A List of 578 Recommendations
In the interest of compiling a massive list of recommendations for reference purposes to be used in my guide—yes, that's still in the works—and creating a (hopefully sidebar-worthy) resource with the intention of reducing "simple" recommendation requests by note/genre, I put this together.
This is not intended to be a bunch of "top 10 lists."
Disclaimers: as we've all heard millions of times, fragrances are highly subjective, and I cannot guarantee that you will like what I'm suggesting, or even detect the notes that I'm suggesting they have. I've tried to leave out discontinued/limited edition fragrances and be as comprehensive as possible by including fragrances from different price points, target markets and target genders, and apologise for skewing slightly masculine due to my tastes and knowledge, particularly regarding work scents. Though I've tried to keep overlaps to a minimum, there will certainly be fragrances that apply to more than one category.
I had to use Bitlinks for the most part to keep within the character limit. If I made a mistake in general, if there's a discontinued/limited edition fragrance here which you think should be removed, if any of the Bitlinks don't redirect you to the intended Fragrantica page, or if there's a section you'd like added/you think I missed, let me know in the comments. Hopefully this will be of some help!
Apologies, mobile users.
By Note
Bergamot
Caramel
Cedar
Chocolate
Coconut
Coffee
Fig
Gardenia
Ginger
Gin & Tonic
Grapefruit
Honey
Incense/Smoky
Iris
Jasmine
Leather
Lemon
Lily
Lily of the Valley (1|2)
Lime
Magnolia
Mimosa
Mint
Miscellaneous
Ambergris: Aftelier Parfum Privé, Aroma M Geisha Noire, Creed Vanisia, Guerlain Encens Mythique d'Orient
Ambroxan: Dior Sauvage EDT, Juliette Has a Gun Not a Perfume
Apple: CB I Hate Perfume Gathering Apples, Hermès Un Jardin sur le Toit, Hugo Boss Boss Bottled Intense
Cherry Blossom: L'Occitane Fleur de Cerisier, Parfum Satori Sakura
Frangipani: Annick Goutal Songes, Chanel Beige, Chantecaille Frangipane
Heliotrope: Etro Heliotrope, Frederic Malle L'Eau d'Hiver, L. T. Piver Héliotrope Blanc
Immortelle: Annick Goutal Sables, Histoires de Parfums 1740
Iso E Super: Escentric Molecules Molecule 01, Hermès Poivre Samarcande, Le Labo Another 13
Labdanum: Boadicea the Victorious Imperial, Le Labo Labdanum 18
Rhubarb: Aedes de Venustas Signature, Hermès Eau de Rhubarbe Écarlate, Nina Ricci Ricci Ricci
Sand: Comptoir Sud Pacifique Aqua Motu EDT, Davidoff Cool Water Wave
Tonka: Givenchy Ange ou Démon, Guerlain Tonka Imperiale, Mugler Pure Tonka
Ylang-Ylang: Diptyque Eau Mohéli, M. Micallef Ylang in Gold
Musk
Neroli
Orange Blossom
Orange/Mandarin
Oud
Patchouli
Peach
Robert Piguet V (renamed; originally Visa)
Pepper
Rose
Rum
Sandalwood
Profvmvm Roma Santalvm
Tea (1|2)
Tobacco
Tuberose
Vanilla
Vetiver
By Genre/Accord
Aquatic (Marine)
Aquatic (Melon/Calone)
Animalic (Civet, Hyrax, Castoreum)
Balsamic
Boozy
Chypre (Bergamot, Labdanum/Patchouli, Oakmoss)
Coniferous
Floral
Fougères (Lavender, Oakmoss, Coumarin)
Fruity (Forest Fruits, Berries etc.)
Gourmand
Green
Mature (Stereotypically Masculine)
Powdery
Resinous (Amber, Resins)
Soapy
Spicy (Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Clove etc.)
Tropical
Work/Versatile/Dumb Reach (Men)
Work/Versatile/Dumb Reach (Women)
Edit: *576 recommendations. I had to remove two. 586 recommendations now. Added a Soapy category. I should've titled it A List of 500+ Recommendations.
I think Escada Taj Sunset has been discontinued. I can no longer find it 😢
Noted, it's been taken out. Thanks!
