100ml
100ml
7.5ml
7.5ml
ARQUISTE PARFUMEUR
NANBAN
Eau De Parfum
Unisex
Sizes
Starting
$225
Description
Nanban by Arquiste Parfumeur is an intoxicating incense and leather fragrance that transports you to the dark hull of a 17th-century Japanese galleon, laden with exotic cargo from a diplomatic mission. It opens with a spicy, sensual blend, hinting at the rich trade routes between Asia, Europe, and the Americas. As it develops, the scent reveals a lush, robust incense base, interwoven with warm woods and a subtle animalic depth. This is a complex and evolving scent, offering a journey through layers of resins, spices, and leathery accords that linger beautifully on the skin. Perfumers: Rodrigo Flores-Roux and Yann Vasnier
Scent Profile
Oriental
Spicy
Woody
Incense
Leather
Resinous
Balsamic
Warm
Notes
Top Notes
Malabar Black Pepper
Persian Saffron
Black Tea Accord
Chinese Osmanthus
Middle Notes
Coffee Absolute
Spanish Leather
Sandalwood
MyrrhBase Notes
Frankincense
Styrax
Copaiba Balsam
Cade
Juniper BerriesAbout ARQUISTE PARFUMEUR
A luxury niche brand founded in 2011 and distributed amongst more than 100 exclusive points of sales around the world. ARQUISTE® is a celebrated and cult fragrance brand. Curated by an architect specializing in Historic Preservation, each fragrance and scented candle restores the olfactive experience of a particular time and place, allowing you to unlock personal revelations and experience history in a most intimate way.
Perfumers
Carlos Huber
Carlos Huber is a Mexican-born architect and fragrance designer, best known as the founder of Arquiste Parfumeur. Trained in architecture and historic preservation in Mexico, Paris, and New York (Columbia University), he brings a historian’s eye to perfumery, crafting scents as “liquid time machines” that evoke specific moments in history. Mentored by perfumer Rodrigo Flores-Roux, he has collaborated with luxury houses like St. Regis Hotels, J.Crew, and Trudon. Celebrated by Forbes as the “Renaissance Man of Good Smells,” Huber is recognized for fusing rigorous research with olfactory artistry.
Yann Vasnier
Yann Vasnier is a French master perfumer renowned for his artistic range and innovative style. Trained at ISIPCA in Versailles, he has created fragrances for luxury houses such as Tom Ford, Marc Jacobs, Comme des Garçons, Arquiste, and Jo Malone London, as well as niche brands like Parfums MDCI and Keiko Mecheri. Vasnier is celebrated for his ability to craft scents that balance elegance, modernity, and daring creativity, making him one of the most respected perfumers of his generation.
Rodrigo Flores-Roux
Rodrigo Flores-Roux is a Mexican-born master perfumer, celebrated for his artistry in blending classical techniques with modern creativity. Trained in biology in Mexico and perfumery at ISIPCA in Versailles, he has created acclaimed fragrances for houses such as Tom Ford, Clinique, Dolce & Gabbana, John Varvatos, and Arquiste. Known for his deep knowledge of raw materials and storytelling through scent, Flores-Roux is regarded as one of the leading perfumers of his generation, shaping both niche and mainstream perfumery with elegance and innovation.
Reviews
4.3
Very Good6 reviews
Ministry of Scent
4.3/5 • 6 reviews
Community Insights
Reviewers consistently praise Nanban for its complexity and the way it beautifully unfolds on the skin, often described as a long-lasting and evocative fragrance. While many appreciate its unique character and depth, some find the initial opening to be quite strong or polarizing.
Pros
Performance excellence: Many reviewers note its long-lasting nature and tenacious presence on the skin, making it a great choice for extended wear.
Quality composition: The fragrance is celebrated for its complex layers of resins, spices, and woods, with a harmonious blend that evolves over time.
Evocative narrative: The scent is often described as alluring and magnetic, with a mysterious narrative that draws attention and sparks curiosity.
Cons
Specific limitation: Some find the fragrance to be quite complex, which might not appeal to those who prefer simpler scent profiles.
Situational drawback: A few reviewers mention a polarizing or animalic 'dirty' quality in the opening, or an overwhelming resinous start that can initially overshadow other notes.
Comparisons
Similar to Tom Ford's London: A couple of reviewers have noted a resemblance to Tom Ford's London, suggesting a similar stylistic approach or shared elements.
Vibe & Emotions
Bold and sexy: The fragrance evokes a sense of being bold and sexy, often compared to the powerful presence of a panther.
Mysterious and evocative: It creates a mysterious and evocative atmosphere, drawing on its historical inspiration of ancient trade and discovery.
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