An exercise in vibrant, aromatic storytelling.

A caveat before I begin. I am an unabashed Quentin Bisch fan, and I work diligently to get my hands on everyone of his crrations. I say this because that likely makes me biased, as I was certain I would like this fragrance before I even got my nose on it.

Sous Les Pins is an exercise in vibrant, aromatic storytelling. It completely sidesteps traditional floral or citrus structures, grounding itself entirely in the raw vitality of the Mediterranean coast. Bisch modeled this composition specifically after the Isle of Porquerolles off the southern coast of France, aiming to capture the exact olfactory imprint of its wild umbrella pine forests rather than the beaches below.

The initial burst is fiercely green—a botanical snap of eucalyptus and pine that feels profoundly clean. Yet, what makes this such a brilliant wear is how easily this coastal French profile translates to the Pacific Northwest. The damp, cool air outside acts as a perfect catalyst, amplifying the fragrance's woods and making the sharp pine needles feel native to our own rain-soaked coniferous trails. As it dries down, the benzoin resinoid offers a gentle, balsamic warmth that acts as a delicate anchor to the volatile, airy top notes. The result is a highly reactive, living scent. It projects a beautifully sheer, woody trail that lingers quietly on the skin without ever becoming dense or cloying.