KAAZE might be better known for filling festival stages than fragrance shelves, but Pistache doesn’t feel like the typical celebrity scent with a famous name attached. Created with luxury perfume house Fragrance Du Bois, the Swedish DJ and producer’s first fragrance feels surprisingly considered.
That probably has something to do with KAAZE’s genuine interest in fragrance. He has reportedly been collecting scents for more than 20 years, building a personal collection of over 200 bottles and using fragrance as part of his creative process when producing music. Pistache has also been more than two years in development, with perfumer Dalia Izem at Givaudan involved in bringing the final composition together.
The result is a unisex gourmand fragrance that is sweet and immediately likeable, but thankfully doesn’t stray too far into dessert territory.
First Impressions
As the name suggests, pistachio is one of the most noticeable elements. There’s a creamy, slightly nutty sweetness from the opening, joined by caramel and coconut, which gives Pistache an indulgent quality without becoming excessively sugary.
There is plenty going on beneath that initial sweetness, though. Hibiscus and jasmine introduce a lighter floral element, while Brazilian coffee adds some depth and stops the fragrance from feeling too one-dimensional.
As it settles on the skin, vanilla and soft musk become more prominent. This is probably where we enjoyed Pistache most. The fragrance becomes smoother, warmer and more understated as it develops, while still retaining the pistachio character that makes it distinctive.
Despite some of the richer notes, it doesn’t feel especially heavy. That makes it easier to wear than the note list might initially suggest.
Is Pistache Actually Unisex?
Definitely.
While pistachio, caramel, vanilla and coconut could easily push a fragrance towards something overly sweet, the coffee, florals and musk help balance things out. We wouldn’t categorise Pistache as particularly masculine or feminine, and it should work well for anyone who already enjoys modern gourmand fragrances.
It’s also versatile enough to move between seasons. We’d probably reach for it more during evenings, dinners and nights out than as an everyday office fragrance, although a lighter application could easily work during the day.
The Verdict
What makes Pistache interesting isn’t necessarily that KAAZE is a DJ launching a fragrance. We’ve seen enough celebrity fragrances over the years for that alone not to mean very much.
Instead, it’s the fact that there appears to be some genuine thought behind it.
His longstanding interest in fragrance, combined with Fragrance Du Bois’ experience and the involvement of Givaudan perfumer Dalia Izem, has resulted in something that feels more credible than a straightforward licensing exercise.
At £195, Pistache is firmly positioned within luxury fragrance territory, so expectations should naturally be higher. Whether it’s worth that price will depend on how much you enjoy sweeter gourmand scents, but the quality and development of the fragrance go some way towards justifying its positioning.
We particularly like the balance between pistachio, coffee, vanilla and musk. It’s distinctive without trying too hard to be unusual and sweet without becoming overwhelming.
For a debut fragrance, Pistache is a confident start – and one that suggests KAAZE’s move into fragrance could have more longevity than the usual celebrity collaboration.
Pistache by KAAZE x Fragrance Du Bois is priced at £195 / €220 / $295 and is available exclusively from Fragrance Du Bois.