Issey Miyake Nectar d'Issey Review: A Modern Honeyed Floral Worth the Price?
We break down the notes, performance, and value of this popular aquatic gourmand.
Launched in 2018, L'Eau d'Issey Pure Nectar de Parfum arrived as a modern reinterpretation of a legend. The original L'Eau d'Issey from 1992 defined a decade with its hyper-realistic aquatic floral profile. Nectar d'Issey takes that iconic DNA and infuses it with a contemporary, gourmand warmth, aiming to capture a new generation of fragrance lovers.
This scent positions itself as a more approachable and sweeter member of the extensive L'Eau d'Issey family. While the original is known for its sharp, almost cold freshness, Nectar de Parfum offers a sunnier, more luscious experience. It competes directly with other popular designer fruity-florals but carves its own niche by balancing its sweetness with a signature aquatic transparency.
The inspiration is clear from the name: the essence of a dew-kissed flower at its peak, dripping with rich nectar. The perfumers sought to capture the moment a petal opens to reveal a drop of sweet, fragrant liquid. This concept is translated through a core accord of honey, pear, and rose, a departure from the brand's typically austere compositions.
In the fragrance community, Nectar d'Issey is widely regarded as one of the best flankers in the Issey Miyake lineup. It's praised for its impressive performance and for successfully updating a classic scent without losing its soul. It's a fragrance that feels both familiar and new, earning it a solid reputation as a versatile and reliable signature scent.
The Nose Behind the Scent
Created by the masterful duo of Dominique Ropion and Fanny Bal. Ropion is a living legend in the industry, the nose behind iconic fragrances like Frederic Malle's Portrait of a Lady and Carnal Flower, Lancôme's La Vie Est Belle, and Viktor&Rolf's Flowerbomb. Bal is a talented perfumer from the same house (IFF) who has worked on scents for Mugler, Givenchy, and Paco Rabanne.
Accords
Notes Pyramid
Scent Journey
The first spray is an immediate burst of juicy, photorealistic pear. It's sweet and vibrant, quickly joined by a thick, golden honey accord. A touch of bergamot adds a fleeting sparkle, preventing the opening from becoming overly syrupy.
After about 20-30 minutes, the heart unfolds. A dewy, fresh rose note emerges, blending seamlessly with the pear and honey. The signature Issey Miyake aquatic note surfaces here, providing a clean, watery backdrop that gives the fragrance its unique character. It's a 'wet floral' effect, not a heavy, jammy rose.
Four hours in, the fragrance settles into a soft, warm base. The sweetness mellows, and the cashmeran note creates a smooth, cashmere-like texture on the skin. Hints of salty ambergris and creamy sandalwood add depth and sophistication, leaving a beautiful musky-floral trail that lasts for hours.
Performance Dashboard
Excellent. Expect 7-9 hours of wear on skin and over 12 hours on clothing.
Strong for the first 2 hours, projecting within arm's length. It then settles into a more moderate, personal scent bubble.
Creates a noticeable and pleasant scent trail as you move. It's inviting without being overwhelming or intrusive.
When to Wear
Community Verdict
High. This is a very crowd-pleasing scent. Its unique blend of freshness and sweetness frequently garners positive attention and questions of 'what are you wearing?'
Pros & Cons
- ✅ Unique scent profile blending aquatic and gourmand notes.
- ✅ Excellent longevity and solid performance.
- ✅ Highly versatile for various seasons and occasions.
- ✅ Modern, elegant, and widely appealing.
- ✅ A successful flanker that stands on its own merits.
- ❌ The honey note can be overly sweet for some preferences.
- ❌ Can become cloying if over-applied, especially in warm weather.
- ❌ Lacks the sharp, iconic minimalism of the original 1992 version.
Price & Value
“Fairly priced. The high-quality composition and strong performance provide good value, competing with fragrances in a higher price bracket.”
📜 Reformulation History
No significant batch variations or reformulations have been widely reported since its launch in 2018. The scent has remained consistent.
Who It's For
✅ Ideal For
- Women aged 25-50 who enjoy modern, sweet florals.
- Individuals looking for a versatile signature scent that is both elegant and easy to wear.
- Fans of honey, pear, and rose notes.
⚠️ Not Recommended For
- Those who strongly dislike sweet or gourmand fragrances.
- Anyone seeking a very minimalist, dry, or 'cold' aquatic scent like the original L'Eau d'Issey.
The Family
The original in the 'Pure' line, focusing on a more marine and white floral composition.
An Eau de Toilette version that is lighter, brighter, and more focused on the pear and floral notes.
Explore More
🔍 Similar Fragrances
Shares a similar honeyed floral DNA, but with orange blossom instead of rose.
Features a prominent honey note, but is much louder, denser, and patchouli-driven.
A simpler, more linear take on a fruity-honey scent, lacking the aquatic complexity.
Offers a similar sophisticated sweet, fruity-floral profile, but built around cassis and vanilla.
💡 Clone Alternatives
Not a clone, but a popular choice for those who love a pure, realistic honey scent and wish to amplify that note.
Shares a similar warm, honeyed, and aromatic floral character at an accessible price point.
❤️ You May Also Enjoy
For its blend of fruity freshness and sophisticated patchouli base.
A classic, elegant fruity-floral with a similar polished feel.
A modern, fresh rose and pear combination, though without the honeyed depth.
More from Issey Miyake
🧪 Layering Ideas
- Molecule 01 (Iso E Super): To amplify the woody, musky base and boost overall projection without altering the core scent.
- A light sandalwood fragrance: To enhance the creamy, smooth character of the drydown.
- A bright bergamot or pear scent: To dial up the freshness in the opening for warmer weather wear.
🏆 Final Verdict
Issey Miyake L'Eau d'Issey Pure Nectar de Parfum is a standout designer release. It achieves the difficult task of modernizing a classic while creating something entirely new and compelling. This is not just another sweet fruity-floral; the signature aquatic accord of Issey Miyake provides a unique freshness that cuts through the rich honey and pear, creating a beautifully balanced composition.
You should buy it if you are looking for a signature scent that is both unique and easy to love. Its performance is excellent, making the price point a solid investment. For those who found the original L'Eau d'Issey too sharp or dated, Nectar de Parfum offers a welcoming, warm, and modern alternative without sacrificing elegance. It's a smart, sophisticated choice for nearly any occasion.