Best Men’s Fragrances: Niche
Welcome to the second part of the best men’s fragrances article. Here, only the niche fragrances will be mentioned.
Due to their artistic nature, and their exclusiveness, the alternatives part, and some other small things have been left out. Let’s be bold and leave a little bit of mystery.
Some of them are super easy to wear, while others need time and sometimes a refined taste. I also gave myself freedom with some designer brands and their upper-scale releases which also made the list.
As with designer fragrances, the list is in no particular order, and each one should be tried out.
16. Creed Aventus
Short Review: Inspired by the life of Napoleon, Aventus is quite possibly the most popular niche fragrance of all time. Most dominant notes of pineapple, birch tar, and musk have inspired many clones and copies, but none have reached the status and prestige of Aventus.
- Fragrance Type: Fruity Woody
- Perfumer: Olivier and Erwin Creed
- Perfume Concentration: EDP
- Release Date: 2010
- Main notes: Pineapple, Birch Tar, and Musk
- Longevity and Projection: 8 – 10 hours with moderate projection
- Seasons: Spring and Summer
- Age group: 25+
- Occasions: Any Occasion
17. Tom Ford Tuscan Leather
Short Review: Tuscan Leather is a fragrance that brought leather accord to the 21st century. Many have tried to copy this Raspberry plus leather combo but never succeeded. That’s why Tuscan Leather is arguably the best leather fragrance in the world.
- Fragrance Type: Fruity Leather
- Perfumer: n/a
- Perfume Concentration: EDP
- Release Date: 2007
- Main notes: Raspberry, Leather, and Suede
- Longevity and Projection: 12 -16 hours with great projection
- Seasons: Fall and Winter
- Age group: 30+
- Occasions: Clubbing, Leisure, and Romantic
18. Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille
Short Review: Yet another Tom Ford fragrance on this list, and rightfully so. This oriental creation has been love at first sniff for countless fragrance enthusiasts. The fragrance is constructed of rich and warm vanilla, backed up by cherry and sweet tobacco. Delicious!
- Fragrance Type: Oriental Woody
- Perfumer: Olivier Gillotin
- Perfume Concentration: EDP
- Release Date: 2007
- Main notes: Dried Fruits, Tobacco, and Vanilla
- Longevity and Projection: 20 – 24 hours with great projection
- Seasons: Fall and Winter
- Age group: 30+
- Occasions: Casual, Festive, Romantic
19. Serge Lutens Chergui
Short Review: Inspired by the eastern Sahara wind that blows towards Morocco, Chergui is both dry and hot. The most dominant notes include tobacco, honey, and amber while incense, sandalwood, and hay provide mysterious and celestial uniqueness.
- Fragrance Type: Spicy Oriental
- Perfumer: Christopher Sheldrake
- Perfume Concentration: EDP
- Release Date: 2005
- Main notes: Tobacco, Honey, and Amber
- Longevity and Projection: 6 – 8 hours with moderate projection
- Seasons: Fall and Winter
- Age group: 30+
- Occasions: Leisure, and Business
20. Frederic Malle Musc Ravageur
Short Review: Powerful and intense, cuddly, and hot. All these things and more describe Musc Ravageur. Possibly the greatest vanilla in the world with a touch of just noticeable dirtiness.
- Fragrance Type: Spicy Oriental
- Perfumer: Maurice Roucel
- Perfume Concentration: EDP
- Release Date: 2000
- Main notes: Vanilla, Cloves, and Musk
- Longevity and Projection: 8 – 12 hours with great projection
- Seasons: Fall and Winter
- Age group: 30+
- Occasions: Festive and Romantic
21. Parfums de Nicolai New York Intense
Short Review: NYI is a flanker to its popular older brother. Refined and still modern, this master creation proves that chypre fragrances and more than ever relevant in this modern world.
- Fragrance Type: Aromatic Chypre
- Perfumer: Patricia de Nicolai
- Perfume Concentration:
- Release Date: 2014
- Main notes: Lavender, Oakmoss, and Bergamot
- Longevity and Projection: 8 – 10 hours with moderate projection
- Seasons: Any season
- Age group: 30+
- Occasions: Leisure and Business
22. Acqua Di Parma Colonia Essenza
Short Review: With the simple black and white Art Deco design, Colonia Essenza takes a look back into ADP’s rich history, and announces the fragrance which is out of this world. Italian bergamot paired with luxurious neroli makes the wearing unbelievably good. As far as uplifting neroli scents go, Colonia Essenza is the champion.