We definitely need something that will be called later in future smell-over-internet-protocol (Smell Over IP - SOIP)
Why not make this a Google spreadsheet?
Too much work. Heh.
I'll do it if you want.
Not now, thanks; there are still some changes I would like to make. Is it necessary though? I can only think of there being two columns.
Well I was thinking of making it more accessible via links to certain sections, a key (so that people can see what categories you do or don't have before either messaging to suggest something or wasting their time scrolling through), splitting up the recs by brand as well, etc.
I'm interested in seeing how you'll table that. When I'm done with the things I should have done instead of write this list, I'll add my fixes and let you know.
Lol sure, let me know.
Nice list! I would recommend Woodcut by Olympic Orchids for Caramel, Back to Black by Kilian for Honey, Follow by Kerosene for Coffee, Winter Nights by Dasein to Smoky, just on a quick browse.
Also I'd move Incendo from coniferous to smoky, that one is just straight smoke
I remembered what you told me about Incendo, but decided to put it in there anyway. Considering the excess of coniferous fragrances you left me with, though, and that I'll likely have to separate Incense and Smoky, I'll probably move it.
A list
At first you had my curiosity
..of 578 recommendations
but now you have my attention.
Great work u/swanswag.
Thanks!
That space at the bottom of your comment disturbs me…
To Ambroxan I'd add Dior Homme Intense.
Add Auphorie Iris Macchiato to Coffee and/or Iris.
I would call "Genre" Group/Accord/Genre.
Boozy/Liquor is a note/accord, not a group. Subgroup types of liquors under this group
To Amber/Benzoin, I'd add Tom Ford Amber Absolute, MFK Absolue Pour Le Soir, Prada Candy, Body Kouros, LADDM and ACDD
Peach, Mitsouko, Viktoria Minya Hedonist
Gourmand: Guerlain Mon Précieux Nectar, Gourmand Coquin, Aquolina Pink Sugar, Beaufort London Lignum Vitae, Serge Lutens Rahat Loukoum. angel, Angel Muse, A*Men. You could also put most of the caramels here.
Fruity: Agartha, April Aromatics, House of Matriarch Toukka ta Tao
Leather: LM Hard Leather, Nasomatto Duro, Dior Leather Oud, Pascal Morabito Or Black, Knize 10, Daim Blond
Chypre: Aventus, Bogue Maai, Zino, Sous Le Vent, Papillon Dryad, Hiram Green Shangri_la
Fougère: Azzaro Pour Homme, Kouros, Valentino Uomo Intense, move Geoffrey Beene Grey Flannel here: Fort & Manle Fougère Gothique, Salvador Dali Pour Homme
Neroli: Neroli Outrenoir, Nerolia Blanca, Ferrari Bright Neroli
Spicy (this is Oriental): Opium, Kenzo Jungle L'Elephant, Boucheron Jaipur
Lime: Guerlain Habit Rouge Sport, Eau de Gaga
Rose: Fille de Berlin, Guerlain Rose Barbare, Ex Idolo Thirry Three,
Iris/Violet: L'Heure Bleue, Quand Vient La Pluie, Pharrell Girl, De Profundis, Iris Silver Mist, Sixteen92 Bruise Violet
You left out Citrus as a group. Much of what you have listed separately as lemon, lime, neroli, bergamot and grapefruit can be consolidated there. Add to it orange, tangerine/mandarin, yuzu and petitgrain scents. Cologne du 68 falls here (it's an EDT). Hiram Green Dilettante
You also left out Woody, though you have oud and cedar. I would subgroup cedar, oud and sandalwood under woody and add woody frags including Chanel Égoïste, Habit Rouge, L'Homme Idéal, Bois des Îles, the Lutens Bois
Vanilla: Tobacco Vanilla, M. Micallef Note Vanillee, MAC Velvet Teddy
Coniferous: Annick Goutal Nuit d'Etoilee, Aqua Allegoria Winter Délice, Enchanted Forest Vagabond Prince, M. Micallef Royal Vintage
Animalic: Lutens Musc Koublai Khan, Malles Musc Ravageur, Stercus, Kiehls Original Musk, Sécrétions Magnifique, some Vivienne Westwoods,
Coconut: House of Matriarch Coco Blanc, Heeley Cocobello
Balsamic: Tonka Imperiale, Oriental Brulant
Honey: Memo Ilho do Mel, Lutens Miel de Bois
Eau de Cologne (the style not the concentration) is a major category that overlaps with Citrus. Guerlain Eaux, 4711, Houbigant Cologne Intense, Sweet Dreams 2003, most of the Acqua di Parma, Santa Maria Novella, Dior Cologne
Marine: House of Matriarch Orcas, Albatross, Ayala Moriel Orca, Brezza di Mare by I Profumi di Firenze, Sogne Reale
Miscellaneous is superfluous. Each category under it can go in another already named category, e.g. ambergris and ambroxan = animalic; ylang, immortelle, etc. = floral... Rhubarb is a veggie, but it's been ruled as a fruit 70 years ago and is used like one; apple (fruit)
Tuberose: Nasomatto Narcotic V, MFK Un Beau Parfum, L'Artisan Nuit de Tuberose, Aftelier Cepes and Tuberose, Madonna Truth or Dare
Mature is a subjective judgment call and a moving target for controversy. It's also not a genre. It begs the question of what's immature. And it's men only. I would omit it.
