First vs New Valaam
Notes, accords, longevity, sillage, seasons and community ratings, side by side.
56%scent match
Closely related
Quick verdict
Which one should you pick?
First takes 4 of 7 categories.
FirstChoose it for a floral and green character. Wins on ratings & consensus, sillage & projection and value for money. Best in spring, daytime wear.
New ValaamChoose it for a green and citrus character. Wins on community sentiment and longevity. Best in spring, daytime wear.
First4/7
New Valaam2/7
- Ratings & consensus
- First
- Community sentiment
- New Valaam
- Longevity
- New Valaam
- Sillage & projection
- First
- Value for money
- First
- Versatility
- Tie
- Note pyramid (duration)
- Not scored
- Fragranxe ranking
- First
Head-to-head breakdown
Every category side by side, with the winner called out.
Fragrance
FirstVan Cleef & ArpelsNew ValaamPhronema PerfumesWinner
Ratings & consensus
Average rating and ownership split3.98/ 5 · 3,483 votes
Have 63%Had 37%Want 0%
3.92/ 5 · 36 votes
Have 6%Had 5%Want 89%
Category winnerFirstRating weighted by vote count
Community sentiment
How voters split from love to hate38%Love
41%Like
3%Ok
17%Dislike
1%Hate
3,483 votes
25%Love
56%Like
11%Ok
3%Dislike
6%Hate
36 votes
Category winnerNew ValaamMost positive mix (25+ votes)
Longevity & sillage
0–100 community performance scores
Category winners
LongevityNew Valaam
SillageFirst
Value for money
How fairly priced voters find itCategory winnerFirstBest value score
Main accords
Strength of each scent family · outlined = shared by bothfloral100%
green92%
aldehydic84%
white floral77%
yellow floral69%
fresh61%
green100%
citrus92%
white floral84%
fresh77%
floral69%
aromatic61%
Scent match56%Closely related · both green, floral and white floral
Note pyramid (duration)
Top, heart and base, with how long each lasts when known · gold = sharedTop20-30 mins
AldehydesBergamotBlack CurrantPeachMandarin OrangeRaspberry
Heart3-4 hrs
NarcissusHiacynthJasmineLily-of-the-ValleyCarnationYlang-YlangOrris RootTuberose
Base6-8+ hrs
CivetOakmossHoneyAmberMuskSandalwoodVetiverTonka Bean
Top
Lily-of-the-ValleyYuzuGrapefruitAldehydesPeachHeliotropeBergamot
Heart
Violet LeafCassisNarcissusJasmineHyacinthCyclamen
Base
OakmossCivetMyrrhVetiverAmberTonka Bean
InformationalShared notesAldehydes, Bergamot, Peach and Narcissus. Durations are only published for First, so this is not scored.
Seasons & time of day
Relative to each fragrance's best seasonSpring100
Summer0
Fall0
Winter99
Day100
Night85
Spring100
Summer71
Fall14
Winter14
Day100
Night50
Category winnerTieMost year-round
Who wears it
Gender appeal votesInformationalProfile onlyAudience is not scored
Ranking & credits
Fragranxe overall rank, nose and launchOverall rank#954
PerfumerJean-Claude Ellena
Launched—
Reviews205
Overall rank#27,939
PerfumerWeston Adam
Launched—
Reviews2
Category winnerFirstHigher overall rank
In a nutshell
Description & review snapshotFirst by Van Cleef & Arpels opens with a brisk, effervescent burst of aldehydes, tart bergamot, and ripe black currant that immediately calls to mind crisp, high-end French milled soap. As the initial sparkle settles, the scent unfolds into an abundant floral heart packed with spring narcissus, dewy green hyacinth, an…
Reviews →New Valaam by Phronema Perfumes is a daring unisex scent that leads with sharp yuzu and bright lily-of-the-valley. As it dries, it shifts into a complex green and mossy composition, anchored by civet and earthy vetiver. This 2022 release excels in spring weather, offering a crisp yet animalic profile that demands atte…
Reviews →InformationalRead bothTaste is personal
How we score: ratings blend public fragrance ratings with Fragranxe member votes; longevity, sillage, value and sentiment are community vote scores, and season bars are relative to each fragrance's strongest season. Categories with too little data are shown but not scored. The scent match weighs accord overlap (60%) and shared notes (40%). More in the FAQ.
Guided comparison
Ask about this matchup
Get a practical answer grounded in the fragrances currently selected.
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Common questions
Straight answers from the data above.
Which is better, First or New Valaam?
First takes 4 of 7 categories. First is rated 3.98/5 from 3,483 votes; New Valaam is rated 3.92/5 from 36 votes. Choose First for a floral and green character. Wins on ratings & consensus, sillage & projection and value for money. Best in spring, daytime wear. Choose New Valaam for a green and citrus character. Wins on community sentiment and longevity. Best in spring, daytime wear.
Which lasts longer, First or New Valaam?
New Valaam lasts longest (New Valaam 76/100, First 72/100), based on community performance votes.
Which projects more, First or New Valaam?
Projection is very close: First 64/100, New Valaam 62/100 for sillage.
Do First and New Valaam smell similar?
Closely related: a 56% scent match on Fragranxe. Both share green, floral and white floral accords. Common notes include Aldehydes, Bergamot, Peach and Narcissus.
Is First or New Valaam better for summer or winter?
For summer, New Valaam is the stronger pick. For winter, First is the stronger pick. First suits daytime wear; New Valaam suits daytime wear. Based on community season votes.
What are the notes in First and New Valaam?
First has top notes of Aldehydes, Bergamot, Black Currant and Peach, heart notes of Narcissus, Hiacynth, Jasmine and Lily-of-the-Valley, a base of Civet, Oakmoss, Honey and Amber. New Valaam has top notes of Lily-of-the-Valley, Yuzu, Grapefruit and Aldehydes, heart notes of Violet Leaf, Cassis, Narcissus and Jasmine, a base of Oakmoss, Civet, Myrrh and Vetiver.
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