- Fragrance Type: Citrus Aromatic
- Perfumer: n/a
- Perfume Concentration: EDC
- Release Date: 2010
- Main notes: Neroli and Citruses
- Longevity and Projection: 6 -8 hours with moderate projection
- Seasons: Spring, Summer, and Fall
- Age group: 25+
- Occasions: Business and Leisure
23. Creed Green Irish Tweed
Short Review: Old but not at the slightest dated. GIT is best known as the signature scent of the late Frank Sinatra. The first impression can be deceptive, but give it time, and this woody floral will become your favorite spring fragrance.
- Fragrance Type: Floral Woody
- Perfumer: Pierre Bourdon
- Perfume Concentration: EDP
- Release Date: 1985
- Main notes: Lemon Verbena, Iris, and Violet
- Longevity and Projection: 8 – 10 hours with moderate projection
- Seasons: Spring and Fall
- Age group: 30+
- Occasions: Business and Date
24. L’Artisan Parfumeur Timbuktu
Short Review: Timbuktu was inspired by the wild and mysterious African continent. It is not your run-of-the-mill vetiver fragrance. Earthy and green vetiver takes center stage and shines through ripe mango notes and smoky incense facets.
- Fragrance Type: Woody Spicy
- Perfumer: Bertrand Duchaufour
- Perfume Concentration: EDT
- Release Date: 2004
- Main notes: Mango, Vetiver, Incense
- Longevity and Projection: 4 – 6 hours with moderate projection
- Seasons: Any season
- Age group: 30+
- Occasions: Business and Leisure
25. Penhaligon’s Sartorial
Short Review: This complex fragrance was inspired by the Savile Row bespoke tailor Norton & Son’s workshop in London. A modern Fougere brings something different and creates an aura of being in an expensive tailor shop.
- Fragrance Type: Fougere
- Perfumer: Bertrand Duchaufour
- Perfume Concentration: EDT
- Release Date: 2010
- Main notes: Metallic notes, Beeswax, and Lavender
- Longevity and Projection: 8 – 10 hours with moderate projection
- Seasons: Spring and Fall
- Age group: 30+
- Occasions: Business
26. Amouage Jubilation XXV
Short Review: Jubilation XXV encapsulates every enigmatic and sophisticated part of the precious house of Amouage. The fragrance opens up with juicy fruits which transcend to a mythical and resinous middle stage. As the fragrance dries down, the wearer process to experience the powerful yet holy Agarwood note.
- Fragrance Type: Fruity Woody
- Perfumer: Bertrand Duchaufour
- Perfume Concentration: EDP
- Release Date: 2008
- Main notes: Blackberry, Oud, and Incense
- Longevity and Projection: 12+ hours with a eat projection
- Seasons: Fall and Winter
- Age group: 30+
- Occasions: Date and Leisure
27. Frederic Malle Portrait of a Lady
Short Review: The fragrance is named after the novel by Henry James(1881). A modern and passionate take on the Rose and Patchouli scent style, POTL will leave no one indifferent.
- Fragrance Type: Floral Woody
- Perfumer: Dominique Ropion
- Perfume Concentration: EDP
- Release Date: 2010
- Main notes: Patchouli, Rose, and Incense
- Longevity and Projection: 15 – 20 hours with great projection
- Seasons: Fall and Winter
- Age group: 30+
- Occasions: Business
28. Parfums De Marly Layton
Short Review: Layton opens up with a freshly cut green Apple and transitions to an aromatic and herbaceous heart. The base is a combination of wonderful spicy cardamom and intoxicating vanilla. Ideal for people who want to take clubbing fragrances to the next level.
