Castley

Castley is an easier to wear version of Bois Imperial which, in turn, is a more wearable version of Ganymede. I own all 3, I love all 3, and the thread that ties them all together is the lab-created note of akigalawood. Ganymede came first in 2019, created by one of today's current star perfumers, Quentin Bisch. Ganymede is challenging, it's otherworldly, and it's literally impossible to describe in normal perfumery terms. The descriptors I've seen generally focus on futuristic, robotic, outer space themes, and these would be completely fair. It's leather seats in a spaceship with its own patchouli plant growing in the kitchen. 8.5/10. Mr. Bisch then moved on to a new company and created Bois Imperial in 2020. The heart of this fragrance is quite similar, and upon first sniff you can instantly recognize the Ganymede DNA, but this time he brought the scent back down to earth, so to speak. Extremely masculine, a little dark, very woody, very green, and a little bit humid - like a forest right after the rain stops. It's still a bit challenging, but much less so than it's older brother from outer space and much more wearable. 9.5/10 Then came Castley in 2025. PDM took the framework of Bois Imperial and made it infinitely more wearable and MUCH more familiar. So familiar, in fact, that I ran a layering experiment to confirm my suspicion: Bois Imperial + Sedley = Castley. It's not a dead-on 1:1, but it's very close. I'm not mad at it at all, in fact, I'm quite impressed. PDM literally turned the impossibly difficult original framework of Ganymede into an extremely versatile, all-season fresh fragrance that actually performs. The all-consuming projection of Ganymede, toned down a bit in Bois Imperial, is toned down a bit further in the much fresher Castley, making it perfectly office-safe. On my skin, it lasts for 9-10 hours, and whatever gets on your shirt will stay there until you do your laundry. 9/10. While I do enjoy Bois Imperial just a bit more overall, Castley is simply much more versatile, wearable, and likeable. Side Note: you WILL eventually go nose-blind to Castley even while it's still performing quite well. Last week I thought it was gone around the 6 hour mark until my wife asked me if I had re-sprayed, which I had not.

As someone who owns Imagination these are not similar at all. This is like Imagination if it actually had deep mid and base notes and was way less citrusy...so it's not like Imagination. On skin it opens opens stinky/funky/odd from the akigalawood/labdanum. But once it dries down all the funk totally disappears and you get a nice deep wood (that smells like wood, rather than some vague "woods accord") and non-cloying white florals. The combination is smooth, a little soapy, masculine, and almost makes you think there is a drop of leather in here. No idea what this smells like on paper. I put on 2 sprays about 6 hours ago and it's still potent right now. I can't tell you how it projects but it definitely lasts. Some strong fragrances blow you up and you get tired of them but not this one. This has way more depth (without being dark) than people are giving it credit for. Idk if I would wear this in actual hot weather but IMO this is extremely versatile. This seems more all purpose as opposed to a summer freshie like people are acting. IMO this is a wood, black pepper, neroli, labdanum fragrance. This is a banger, IMO the best mens fragrance PDM has released. I'd buy this. EDIT: The comments are getting even worse XD. This is nothing like Imagination, definitely not like Percival (way muskier), nothing like Terre d’Hermes (way more sweet vetiver), not like Sedley at all (way more ambroxan/synthetic) etc. Y’all are either insane or I should be a perfumer because it is clear to me they are all wildly different. Thankfully this isn’t going to be a hype job. More for me.

I’m so surprised with this one. For all the mixed reviews, this is a banger to my nose. Light, ethereal, airy... citrus, pepper, neroli, lavender, with some woody 🪵 tones via akigalawood and slight resin from the benzo/lab. I do not get any powder but almost a sparkling citrus in the opening. Mid reminds me a little of sedley due to the lavender but again isn’t a 1 to 1 with that either. Doesn’t smell like imagination, but has citrus/neroli/ginger in common. This lasted all day on my shirt and about 6-8 hours on my skin. I felt like it was really close to the skin but the sillage was great and kept pushing all day long. This is definitely a good release and came at a time when I was not interested in anything PDM. Lastly, if you never experienced akigalawood in a fragrance then maybe you might get the slightest BO, but the Aki isn’t Bisch aki, it’s toned down and just gives this some legs to stand on in the base. Try for yourself because it’s sample worthy. 8.5/10, I will purchase a 5ml or 10ml to put this through its paces soon. Edit: bought a 5ml and enjoying it throughly. I oversprayed and it leaned more toward the resinous akigalawood. The citrus freshness took a backseat. Just an FYI, less can be more, it’s going to last all day, no need to go ham. So for people in the comments who are experiencing “BO”, pull back on the sprays. My fault, I can go a little wild with the trigger from time to time 🤣. Edit 2: Finished my 5ml and ordered a bottle. I agree that next summer this is probably going to get hyped.

