Initio: where to start? 7 perfumes to discover the house

Initio is a niche house known for intense, sensual perfumes, often built around a few strong notes. In our catalogue the house has around a dozen perfumes with offers. They all have character, but not the same kind.

Many Initio perfumes share a few threads: vanilla comes back again and again, and so do musk and hedione, a bright, airy jasmine molecule. That gives the house a recognisable warmth, whether the perfume leans floral, woody or sweet. The best way in is to start from the family you already enjoy, then move outwards.

We picked seven perfumes for seven moods. The notes we mention are the ones on our product pages, nothing more.

Rum and tobacco: Side Effect

Side Effect (2016) brings together rum, tobacco, vanilla and cinnamon. Warm, woody and gourmand, it is an evening perfume for autumn and winter. See Side Effect.

Vanilla rose: Atomic Rose

Atomic Rose (2019): our page lists bergamot, rose and vanilla. Bergamot brightens it, vanilla rounds it off. A warm, sensual rose, softer than the house's other perfumes. See Atomic Rose.

The oud: Oud for Greatness

Oud for Greatness (2018) opens with saffron, nutmeg and lavender. The heart is all about oud, then the base settles on patchouli and musk. It is the house's woody, powerful perfume, for oud lovers. See Oud for Greatness.

Animal musk: Absolute Aphrodisiac

Absolute Aphrodisiac (2016) combines white flowers, amber, vanilla, musk and castoreum. Castoreum gives it an animal, leathery side. A warm, sensual skin scent. See Absolute Aphrodisiac.

The floral one: High Frequency

High Frequency pairs magnolia, jasmine, vanilla, almond, sandalwood, heliotrope and hedione. Floral, creamy and bright, it is the softest Initio here, easy to wear during the day. See High Frequency.

The gourmand: Sugar Blast

Sugar Blast brings together lavender, coconut, vanilla, praline, rum, cashmeran and ambroxan. As the name says, it is the sweetest pick here. If you love gourmand perfumes, start with this one. See Sugar Blast.

Cherry and cognac: Narcotic Delight

Narcotic Delight combines cherry, cognac, vanilla, black pepper, pink pepper, tobacco and hedione. Fruity, boozy and spicy, it is one for cold evenings. See Narcotic Delight.

Which one to choose?

In short:

• You want warmth for winter: Side Effect or Narcotic Delight.
• You love rose: Atomic Rose.
• You love oud: Oud for Greatness.
• You want a sensual skin scent: Absolute Aphrodisiac.
• You prefer florals: High Frequency.
• You adore sweet scents: Sugar Blast.

Initio perfumes are often powerful: one or two sprays are enough. Test on your skin before you buy, then compare the shops on the product page and set a price alert to hear when it drops.