The Story
Why it exists.
The beginning
Top Notch arrived in 2016 as a perfume for men from V.S, a release whose name says exactly what it means: no metaphor, no mystery, just a promise that this one aims a little higher. The composition leans into the kind of aromatic-fresh territory that reads as sharp and put-together without demanding attention. It's a utility fragrance in the best sense: designed to be worn, not discussed. Last marketed by Deraah Trading Company, the scent has remained a quiet entry in a catalog where louder flankers tend to dominate. What the opening establishes is a clear intention: this isn't a fragrance trying to reinvent the wheel, it's one trying to execute the basics at a level that feels intentional.
What makes Top Notch worth noticing is the restraint in its structure. The opening layers four notes: bergamot, lemon, basil, and pine, which together build a clean, almost bracing top. The bergamot brings a bright, slightly bitter citrus that cuts through the air, while the lemon adds a sharper, more acidic edge that keeps the top from feeling soft. Basil introduces a green, slightly peppery quality that grounds the citrus in something more herbaceous, and pine contributes a resinous, outdoorsy character that sets the fragrance apart from the usual citrus-aromatic template.
The evolution
On skin, Top Notch moves through its phases faster than you'd expect. The opening is immediate: bergamot and lemon hit first, bright and slightly sharp, with basil and pine stacking in behind within the first minute. That citrus-herbal rush holds for about 20 to 30 minutes before the sage starts pulling it toward something greener, more savory. The violet shows up quietly in the heart phase, adding a soft, almost powdery sweetness that cuts the sharpness without flattening it. The interplay between sage and violet creates a middle phase that feels cooler and more vegetal than the opening, a transitional moment where the bright citrus has receded but the woody base hasn't yet fully arrived. By the two-hour mark, the sandalwood and amber have settled into the base, and the musk starts doing its close-to-skin work.
Cultural impact
Top Notch occupies a quiet corner of the men's fragrance world, the kind of release that lands without fanfare and earns its following through wear rather than hype. The aromatic-fresh structure places it within a familiar category, but the pine-violet pairing gives it just enough character to stand on its own. That combination of a resinous, outdoorsy top note and a soft, powdery heart creates a contrast that feels deliberate without being showy. Wearers tend to describe it as a reliable daily option: present enough to feel intentional, restrained enough to never overpower.
