024 | Unisex | Woody, aromatic, citrus | Fall and winter, night |
| Speed Legends Living on the Edge | 2023 | Unisex | Aromatic, soft spicy, fruity | Spring and summer, day and office |
| Demon Dancer | 2026 | Unisex | Citrus, fresh, fruity | Summer and spring, day and office |
Trying Ex Nihilo before you buy a bottle
Ten scents is a lot to choose from blind, and the three pairs are easy to compare in 3ml decants. Blue Talisman in 3ml costs €16.56 and gives around 60 sprays, enough for several wears, and the 10ml decant gives around 200 sprays at €50.22. Every perfume in this guide comes in both sizes.
A first order could pair one citrus or floral scent with one woody scent, for example Blue Talisman and The Hedonist Extrait, so you learn which direction you prefer. If a pair interests you, order both and wear them on separate days. For a wider view, read best niche perfumes to try, niche vs designer perfume and unisex perfumes worth sharing.
The bigger picture: Best perfume for women 2026: 23 picks, classic to new and Best perfume for men 2026: 23 picks, classic to new.
Frequently asked questions
- Which Ex Nihilo perfume should I try first?
- Start with Blue Talisman. It opens on Pear, Bergamot, Mandarin Orange and Ginger over Orange Blossom, and community voters pick it for spring and summer, for day wear. If you prefer a floral, try Lust in Paradise, or for woods in the cooler months try The Hedonist Extrait. You can wear Blue Talisman as a 3ml decant for €16.56.
- Can I try an Ex Nihilo perfume before buying a full bottle?
- Yes. Each of the ten is filled from the original bottle into a 3ml or a 10ml decant. With around 60 sprays in the 3ml and around 200 in the 10ml, there is room to wear one on several days first.
- What is the difference between Fleur Narcotique and Fleur Narcotique Extrait?
- On the listing data, the Extrait adds Osmanthus and Freesia and drops Peach. Fleur Narcotique lists white floral, floral, fresh and fruity among its accords, while the Extrait lists floral, woody and musk. Community voters pick Fleur Narcotique for spring and the Extrait for spring, summer and fall.
- Are Ex Nihilo perfumes for men or for women?
- All ten in this guide are listed as unisex, so none is sorted by gender. Choose by character instead: citrus and orange blossom, peony florals, or woody and aromatic scents.
- Which Ex Nihilo perfumes are voted for summer?
- Seven of the ten are voted for summer: Blue Talisman, Blue Talisman Extrait de Parfum, Lust in Paradise, Fleur Narcotique Extrait, Gold Immortals, Speed Legends Living on the Edge and Demon Dancer. The Hedonist Extrait is the one voted for fall and winter.
- What does Lust in Paradise smell like?
- Lust in Paradise is a floral with fruity and musk accords. It opens on Pink Pepper, has White Peony and Lychee in the heart, and rests on White Cedarwood, Musk and Amber. Community voters pick it for summer and spring, for day wear.
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