Agree with u/wakeup_andlive, the Work/Dumb reaches are mostly masculine. This is another subjective, controversial, non-group. I'd cut this category. You might as well sink to the bottom and add freshie, cheapie, beastmode, inoffensive, crowdpleasing, compliment getters, and panty droppers. And Arpege Lanvin WTF?
By rights, floral should be the largest group and you got what -- 12? Ostara, Fazzolari Au Dela Narcisse, Le Temps d'Un Fête, so many more that don't fall under the specific flowers listed.
Narcotics: whatever smells like weed, heroine, laudanum, cocaine, absinthe
Industrial/plastic/rubber: Bulgari Black, CDG Black Tar...
I would separate smoke (aromatic) from incense (resinous). Smoke: Fumerie Turque, Naomi Goodsir Bois d'Ascese, Fourreau Noir. Incense: Avignon, Nereid Oppoponax, Encens Mythique d'Orient, Heeley Eau Sacrée, Caron Parfum Sacree
Finally, I would add clones (Smells Like) as a category.
Edited to add: it's definitely something to add to the WIKI. Do these live on a web page or blog, or in Google Drive?
Thanks for your feedback, and the suggestions. I'm surprised I missed out on Mitsouko.
As I said in the disclaimer, there's plenty of overlap to be expected, much of which your comment covers. Yes, I didn't make Genre listings for categories like Woody and Citrus that I feel I delved deep enough into. Mature plays to stereotypes, which people follow anyway, justified or not. While I don't mean to encourage the following of that stereotype, I think it warrants a category on its own. I'll think of a way to organise it better.
No, this was edited completely on Reddit and Windows Notepad.
Maybe another member will take up the "Clones/Similar to" baton, and make a guide. Lord knows this place needs it.
I'm surprised I missed out on Mitsouko
The first thing that I checked was to see if you'd listed Mitsouko as "peach" and I was pleased all to hell when you hadn't. Mitsouko isn't a peach fragrance. Sorry to those who think it is. There are some lactones that give it an "aura" of peachiness, but it's not fresh or fruity peach. That becomes especially apparent when you smell all of the concentrations. Many people don't detect peach in it at all. This is a common misconception that has spurned countless hours of internet dialogue -- people questioning why they "can't smell the peach" and wondering if their sample or bottle is bad.
What I say is that when the cold air hits your skin just right, you might smell the ghost of a peach, but it is not a peach fragrance. It does not smell like peaches. It does not have a "peach note." It has lactones that give it the impression of a fuzzy peachskin texture.
Mitsouko is the quintessential chypre though. Although Coty Chypre was the O.G., Mitsouko was the perfect specimen. Luca Turin calls it "the reference chypre."
I put it in earlier. 🤭 I did detect a peach, but come to think of it, you're right too. Out it goes…
Edit: Shouldn't have included it there anyway, I had listed it as a chypre in my original draft.
I wouldnt really put Venetian Bergamot as a rec OP, it is definetly a white floral with little Bergamot
It opened with bergamot very strongly on me, but that's true too. I've replaced it.
