FOR MOST OF US, the arrival of the colder months signals a wardrobe switcheroo. Out goes the shorts and thongs and in comes longer pants and coats. But did you know that when the weather cools you may need to switch up your choice of fragrance too?
Though you may have never considered it before it turns out that summer and winter fragrances are an actual THING. When it comes to aromatic molecules (smells of any kind) heat is required for them to smell. In terms of fragrance, that temperature is either found in your skin or from the environment. In short, this means that when it’s chilly a fragrance does not ‘lift’ as well as in a warmer climate. This also means that our favourite cologne, which prompted compliments left, right and centre during the balmy days of summer, might not smell as good on us in the throes of winter. Make sense?
Perfume makers know this very well and formulate fragrances to work better in different seasons. While summer scents are floral and fruity, winter ones are warm and woody – deeper, long-lasting notes that project more in the seasonal chill. And happily, when it comes to winter-appropriate colognes for men, there’s a swag of them on the market. Read on for 10 of the best…
RHIZOME 04, RHIZOME
Another strong (in all senses of the word) contender from Rhizome is their 04 eau de parfum. Key notes of oud, lavender, vetiver, tobacco and white musk create an intense layering that will go the distance from day to night.
OUD WOOD, TOM FORD
A blend of rare oud with sandalwood and vetiver, Tom Ford’s rich, warm and spicy Oud Wood is a the embodiment of a heavier, winter season scent.
Conjuring incense- filled temples and the exotic Middle East, the scent is stylish, heady, and intoxicating. Tom Ford can do no wrong.
MYRRHE MYSTERE, TOM FORD
Launched last year, Myrrhe Mystere is another winner in a long-line of fragrances from the cologne and fashion maestro, Tom Ford.
Using precious and pricey myrrh at its core (one of the most desired of ingredients in a perfumer’s toolkit) the strong smokiness of the scent is is paired with smooth sandalwood and vanilla to create balance with a hint of sweetness. This is an absolute winter winner.
MYSTIC BLISS, GOLDFIELD & BANKS
New for next month (RELEASED AUGUST 1) Mystic Bliss – from Australia’s first luxury fragrance house, Goldfield & Banks — is a homage to the ancient forests of Tasmania’s Flinders Island.
True to the brand, which has built a reputation for championing Australia’s botanical richness, the new scent tells the story of the island’s rugged beauty through its use of the ancient, native flower, Kunzea.
The Kunzea’s woody and aromatic fragrance is then mixed with fig and mint for a layer of freshness while other notes of cardamom and clary sage lend a deep, resonant finish. Masterfully blended and True Blue at the same time.
AMBRE CHROMATIQUE, MAISON CRIVELLI
When French perfumer, Quentin Bisch, was instructed to transform the memory of a night trek in a tropical forest into a fragrance, Ambre Chromatique was the result.
Top notes of incense and pink peppercorn create intensity, while Amber is reserved for the base notes where it blends with benzoin resin and vanilla bourbon to lend a warmth to the scent.
Highly concentrated, diffusing, and long-lasting, it’s a gem of a scent for the cooler months.
CRUSHED SYMPHONY, RHIZOME
Based out of a studio in the fashion capital of Milan, Rhizome is a fragrance branded from the creatively-minded perfumers and brothers, Stefano and Andrea Aschieri. And Crushed Symphony is an example of their bold and young approach to crafting fragrances.
A daring blend of sweet orange, saffron flower and pink pepper fuse with Turkish Rose, black pepper, cinnamon and oud to create a sensual and warm cologne. Plus, with a 16 percent concentration of natural essences in each formula, it’s designed to be long-lasting.
OUD FOR GREATNESS NEO, INITIO PARFUMS PRIVES
Launched in Australia this month (NOTE TO SUBS: LAUNCHED JULY 1) Oud for Greatness Neo is a new incarnation of the luxury French perfume house, INITIO Parfums Prives’, signature scent.
Flipping the fragrance creation process on its head, the brand takes a scientific approach to crafting fragrances — a process that looks at the desired mood or behaviour first and then creates a prescription of ingredients designed to induce this emotion.
Oud for Greatness Neo focuses on the natural essence of oud wood, which is enhanced with the presence of three other main notes: fir balsam, bergamot, and orpur lavender. Intense and long-lasting, the scent has been designed to boost confidence and positive energy and to create a sense that “anything is possible.” Now that’s appealing!
L.
THE HEART OF LEO, GUCCI
New for 2024 and part of Gucci’s luxe Alchemist’s Garden collection, Heart of Leo takes inspiration from its constellation namesake.
Spicy myrrh with smokey incense contrasts powerfully with sweet, juicy blackcurrant to create a cologne that’s as strong as a lion.
COMETE EAU DU PARFUM, CHANEL
Created by Chanel’s in-house perfumer Olivier Polge — and inspired by “the cosmos” — this brand new musk-based scent is designed to go the distance and will linger throughout the day.
Rich, elegant, and complex, the eau de perfume pairs a fresh cherry blossom accord with notes of iris and heliotrope.
AMBER KISO, DS DURGA
Said to be inspired by the Shinto rituals of old held in holy forests in Japan, this heady and intense amber fragrance is not for the faint of heart.
A creation from cult Brooklyn-based perfume pioneer, D.S. & Durga, Amber Kiso pulls together rare woods — including Japanese cedar and maple — aromatic incense, leather, patchouli and iris to conjure sacred, exotic rituals.