My new signature scent. It certainly leans masculine and mature but does not smell dated or old. It opens spicy and wakes you up with the black pepper, becomes very fresh with citrus, and dries down on the soapy side with the ginger shining through. It may shine in the spring or summer but I can see it being worn year round, day or night. One spray on the wrist and I was still smelling it clearly the next morning so excellent performance on me, lasts and projects better than other PDMs I've tried and up there with all fragrances I've tried. I have it side by side with Sedley and they don't smell alike other than both being Parfums De Marly freshies, so some similarity with their lines but two completely different fragrances. It does not smell anything like Invictus, Hawas, or Bleu de Chanel to my nose. It doesn't smell like Imagination per se, that has a very unique smell you don't get here, but shares some similarities with a soapy drydown with ginger. Haven't smelled Bois Imperial to compare. You could say it's a combination of multiple fragrances - done in a PDM fashion - there aren't any out which do this. It may not blow the minds of the audience but it's perfect for me as someone who loves fresh spicy scents and fougères, but isn't into overly 'blue' or ambroxan heavy profiles. Super safe blind buy for those who enjoy black pepper/ginger and are looking for a versatile & masculine fresh fragrance.

Having both and seeing the comparisons... i feel like this is better than Imagination. As its more interesting, has more character. Imagination on the dry down is a dryer sheet. Love the opening, and its a safe easy wear, but this one has way more personality. I enjoy the spice up top, and while it has a fresh (far less soapy) drydown than Imagination, this one brings in a woody base that it sits on top of. Imagination is fking boring, I said it. Imagination will last longer than this, so points off for longevity, in a head to head comparison, but ill take a somewhat shorter lifespan (10+ vs. 8+) for a frag that is still fresh, while having a little more going on. People crashing out for this smelling designer... Same people who will spend 400+ to smell like hotel bar soap.... So, let's not throw stones. Also. As an owner of Sedley, as well. Very different fragrance. And no its not those two combined either. Probably saw some tik-tok clown say it, and now 10k followers are repeating it ad nauseum. Is it groundbreaking? No, but the only stuff that is groundbreaking people say "It's too harsh, its confusing, too strong, I'll never find a place to wear this." If you want groundbreaking that's the path you need to go down, hard-core Niche and Indie.

At first this was my least favorite PDM freshie but after some time I have fallen in love with it. Totally under rated. Addictive. People around you will like this. Not for the kids(30+) This guy works best with heat just like sedley. Super fresh, mildly soapy(I almost get the imagination comparisons), very high quality. Castley has a bright tangy opening that energizes. Peppery. Akigalawood is with you for the whole ride. Projection is pretty good for a few hours then drops off to a nice scent bubble that pays out rewards in the heat. Way overpriced. For a house that has absolutely no innovation in its blood, focusing mainly on releases that are mass appealing with hq ingredients you can feel and smells that are super familiar (some would say played out,-percival-), this release stands on its own as something both creative and easily likable. It’s a love. Update. This release definitely needs to mature when first purchased to develop its complexity. The 5 mil travel tester I had for 6 months is what sold me on the profile but the first sprays out of a fresh bottle was just a shadow of what my 5ml was expressing. After about a month it finally blossomed into what I fell in love with.

I think people are being way too harsh on this fragrance. While it’s not the most daring or groundbreaking release, it was never meant to be. If you’re looking for something bold and experimental, check out Toskovat or some ultra-niche house. Castley, on the other hand, is meant to be a delicious freshie and it nails that role. This scent doesn’t really have a strict age marker (maybe 15-16+), but it’s incredibly easy to wear. Some say it smells too “designer,” but honestly, that’s part of what Parfums de Marly does best which id doing luxury takes on familiar, crowd pleasing styles. That’s their lane and Castley fits perfectly within it. If it’s not your thing, that’s totally fine. But slandering it just for being accessible or wearable feels unfair not everything needs to smell like an obscure niche mess. As for the fragrance itself, it’s a solid 9.5/10 for me. It’s not offensive, super versatile, and perfect for school, the office, or warmer months in general. Think of it as a more mature and longer lasting Sedley, fresh, peppery, and woody with a refined smoothness. It’s unbelievably good for how fresh it is, and I can already tell it’s going into my rotation of dailys.

