Known as a master of oud, nose Chris Maurice has proven just peachy with the three peach-led fragrances he has created for Sarah Baker. Nicola Thomis sat down with him to find out what it takes to get peach just right in these luxurious creations.

Nicola Thomis: How do you get peach into perfume?

Chris Maurice: The challenge is that peach can very easily become too synthetic, sugary, or smell like shampoo. So the key is balance. You need enough fruitiness for people to recognise the peach, but also enough depth and elegance to make it feel refined and luxurious.

For me, the most important thing is making the peach feel natural, sensual, and part of the fragrance rather than just a “fruity note” sitting on top.

NT: Specifically, how did you construct the peach in Peach’s Revenge, i.e. what is it made up of?

CM: For Peach’s Revenge, I started with a peach base aroma combined with an osmanthus structure, which helped give the fruit a more refined and sensual character instead of a purely sweet or playful effect. The peach is supported by other fruity nuances like nectarine and softer exotic facets to create a rich, juicy opening, while touches of vanilla and caramel add smoothness and warmth. 

Orris was also important because it gives a soft, velvety texture that makes the fruit feel more elegant and natural on skin. As the fragrance evolves, spices such as cardamom, ginger, and cinnamon begin to appear alongside musks, amberwoods, and a subtle amaretto effect. These darker and warmer elements gradually transform the peach into something deeper, more seductive, and slightly dangerous.

NT: What was the most challenging part of constructing the peach fragrance?

CM: The most difficult part was finding the right balance between making the peach recognisable while still keeping it elegant and niche. With fruity notes, especially peach, there is always a risk of becoming too playful, too cosmetic, or too sweet. Very small changes can completely transform the fragrance from luxurious to something that smells like shampoo or candy. Another challenge was giving the peach enough presence without letting it dominate the whole composition. I wanted it to feel integrated into the fragrance, surrounded by texture, warmth, and contrast, rather than being loud or overly obvious.

NT: As you’ve mentioned, peach can easily smell ‘cheap’, like shampoo or candies. How did you ensure that, in Peach’s Revenge, it smelled seductive and luxurious and not plasticky and fake?

CM: For me, the secret is restraint. Many fruity fragrances become ‘cheap’ because they try too hard to smell intensely fruity and sweet from the first second. In Peach’s Revenge, I intentionally avoided pushing the sugary side of peach. Instead, I focused on texture, depth, and contrast. The osmanthus helped bring leathery and slightly dry nuances, while woods, musks, and darker elements gave the fragrance a more elegant structure. I wanted the peach to feel smooth, warm, and seductive, almost like part of the skin, rather than bright, artificial, or candy-like. Luxury in perfumery often comes from what you control, not from excess. 

If you're ready for everything to be just peachy, check out Peach's Revenge in full size, or in our trilogy set.