Jump Up And Kiss Me Hedonistic (2021)

The Verdict

Clive Christian's Jump Up And Kiss Me Hedonistic is one of those rare fragrances that inspires the word "masterpiece" from people who otherwise resist hyperbole. Originally released as a limited edition in 2017 and brought back in standard 50ml bottles in 2021, this Julie Pluchet composition draws its inspiration from Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, evoking ecstatic enjoyment and reckless abandonment. On Fragrantica, it holds a commanding 4.30 out of 5 with approximately 1,215 votes, with an extraordinary 60% expressing love and another 22% registering strong approval.

Those numbers are remarkable for a fragrance at this price point, where buyer's remorse and inflated expectations often drag ratings down. Instead, Hedonistic has built a reputation as one of the finest cherry-tobacco-leather compositions available, with a complexity that reportedly involves over 200 individual ingredients. The only serious and recurring criticism is the price, which at $300 to $500 for 50ml places it firmly in the "special purchase" category.

What It Smells Like

The opening is a lavish affair, with black cherry, bergamot, neroli, grapefruit, mandarin, lemon, violet leaf, clary sage, and mate all vying for attention in a lush, multifaceted burst. It sounds chaotic on paper, but in practice it resolves into something surprisingly coherent: a sweet, fruity warmth anchored by the juicy black cherry, with the citrus notes providing brightness and the clary sage adding an herbal, slightly aromatic edge. One reviewer described their first impression as "very sexy, magnetic, seductive" with a very original character.

The heart introduces tobacco, orris, papyrus, and jasmine, and this is where Hedonistic reveals its depth. The tobacco is warm rather than smoky, blending with the cherry in a combination that feels indulgent without being gourmand. The orris adds a powdery sophistication that elevates the sweetness, while the jasmine rounds out the floral aspects. The cherry remains present but evolves from juicy into something darker and more complex.

The base is monumental: amber, leather, tonka bean, vanilla, sandalwood, musk, cashmere wood, labdanum, vetiver, oakmoss, and patchouli create a velvety, warm, and endlessly smooth foundation. Reviewers describe the drydown as earthy amberwood that retains some sweetness, noting it never falls into anything harsh or excessively sweet, finishing instead with a soft musk that reads as elegant, smooth, and well-blended. One reviewer compared it to Blonde Amber infused with smoky leather, slightly less gourmand.

When to Wear It

Fall and winter are the primary seasons, but Hedonistic shows surprising versatility for a composition this rich. The citrus opening and smooth blending mean it can work in spring and even mild summer evenings if applied sparingly. The key is restraint: in warm weather, a single spray can be enough, while cool temperatures allow for two to three.

Evening events, date nights, and formal occasions are the natural habitat. This is a fragrance with charm, charisma, and undeniable sex appeal, designed for moments when you want to make an impression. It is not an everyday office scent, but it is not strictly seasonal either. One reviewer noted they wear it year-round, simply adjusting the application.

Longevity & Projection

Performance matches the price tag. Community reports describe 10 to 12 hours of wear time on skin, with strong projection for the first 3 to 4 hours before settling into a smooth, moderate sillage that continues for the remainder of its life. On clothing, expect it to last until washing.

The concentration is clearly high, and two to three sprays is more than sufficient for most occasions. The opening projects assertively before the drydown pulls the scent closer, creating an intimate aura that rewards proximity. Several reviewers are already on their second full bottle, which given the price says everything about how much this fragrance delivers.

The Community Says

The praise borders on reverent. One Parfumo reviewer called it "absolutely addictive, utterly complex, and one of the most praised blends on the market, with good reason." A Basenotes devotee described it as "pure bottled perfection" and is already on a second full bottle. Multiple reviewers place it comfortably in their top five fragrances of all time, with several noting they know of no competitors because it is simply too unique.

The criticism is sparse but exists. One harsh review of the original 2017 version found nothing of worth, comparing it to a softer, overly sweet version of a Montblanc fragrance and questioning its value at over $10 per milliliter. Another Basenotes reviewer felt the composition lacked genuine hedonistic energy, describing vague allusions to the listed notes over a prominent, formulaic vanilla-tonka base. A few wearers find the cherry note occasionally too bitter, though most times it reads as dark cherry and purely divine.

The price, predictably, is the most common complaint. One reviewer praised the scent as remarkable but concluded the insane price point simply is not worth it. Others advise looking for deals, with some discounters offering it for around $299 for 50ml.

Who Should Buy This

Hedonistic is for the fragrance enthusiast who has moved past the basics and is ready to invest in something genuinely special. If you love cherry-tobacco-leather compositions, if you appreciate dense, multi-layered blending, and if you want a scent that will stop people mid-conversation to ask what you are wearing, this is as good as it gets in the genre. It also works for gift-givers looking for a truly impressive, unisex fragrance that justifies special-occasion pricing.

Skip it if the price is a dealbreaker with no exceptions. Skip it if you prefer fresh, minimalist fragrances. And skip it if you find sweet cherry notes cloying, as the black cherry is the backbone of the entire composition. Sampling is recommended, though the community approval rating makes a decant or small bottle a relatively low-risk investment for the curious.

The Bottom Line

Jump Up And Kiss Me Hedonistic is the kind of fragrance that makes you understand why people develop serious perfume habits. Julie Pluchet has crafted something genuinely outstanding: a cherry-tobacco-leather composition of extraordinary complexity that manages to be both boldly seductive and effortlessly smooth. The price will always be the barrier, and that barrier is real. But for those who can afford it or catch it at a discount, Hedonistic delivers an experience that few fragrances at any price can match. It is indulgent, magnetic, and unforgettable, exactly the qualities its Shakespearean inspiration demands.