What is it: a 30 ml bottle of Parfums de Nicolaï L’Eau Corail and a 15 ml bottle of A Lab on Fire One Night in Rio. Both have been used for testing.
How do I get it: For a chance to win, leave a comment on the website telling me that you live in the US. Then tell me either a) your favorite niche fragrance of 2015 so far, or b) a great chocolate or tea you discovered recently, or c) something else you've been dying to post in a comment.
Be sure to use the “Post a comment” box; do not reply to another comment! All replies to comments will be deleted!
The contest will be open until noon or so next Thursday, and I'll announce the winner next Friday.
The fine print: Don't enter the contest unless I have permission to use the email address in your reader account to contact you. If the email address in your reader account is incorrect, you might want to fix it. If you are the winner and you fail to send me your mailing details within a couple weeks, I’ll give your prize away to someone else. Sadly, it sometimes usually takes me a month to mail a package. Reasonable care will be taken in the packaging and mailing of your prize, but if the contents are lost or damaged or fail to please you for any reason whatsoever, I’m sorry but I cannot replace them.
I live in the US. My favorite niche fragrance that I’ve tried this year is Angela Ciampagna Liquo.
As always, thanks for the giveaways!
I live in the US. My favorite niche fragrance this year has been Diptyque Florabellio, which I just tried this week. It’s really weird and interesting, unlike much of what Diptyque has been releasing lately. I am drinking a green floral oolong tea from China right now. It’s very fragrant and delicious, but sadly I don’t know what it’s called.
I live in the US. I recently got to try two Amedei bars, the Chuao and the Porcelana. I was skeptical about whether they would live up to the hype/price… but I have to say they seemed to be actally made from magic, especially the Chuao.
I live in the USA. I love any 80% cacao dark chocolate bars with a good glass of wine!
Looking over the list of releases, I really haven’t tried that many released this year but I did like Marlowe and I bought a bottle of Marions Nous And I live in the US
I am a big fan of the Dagoba Lavender Blueberry bar. I recently samples Lubin Korrigan and loved it. And I live in the US.
I live in the US. I finally tried Taza stone ground chocolate and I love its grainy texture.
Hi, I live in the US and my favorite niche so far this year has been Frederic Malle – Cologne Indelebile.
I live in the US.
I very recently got sent a set of Memo samples, and on first sniffing, I really like Shams Oud and Granada…I wanted to love Latin Quartier, because I love the bottle, but the juice for that is weird on my skin. It mainly smells like butter, to the point of being nauseating. I scrubbed it off!
Niche perfume purchase of 2015, most recently a travel size of Fredric Malle Iris Poudre. Ahhh!
Oh, oh, oh! (My impression of late lamented Horshack)
I live in the U.S. and the best chocolate I have been raving about lately is in the perfume form of CSP Amour de Cacao. Serendipitously, I learned about it on this blog.
Thanks for the draw and you may use my email listed in my account
I live in the US. I can’t think of the best niche I’ve tried in 2015, but one I do want to try- the reissued/hopefully-not-reformulated-beyond-recognition Annick Goutal Eau de Ciel. I used to love the original back in the day.
To cover my bases, I’ll add a chocolate I just discovered: Kissinger’s Coffee Toffee.
I’m in the US, and the best chocolate I found recently (yesterday in fact) was an unopened and forgotten box of “Trader Joe’s Winter-exclusive Limited Edition Candy-sprinkled Dark Chocolate-covered Peppermint Joe Joe’s Sandwich Cookies.” Joe Joe’s gotta have flankers, too.
The cookies were lost in the back of the freezer. I ate one before it could thaw. The frozen chocolate-peppermint combination is just as nice in June as it would have been in December. Maybe it’s even better.
Live in US. Fave niche for SS 2015: Eau d’Italie. Guilty chocolate pleasure: Valrhona Jivara Lait Pecan. New tea joy: 3:15 Rosy Fruity Milk Tea from Taiwan. Have fun! Alex
I live in the US and something I’ve been dying to comment on is how glad I am to have found this site. It’s made my life much more beautifully fragrant.
I’m in the US. I feel like I’ve barely tried any new releases from the year so far. Yikes! The only one I can think of is Pichola, which I was ho-hum on. Would love to try this Nicolai though!
I live in Queens- does that count as the US?
Current chocolate- Sweet Riot Dark Chocolate with Coconut.
As for my favorite Niche scent this year, it has to be Calypso St Barth Casablanca. The description says it was “inspired by desert evenings and smoky souks” and it has violet, coconut and sandalwood as the main notes, but I get tonka- which I love.
I just wanted to post that I love Guerlain Terracotta, and it reminded me of something which I just remembered- Chantecaille Frangipane. Does anyone else get that?
thanks for the draw!
I live in the U.S. My favorite niche fragrance of 2015 so far is Lune Féline by Atelier Des Ors. It is a warm grown-up vanilla.
