I Tried Bottega Veneta’s New Fragrances

Last week, Bottega Veneta, one of the brands of the moment, launched five fragrances under the creative director of Matthieu Blazy. When I heard the news, I knew they’d likely be something we’d never seen (or smelled.)

At the first sight of the bottle, that prediction was true. The glass bottles are inspired by traditional Venetian glass-bowling techniques. There are tiny bubbles in each bottle, which could’ve been removed, but the house decided against it. The reason? Blazy wanted each bottle to be unique. With a gold and wooden top (with colors that vary based on the fragrance) and a gorgeous green marble base to accompany the bottle, it looks more like art than a fragrance bottle.

While the sculpturelike bottles are great, what matters are the scents. The five fragrances launched this month are Déjà Minuit, Colpo di Sole, Acqua Sale, Alchemie, and Come with Me. Each scent is inspired by Venice and the signature woven Bottega leathers — the olfactory Intrecciato method — which are woven together. The goal was to intricately weave together ingredients and notes from different countries and continents to create striking scents that sink into the skin for prolonged wear while transporting the wearer to a new place.

I got the fragrances earlier this year and tried them all out. My favorite is Déjà Minuit, a spicy, warm scent that reminds me of cinnamon and vanilla bourbon (it’s blended with patchouli and vetiver.) Acqua Sale, described as “saltwater on the skin,” has notes of sea-salt accord and juniper-berry oil. The saltwater-like notes are prevalent, but it also smells a bit earthy. Other scents like Alchemie have a similar spice with notes of nutmeg, leather, and pink-pepper extract.

I often layer fragrances across different brands to create personal signature scents, but this was probably one of the first times the contrast of the woven notes was enough. Mr. Blazy has in fact done it again. Can’t decide? The fragrance discovery set is a great way to find your favorite. The full bottles are $450, and refills are sold for $320.