Dmitry Bortnikoff is an architect by profession and a perfumer by vocation. In 2013 he co-founded Feel Oud, a distillery for agarwood and sandalwood oils, where Russian Adam of Areej Le Doré was his partner. In 2018 he founded his own house, Bortnikoff, in Thailand, and the company is based in Bangkok.
His perfumes are 95 to 100 percent natural, and many of their oils are distilled in-house, using 19th-century techniques next to modern ones. Bortnikoff Oud Maximus, made as a tribute to his son Maxim, sets Laotian, Indian, Sri Lankan and Thai ouds against a cluster of rose oils over civet and musk. Bortnikoff Sayat Nova, named after the 18th-century Armenian poet and troubadour, runs apricot and narcissus into rum and vanilla over ouds from Laos, Bengal and Trat. Bortnikoff Santa Sangre, built on lotus and sandalwood, is a joint creation with Rajesh Balkrishnan.
Bortnikoff Oud Monarch wraps Merauke oud and a Co Chang oud from Feel Oud in frangipani, cinnamon, tobacco and rose over cacao, civet and labdanum. Bortnikoff Musk Khabib lays ambergris, musk and oakmoss under bergamot and cardamom. Musk Cologne and Amber Cologne are the lighter side: citrus and white flowers over musk and sandalwood, or over ambergris and a Sri Lankan oud from the house stills. Bortnikoff Tiger Blue, grapefruit and ginger over violet, labdanum and ambergris, is a collaboration with Christian Carbonnel.
