Perfume is usually a bit of a drama queen. It tries so hard to tell a story about a "moonlit walk in a Parisian garden" or "the salt-crusted deck of a pirate ship." But DS & Durga Pistachio isn't interested in any of that. It’s a scent that basically says, "Hey, I'm a pistachio," and then refuses to elaborate. Honestly, that’s exactly why people are obsessed with it.
You’ve probably seen the bottle—clean, minimalist, very Brooklyn. It’s the kind of fragrance that started as a total accident. Back in early 2022, David Seth Moltz, the self-taught perfumer and one half of the DS & Durga duo, decided to make a scent on a whim. He called it a "Studio Juice," which is their fancy way of saying a limited run. They only made 100 bottles. It sold out faster than you can crack a nut.
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People went absolutely feral for it. Why? Because most "pistachio" scents don't actually smell like the nut. They smell like a chemical factory that once saw a picture of a cupcake. This one? It’s different. It’s dank. It’s earthy. It’s weird.
What Does DS & Durga Pistachio Actually Smell Like?
If you’re expecting a sugary, whipped-cream-topped gelato, you’re going to be disappointed. Put the spoon down. This isn't that.
The first spray is a punch of cardamom. It’s cold and spicy, almost like a mentholated breeze that wakes you up. But wait about two minutes. The cardamom pulls back, and then you get the "nut." It’s not a sweet nut. It’s more like the skin of a roasted pistachio—dusty, slightly salty, and very green.
The notes are literally listed as:
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- Top: Pistachio, Cardamom
- Middle: More Pistachio, Roasted Almond
- Base: Even More Pistachio, Patchouli, Vanilla Crème
It’s hilarious marketing, but it’s mostly true. The patchouli in the base is what makes this fragrance polarizing. Some people get "earthy forest floor" and others get "expensive chocolate." If your skin chemistry hates patchouli, this might smell like a damp basement to you. But for everyone else, that patchouli adds a weight that keeps the vanilla from becoming a "teenager’s body spray" situation.
The Cult of the Studio Juice
Most perfumes are designed by committees in glass office buildings. DS & Durga is basically a garage band that made it big. David (the nose) and Kavi (the architect) started the brand in their Bushwick apartment, and that DIY energy is still there.
When DS & Durga Pistachio dropped as a limited edition, it was never supposed to be a permanent fixture. David Moltz has said he doesn't even usually like gourmand (edible-smelling) scents. He thinks they can be boring. He wanted to make something that evoked the fun of the nut without the cliché.
The "Studio Juice" version was so popular that the brand had no choice but to bring it back as a permanent Eau de Parfum in January 2023. Since then, it has basically become the benchmark for the "nutty" fragrance trend. It’s the "cool girl" version of a dessert perfume. It’s sophisticated, but it doesn't take itself seriously.
The Big Debate: Is It Actually Sweet?
This is where things get tricky. If you read reviews on Fragrantica or TikTok, you’ll see people arguing.
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One person will say it’s a "sugary dream," and the next will say it’s "pure hay and dirt." Honestly, they’re both right. On paper, it smells very green and herbal. On skin, the heat brings out the vanilla crème and the almond. It’s not a "loud" perfume. It doesn't scream across the room. It’s more of a "wait, what is that smell?" kind of vibe.
It lasts about five to six hours on the skin. On a sweater? It’ll stay there for days. If you’re looking for a beast-mode fragrance that fills a whole elevator, this isn't it. It’s a skin scent with a bit of a backbone. It’s intimate.
Why You Might Hate It
Let’s be real—some people find this fragrance repulsive. If you don't like the smell of raw, unsalted nuts or earthy herbs, stay away. It can feel "sludgy" or "dusty" to some noses. Some reviewers have even described a "pet store" or "hay" note in the dry down. That’s the patchouli and cardamom playing tricks on you. It’s not a safe blind buy. Do not spend over $200 on a 100ml bottle without testing a sample first. Seriously.
Why You Might Love It
If you’re tired of smelling like a flower shop or a fruit basket, this is your escape. It’s unisex. It works just as well on a guy in a flannel shirt as it does on someone in a silk dress. It’s cozy but cold at the same time. It’s the perfect scent for a rainy October afternoon when you’re wearing a heavy wool coat.
How to Wear It (And Layer It)
The cool thing about DS & Durga is that they make "enhancers." If you find Pistachio a bit too simple, you can layer it.
- With "I Don’t Know What": This is their famous fragrance enhancer. It adds a woody, ISO E Super-charged sparkle to the pistachio, making it feel more like a "real" perfume and less like a snack.
- With a Vanilla Oil: If you actually want it to be a sweet gourmand, dab a little basic vanilla oil on your wrists before spraying. It rounds out the sharp edges of the cardamom.
The price is steep. You’re looking at around $190 for 50ml or $280 for 100ml. Is a nut worth that much? That depends on how much you value smelling unique. In a world where everyone smells like Baccarat Rouge 540 or Cloud, being the person who smells like a sophisticated green nut is a power move.
Final Actionable Insights for Fragrance Fans
If you're considering adding this to your collection, don't rush into a full bottle. Start by ordering the DS & Durga Discovery Set or finding a 10ml "pocket perfume" version. This scent reacts heavily to skin chemistry and ambient temperature—it smells completely different in 90-degree humidity than it does in a New York winter.
Test it on your skin, not just on a paper tester strip. The "milky" vanilla notes often won't even show up on paper, leaving you with nothing but the sharp, spicy cardamom. Give it at least thirty minutes to settle before you decide if you love it or hate it. If the earthy, "dank" side of the pistachio doesn't scare you off, you've likely found your new signature scent.