Viktoria Minya’s newest perfume, Hedonist Cassis, is a vibrant crème de cassis-kissed rose. It’s one of those fragrances, that from the description, I wouldn’t think wouldn’t be a good fit for me. But, that’s why we shouldn’t let descriptions intimidate us.
Hedonist Cassis opens with tart berries and green grass. There’s a mentholated, sulfuric quality to this from grapefruit peels. It wears a tart, fruity rose with an airy sheerness (that is similar to the feel of the other Hedonist flankers like Hedonist Iris). It’s a green, grassy rose with sunny citrus and tart berries. The dry-down is a sheer musk with a “clean” cedar.
Even I’m surprised by how much I like wearing this fruity floral. I don’t know if I’m attracted to it since it doesn’t remind me of winter. I don’t know if I like because of my obsession with rose. I typically don’t like cassis but I love its tartness in this floral. I never thought I’d be tempted to buy a luxury black currant perfume, but I’m very tempted.
Notes listed include blackcurrant, grapefruit, Bulgarian rose, grass, cedar and incense. Launched in 2015. PERFUMER – Viktoria Minya
Give Hedonist Cassis a try if you like fresh, fruity florals. Or if you like perfumes like YSL In Love Again, Hermès Hermessence Rose Ikebana, Balenciaga Rosabotanica, Maitre Parfumeur Rose Muskissime, Bond No. 9 The Scent of Peace and/or Annick Goutal Eau de Camille. Hedonist Cassis is very classic Annick Goutal-ish. It doesn’t remind me of one Annick Goutal. It just seems like something that brand would have launched in the 80’s or 90’s. It could be Petite Cherie‘s long lost sister.
Hedonist Cassis has more in common with the other Hedonist flankers than it does with the original, Hedonist. It’s more playful than it is glamorous.
Projection is average (to below average). It’s one of those “sheer” scents that I expect to have little longevity but it actually lasts. The musky base is present most of the day, even when I no longer notice it.
The 1.7 oz bottle retails for $190 at Indigo Perfumery. Samples are also available for purchase.
Victoria’s Final EauPINION – A rose kissed by crème de cassis. It’s one of those playful fragrances that I can’t believe that I enjoy wearing! But, I do.
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*Disclaimer – Sample provided by the brand. I am not financially compensated for my reviews. Product pic from Fragrantica. Olga Petrova pic from fanpix.net.
I’m not familiar with this one but your surprise at liking the fruity floral reminds me of the same surprise I had the first time I tried Sweet Anthem’s Margaret, which is guava and rose. I was shocked by how much I liked it. In fact, I’m wearing it today!
I do like tart cassis, but I find it’s often used in perfumes marketed to girls a decade younger than I am, and it turns me off. I’d love to give this one a try.
Like you said, the main problem I have with cassis is that it smells too young for me. Obviously there are some exceptions, but still I tend to avoid these sort of fruity notes because I’ve been damaged by Victoria’s Secret or B&BW scents.
I’m starting to think that I can wear fruits when paired with rose, like Margaret or this one.
I really enjoyed Minya’s Hedonist and the iris flanker but haven’t tried the cassis or rose flankers. I like her aesthetic but think her prices are a bit high overall and moved Hedonist on and off my buy list a few times. I wouldn’t mind a big decant and would happily wear these if a bottle fell out if the sky. Her perfumes are beautiful but I am not sure if her prices are justified….but what do I know….
I don’t own full-bottles either. But, it is getting more difficult for me to buy much of anything, nonetheless, something that isn’t a “deal”.
I’ve always thought there is no reason to justify. You know if something is worth it to you or not.
Guess you’re right about that. If I really love a perfume, I will find a way to buy it eventually.
I like to think of it as “price per wear”. Some things I’m going to wear more than others so it “lowers” the price. Saying that, so much perfume now is sooo expensive. There’s all the luxury designer brand exclusives, indie, niche. At this stage, a Serge Lutens is “cheap”!
I tried this one on a whim as well. I didn’t think I would like it because I tried all her other scents (except the iris one) and they were all kind of ok on me. Like you, I was surprised by how much I like this one. I agree with Petunia, if the price weren’t so high I would love to own a bottle. Also, Is it bad that I want that bottle for aesthetic? It is beautiful.
I really didn’t expect to like this one. And as bad as it sounds, I think that’s why I tried it so eagerly. I thought I wouldn’t like it and that would be OK with me because of the price of the full-size. Me liking it, was a surprise!
It’s all subjective, of course. I don’t know if I would wear a cassis fragrance enough to “get my money’s worth”, but I still like it.
[…] Last week, I confessed that I’ve enjoyed wearing a sheer, wispy black currant perfume, Viktoria Minay Hedonist Cassis. And today I’m confessing my love for another fruity-floral perfume, 4160 Tuesdays Goddess of […]
Thanks for the link. Of everything she has done I still love the original the best. But this was a surprise for me and all her perfumes are pretty good (bar the iris for me). Alas I still do not have a bottle. It’s on my huge list but you know the top spot is forever changing. Currently I’m lusting over Khol de Bahrein that I hope will be mine shortly. Hope your new life is going well. Love your blog.
You’re welcome!
Hedonist has been on my list since it came out! And I have still not bought it. But, in all fairness, there are many that I haven’t bought that are on that list.
I wish Osswald didn’t talk me into trying Khol de Bahrein because that is my #1 lust right now.
Thanks again!