In the world of luxury, fragrance occupies a uniquely intimate and symbolic space. It’s not just an olfactory art form—it’s a personal signature, a silent extension of identity and taste. Among the sea of niche and designer perfumes on the market, few brands stand out with as much personality and poetic flair as D.S. & Durga. With their latest limited-edition trio of colognes, this Brooklyn-based duo once again redefines what it means to wear a “classic” scent.
The creative minds behind the brand, David Seth Moltz and Kavi Durga, invited me into their Brooklyn Navy Yard studio on a brisk winter afternoon. For anyone remotely scent-obsessed, this place is a sensory haven—shelves lined with hundreds of glass vials, tinctures, and raw ingredients. David, ever the enthusiastic nose, would reach for a bottle, hand it over, and say, “Smell this!” before explaining how it played into one of their “fumes,” the brand’s affectionate term for their fragrances.
One of those mysterious little bottles, he told me back then, was part of a project he’d been quietly working on. Now, it’s officially here: The Colognes, a trio of limited-edition scents that revisit the spirit of traditional cologne through a distinctly modern lens. They’re designed for people who love the genre—perhaps your dad, or you, especially with summer and Father’s Day in the air—but also want something relevant, refined, and wearable now.
Even if you’re not deep in the world of fragrance, chances are you’ve encountered “classic cologne” at some point. Maybe it was a bottle in your dad’s cabinet—lemony, mossy, maybe a little floral—or that unmistakable barbershop-fresh aroma. Traditional colognes often belong to the fougère family: clean, green, citrusy, and grounded by herbs and moss. But over time, that DNA has been diluted, absorbed into “sporty” or “aquatic” mainstream scents, losing much of its original character.
David wanted to change that. “I’ve always loved old-school dude fumes,” he told me. “I used to make them just for myself. But people started asking for them.” For him, this wasn’t about reproducing history, but remixing it. “Many of the classics today feel out of place—too heavy, too cloying. It’s like wearing a 1970s blazer with a weird cut. You love the vibe, but not the fit.” That’s where The Colognes come in. They’re an homage to heritage, yet made with today’s materials, sensibilities, and pacing in mind.
Each of the three scents—Golfjazz, Rum Bay Rum, and Grey Blazer—draws inspiration from a familiar archetype, but with unexpected twists and exquisite craftsmanship. “They’re quite classical in structure,” David said, “with lots of materials people have used since the 19th century—citrus, woods, moss, spices.” But modern molecules help these compositions shine in new, subtle ways. “I’m not trying to replicate a bottle from the 1940s,” he added. “I want to take its essence and make it feel right for right now.”
Golfjazz, for example, is a cheeky take on retro golf culture—a nod to the era of bold trousers, striped polos, and power golfers in glossy ‘80s ads. The scent opens with a blast of fresh-cut grass and lime, softened by cooling mint. Then the deeper fougère base comes through: earthy moss, patchouli, and cedarwood, with a hint of smooth leather. It’s got that nostalgic “dad’s medicine cabinet” charm, but this is no relic—it’s bright, wearable, and feels just as at home in an East London park as it would on the green at St. Andrews.
Rum Bay Rum, meanwhile, is a love letter to the bay rum aftershaves of old-school apothecaries. But instead of fading fast like its predecessors, this one has presence and complexity. Imagine linen shirts, ocean breezes, and a tall glass of rum in hand. Lime and clove lead the charge, followed by a bouquet of berries, rose, and sandalwood. It's tropical, elegant, and undeniably sexy. Think Colin Farrell on a sailboat off the coast of Antigua—carefree, stylish, and a little dangerous.
Then there's Grey Blazer—perhaps the most refined of the three. It’s that perfect versatile scent: smart, subtle, and sophisticated. The name calls to mind Wall Street’s heyday, Armani suits, and morning commutes with a briefcase in hand. But David’s version isn’t stiff or corporate—it’s soft around the edges. Green spices greet you first, then a heart of wild hedgerow florals and carnation adds warmth and personality. The base of guaiac wood and lavender feels grounded and chic. Whether you’re wandering through the English countryside in a Shetland blazer or headed to a dinner party in Manhattan, Grey Blazer just fits.
What sets these colognes apart isn’t just their quality or nostalgic inspiration—it’s the emotional intelligence behind them. They don’t scream for attention. They draw you in quietly, through a wink and a memory. They respect the past without being trapped by it. They’re wearable, well-cut, and somehow just right—like the perfect vintage jacket that’s been expertly tailored for today.
And maybe that’s what real luxury is about: not ostentation, but resonance. A great scent should do more than smell good. It should remind you who you are—or who you’d like to be.
D.S. & Durga’s The Colognes are available now in limited quantities. And if you ask me, they’re not just summer in a bottle—they’re a time machine you’ll want to wear on your skin.