The opening is fresh and clean with a smooth citrusy feel. Very easy and calming from the first spray. I don’t see it close to Louis Vuitton Imagination at all. Maybe slight touches remind me a bit of Sedley Parfums de Marly or even a soft hint of Bois Imperial style, but very light and it disappears. Overall it has its own character. Performance is good but not perfect. Longevity is solid, but sillage is the weak point. If you spray more, it performs much better. I went through a full 100ml in about three weeks, so yeah I was spraying heavy. No real issue with the scent itself. It actually gives me a different feeling compared to other fragrances. Calm, clean, and elegant. Not loud, not trying too hard. I just feel relaxed wearing it. I don’t think it suits younger ages though, maybe that’s why it’s not hyped. I’d recommend it if you want something you can wear anytime, anywhere. Gym, work, casual, dressed up... it works. Just spray more than usual and you’re good. Smell: 8.5/10 Longevity: 8/10 Sillage: 6.5/10 Seasons: All seasons Age: 25+ Main accord: citrus, fresh, aromatic, musky, clean

This fragrance is seriously underrated and gets way more hate than it deserves. It opens with a bold, refined pepper note, supported by bergamot and subtle citrus accents in the background. The pepper lingers for a while, but it’s smooth and well-balanced rather than sharp or overwhelming—the citrus helps soften it just enough. As it develops, the florals begin to emerge, bringing in touches of rose and neroli that add an airy, slightly comforting feel without taking away from the masculine edge. In the drydown, the composition leans into rich, masculine woods, with akigalawood taking center stage. If you enjoy that note, this is an absolute standout—it really shines here. Overall, this is a strongly masculine scent with solid performance—on the higher end of moderate, though not quite elite. It’s versatile enough for most of the year, with winter being the only season where it might feel a bit out of place. For me, this is a 9/10—just shy of masterpiece status.

Happy New Year to all. I did like this fragrance, but I definitely agree that it lacked punch, so I got to work to resolve this situation. After several tests, I found the definitive solution (as some people say...ha) and I'm sharing it with you. I first apply the original and then layer on DUA's "King's Warhorse"...in my opinion, it creates a very tasty aroma...it gains a stronger ginger presence which, mixed with the pepper, prevents the Akigalawood from overpowering the fragrance, making it fresher and lasting 10-12 hours with very good projection. I get compliments left and right, seriously... Just today I applied this layering and I'm very pleased with the results, to the point that I'm going to order two more bottles of DUA's King's Warhorse so they can mature and last me through a whole bottle of the original (by the way, I should clarify that DUA doesn't give me anything)...Simply delicious. I hope this tip is helpful.

i encourage you to try this fragrance to its fullest if you didn't like it at first. The only reason that i think someone may not like this could be beacuse of its peppery/spicy opening. But be thankful for that cause i think that peppery base makes this thing LAST but i mean LAST. As i said, it's got a really peppery opening, but as it dries down, after like 1-2 hours, the pepper vanishes and what you're left with is a super luxirous, soapy, bright imagination kind of like scent. I think this has it's own diffirenecs than imagination, bois imperail etc. For example the drydown does smell like imagination but it doesn't have that tea/green smell on it. And as i said this shit last too fricking long for a freshie, i got up to 12 litteral hours, yes 12. Not only that, it projects like crazy too. I suggest this gem heavily. 9.5/10 (not a 10 only beacuse of the peppery opening, but it had to be there ig)

Surprised that I enjoy this one so much, To me, it’s just fresh, very easy to wear but the pepper gives it enough of a kick to stop it from being completely boring. It might be linear, but that is the whole point of this sort of fragrance in my opinion. You know what you’re getting when you put it on and it’s easy reach. I do get the LV Imagination comparison in that it’s fresh and serves an all purpose function but it’s nowhere near as soapy as Imagination and has brighter citrus at the opening. I’d score this one high. It’s not the sort of fragrance I thought I needed as I usually prefer heavier scents but it’s versatility is to its advantage and I see myself using this one quickly. Performance is fine, not loud, office safe, close scent bubble and it lasts on my skin for about 7-8 hours. 9/10.

