I tested Above the Waves from a small sample I picked up at The Whiff in Easton, Pennsylvania. One spray and the idea behind it was clear. This is a straightforward tea fragrance with a bright lift, a smooth center, and a dry, steady finish. A calm, well-built composition that stays close to the skin and wears in a very natural way.
Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
The Brand
Etat Libre d’Orange has a reputation for loud storytelling, but the work behind the scenes is serious. They collaborate with outside perfumers, use fragrance labs, and treat the craft with more intention than their marketing sometimes suggests. Above the Waves is different from their usual voice. It was created specifically for Taiwan, tied to the annual Mazu pilgrimage and the island’s deep tea culture. It feels more grounded than provocative, and that shift suits the material.
The Nose and Scent
Mathieu Nardin of Mane composed this fragrance, and you can feel his style immediately. He builds scents that are clear, fluid, and never overloaded. Above the Waves follows that approach exactly.
Top: Bergamot, Frankincense
Heart: Ceylon tea, Taiwanese oolong tea, Rose
Base: Cypress, Cedar, Vetiver
The opening rises quickly with bergamot. The frankincense adds a small pulse of spice but never turns smoky. The tea notes take over almost immediately. The Ceylon has brightness; the oolong is softer and rounder. The rose doesn’t announce itself but smooths the edges. As the scent moves, the woods settle in. Cypress gives it a crisp outline. Cedar adds warmth. Vetiver dries everything down without heaviness.
The Wear
Above the Waves doesn’t project loudly, but it holds. I wore it for several hours and kept noticing it, especially as I moved. The comparisons to Le Labo’s Thé Noir 29 make sense. Both sit in that relaxed tea-and-woods space. But Above the Waves is lighter, less moody, easier to wear without thinking. Some of the drydown even brushes against the softness people love in Gaiac 10, but in a more transparent way.
The price feels almost modest in today’s niche landscape. One hundred milliliters for $190 is becoming rare.
If I had to describe the experience, it feels like taking a steady breath on a busy day. It’s an elegant citrus-tea scent that stays clean and composed from start to finish.
Elevated Classics Classification
Primary Category: Niche
Secondary Tags: Creative Director Led, External Lab Production
Olfactive Family: Citrus Aromatic Tea
Seasonality: Spring, early fall, mild winters
Signature Potential: High for anyone who prefers clean, quiet tea compositions
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