Thank you for these giveaways!
I live in the US. I haven’t tried any of the new releases, but I have been digging on the matcha tea I ordered from Mountain Rose Herbs.
I live in the U.S. and am actually spending my time getting acquainted with the classic fragrance houses. Next up is a round of samples from Guerlain: Jicky, Mitsouko, Apres l’Ondee, and L’Heure Bleue.
I do, however, plan to spend some time at Scent Bar this Saturday. Maybe I’ll fall in love with a new niche?
Ooooh…ahhhh…ohhh! Thank you, Robin!
I live in the U.S.
Just discovered a chocolate bar at Trader Joe’s – Dark Chocolate Caramel and Black Sea Salt. Yummmm!!!
I live in the US.
The best chocolate I’ve tried recently is Lindt’s Sweet Popcorn (milk chocolate with popcorn pieces inside) bar. I saw them at Target and threw one in my cart, and it was really good! It would be the perfect movie snack.
I live in the US, and my favorite niche fragrance of 2015 is probably Pichola (Neela Vermeire).
I live in the US. I haven’t been keeping up with too many niche releases, but I did get a sample of Diptyque Eau Plurielle which I quite liked.
I am a massive fan of Trader Joe’s 70% Dark Chocolate pound plus bars made in Belgium, I believe. I have several hoarded in my cabinet right now! I live in the U.S. Thanks for the giveaway.
I live in the US. Thanks for the draw! Favorite niche tested this year is Fiele Fragrances’ Cedrus.
I live in the US. My favorite niche fragrance of 2015 is Oud Satin Mood by Maison Francis Kurkdjian. Thanks for the wonderful opportunity!
I’m in the U.S. My favorite iced tea is the Kusmi BB Detox Tea. It’s a stupid name, but it’s a lovely refreshing iced tea.
I’m in the USA and just today I tried my first cup of Celestial Seasonings Bengal Spice tea which has a delightful sweetness to it that requires no additional sugar. Yay!
Apropos of nothing, I am so glad that Hannibal is back, freakin’ love the beautiful audacity of that show.
Thanks for the drawing!
I live in the US. My new tea discovery is Numi’s Dry Desert Lime, it’s just amazing. Hot or cold, it’s pretty much the best limeade ever, and no calories. I drink it with a little stevia. Thanks for the drawing!
I live in the US and honestly haven’t tried enough new releases, niche or otherwise, to have any idea what’s even new in 2015. I haven’t discovered anything new in the way of chocolate either, but a local candy kitchen in my little town (in business since 1904) has the best treat called a Charlie Chaplin and I’m curious where else it exists. It’s similar to Chocolate Charlie, which is a mass produced candy only sold at Christmas but available at drugstores, etc. The Olympia (Midwest US) Charlie Chaplin is milk chocolate that covers roasted, salted Spanish peanuts and toasted coconut, with a perfect marshmallow center. Obviously they make their own chocolate and marshmallow and roast the peanuts and coconut. It’s sweet, salty, crunchy and melty all at once. Anybody else have this treat?
I’m in the US! PdN is one of my fav niche …. Love most of her stuff! And EnVoyage is a new love!!!!
I live in the U.S.
Haven’t tried many 2015 niche scents, but I do like Dame Perfumery Scottsdale Dark Horse very much.
Latest ‘chocolate” find is Sheila G’s brownie brittle. Inspired by the crispy edges of the sides of brownies, they are very light and crisp yet extremely rich in flavor. Great along with ice cream and, since they don’t melt, wonderful takealongs for picnics or ballgames to satisfy that chocolate urge without any mess.
Current favorite tea is the massala chai tea blended by my local tea shoppe.
Thank you, Robin!
Thanks for the draw, I’m in the US. So far my favorite release from this year might be Gentlewoman, though I’ve tried very few. I did recently get a sample of Pichola that I’m excited to try. Was California Reverie from this year? I love that one!
I live in the U.S.A. and I still have Reese’s White Chocolate Easter Eggs in the refrigerator. I like them a lot!
Oh wow, I would love to have both of these. I am in the U.S. I think I would also have to choose Gentlewoman as my favorite so far this year, tho I have not tried many. Thanks for the draw, Robin!
I live in the U.S. and sadly haven’t tried any 2015 niche perfume releases, but recently fell in love with the Jelina Chocolatier brand: the Earl Grey is amazing, as is the Sea Salt variety. Thanks, Robin!
I live in the US, and my favorite perfume find this year has been Hermes Cuir d’Ange (though that probably does not count as niche?). My tea of choice lately also does not count as niche, but I love it anyway-Celestial Seasonings Red Zinger (hibiscus, lemongrass, and a random smattering of herbs) with a hint of sugar. Thank you!
Hi! I live in the US. I think my favorite releases this year have been NVC Pichola and Aedes’ Pallisandre d’Or.
