It just seems very foreign to me-- not in an Eastern way, but possibly like it was made from alien essences by hands that do not even slightly resemble my own. I recognize components of Shiso when I put forth the effort, but when it's all put together, I feel like I've got possession of something illicit, misunderstood, something walking the line between fragility and impassable strength. The emotions that take hold of me when I wear it are also practically unknown to me-- this is territory I've not been in before. Somehow, I've been lucky enough to take a fascinating trip with one of my favorite perfumers without having to leave home… Shiso gives quite possibly one of the most beautiful drydowns I have ever experienced, and it lasts for several hours. I will say that I enjoy a good synthetic woody accord very much and realize the need for it now more than ever (especially with sandalwood being so scarce), but when you get to smell natural sandalwood, you remember just what you've been missing. I am confident in saying, unequivocally, that there is no other perfume on earth like Aftelier’s Shiso. This is a new kind of perfume. It is multi-layered, and multi-faceted, has varying moods, and in many ways (even though I've spent many hours with it) is still somewhat unfamiliar to me. It is emotionally challenging and at the same time balancing and recalibrating, it has the heart of a lion but the physical presence of a sprite. Shiso is everything I love, yet nothing I've ever known before…
-- Eyeliner on a cat

Aftelier’s Shiso is based on an ancient Japanese geisha incense recipe - an unfamiliar blend to modern European noses: Shiso, a kind of mint, combined with the animal, almost brutal notes of wood and eagle-sharp spiciness of clove. Can such a scent be attractive, and underscore the wearer’s femininity? Astoundingly, the Eau de Parfum Shiso develops on the skin to a wonderfully harmonious bouquet, with deep soft woody notes that are the perfect complement to the green notes of clove and shiso.
-- Sündhaft What this really ends up to be is an excellent eau de cologne style fragrance, with the Shiso standing in for the more traditional herbal notes like rosemary or Artemisia that might be used in a classic cologne blend.
-- Perfume Smellin’ Things

Shiso is truly wonderful, and is truly unique in its composition. Those of you who enjoy woody, spicy, green fragrances will fall head over heels for it - as will those of you who enjoy a challenge.
-- Beauty, Bacon, Bunnies

Comfort and discomfort are perfectly balanced, a piercing green arrow followed by softer green whispers.
-- Pieces of Paper, Squiggly Lines

Aftelier’s Shiso is based on an ancient Japanese geisha incense recipe - an unfamiliar blend to modern European noses: Shiso, a kind of mint, combined with the animal, almost brutal notes of wood and eagle-sharp spiciness of clove. Can such a scent be attractive, and underscore the wearer’s femininity? Astoundingly, the Eau de Parfum Shiso develops on the skin to a wonderfully harmonious bouquet, with deep soft woody notes that are the perfect complement to the green notes of clove and shiso.
-- Sündhaft

Shiso — judging by the fact that I could not stop sniffing it when I wore it, I'm going to declare it a success.
-- Perfume Posse

Perfumes lately are incorporating notes of fresh herbs like tangy basil and mint. ‘The coolness of an herb beautifully accents a floral scent,” says natural perfumer Mandy Aftel. Each of these favorites is free of phthalates, a class of chemicals that has been linked to hormone disruption and birth defects. Take a whiff of: Shiso
-- Natural Health

Also featured in...
-- Natural Health
-- SF Chronicle Magazine
-- Town & Country
-- French Elle