- Fragrance Type: Floral Woody
- Perfumer: Dominique Ropion
- Perfume Concentration: EDP
- Release Date: 2016
- Main notes: Cardamom, Vanilla, and Apple
- Longevity and Projection: 8 – 10 hours with great projection
- Seasons: Fall and Winter
- Age group: 18+
- Occasions: Clubbing and Romantic
29. Maison Francis Kurkdjian Grand Soir
Short Review: Along with L’Air du Désert Marocain, Grand Soir is the most famous Amber-based fragrance out there. The reason why this one made the list instead of Tauer’s is that Francis made this one complex yet easy to understand. Goey Amber feels warm, comforting, and beautiful.
- Fragrance Type: Oriental
- Perfumer: Francis Kurkdijan
- Perfume Concentration: EDP
- Release Date: 2016
- Main notes: Vanilla, Amber, and Benzoin
- Longevity and Projection: 15+ hours with moderate projection
- Seasons: Fall and Winter
- Age group: 30+
- Occasions: Leisure and Romantic
30. Maison Francis Kurkdjian Baccarat Rouge 540
Short Review: Baccarat Rouge is the new kid on the block and a current trendsetter. As with Aventus, many are desperately trying to be Baccarat, but there is only one place for one. The fragrance combines unusual floral and ambery notes, backed up by ambroxan.
- Fragrance Type: Spicy Floral
- Perfumer: Francis Kurkdijan
- Perfume Concentration: Parfum Extract
- Release Date: 2015
- Main notes: Ambroxan, Saffron, and Fir Resin
- Longevity and Projection: 15+ hours with great projection
- Seasons: Any season
- Age group: 18+
- Occasions: Leisure and Romantic
Conclusion
What are your thoughts about this best men’s fragrances list? What are your favorites and would you add any other fragrance which didn’t make the list?
While there are other fantastic designers and niche fragrances out there, hopefully, you have found your old or maybe new favorite. Nonetheless, I hope that you have enjoyed the list, so please don’t hesitate to leave a comment in the comment section down below.
Opinions change and so do lists. So, expect to see how these 30 hold up until the next time.
Also, free to check some of my other articles:
- Guerlain Shalimar Review
- Montblanc Explorer Review
- Top Fall Perfumes For 2020
- Frédéric Malle Musc Ravageur Review
- Zaharoff Signature Pour Homme Review
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Very interesting and informative. Early on I was wearing after shaves, then ‘graduated’ to longer lasting colognes. Now primarily EDTs. Since 1985, in southern California, and now in Connecticut, “Is that your cologne?” (Paul Sebastian), “You smell good”,(Perry Ellis 360) “Wow, I can still smell your cologne—and you haven’t put any more on” (Royal Copenhagen). Those three comments were from a young lady in a large office building elevator on Wilshire Boulevard, a lady at the VA Medical Center, West Haven, CT. also in an elevator, and our department secretary in the hall in Marina del Rey, California. There were 3 others, while wearing ? Floret (the label came off some time ago), Vision by Gabriella Sabatini (?), and a manly scent, the name of which now escapes me. The older fragrances, in smaller bottles, were more intense, with better sillage. You’re not going to believe this but I now have on my bathroom shelf, table, and closet, 119 fragrances. I suppose you could call it an addiction. I thought at one point of having my own personal fragrance made, by a company that produces those, and we have Carrubba, the company that produces scents I suppose, for every designer. Thank you. Have a great day.
Hi Dana. Thank you for sharing your interesting story. Currently, I own around 20 bottles and feel that even that number is too much. I wish every perfume brand made their fragrances available in 30ml options so that we could try more for less.
P.S. I also thought that having a custom-made perfume designed just for me would be a great idea, but at the time, I’m good with what’s on the market.
Cheers,
Marin 🙂
I consider fragrances such as Eau Sauvage, Fahrenheit, Terre d’Hermes or Green Irish Tweed as artistic fragrances. Its like when you study a beautiful Renoir landscape (Eau Sauvage) or a surrealist one (Fahrenheit).
Hi Mike! I couldn’t agree more with your description. Some fragrances are made to be an art form, admired by many, and have a sort of mystique that transcends through passing trends and ages! Cheers! 🙂
I appreciate the knowledge of the concentrations of men’s fragrances what I need to ascertain is are there any niche fragrances like Creed, AJ Arabia, or any others that have better longevity and projection than the designer brands
Hi Leonard. I can suggest fragrances from Nasomatto, Orto Parisi, Xerjoff, and Amouage which usually have better performance than Creed. Some of my personal favorites include Amouage Imitation Man, Orto Parisi Bergamask, Nasomatto Pardon, and Xerjoff Accento Overdose. Please do let me know your thoughts about these when you get the chance to sample them. Cheers! 🙂
nasomatto Baroanda is incredible – whiskey, but not Amber, more like pears. Orto parisi terroni is a very acquired taste – sort of deep, smokey, but grabs attention.
