BergamotOpens with
VetiverHeart
Cacao PodDries down to
Geoffrey NejmanThe nose · 40 fragrances · also made Ylang In Gold Edition Speciale (2022)Portrait →Will you like it? Mark a few fragrances you own or love and we'll tell you.
M. Micallef · Sold as unisex
The Exception No 1
A brisk walk through an urban park where the crisp air meets the warm scent of freshly ground coffee from a nearby café.
Full bottle: Premium tier, typically $100–250. Links open each seller's own page. We may earn a commission; it never changes the order.
The Exception No 1Premium · $100–250
57%Similar accords, often for lessMr. Edge · Swiss ArabianBudget tier, under $40 · shares 5 of its 8 notes8 matches →How it wears
From community votes · bars are each option's shareComposition & Character
Notes Pyramid
TopOpening
Main Accords
When to Wear
The story behind the bottle.
The Exception No. 1 by M. Micallef is a composition that balances the brightness of citrus with the warmth of spices and earthy undertones. Perfumer Geoffrey Nejman has crafted a fragrance that opens with zesty notes of bergamot, grapefruit, and bitter orange, creating an invigorating freshness. This bright beginning gives way to a heart of vetiver and cedar, which add a woody depth and a subtle earthiness. The base notes of pepper, cacao pod, and benzoin bring a rich warmth that is both comforting and intriguing.
Apply two sprays to your pulse points, as the citrus top notes are bright but fleeting. The woody and spicy base notes will develop over time, so it's best used during cooler hours when you want a fragrance that evolves with you.
Fig. 01 — The Exception No 1, M. Micallef
Where to buy.
Wear it for a week first
A decant costs a fraction of a bottle and tells you how it lasts on your skin.
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Geoffrey Nejman
Geoffrey Nejman, formerly a businessman, co-founded the perfume house M.
Designer M. Micallef
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Chosen from what wearers say it smells like, what its fans also love, and its notes
Love it, not the $100–250 price?
Matched by accords and notes. Sample first, then decide.
The originalThe Exception No 1M. Micallef · Premium · $100–250Swiss ArabianMr. EdgeShares 5 of its 8 notesunder $40★ 4.03 (40)
With M. Micallef Art Collection Black
Adds white floral, vanilla and tuberose; shares bitter orange and benzoin.
Suggested from accords and notes · not yet tried by wearers
What people
are saying.
Warmly received so far: loved by 71%, disliked or hated by 0%.