The Story
Why it exists.
The beginning
Mehr was released in 2022 by Neesh Perfumes, composed by Kevin Mathys. Its direction is immediately legible: a fruity, floral and musky woody fragrance built around passionfruit and red berries, with jasmine and lily of the valley adding a polished floral heart. The name suggests abundance, but the composition keeps that generous quality in check. Bergamot brings a bright opening, saffron adds warmth, and orchid gives the florals a polished, almost weightless quality. Beneath it all, ambergris, amberwood, musk and sandalwood create a soft landing. As the fragrance settles, the brighter fruit opening gives way to a gentler floral warmth, while the woody base keeps the composition grounded and composed. Nothing here is shouted from the rooftops.
The interesting part is the balance between freshness and structure. Passionfruit makes the opening feel vivid and almost sunlit, while saffron brings a warm, lightly spiced edge. Jasmine, orchid and lily of the valley keep the composition in floral motion instead of letting the fruit take over. Their soft petals temper the fruit's sweetness, lending the opening a cleaner and more polished character as the fragrance develops. Red berries add a rounded, juicy accent, while bergamot keeps the first impression bright and clear.
The evolution
At first, Mehr is all movement and brightness. Bergamot opens like citrus caught in sunlight, while passionfruit brings a juicy, tropical pulse. Jasmine and orchid keep the impression luminous, and saffron introduces a thread of warm spice before the scent settles into its floral middle. Red berries make the heart more tactile, sweet and slightly tart, while lily of the valley adds a clean, powdery floral haze. Ambergris and amberwood bring depth without making the composition heavy. In the drydown, the fruit recedes and musk and sandalwood take charge, leaving a soft woody trail that stays close and comfortable. The final impression is less about a dramatic reveal than a good aftertaste, warm, clean and quietly present.
Cultural impact
Mehr brings together fruit, florals and woods in a fragrance that feels fresh, polished and easy to wear. Passionfruit and red berries provide a vivid opening, while jasmine, orchid and lily of the valley give the composition a graceful floral center. Saffron introduces warmth, and ambergris, amberwood, musk and sandalwood create a smooth, lasting base. The result balances brightness with structure, making Mehr a considered choice for those who enjoy a fragrance that unfolds steadily on the skin without overwhelming the room.
The House
Neesh PerfumesNeesh Perfumes is an Indian fragrance house that draws on a lineage stretching back to 1904, when a jeweller to the Punjab royal court began working with rare aromatic materials. After a long dormant period, the brand was re-established in 2019 and has since assembled a catalog spanning gourmands, oud-driven compositions, tobacco-led florals, and clean musks. Working with perfumers including Christian Provenzano, Christophe Raynaud, Kevin Mathys, Olaf Larsen, and Nanako, Neesh builds its scents for the Indian climate and the Indian nose, with recent releases like Mehr, Shafran, Haute Tobacco, Luxe Aoud, and Tsunara reflecting a palette shaped by subcontinental tradition and global technique.
The Creator
Kevin MathysKevin favors a modular approach, building a scent layer by layer and testing each stage against the brief. He reaches for Mediterranean citrus, Tunisian amber, and Indian sandalwood to anchor his compositions, then adds unexpected accents such as smoked tea, dried fig, or oud…
