Nissaba Les Alpes courtesy of the brand
There’s something notably uncomplicated about Nissaba’s approach to the creation of their latest fragrance that feels refreshingly unique. In an industry that often feels clouded with smoke and mirrors, the brand works simply with materials of a single origin. So, in essence they decide on a location (in this case, The Swiss Alps) and then make a diligent list of the materials that can be grown, or are already, harvested in that location. And whilst the snow-capped peaks of mountains don’t particularly connote verdant conditions for growing aroma rich materials, they’ve still found a way.
Fabrice Pellegrin-Principal Perfumer at Firmenich courtesy of the brand
Their chosen destination makes sense upon discovering that the three hero ingredients of Nissaba Les Alpes are hay absolute, juniper berries and two different absolutes of pine needles Perfumer Fabrice Pellegrin was given free range to construct a perfume that reflected the scope and geography of the otherworldly environment amongst the mountains.
Hero Ingredients (L-R): pine needles, juniper berries and hay
Immediately Nissaba Les Alpes exudes a fresh and very refined, classic-smelling, woody sillage. Served at extrait strength, it’s bold and with body, but it’s not intimidatingly so. It doesn’t scream for attention. It feels low key, sitting confident and smooth whilst lasting all day on skin. The herbal opening (a combination of red thyme, rosemary and fennel) pairs wonderfully with the golden tobacco nuance of the hay absolute, the spike of cardamom and the tenacity and sheer heft of the fir balsam in the base.
Lodge image via Unsplash. Bottle image courtesy of the brand.
Whilst the impression of the fragrance is rather warm and dry, there’s also a pervasive crisp, cool, mountain air kind of freshness that contrasts the balsam rich base layer. Perhaps, when you think of alpine scents you might think of forests dappled with snow and a floor of damp grass and moss that’s littered with dry pine needles. You imagine the contrast of cold, cold air with the interior of log cabins heated with wood burning stoves. All of these ideas are represented in Les Alpes and much like the brand’s Somalian incense fueled 2024 release Berbera, the perfume feels meticulously crafted, progressing through its evolutions so seamlessly, you won’t outwardly notice them shift.
Notes: fennel, rosemary, red thyme, pine needles, juniper berries, geranium, cardamom, cistus, fir balsam, hay, sandalwood, cedarwood, vetiver
Disclaimer: samples of Les Alpes were provided by Jovoy Mayfair.
–Oli Marlow, Senior Contributor
All images used courtesy of the brand unless otherwise noted.
Thanks to the generosity of Nissaba we have a 10ml bottle of Les Alpes available worldwide. You must register or your entry will not count. To be eligible, please leave a comment saying what sparks your interest based on Oli’s review and where you live. Draw closes 10/3/2025
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