Althaïr

Althaïr by Parfums de Marly, launched in 2023 and created by perfumers Hamid Merati-Kashani and Ilias Ermenidis, is a complex Oriental Vanilla fragrance that has sparked both praise and criticism. It opens with bright citrus notes like bergamot and orange blossom, which give way to the warmth of cinnamon and cardamom. The heart introduces elemi and praline, adding layers of sweetness and spice, while the base settles into musky and woody accords, including guaiac wood and ambroxan, creating a rich and enveloping finish.

Althaïr was Parfums de Marly's biggest launch of 2023 but has become a flashpoint for debates around hype versus substance. Some reviewers argue that the fragrance doesn't fully justify its high retail price, while others have engaged in a robust resale market, suggesting that early enthusiasm may have been driven more by financial speculation than genuine olfactory value.