Photo by Jabari Timothy on Unsplash

The Top Note | Vol. 1

Community · Luxury · Art · Perfume

Welcome to The Top Note — your weekly fragrance newsletter from The Taliaferro. Every Thursday evening, we’ll share stories, insights, and community highlights that connect scent with identity, artistry, and culture. Think of this as a “bite-size” fragrance magazine delivered straight to you — a rhythm of community, luxury, art, and perfume.

Opening Note

They say the eyes are the windows to the soul, but I say scent is a way to the soul. The right scent can make things feel “just right.”

Featured Fragrance of the Week

Tonight — The third release from our The Scented Social collection. Named by New Jersey-based poet Loschil’s, who said: “This scent spoke to me in a way that I couldn’t put into words. My only question was, can I wear it tonight?” This is a fragrance you won’t delay in wearing.

Shop Tonight

Client Spotlight

“I normally don't blind buy, but I blind bought a full bottle of Tonight... and I have no regrets. I really dig the vanilla and coconut in the opening with the subtle oud in the background. Then in the dry-down, I got musk and woody notes to balance everything out. This is a true Fall/Winter gourmand, a great date night fragrance.”

— Michael W

The Blend: Perfume vs. Cologne

Many people assume “perfume” means feminine and “cologne” means masculine. In truth, these terms have nothing to do with gender. They describe the concentration of fragrance oils. For example, a scent with around 17% concentration is typically considered a cologne, while one with about 52% concentration is classified as an eau de parfum. Fragrance is art — measured not by gender, but by strength, balance, and expression.

Community Connection

The Scented Social: Vanilla Edition — our signature fragrance-centered gathering returns to connect community through the power of scent, artistry, and storytelling. Join us on Saturday, November 15, 2025 at 7:00 PM EST at Hackensack Brewing, one of New Jersey’s leading Black-owned breweries. This year’s edition celebrates one of the most beloved fragrance notes: warm, gourmand, exotic, and luxurious. Guests will enjoy a mystery scent reveal, live poetry, musical performances, and an atmosphere filled with creativity, connection, and good vibes.

RSVP Now

Closing Note

Maya Angelou once said: “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

Be intentional about being a source of life and empowerment to others. Your presence makes a difference.

— The Taliaferro Family