Recently, I discovered a niche house that, despite having only five perfumes in its olfactive portfolio, pleasantly surprised me. Upon testing four of them, every single one was to my taste, and two have even made it into my top favorite perfumes.
I am talking about the niche brand Calam—a niche house from Spain that is relatively new but certainly holds great promise. Calam is a Spanish niche house born from a collaboration with Italian designers; their creations are inspired by the Renaissance spirit and crafted as a bond between Madrid and Venice.
Their scents stand out through authenticity, an evocative spirit, and emotions—perfumes with a soul, or perfumes that make our souls vibrate through memories and unique formulas infused with pheromones. I have tested four fragrances from their portfolio, and I will take them one by one, starting with those that have already won my heart.
First, I was conquered by Oud Grey. I know it is a masculine perfume, but don't be fooled by that "Homme" on the box because we know well that we can wear absolutely anything if we like it and if it evokes emotions, feelings, and a sense of well-being!
And as for me, Oud Grey transported me back in time—to the autumn of 2015, a warm autumn with golden leaves just drifting down from trees that were saying "goodbye" to the most beautiful summer. The scent of wood, of dry leaves, the still sweet and warm scent of a summer almost gone, yet one where life, sun, and love were still gently smoldering.
Oud Grey is a unisex perfume, woody and sober, yet at the same time warm and gentle, with a velvety, sweet delicacy. It opens with spicy notes of cardamom and pepper—notes that give personality but also an intriguing, sophisticated, and slightly sober character to the fragrance. However, in the heart notes, we find the most velvety oud—woody, aromatic, and sensual, alongside creamy and sweet sandalwood.
The base notes reveal warm, balsamic, oriental notes of resins, amber, and sweet, enveloping vanilla. The perfume is perfect for the upcoming season, and can be worn by both of you; but let me tell you, it is so sensual on a lady, yet at the same time, it can be absolutely devastating on a gentleman!
The second perfume that conquered me and that I completely adore is Bianco Intenso.
With Bianco Intenso, it was love at first spray because it transported me back to my childhood, to the scent of lilies, to the very first perfume I fell in love with when I was six years old. Bianco Intenso is a feminine, sophisticated, and beautifully balanced fragrance—a floral harmony with fruity touches, perfectly dosed in balance with powdery notes of musk, vanilla, and sandalwood.
The perfume opens in a powdery, velvety way, with fruity nuances of plum and peach, followed by the floral notes. It is a white-floral where I perceive a lot of lily, but also a delicate, airy jasmine and a sweet, charming rose. The base is creamy, sweet, and powdery like fine silk, featuring notes of vanilla, almond, sandalwood, and musk. Bianco Intenso is a perfume like a caress! Feminine, delicate, with a subtle, diaphanous sensuality, yet it is also a fragrance with personality and depth!
Discreto Femme was the third perfume I tested from Calam.
A discreet fragrance that whispers to you, a clean, gentle, feminine scent that caresses and embraces you, making you feel beautiful and feminine with a natural ease—just the way it should be!
Discreto Femme by Calam is like a tender whisper, an airy floral that speaks of flowers, dew, and delicacy. While Bianco Intenso stands out with its powdery, floral-fruity, and feminine notes, Discreto distinguishes itself through discretion and naturalness.
Discreet, airy, and bright, Discreto Femme is a floral-fruity perfume that evokes light, silk, and serenity in a sophisticated and elegant manner. It opens with notes of pear, mandarin, and blackcurrant, leading into heart notes of tuberose, rose, and peach, while the base notes become powdery and creamy from heliotrope, musk, and benzoin.
The fragrance is bright, ethereal, almost translucent, with a moderate longevity because it has the concentration of an Eau Fraiche! Additionally, the Calam brand infuses pheromones into their perfumes to enhance the fragrance with a subtle touch.
Nero Intenso is the last perfume I tested from the Calam brand.
It is definitely a 100% masculine fragrance, and it has already found its place on Tiberiu's perfume shelf.
Nero Intenso is an extremely interesting and captivating scent, but it is masculine, and I don't think it could be categorized as a unisex fragrance. Nero Intenso is elegant, mysterious, and full of sensuality and refinement. It opens with notes of coriander and black pepper—notes that bring character and personality to the fragrance. In the heart notes, we find creamy and powdery notes of iris and cacao, while in the base, the perfume becomes woody, velvety, and seductive through notes of sandalwood and patchouli.
Calam perfumes are available as intense perfumes or extracts (Nero Intenso, Bianco Intenso, Oud Grey) and as eau de toilette or Eau Fraiche (Discreto Femme and Discreto Homme).
All of their fragrances contain pheromones, which subtly enhance the scent and add an extra touch of personality.
You can find them on their website, www.calamperfume.com, and you can try them first by purchasing their travel sizes, which are like gorgeous little 15 ml bottle jewels.
