The Story
Why it exists.
The beginning
Navitus Parfums launched in 2019 with a mission to bottle moments and memories in scent. When the house set out to capture the essence of Mediterranean indulgence, master perfumer Bertrand Duchaufour took on the challenge of translating baklava into fragrance. His solution was an Extrait concentration, allowing maximum impact from every note. Working with ingredients like orange blossom, pistachio, and honey, Duchaufour approached baklava not as a literal recreation but as an emotional translation. The result captures the warmth and abundance of Mediterranean markets and kitchens, distilling centuries of pastry tradition into liquid form.
The choice of ingredients reflects careful consideration of how each note contributes to the baklava concept. Orange blossom provides the floral authenticity found in Middle Eastern baklava traditions. Pistachio and almond represent the classic nut filling, while honey bridges these with its golden sweetness. The base notes of vanilla, amberwood, and tonka bean complete the picture, capturing the warmth of ovens, the stickiness of syrup, and the comfort of a finished pastry cooling on a counter. These ingredients do not merely coexist; they interact to create something that smells like a memory rather than a literal reconstruction.
The evolution
The fragrance journey begins with bergamot and orange blossom, a sparkling floral opening that feels sunlit and Mediterranean. Within minutes, the pistachio emerges, joined by almond, creating a nutty heart that forms the soul of the scent. Honey appears next, binding the nuttiness with golden sweetness that evokes the sticky syrup of the namesake pastry. As hours pass, the drydown takes over with vanilla and tonka bean, their creamy sweetness wrapping around the senses. Amberwood arrives last, adding a subtle woody depth that grounds the sweetness and extends the fragrance's longevity on skin.
Cultural impact
Wearers describe it as the scent of someone who walks into a room and doesn't need to announce themselves. Its dessert‑inspired profile has sparked conversations on social platforms, often compared to other gourmand classics while standing out for its citrus‑nut balance. Its popularity has also inspired fan‑made playlists and themed desserts, further cementing its cultural footprint.
