Sample Before You Splurge | Lorenzo Pazzaglia, Vol. 08

Some fragrances draw you in because of their scent.

Some, because of their bottles.

Others, because of how they make you feel.

Lorenzo Pazzaglia had me at all three.

If you know me, you know owls are a thing in our family—a sort of spirit animal, if you will. 

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During Covid, when we were all isolated and digging deep for ways to stay connected (and sane) with our kids, my mom and my son—then just 7 years old—started an “Owl Diary.” A homemade encyclopedia of all things owls.

My mom kicked it off with a three-ring binder filled with printed photos and facts—Snowy Owls, Barred Owls, Great Horned Owls—you name it. She mailed it off, and my son could not wait to receive this book dedicated to their shared favorite bird.

He studied every page, every photo, every fact… then dove into his own books and online searches to add his own contributions. Soon, his additions were mailed back to Nana.

This went on for months.

A quiet, beautiful exchange of learning, connection, and something to look forward to during a time when we all needed exactly that.

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So, you can imagine my glee when I saw a Lorenzo Pazzaglia bottle for the first time.

There it was—black glass, bold and sleek—with that unmistakable owl face logo. Those prominent eyes. A vibrant, metallic label popping against the darkness.

The owl—symbol of wisdom, and a nod to Pazzaglia’s love for animals.

And for me? A direct line back to something deeply personal.

I had to try what was inside.

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Van Py Rhum

Boozy, Creamy, Gourmand, Earthy

I got drunk instantly off this fragrance.

Drunk in love.

If you’re not into boozy fragrances, don’t bother. This is not your little sister’s vanilla cookie situation. This is raw vanilla pods with a woodsy, almost vampiric edge. The name does not lie.

An extrait concentration of dark vanilla, oak-aged rum, caramel, and patchouli—it’s decadent, slightly sinister, and insanely good.

On a cool evening? This is closeness. This is warmth and low lighting.

If you love long-lasting, complex, boozy vanillas with a bit of bite—this is it.

Full Bottle? Absolutely.

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Van Exstasyx

Warm Vanilla Gourmand

Sinfully sweet and sensual—vanilla, caramel, white florals… and somehow, I’m getting chocolate cake.

Warm. Slightly melty. Almost like a slice sitting just long enough to soften.

(No chocolate note listed… which makes it even more fun.)

With seven types of vanilla and an oud that’s done just right, this leans rich, powdery, and deeply comforting.

A true gourmand lover’s dream.

Wish List? Absolutely.

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Dark Florum

Aromatic, Floral, Citrus

Described as “flowers tinged with night,” and honestly—that’s exactly it.

This is a journey. Dense, slightly dark, a little spicy, a little sweet. Iris gives it that soft powdery feel, while dates and rum add a quiet warmth. Ylang-ylang floats through… and I swear I’m catching whispers of rose.

It’s layered in a way that keeps shifting.

Then the base comes in—sandalwood, patchouli, amber, benzoin—grounding it into something vanilla-like, only deeper, more mysterious.

This one needs time. And I want to give it that.

Wish List? Very much so. But, I might have to buy it just for the bottle.

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Dream Sea

Marine, Aquatic

This one announces itself.

A rush of salty — crystalline sea air hits first—sharp, cold, immersive. Then slowly, it softens… creamy vanilla, ylang-ylang, a hint of rose weaving through.

It becomes something entirely different than where it started.

The dry down leans into a sharper vanilla—less sweet, more pointed, a sharpness to it— which isn’t my personal favorite… but I respect the journey it takes to get there.

It’s evocative. It’s transportive. It absolutely delivers on that “seaside at dusk” feeling.

Full Bottle? No—but full respect for the artistry.

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Sugar Kisses

Amber Vanilla Gourmand

Chocolate, caramel, vanilla—this is full-on gourmand territory.

Creamy, sweet, almost lactonic… like frosting straight from the can.

For some, this is heaven.

For me? A little too sugary, a little too literal.

But I can appreciate it for what it is—a playful, unapologetically sweet fragrance that fully commits.

I just lean more “grown woman gourmand” these days.

Full Bottle? No. But again, that bottle.

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Exploring these fragrances was more than just an olfactory experience.

It brought me back.

Back to the owl book.

Back to my mom’s handwriting.

Back to my son’s little-boy sketches and curiosity.

Back to something simple, meaningful, and deeply human.

Paired with the beauty and intention behind Lorenzo Pazzaglia’s creations, this experience left me wanting more—from the fragrances, and from the memories they stirred.

And maybe one day, I’ll own a full bottle—not just for what’s inside…

but for the owl on the outside, and everything it represents.