I am buying 1mL samplers of anything I can get my hands on, and it is great fun trying new scents.
Hi Jason. I enjoy both of those scents you mentioned from Orto Parisi, but I prefer to wear Nasomatto Pardon during the winter. Marin 🙂
For the first time, I’ve encountered a fragrance issue – I purchased Baccarat Rouge 540 after smelling it in the store, but immediately after I spray it, I can no long longer smell it. I might catch a whiff on a shirt sleeve but once it’s on my body my nose can no longer detect it. Very frustrating although I still receive compliments. I consider it my stealth cologne except i’m the one not aware that I’m wearing it.
Hi. Thanks for the comment. The nose blindness you get from BR 540 is probably coming from the ambroxan overdose found in that fragrance. I suggest wearing it a couple of days in a row to get your nose acclimated to the scent since I’m sure you’ll start to smell it more with each day. Best, Marin
Hi Marin, It seems like you’ve done a lot of research from your notes on fragrances, but, I see from your list don’t have any Shaik or Penhaligon fragrances on it.
Does this mean you do not recommend these aftershaves?
I was looking at adding Shaik Opulent No: 77 and Penhaligon Terrible Teddy to my collection but this would be without smelling them myself first. I’ve been lucky with Creed and Tom Ford buying without smelling first so was gonna take a chance with the above fragrances I mentioned. As you haven’t included anything from these fragrance houses I’m now dubious in purchasing them. Any information on these fragrances would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Saint
Hi Saint. Thank you for your kind feedback. I have to say that this is the first time I heard about Shaik fragrance house which means, I’ll do thorough research in the future, and if I get a chance, sample some of their fragrance products. I have recently done a full review of Penhaligon’s Vaara which I recommend reading when you get time. Regarding Penhaligon’s house, Sartorial, and Halfeti Cedar should be the first ones to sample. Terrible Teddy goes in a similar direction as Marc-Antoine Barrois Ganymede and B683 but I find those more interesting. Feel free to update me and Scent Grail readers in the future when you sample some of Penhaligon’s fragrances and your experience with them. Also, blind buying perfumes is a risky game and should be only conducted as last resort. Best, Marin
Awesome list, but the age group listed is based on what?
How can an 18 y.o kid afford a BR 540?
Hi Muhamad. That’s a great question. The age range mentioned in the article is primarily based on the fragrance’s “maturity” and its suitability for different age groups, rather than personal financial power. It aims to provide guidance on which age groups may appreciate and resonate with the fragrance the most. However, personal preferences and individual chemistry can also play a significant role in how a fragrance is perceived, so it’s always important to try out different scents and see which ones align with your own taste and style. I hope this clarifies your inquiry. Best, Marin
for a niche sweet Amber with tobacco hints i think Xerjoff Naxos 1861 is unbeatable.
Hi Jason. Yes, I agree with Naxos. Great stuff to wear during the colder months. 🙂
When looking into purchasing “Tom Ford Black Orchid” I noticed it is labeled “for woman”? Confusing…. is it not meant for men to wear?
Hi Ben. Great question. Yes, it is sold as a women’s perfume by Tom Ford, but in my opinion, a man can wear it without any issues. It is a dark and bold fragrance that is more unisex than anything else. The new “Parfum” version in a golden bottle is more masculine than the Eau de Parfum, so I recommend also checking that one as well. Marin 🙂
I’m really surprised that Drakkar Noir isn’t making these lists. In the 80s clubbing scene, it was huge. Girls loved it too.
Hi Christopher. Looking back at this list, more than four years after it was published, I agree that Drakkar Noir could have made the list, but barely. Maybe instead of One Million Prive, but I’m not 100% sure about that either. Thanks for your feedback. I always love to hear different opinions about perfume. Best, Marin 🙂