Wow, what a lot of work that must have been! Leather category: no Knize Ten?
Feminine additions to the "dumb reach:" perhaps Prada Infusion d'Iris? I know it's already there in another category. I think femme frags are more versatile, maybe that category should just be for men?
Thanks for the feedback. Knize Ten is under Animalics.
Well shit dude. I don't have much to add.
Nice.
EPIC list!!! I have a few adds/edits if you’re taking them:
Ginger: Dior Homme Sport 2012 Honey: Penhaligons Sartorial Incense: Jubilation XXV Jasmine/Sandalwood: Reflection Man Lemon: Eau Sauvage ISO E Super/Vetiver: Encre Noire
Love your wide range of prices from B&BW to Xerjoff and everything in between!
I hate admitting it, but Axe Dark Temptation does smell really good. When I was a teenager it was my Axe body wash and canned spray of choice.
Also, I don't think Encre Noire really fits in the Work/Versatile/Dumb reach category.
Axe had this dark oud and vanilla release last year that I was curious enough to try. It was good.
Some of these are discontinued and no longer available. Upon first glance, the ones that stuck out right away are Apoteker Tepe The Holy Mountain and Auporie Eau de Nyona.
Also, I'm a bit confused by the "Work/Versatile/Dumb Reach" category. I see 9 pretty masculine fragrances (I like masculines, and I wouldn't wear most of them), and then -- Arpège???
I think that if this is supposed to be a "masculine" category then label it as such and remove Arpège. And then make a feminine one. Or make it 50/50 m/f, or make it all scents that are more unisex/ambiguous. (Again, I'm not the strongest believer in "gendered fragrances", but these are almost all "male wardrobe pillar" type fragrances).
But mostly, I'm so curious about where Arpège came from? I mean, I like it, but I would be surprised if anybodyhere considers it their "default scent". But don't look to that Fragrantica list for inspiration, the women's choices were not typical. I'm not the best when it comes to mainstream female fragrances, but I know that some of the most popular women's "dumb reach" fragrances are things like Coco Mademoiselle, Chloé EdP, Flowerbomb, Light Blue, Glossier You, Elizabeth & James Nirvana, Chanel Chance Eau Tendre,...
Aperge was the first recommended fragrance to me on base notes back in like 2006 or 2009
Thanks for the feedback.
Eau de Nyonya is sold out but not discontinued.
You're right, Arpège was my rather pathetic attempt at making that section cater to both genders. I don't know enough about women's fragrances to make a list of my own, so I'll borrow from your suggested fixes.
Eau de Nyonya is sold out but not discontinued.
Technically, yes. But it's been sold out for months, and is listed on their website as a "Limited Edition".
And also, I don't know if you've actually smelled it, but there are many more popular and accessible gourmand fragrances that you could put in its place. I would suggest a ubiquitous one like Jeux de Peau or Five O'Clock au Gingembre by Serge Lutens, or Keiko Mecheri Loukhoum. Much of the list of gourmands is obscure TBH, but Eau de Nyona in particular is a rare bird that might be extinct in the wild.
As for the rest of the list, you are never going to please everyone, and you can't list every instance of every type of perfume that everyone can think of. Everybody is going to think that the ones they know are "the best" and want their favorite scents on the list, or want it arranged they way they would do it. I think you've done a pretty good job of choosing a wide variety of representative scents for many different categories and it is organized simply enough to be useful to a wide audience.
But it's been sold out for months
That's true, I've been waiting for it to come back for months…
and is listed on their website as a "Limited Edition"
…although they all are.
Agree with your picks. I wanted to list more obscure gourmands under that particular section, since Caramel and Chocolate have their own parts and I'm heavily biased towards Auphorie.
I hope that they bring it back then! I love Auphorie also, my favorite is Binturong. I'm anxiously awaiting my bottle of Iris Macchiato, which should come today.
I also noticed that you listed several from Pryn Parfum, which I've just recently started to try. Are you a fan of this house as well? I found them because I try all goat scents, but I ended up blind-buying Morah and I really like it. On a related note, their sample packs were sold out for months also, and they became available again this week. Still mulling over whether I should buy a $40 Discovery Set or just blind-buy Roseurrier?
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