Photo by Vital Adi via Unsplash

The Top Note | Vol. 14

Community · Luxury · Art · Perfume

A weekly fragrance journal from The Taliaferro, exploring scent, discipline, growth, and intention.

Opening Note

It’s a new year, and some may be tempted to say “new year, new me.”

But I say, don’t say anything.
Just be silent and work hard.

Give a few New Year’s shout-outs, but get to work.

Don’t tell the people you’re leveling up — just “level up,” whatever that means for you.

For some of you, you want a boo.
Others want to expand their career or business portfolio.
Some just want peace of mind.

Whatever it is… go for it.
But keep an umbrella just in case it rains.

Nevertheless, you have my blessing going into this year.

— from the desk of HT

Custom Fragrance Creation Sessions

Your Signature Scent. Expertly Crafted.

This exclusive one-on-one session is designed to help you discover your signature scent — one that’s crafted just for you.

A fragrance specialist will guide you through a personalized consultation using your results from our signature fragrance personality assessment and a curated series of discovery questions to create three custom scent blends tailored to you.

Your custom formula is securely archived, making it easy to reorder your signature scent anytime.

Interested in offering your fragrance to your own clients?
We also provide wholesale pricing and order fulfillment services for entrepreneurs and retailers.

Client Spotlight

“Amazing — I just got the bottle tonight, and it is the best fragrance I have smelled in a long time. It is an everyday scent: classy, strong, but not overpowering. The dry down is everything. I must order another bottle. It is stunning. They did an excellent job with this fragrance.”

— Lashonna C.

Explore Reparations →

The Blend — Fragrance Awards & Paying Attention

We keep our eyes open. We’re not hating — we’re paying attention. Smile.

According to Fragrantica, one of the most popular fragrance resources in the world, the 2024 award winners include:

• Best Women’s Fragrance: Goddess by Burberry
• Best Men’s Fragrance: Althaïr by Parfums de Marly
• Best Unisex Fragrance: Khamrah Qahwa by Lattafa Perfumes
• Best Niche Fragrance: Oud Maracujá by Maison Crivelli

While our category technically falls under “niche fragrance,” we are aware of the others.
We will always be niche. Smile.

View the full awards list →

Happy New Year! Many blessings to you.
We are wishing you abundance, fruitfulness, and favor for this year and every year going forward.

Let’s make this another great year and work together to make amazing things happen — especially you influencers and creatives.

We’re looking to make 2026 our biggest year yet.

“There’s no traffic in my lane… God did not make us the same…”
— Sstedi, “Drink My Water, Mind My Business”

Want to explore past issues of The Top Note?
View the Top Note Archives →