The Story
Why it exists.
The beginning
Excellsus First arrived from the house of Flavia as part of a fragrance launch that drew immediate attention for its bold composition. The name itself reads like a statement of intent: first among equals, first impression, first move, a deliberate positioning that puts the fragrance at the front of any consideration. It's built as a masculine composition, and from the first spray it makes no attempt to soften its approach. The fragrance leans into a fruit-forward opening built on pineapple and plum, two notes that carry significant weight and sweetness without crossing into candied territory. Supporting that fruit are pink pepper and black pepper, which add a sharp, almost electric edge to the opening's sweetness.
What makes this composition interesting is the deliberate imbalance between top and base. Pineapple, plum, and two pepper notes crowd the opening, sweet and sharp at once, creating a dense fruit accord that reads almost tropical before the spices arrive. The heart pulls toward saffron quickly, that distinctive material sitting at the center of the composition and acting as the primary bridge between fruit and leather. That saffron does the transitional work between the bright opening and the deeper base, giving the fragrance a spiced midpoint that feels weighted without becoming heavy.
The evolution
The opening is the loudest moment. Pineapple and plum hit first, sharp and sweet, with the pink and black pepper adding a static charge that cuts through the fruit's natural richness. Bergamot and lemon keep the citrus from going flat, lifting the fruit so it reads as fresh-cut rather than candied. This opening phase dominates the early wear, the fruit and pepper combination creating a dense, attention-grabbing introduction that signals exactly what kind of fragrance this intends to be. The heart is where Excellsus First becomes its own animal. Saffron, jasmine, freesia, and marigold coil together into something spiced and slightly soapy, the floral register more texture than statement. The saffron sits at the center of this accord, its distinctive leathery-spice character giving the heart its weight and identity.
Cultural impact
Excellsus First sits in a crowded lane of fruit-forward masculine fragrances, where pineapple and plum openings have become a familiar structure for houses targeting the bold-masculine segment. Where it diverges is in the saffron-heavy heart and the leather-amber base, a combination that gives the composition more spiced depth and a warmer drydown than many fruit-forward compositions achieve. The saffron sits at the center of the fragrance's identity, carrying significant weight in the heart and bridging the fruit opening to the leather base in a way that feels deliberate rather than accidental.
