CYCLE 002

CYCLE 002 from the French house Maison Violet, composed by Nathalie Lorson and released in 2023, is a spicy citrus with a resinous, smoky base. Spicy and citrus are the words nearly everyone uses; about half also find it woody and resinous, and a quarter pick up amber.

The top is all citrus: lemon, mandarin, bergamot and bitter orange together, bright and slightly bitter. The heart turns up the heat quickly, with chili pepper and black pepper for sharpness, cloves for a warm, medicinal spice, cumin for a dry, slightly sweaty earthiness, and elemi for a fresh, peppery resin. The base is dry and smoky: cedar and guaiac wood bring the woods, incense adds a church-like smoke, and labdanum gives a warm, leathery amber depth.

CYCLE 002 is worn by anyone. Its character suits autumn and winter and evening wear, and it should appeal to people who like their citrus bold, spicy and far from sweet.

CYCLE 002 — unisex fragrance by Maison Violet (released 2023). Top notes: Bitter Orange, Bergamot, Mandarin Orange, Lemon. Heart notes: Black Pepper, Cumin, Cloves, Chili Pepper, elemi. Base notes: Incense, Guaiac Wood, Labdanum, Cedar. — Parfica open fragrance database