I live in the U.S. And you can use my email. Thanks for the draw.
My favorite chocolates are from Fran’s – grey salted chocolate caramels and Theo’s dark chocolate with cherry. If anyone is ever in Seattle, Theo’s offers a wonderful tour. Definitely go online a few days ahead to reserve a space. You will leave the tour thinking you can’t eat another bite of chocolate…and then the next day you may find yourself opening a bar you bought before the tour began!
I live in the US. I haven’t tried many new niche perfumes, but, contrary to some reviews I’ve read, I really liked Puredistance White.
I live in the U.S. My favorite niche perfume this year is one I just discovered: Monsillage Eau de Céleri. I love green and more green, but this one also has the most enchanting drydown.
Thank you for the draw!
Ooh, thank you so much for the draw! I live in the US, and have recently discovered Baihao Yinzhen (Silver Needle) tea… which is one of the most famous teas around, so the only reason I hadn’t heard of it before is that I’ve only gotten into drinking tea recently. It’s wonderful though, amazingly fragrant.
I live in the U.S. My favorite 2015 niche release thus far has been UNUM LAVS, which just might be the best incense fragrance I’ve ever smelled (and if you knew how many incense frags I own, you’d know that’s saying something :-). I am also smitten by Malbrum’s Tigre du Bengale, a smolderingly sexy gem. Both of these top my FB wish list at the moment…we’re days away from the start of summer, but my wish list is already leaning to cooler weather scents! As always, thanks for the opportunity, Robin!
I live in NYC. It is not new, but I tried SSS Jour Ensoleille via sample and quite loved it. I have one more sample to try again soon and decide if I’ll go FB.
I only recently got into iced tea. Right now it’s Republic of Tea Ginger Peach.
Thanks for the giveaway!
I am in the U.S. and I am loving Teavana’s Pineapple Pop:D. I don’t have a fave niche scent yet this year. Thanks for the contest!
I live in the U.S.
I felt very lucky to have had a short stay at The Plaza in NYC this month for many reasons, but one was I got to go to Bergdorf Goodman and try Roja Parfums. I can’t afford any of them but the quality and beauty of the ones I smelled were truly outstanding.
I live in the US. Of the 3 niche fragrances (Cologne Indelible, Florabellio, and Aedes Palissandre d’Or) I’ve tried this year, I like the Aedes the most. Am looking forward to my upcoming sample of Unum Lavs . Thanks gor the giveaway!
Hi Robin,
Thanks for yet another giveaway. You are awesome! I live in the U.S. and you may use my email address.
Haven’t really had a chance to sample very many new niche perfumes. As always, any Godiva chocolate is a winner in my book.
The only niche perfume I’ve tried this year was Bond no 9 Park Avenue South. Pleasant but underwhelming particularly for the price. I live in the U.S. Thanks for the giveaway!
Thank you for this generous giveaway. I live in the U.S. My favorite niche find this year was Vero Profumo’s entire voile line, especially Rubj and Mito. I also like Atelier Cologne’s Pomelo and am looking forward to their new jasmine.
2) Not sure if it counts as niche but I am coming around to Diptyque Volutes.
Hello, Robin. I live in the US. Glad that it’s finally summer; I need a break!
I’m in the U.S. Thanks for the drawing–these both sound very nice. I don’t think I’ve tried any new niche releases this year, unless you count Atelier Cologne. (Is it niche if they’re carried at a suburban shopping mall Sephora?) I would like to try all of the Histoire de Parfums opera-inspired perfumes, though they’re awfully spendy.
I live in the US. I’ve been trying to find the perfect breakfast tea. Irish breakfast tea by Barry’s or Trader Joe’s is my go to, but I recently discovered Yorkshire tea.
I live in the US. My favorite tea discovery recently had been Harney and Sons Lychee tea – fantastic, brisk black tea with lychee scent and flavor that makes it mildy sweet and perfect in the mornings. Harney and Sons Caribe has also proved a great iced tea – guava and strawberry on a base of green and black tea. Naturally fruity, a teensy bit sweet, and very refreshing. Thanks for the giveaway!
Hi Robin, US born and bred! Sadly I do not have a sense of adventure when it comes to tea – I pretty much stick with either chamomile or ginger. But i did discover Edy’s mint chocolate chip ice cream recently. Yum!
I live here in Chicago, USA and love PdN. It seems like the last release I can remember quite liking is Dior Fêve Delicieuse.
My favorite tea (tisane?) is Bossa Nova from Tea Gschwender, and I loved this toffee someone recently gave me from the local candy store, The Fudge Pot in Old Town, Chicago.
I live in the US!
My favorite niche fragrance of 2015 so far is Frederic Malle Angeliques Sous La Pluie
I live in the US.
Not sure if it’s niche, but I have a recent respect for Loewe brand as a very unique line. (If you like CDG Insense series then try the Loewe “7” line).