ANNOUNCING THE FINALISTS for 2026

Maya Njie, U.K.

Maya Njie (perfumer)

A scent of the familiar, yet just out of reach - moving through generations as cool rain and earth warms into incense and spice on skin.

Aysha Hansen Fine Fragrances, Australia

Aysha Hansen (perfumer)

A secret walled garden of sun-ripened stone fruits, where sweet nectar mingles with wild jasmine and ivy climbs crumbling stone walls.

Clue Perfumery, USA

Laura Oberwetter (perfumer), Caleb Vanden Boom

A centuries-old folk game: a pollen-dusted dandelion, a sap- dripping stem, and an outstretched chin.

Rivendare, Australia

David Clarke (perfumer)

A fragrance inspired by the poisonous makeup powders used by noble women in the 16th century.

House of Mammoth, USA

Benjamin Esposito (perfumer)

Mischievous magic that captures the nostalgia of a messy outdoor snack. A gourmand for adults who still remember how to play

Ermetiche Fragranze, Italy

Raffaella Meccheri (perfumer)

A tale of two roses: the first (centifolia) brighter, dewy and, fruity, the second (damask rose) darker and woody. 

Maison de Nguyễn, Vietnam

Nguyen Do (perfumer), with Chu Tran 

Hoàng Trà distills the stillness of tea ritual, where ancient leaves meet the ethereal whisper of osmanthus in the imperial city of Huế.

KST Scent, USA

James Miju Nguyen (perfumer) with Kael Jeong, Minhy Pham

Inspired by Korean hotteok, this scent captures the warmth of winter streets with caramelized brown sugar, cinnamon, nuts, and golden dough.

House of Mammoth, USA

Benjamin Esposito (perfumer)

From primordium to true leaf and beyond, Snippid is an exploration of randomness through the story of an imagined leaf, told in fragrance.

LVNEA Perfume, Canada

April Lea (perfumer)

A candlelit portrait of delight and shadow: yesterday’s fruit, warm bread, and cascades of wax laced with the perfume of imminent decay.

d’Annam, Vietnam

Anh Ngo (perfumer) / Nick Hoang (CD)

The meditative stillness of a scholar's studio, where ink, paper, and the quiet discipline of brushstrokes shaped a civilization.

Statik Olfactive, USA

Hez Binkowitz (perfumer) / Chris Martin (CD), with Brittany Lonergan (VP)

The luxurious familiarity of café culture and after-hours indulgence: After dinner mints, a cup of coffee, a splash of Irish creme liquor.

Ataraxia, Romania

Sy Truong (perfumer) / Tudor Ristea (CD), Puiu Mihai (cofounder)

A dying god doesn’t smell rotten, but like every offering it has ever consumed: Honey, milk, jam, tobacco and golden resins.

DAN LO, Taiwan

Kaiwei Hsieh (perfumer) / Terrence Chen (CD)

Hakka Lei Cha: Tea leaves, sesame seeds, and peanuts carefully ground in a wooden mortar, then brewed with hot water, releasing a rich, gentle, nutty aroma.

TERRA•T, Taiwan

Kaiwei Hsieh (perfumer) / Terrence Chen (CD)

A mother's love solidifies into mountains. Whenever you return to these solemn peaks, you'll hear that familiar whisper awakening in the valley - "take good care of yourself." 

d’Annam, Vietnam

Anh Ngo (perfumer) / Nick Hoang (CD)

An homage to the centuries-old craft of making whiskey in Japan. Aged mizunara oak, warmed malt, and a whisper of smoke that lingers like the last sip of a fine single malt.

NBITOR, Spain

Miguel Matos (perfumer) / Thomas Dennis & Raul Falcon (CDs)

An ode to the Spanish arroz con leche, a preparation that has moved through centuries of kitchens, convents, and households, to become an expression of comfort.

Première Peau, France

Ugo Charron (perfumer) / Pierre Mergui (CD)
With Susan KLOP, Micol Guieu, Anastasia Vorontsova 

Pushing indole to its limit, jasmine becomes something rubbery, elastic, industrial. This isn’t a progression: It is a loop. 

NBITOR, Spain

Miguel Matos (perfumer) / Thomas Dennis & Raul Falcon (CDs)

Spain’s “torrija” is a 15th-century creation born of hunger and ingenuity. Stale bread was never wasted: it met wine, honey, and fire to become sustenance, and ritual. 

Ilé Olomu, USA 

Andreas Wilhelm (perfumer) / Bawo Ijirigho (CD)

Inspired by plantain, this green composition captures a photorealistic freshness, blending crisp vegetal notes with a musky, starchy softness that feels entirely new.

by Máret Ánne Sara (artist) / Nadjib Achaibou (perfumer)

Norway 

Regina Mamou (artist and perfumer)

USA 

Cyrus Clarke  (artist and perfumer)
With Melo Chen, Nomy Yu, Yuen Zou
USA

Delcy Morelos (artist) / Nadjib Achaibou (perfumer)
Colombia

Sigrid Moses-Jacobsen (artist and perfumer)
With Thoranna Bjornsdottir, Christa Obuchowski, Sarah John
Denmark | USA

Perfumers’ Journey, Thailand

Sakul Pawasuttikul (perfumer) 

Aether Arts Perfume, USA

Amber Jobin (perfumer) 

Kase, China
George (perfumer) 

RAW CONTRAST, Korea
Hwal Kim (perfumer) 

 OCO PARFUM, China  

Moon Li (perfumer) 

86 West, USA

Chelsey Owen (perfumer) / Chris Chambers & Michael Garrett (CDs)

 YùYù Limited Company, Taiwan  

Yeh Hsiao Ling (perfumer) / Liu Ting Fang (CD) 

D:SOL MMXVI, Germany

Delphine Thierry (perfumer) / Dennis Werner (CD) 

EPICHRON, China

Michael Nordstrand (perfumer) / Michael Wong (CD)