Ahhhh, 2012 is finally over and 2013 is finally here!  I hope that everyone had a wonderful and safe New Year’s Eve.  Ours went out with a bang as we went to see Cheyenne Jackson with the National Symphony Orchestra performing songs from the “Mad Men” era at the Kennedy Center.  It was hands down the best concert that I have experienced in many years and Cheyenne Jackson is an extraordinary talent.  It was a wonderful way to end 2012.

I meant to post this listing prior to the end of the year, but I always seem to be running late these days.  Like some of the other wonderful bloggers out there, I will comment on some of the perfume like and dislikes for the year.  However, as I can’t claim to be privy to all of the new releases, my opinions will include both new and existing discoveries.

Best Fragrance Find of the Year:

George Sand by Nicolas de Barry – OK, I have raved about this numerous times and I’m sure that you are all tired of hearing my praises about this fragrance, but this has to be my favorite for the year.  It is my comfort scent and the one fragrance that I just can’t get enough of.  Although it was previously labeled under Maitre Parfumeur et Gantier, it now is part of the Maison de Haute Perfumerie Nicolas de Barry collection.  I like being in love!

Runners up:  Spiritueuse Double Vanille by Guerlain and Trayee by Neela Vermeire Creations

Favorite Fragrance House of the Year:

Parfum d’Empire – Wonderful niche perfumes at a very reasonable cost.  I own more Pd’E perfumes than any other fragrance house.  Iskander and Azemour les Orangers were my mainstay this past summer and I am itching to add Wazamba and Aziyade to my collection.  The wonderful oakmoss base on these fragrances is so smooth and luxurious.  Big yummy!  Which then leads to…

Biggest Disappointment of the Year:

Musc Tonkin by Parfum d’Empire. This was a blind buy that was based on my love of their perfumes and the fact that it is a limited edition.  I wore this again the other day and once again it left me cold.  Does anyone want to purchase a slightly used bottle?

Best Marketing of the Year:

By Kilian smartly sends out samples of their new releases to all their Facebook friends.  Smart, smart, smart.  I wish more perfumers would do the same.  Although I understand that the LVMH, by Kilian’s parent company, has more money than most fragrant houses which makes this easily possible.

Arquiste is a close 2nd in this category.  The ever so cute Carlos Huber is out there constantly stirring up publicity.

Anyone who says they’re not influenced by marketing in the least is in my opinion very self unaware.  We all get sucked in to a degree.

Best Packaging of the Year:

By Kilian again has the most remarkable and beautiful packaging.  The “In the Garden of Good and Evil” clutches are absolutely breathtaking.  Unfortunately they come at a high price and the perfumes were underwhelming at best.

Best Fragrance Personality of the Year:

I don’t know if I labeled this category correctly, but this honor goes to Neela Vermeire.  Her warmth, friendliness, support and personal attention is only matched by the trio of magnificent perfumes that were developed for Neela Vermeire Creations with Bertrand Douchaufour.  I can’t wait to see what she has in store for 2013.

Worst Blind Buy of the Year:

We all do it on occasionally, but for me it was Royal Pavillon by Etro.  I purchased this for a song and I can see why it was such a deal.  This fragrance is like fingers on a chalkboard to me.  Unfortunately my better half likes it and wears it on occasion.  When he does, I can’t stand being in the same room.

Biggest Scrubber of the Year:

Orange Star by Tauer Perfumes.  I know this is an either you love it or hate it perfume.  For me, I can still smell it in my head months after testing it and the memory can still make me nauseous.

2012 Me Against the World Award:

I think that 90% of the fragrance world loved Seville a l’Aube by L’Artisan Perfumeur.  For me it was just a sour mess.

Best Online Retailer of the Year:

Is there any question that Lucky Scent remains the king of niche perfume retailers?  I love their service and love their site and their ever increasing stock of interesting niche perfumes.  Unfortunately, my wallet suffers continually at their hands!  I hope to one day soon visit the infamous Scent Bar!

OK, I could go on and on with lists and my thoughts on the best and worst of the year, but I have to go put my New Year’s ham in the oven and get my first day of 2013 going.  All the best to my perfume friends in 2013!  I look forward to the year’s journey ahead with you.

Steve