My Top Fragrance Purchases Of 2021

A note from the brand: The tactile sensuality of rich black leather, textured with addictive patchouli and vetiver, envelops like second skin. The perfume’s floral tones of jasmine sambac conjure wild desert beauty, while layers of amber and moss mimic the heat of rock and sand.

“Ombré Leather is a deeply textural scent that imprints you with a tactile sensuality. It makes one feel different, beautiful and desired.” – Tom Ford

Why is Tom Ford Ombre Leather one of my top fragrance purchases of 2021: In my opinion, Ombre Leather is the best designer release from the 2010s without competition.

A combination of suede leather, raspberry, and amber are out of this world, and while Tuscan/Ombre Leather has been copied to death now, nothing comes close to it.

A long-lasting, and powerful scent ideal for romantic dates, clubbing, or even a work environment. Like I always like to say, if you can, always go with the original, never with a copy.

• Perfumer: Sonia Constant
• Perfume Oil Concentration: Eau de Parfum
• Fragrance Type: Leather Spicy
• Release Date: 2018
• Most dominant notes: Leather, Cardamom, and Amber 
• Target Audience: Unisex
• Age Group: 20+
• Seasons: Fall and Winter
• Occasions: Business and Night Outs
• Longevity and Sillage: 24+ hours with great projection
• Compliments: High
• Likeability: High
• Uniqueness: 5/5
• Value for money: 10/10
• Accords: Leather, Amber, Spicy

A note from the brand: Costa Azzurra captures the easy sensuality of a purely uninhibited escape. The exhilarating aroma of sea air, fresh aromatic notes, evergreens and citrus set the scene and mingle with deeper woody scents – a crisp medley of cypress, oaks and aromatics.

Why is Tom Ford Costa Azzurra 2021 one of my top fragrance purchases of 2021: If you want just one high-quality summer fragrance, Costa Azzurra is your best bet.

Not cheap, but not that expensive as well, Costa Azzurra does everything one great summer scent should try to do.

Costa Azzurra reminds me somewhat of Giorgio Armani Acqua di Gio Profumo and Tom Ford for Men but done much better. That “Tom Ford effect” as I like to call it is something only seen in Tom Ford perfumes, and Costa Azzurra delivers.

The scent is dominated by the notes of driftwood, lemon, and, seaweed with a lasting power of good 8 hours.

• Perfumer: Yann Vasnier
• Perfume Oil Concentration: Eau de Parfum
• Fragrance Type: Citrus Aquatic
• Release Date: 2021
• Most dominant notes: Driftwood, Lemon, and Seaweed
• Target Audience: Unisex
• Age Group: 20+
• Seasons: Spring and Summer
• Occasions: Any occasion
• Longevity and Sillage: 6 – 8 hours with moderate projection
• Compliments: High
• Likeability: High
• Uniqueness: 4/5
• Value for money: 10/10
• Accords: Aromatic, Woody, Aquatic

A note from the brand: Tom Ford reinvents classic tobacco with creamy tonka bean, vanilla, cocoa, dry fruit accords and sweet wood sap – for a modern, opulent and heady impression of confidence and power.

“Tobacco Vanille is opulent, warm and iconic. Reminiscent of an English gentleman’s club and blended with rich spices, vanilla and tobacco flower, it leaves a powerful impression.” –Tom Ford

Why is Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille one of my top fragrance purchases of 2021: Tobacco Vanille has to be the most mentioned perfume so far on Scent Grail, and for a good reason.

Easily the best vanilla fragrance ever released. No question about it. There are many great vanilla-based scents out there, but nothing comes close to the sheer magic of Tobacco Vanille.

Are these tobacco-vanilla fragrance variations starting to get old like it is with the Oud trend? Yes, it is. But, if you want just one scent that smells like this, skip everything and go for Tobacco Vanille.

• Perfumer: Olivier Gillotin
• Perfume Oil Concentration: Eau de Parfum
• Fragrance Type: Spicy Oriental
• Release Date: 2007
• Most dominant notes: Tobacco, Vanilla, and Spices
• Target Audience: Unisex
• Age Group: 20+
• Seasons: Fall and Winter
• Occasions: Romantic, Clubbing, Night Outs
• Longevity and Sillage: 10 – 12 hours with great projection
• Compliments: High
• Likeability: High
• Uniqueness: 5/5
• Value for money: 10/10
• Accords: Oriental, Sweet, Woody

A note from the brand: A fire fanned by the wind, a desert in flames. As if bursting from the earth, Chergui, a desert wind, creates an effect that involves suction more than blowing, carrying plants, insects and twigs along in an inescapable ascent.

Its full, persistent gusts crystallize shrubs, bushes and berries, which proceed to scorch, shrivel up and pay a final ransom in saps, resins and juices. Night falls on a still-smoldering memory, making way for the fragrant, ambery and candied aromas by the alchemist that is Chergui.

Why is Serge Lutens Chergui one of my top fragrance purchases of 2021: I have waited for so long to finally get a full bottle of Chergui. While not the first Serge Lutens in my collection, that honor belongs to Serge Noire, Chergui is without any second thoughts the best Serge Lutens release of all time.

A delicious composition of thick tobaccoish honey, with supreme amber and grassy hay accord, is what Cherugi is about. Does it resemble anything that the brand is trying to push via fragrance marketing? Maybe, or maybe not.

But, it sure does it better than the overhyped Tauers L’Air du Desert Marocain. Lasts the whole day, and projects just enough to keep your olfactive senses satisfied. I have also noticed that people around you will notice the tobacco note the most, rather than everything else that surrounds it.

So, it is good to think about whether you should wear it to the office or not.

• Perfumer: Christopher Sheldrake
• Perfume Oil Concentration: Eau de Parfum
• Fragrance Type: Woody Oriental
• Release Date: 2001
• Most dominant notes: Tobacco, Hay, and Amber
• Target Audience: Unisex
• Age Group: 25+
• Seasons: Fall and Winter
• Occasions: Business and Night Out
• Longevity and Sillage: 8 – 10 hours with moderate projection
• Compliments: Low – Medium
• Likeability: Medium
• Uniqueness: 5/5
• Value for money: 10/10
• Accords: Oriental, Tobbaco, Sweet

A note from the brand: Reflection for Man embodies the spirit of refinement and is compelling, distinctive and unmistakably masculine with a timeless appeal.

Why is Amouage Reflection Man one of my top fragrance purchases of 2021: To my nose white florals and sandalwood dominate the composition, and the quality is out of this world. A warm and sophisticated classy fragrance that leans more on the masculine side.

The fragrances I find the most similar to Reflection Man are Maison Francis Kurkdjian APOM Homme and Jean Paul Gaultier Le Male.

If APOM weren’t discontinued, I would be here instead of Reflection, since I find that scent just a little bit better for my taste.

Still, this perfume was once the most hyped-about fragrance in the fragrance community, and everyone should at least check out what was all the fuss about.

• Perfumer: Lucas Sieuzac
• Perfume Oil Concentration: Eau de Parfum
• Fragrance Type: Floral Woody
• Release Date: 2007
• Most dominant notes: Neroli, Jasmine, and Sandalwood
• Target Audience: Men
• Age Group: 25+
• Seasons: Spring and Fall
• Occasions: Business and Leisure
• Longevity and Sillage: 10 – 12 hours with good projection
• Compliments: Medium
• Likeability: Medium
• Uniqueness: 4/5
• Value for money: 10/10
• Accords: White Floral, Woody, Fresh