Perfumery is a 2020 Japanese game that puts you in the shoes of an up‑and‑coming perfumer. Instead of just battling for cards, you’ll craft fragrances by blending natural and synthetic scent notes. Each player starts with a set of perfumer pieces that act as workers, letting you expand your top, middle, and base notes as the game unfolds.

At its core is the open‑draft mechanic: when one player grabs a card, the remaining options stay available to the others, creating a mix of competition and cooperation. The game also layers set‑collection – you need to gather specific combinations of notes to finish perfume cards – and worker placement, where each strategic move can secure valuable resources or block rivals.

The board is built in three tiers: top, middle, and base. Each tier receives cards representing ingredients and blends, and that’s where the strategy kicks in. You decide when to use your pieces to upgrade notes, when to buy new cards, or when to complete a perfume to rack up brand points. The final score is based on the quality of the perfumes you produce and the reputation you build over the course of the game.

Perfumery isn’t a lightning‑fast game; it demands deep thought and long‑term planning. Veteran players will appreciate the level of detail in note combinations, while those who enjoy business and manufacturing themes will feel right at home. If you love games that mix strategy, economics, and a dash of aromatic creativity, Perfumery is a solid pick for your table.

The game comes with a perfume deck, an ingredient deck, a set of perfumer worker tokens, four note boards, and brand markers. Each perfume card has a unique recipe requiring different note combinations. Completing a perfume earns you brand points and can grant you extra resources to speed up production. There are also event cards that shake up the draft, forcing players to adapt on the fly.

The average playtime is about 45 minutes, perfect for 2‑4 players. Complexity sits in the middle: rules are approachable, but strategic depth keeps players engaged across multiple sessions. For those who enjoy production, science, and marketing themes, Perfumery offers a unique experience that blends the logic of a card game with the thrill of creating something new and valuable.