Review ethics

Samples and access

Samples, press access, and travel are disclosed wherever they could bear on coverage. A sample never guarantees coverage, and coverage is never conditioned on a sample.

No scores

We do not score fragrances. The Flacon d'Or is the publication's only ranking, produced under a published methodology, and placements are never sold.

Commercial separation

Sponsored features are labeled "Sponsored" throughout. Section sponsorships carry a quiet "Supported by" line and confer no influence on content. Advertisers never see copy before publication. We never contact businesses unprompted about coverage.

First-hand claims

We never describe wearing, smelling, or visiting something we did not. Fragrance structure is described from verified published sources, attributed in the text.