What...this has got be the most underrated PDM at Fragrantica. Castley totally blew me away. Especially considering I've found Parfums de Marly a bit overrated in general, after having tried around 8 of them. Very well made, but kind of undaring and lacking in personality. This one though. Absolute banger. Such an irresistible scent. Incredibly fresh, like iced lime, kinda mineral and slightly aquatic, but with much more character than typical freshies or blue frags. There is something about how the citrus mingles with the flowery mid that is masterful. Just the right amount of herbaceousness and fruit and freshness, and a slightly musky undertone. Performance seem respectable as well on my skin. Take my money PDM. This may be the only one I'll buy, possibly Layton as well. 4.7/5

This is the perfect fragrance for daily wear, i've made it my signature scent and i am so happy with it. It smells masculine, and it is not offensive when you wear it in a office/room. I see a lot of people hating because it is too simple or whatever, but it actually is quite a unique freshie that is blended perfectly. I think a lot of people just like to hate on any parfum de marly for whatever reason. It is +- suitable for the whole year, perhaps only when it is really cold in winter you should use another one. It lasts pretty long and projects perfectly for an office or any indoor space. It is a very good fragrance from PDM and imo the best freshie/daily wear from PDM. Percival also is really good but you can find that dna in a lot of cheaper fragrances.

Castley reminds me of Lafayette Bond Street, but with a more restrained, quiet confidence. Where Lafayette might evoke the commanding presence of a boardroom leader, and Imagination feels like that carefree marketing professional. Castley steps in as the effortlessly sharp reliable young professional who is self-assured, ambitious, and at ease in his own skin. There’s a sophistication here that doesn’t need to make grand statements; it’s felt in the subtle charisma and steady assurance. Flecks of pepper appear now and then, adding fresh energy, while the dry down reveals a whole new layer, something distinctive but yet refined. Castley is a fragrance for the man who gets things done, not by broadcasting it, but simply by being himself.

Castley is severely underrated in my view and much better than Sedley, the PdM fragrance to which it is most similar. It’s an excellent freshie first daily wear that grabs attention in hot weather. The lime/ginger/pepper combo comes together in a way that is more mature and refined than any other freshie in PdM’s line, and the performance is respectable. If you’re looking for a frashie that’s a bit more interesting and distinctive without being unnecessarily weird just for the sake of being “niche,” you should get your nose on this one. I truly don’t understand why this release hasn’t gotten more love other than possibly people just not liking the price, which is arguably slightly high but not crazy out of line for the quality here.

After six months of wearing this, I can confidently say this is my undisputed number one scent. I own fragrances from Creed, Killian, Initio, Acqua di Parma, Xerjoff, you name it. And I’ve sampled more than enough to know what’s out there. This, for me, is the endgame fresh scent. It's a no-brainer. Everyone around you will love this. It's safe and inoffensive but unique its own lane. I’ve seen the community hype up ultra-clean, soapy fragrances like Imagination, but in my opinion, this outclasses them completely. It has far more character and presence, while still staying in that fresh category. I know a lot of people overlook or write this one off, and that’s fine. I’m happy to die on this hill. Castley is the best in its genre.

Love it. Got it for an absolute steal from olfactoryfactoryllc.com $209 The citrus and ginger opening is intoxicating. The neroli in the mid is awesome. The pepper freshness isn’t too overbearing. The wood in this is very, very dry to my nose, very dry and sharp, but still good. Performance is excellent. I do sense a bit of the discontinued Ysl l’homme ultime in this. This has been a fragrance that I’ve enjoyed more the more I’ve worn it. With every new wear I like it more than the last. I wouldn’t pay retail for this, but that goes for pretty much all of my niche collection. At a discounter this is a fantastic frag and deserving of the PDM name for its tremendous appeal and quality. Very happy with it.

Love at first sniff! I got this as a sample with another fragrance that i have bought, and after smelling this, i knew it was my favourite summer/citrus/fresh fragrance. I have no idea how to describe it other than a very masculine and fresch scent. My wife loves this and is also her favourite citrusy fresh out of my collection. In terms of logevity, this lasts really well on my skin, about 6-8 hours, but the projection is not the best, only about 2 hours of good projection and then it goes down. Easily one of the best PDM's that i have personally tried overall! Smell: 9.5/10 Longevity: 8/10 Projection: 4/10 Price: 6/10 (based on purchase price of 150 euro for 125ml bottle)

I've tested it at least ten times — on skin and on paper. It’s not bad at all, but it’s incredibly basic. Not “expensive rich basic” like Imagination, but more of a blended mix of things we’ve already smelled before (Superleggera, Bois Impérial, Imagination). It is a pleasant scent, but what really bothers me is the niche-level price tag for something so simple. At around $100 it would make sense, but at $200–$250 it just doesn’t justify itself. Projection is also very average, after 1-2hours, only skin scent. Bois Impérial is worth it in any case (projection, longevity, price). Imagination is worth it because it actually gives you an experience.