The Story
Why it exists.
The beginning
Forage launched Currently Reading in 2017, and the name does exactly what it promises. The composition pairs grapefruit, lemon, mandarin orange, hinoki cypress, honey pomelo, vanilla, and vetiver in a fragrance built around light citrus, clean wood, soft fruit, and a warm dry base. Together, those notes create a clear contrast: the citrus materials bring brightness, hinoki introduces a smooth woody character, honey pomelo adds rounded sweetness, and vanilla and vetiver provide warmth and depth. The result feels polished and balanced, with enough detail to remain interesting beyond the opening. The scent can be read as airy and polished at first, gently wooded through the middle, and softly warm in the base.
The composition is interesting because its note structure moves between bright citrus and clean wood. Grapefruit, lemon, and mandarin orange create a lively opening, with citrus notes that feel fresh, clear, and lightly sweet rather than heavy or dense. Hinoki cypress gives the composition a smooth woody center, creating a transition from the brighter citrus notes toward something calmer and more tactile. Honey pomelo adds a soft fruit sweetness that complements both the citrus and the wood, helping the different parts of the composition sit together.
The evolution
The listed notes suggest a progression from bright citrus into clean wood, soft fruit, and a warm dry base. Grapefruit and lemon bring a lively, fresh impression, while mandarin orange adds a rounder and more approachable citrus quality. Hinoki cypress gives the composition a smooth woody character, creating a sense of structure beneath the fruit and citrus. Honey pomelo introduces a gentle sweetness that connects the opening notes with the woodier middle. Vanilla adds warmth and softness, while vetiver contributes a dry, earthy quality that makes the overall composition feel more grounded. Together, the notes create a balanced arc: citrus freshness at the top, hinoki's clean wood in the center, honey pomelo's soft fruit sweetness, and a base of vanilla and vetiver. The fragrance wears as a light, layered combination of fresh, woody, sweet, and dry elements.
Cultural impact
Currently Reading belongs to a Forage catalog that includes literary and fictional references such as Library, Reading by the Fire, Mr. Darcy, and The Shire. Its 2017 release places it within that broader collection, alongside other names that evoke books, characters, and imagined settings. The fragrance itself is built around grapefruit, lemon, mandarin orange, hinoki cypress, honey pomelo, vanilla, and vetiver. That combination gives it a recognizable profile: fresh citrus at the top, clean wood through the middle, soft fruit sweetness, and a warm, dry finish.
