Wishlist-Worthy Fragrances For Him
If you’re on the hunt for a new signature scent or struggling with gifting ideas for the special man in your life, then you’ve arrived in exactly the right place. I’ve selected the best premium men’s fragrances as chosen by a self-confessed fragrance fan – and a perfume fan who gets to try a lot of different scents.
So, if you’ve ever caught yourself wondering, ‘which luxury perfume is best for men?’, you’d better stick around. Whether you love spicy scents or smoky gourmands, there’s bound to be a premium men’s fragrance that suits your style with this luxe line-up…
1. The Spicy-Sweet Scent
Nothing short of sublime, Amouage Interlude Man perfectly strikes the balance between softness and spice. Created to reflect the trials and tribulations one overcomes throughout their lives, Interlude Man feels instantly energising as it starts with a vibrant blend of zesty bergamot, aromatic oregano and hot pimento berry oil. Amouage’s warm and luxurious tone continues in the heart as a blend of amber, cistus, frankincense and myrrh join together. The scent is rounded off by leather, agarwood smoke, patchouli and sandalwood, which unite to add depth and strengthen the Amouage Interlude Man scent.
And I have to mention the design. Adorned with striking strokes of vibrant blue, orange and purple, the box is worthy of a place in The Tate Modern. Once you lift the lid, you’re greeted by the weighted glass bottle, which sits proudly in a crushed velvety-like base. The glass is dressed in a deep midnight blue, wears the glistening gold Amouage emblem and is topped with a magnetic gold cap that’s completed by a blue gemstone – stunning.
2. The Fragrance Fit For A King
Once you peel back layers of texture gold adorning the box to reveal Atkinsons His Majesty The Oud, you instantly know that this fragrance is going to be the height of luxury – if the fact that it’s named ‘The Majesty’ didn’t already give that away.
Deemed one of the most exquisite Atkinsons fragrances to date, His Majesty The Oud is a fragrance fit for a king – it’s literally inspired by King Faisal I. Part of the Oud Collection, His Majesty begins with a refreshing yet subtly smoked lapsang souchong tea accord. This perfectly intertwines with the sweet heady spice of cloves and cade oil, building the fragrance’s warmth and richness. But His Majesty’s power really reveals itself in the base when musky, seductive oud and luxurious leather join forces with incense, conjuring up images of the saddles King Faisal I rode upon as he galloped through the hot Egyptian deserts.
3. The Oud Masterpiece
Initio’s all-time best-seller for good reason, Oud For Greatness is one of the most well-balanced oud fragrances I’ve ever had the pleasure of trying. Designed to instil a sense of peace and personal growth, Oud For Greatness features some of the most expensive notes in the world of fragrance, so you know you’re getting the highest quality scent imaginable – only the finest men’s fragrance have made my list of wishlist-worthy fragrances for him, remember!
The scent itself carefully balances the fresh, soothing aromatic coolness with the luxurious radiant spice of saffron. Of course, Indian oud is in there too; it’s rich, woody, and slightly dark but never overpowering. It’s beautifully balanced by earthy patchouli and soft, sensual musks.
If the scent doesn’t prove to you why Oud For Greatness deserves to be on my ultimate list of premium men’s fragrances, the design certainly will; inspired by the Tree Of Life, the black bottle is adorned with the most detailed gold and green pattern you’ll probably ever see.
4. The Amber-Floral Fragrance
A perfect blend of seduction and sophistication, Parfums de Marly Layton is a bold, rich signature that starts with a citrus-green tang of bergamot, balanced by soothing, aromatic lavender and a crisp, fresh slice of green apple. As the fragrance settles, it unveils a floral blend of jasmine, violet and geranium, which add a slight sweetness to the scent without ever feeling overwhelming. But the base is where the real layer of luxury kicks in as a rich, deep and utterly masculine base of cosy vanilla, energetic pink pepper, guaiac wood and earthy-smoky patchouli unveils itself. My favourite thing about Layton? It adds a delicious splash of caramelised coffee to the base – delicious!
And of course, any existing fans of Parfums de Marly’s fragrances will recognise the classic design dressed in Layton’s matte navy blue shade. It features Marly’s rearing horse motif, which honours Chevaux de Marly (the pair of marble sculptures were commissioned by Louis XV of France in 1743) – this is a niche French fragrance house, after all.
5. The Italian-Inspired Aroma
If you’re ever lucky enough to get the opportunity to go to Venice, you should one hundred percent take it. And, in my view, you should probably wear a fragrance from The Merchant Of Venice while you’re there. Don’t have a trip on the horizon just yet? You should still try The Merchant Of Venice. And Venetian Blue would be my top recommendation for fans of fougere fragrances.
Once you’ve lifted the artistic and luxurious box, you’ll reveal The Merchant Of Venice Venetian Blue fragrance; it’s enclosed in a stylish glass flacon with a detailed blue pattern that honours the old fabric manufacturing tradition of Venice and the colour of the sea.
A charismatic fragrance that’s based on a modern fougere structure, Venetian Blue is initially fresh, bright and energising, thanks to a splash of tart, juicy apple, bergamot, lemon, pineapple before the heart ramps up the heat. As it settles, the heart unveils a woody, subtly smoky blend of birch, black pepper, patchouli and pink peppercorns, which still maintain a sense of energy and green freshness. Finally, the mossy, smoky base of ambergris and musk kicks in for an ultra-long-lasting signature scent.
6. The Smoky Vanilla Signature
Orchid Leather by Van Cleef & Arpels is the type of fragrance that will make you stop and say ‘wow’. To start with, you’re hit by a sensual plum note that reminds me of the fuzzy velvety skin of dark purple plums. This note is joined by the precious curling white petals of the orchid flower. You get the smooth, seductive creaminess of vanilla pods – the child of the orchid – to provide a rich but cosy layer of warmth. The heart adds a layer of heat and smokiness using incense and cardamom before that rugged, sexy leather base kicks in.
Held in a chic box, the Orchid Leather fragrance has a stunning yet understated design. Its smooth, midnight black lacquered bottle contrasts the creamy white label perfectly, reminding you of the colour contrast between the velvety white orchid plant and black leather – or the contrast of orchid petals and curled vanilla pods. The minimalistic design is effortlessly chic, and worthy of a place on your wishlist.
Van Cleef & Arpels Collection Extraordinaire Orchid Leather Eau de Parfum Review
7. The Outdoors Scent For Adventurers
Moncler Pour Homme is one of the most true-to-life outdoors scent I’ve ever had the pleasure of trying. A must-have for anyone who loves nothing more than leaving the city behind and scaling the mountainside, its rugged wishlist-worthy aroma starts with an ultra-fresh green ‘forest’ scent, thanks to a cool dose of clary sage, which is paired with Moncler’s exclusive alpine accord – you won’t find anything quite like it elsewhere. The cedarwood and mountain woods accord add to the woody fresh vibe, creating a distinct pine-like aroma. Finally, the base warms up a little, unveiling the earth smoky and woody note of vetiver.
Aside from its scent, Moncler Pour Homme has also made my fragrance wishlist for men because it’s bound to appeal to any tech savvy individuals out there. For the 150ml size, download the Moncler app (there is a barcode to scan inside the box). You’ll then be talked through the process: turn on bluetooth and connect to your perfume by clicking ‘customise’. Add up to 80 characters and press ‘send’ to transfer your message from your phone to the LED screen – you can write whatever you like for a bottle that is truly personal to you. The Moncler logo under the screen is the button to turn the screen on and off.