Alfanak Cerise de Tlemcen by Nathalie Feisthauer

Nathalie Feisthauer has composed a new fragrance for the Algerian-inspired house Alfanak Parfums. Alfanak Cerise de Tlemcen is a perfume centered on the cherry fruit from the Tlemcen region.

The brand Alfanak Parfums was founded in 2024 with a mission to share Algerian and Mediterranean stories. The city of Tlemcen, known as the "Pearl of the Maghreb," serves as the inspiration. It is a historical cultural crossroads, once the capital of the Zayyanid kingdom, where Berber roots met Arab learning and Andalusian refinement. It is also a prime cherry-growing region, producing roughly half of Algeria's cherries. The fruit has a long history, tracing back to the Black Sea town of Cerasus and carried westward across the Mediterranean.

The Perfumer's Signature

Reviewer Nicoleta Tomsa of CaFleureBon notes a personal admiration for perfumer Nathalie Feisthauer's past work. The author confesses a bias, having been a fan since youth with Versace Blonde. Cited examples include Versace Blonde, État Libre d'Orange's Putain des Palaces, Hermès's Eau des Merveilles, Zoologist Cow, Puredistance Papilio (named Perfumer of the Year in 2023), LÔR Paris Oud Latte, and L’Orchestre Mono Cachemire. Feisthauer also created a previous cherry fragrance called Decadent Memories for Perfumology.

Scent Composition and Experience

The fragrance opens with a delicious mischief: bright bergamot alongside saffron and clove, creating a sunlit yet mysteriously shadowed impression. The heart blooms open, mouthwatering: cherry and raspberry, described as plush, syrupy-dark, round, and powdery, so perfect the reviewer wished it would last forever. A note of jasmine sambac adds elegance. The drydown features vanilla absolute, tonka bean, cashmeran (cashmere wood), cedar, and clean musk, resulting in a warm, boozy-soft, and structurally elegant base.

The reviewer contrasts Cerise de Tlemcen with typical sugary gourmands, calling it a "round" scent with a "glossy heart and a powdery soul." It is reportedly versatile, performing well in both heat and cooler autumn air. The author recounts wearing it with reckless abandon on holiday, becoming "a walking cherry by the sea."

The Fragrance Notes

The official note breakdown provided in the source is as follows:

CaFleureBon is running a giveaway for one bottle of Alfanak Cerise de Tlemcen for a registered reader in Europe or the US. The draw closes on September 8, 2026. The article concludes by listing several past accolades for Nathalie Feisthauer's work from the publication's archives.