Since time immemorial flowers have been inextricably linked with perfumery, with people around the world wishing to emit the scents of jasmine, tuberose, lavender, and rose. Our collective penchant for floral fragrances hasn’t waned since ancient times, with the ongoing popularity of scents like Marc Jacobs Daisy (and its neverending flankers), Viktor&Rolf Flowerbomb, and Jo Malone English Pear & Freesia, as well as the warm reception of newer scents like Byredo Flowerhead and Etro ManRose serving as a testament to the fragrance category’s longevity.
You’ll also enjoy:
His, Hers, Theirs; The Best Gender-Neutral Fragrances Made For Sharing
Stay Sexy & Mysterious With These Uncommon Yet Alluring Scents
Smell Like A Gentleman With These Forgotten Fragrances Of Yesteryear
Throw in some notes of wood and it’s a whole different ballgame. A multifaceted fragrance family, woody scents can be dry and warm, rich and creamy, or light and earthy. While notes of cedarwood, sandalwood, pine, and oud add depth to any fragrance, they work particularly well with florals. Though we’re past gender assignations in the fragrance world, the traditionally feminine nature of florals pairs perfectly with the masculine association of woods, with the former adding a bright touch to the latter.
The best floral woody perfumes typically open with a bouquet of florals and have base notes of wood. Floral woody fragrances are often accompanied by musk, which adds another layer of nuance; interacting differently with each person’s skin. Captivating and a little complicated, these are the 10 best woody floral fragrances to try.
1. Byredo Bibliothèque
A woody floral fragrance that’s more old-world masculine than a stroll through the forest, Byredo Bibliothèque evokes the scent of old, leather-bound books, softened by a touch of violet and vanilla, and sweetened by fruity plum notes. A sweet, powdery opening gives way to smoke and leather that linger on the skin, reminiscent of taking shelter in a library after a storm.
Scent notes: plum, cinnamon, leather accord, violet, birch woods, patchouli, vanilla
2. Who is Elijah His | Her
Deliberately intended to blur the lines between masculine and feminine fragrances, Who is Elijah His | Her has often been touted as a dupe for Le Labo Santal 33. However, it has an overall brighter tone, with bergamot and floral accords contributing to a lighter fragrance. A punchy opening of cardamom with a hint of violet makes way for a heart of florals, which are underscored by sandalwood, musk, and amber. The cardamom lingers on the skin for a while, interacting with the woods. However, both longevity and projection are mediocre at best, with Who is Elijah His | Her staying close to the skin and fading in a few hours.
Scent notes: violet leaf, cardamom, floral notes, fir, sandalwood, musk, amber, oud
3. 4711 Lilac Eau de Cologne
A fresh, joyful feminine fragrance from the house that produced the world’s first cologne. An explosion of citrus, peach, lilac, and rose is underscored by musk and sandalwood, creating a soft, romantic scent that stays close to the skin.
Scent notes: freesia, peach bergamot, lilac, rose, jasmine, musk, sandalwood
4. Roemy Work Shop
Wood and leather meet rose in Roemy Work Shop. Reminiscent of a medieval workshop lined with wooden benches, with a touch of florals wafting in through an open window.
Scent notes: rose, violet, leather, cedar, musk
5. Maison Margiela Flower Market
As the name suggests, florals are the hero of this fragrance. Clean, powdery white florals like tuberose, jasmine, and freesia are underscored by cedarwood and oakmoss, which warm up the scent and add a hint of creaminess.
Scent notes: freesia, green leaves, tuberose, jasmine, rose, peach, oakmoss, cedarwood
6. By Kilian Rose Oud
A decidedly sensual and almost erotic take on a floral woody fragrance, By Kilian Rose Oud is, in a word, sexy. Sweet lychee and jammy rose are paired with spiced notes of saffron and cinnamon. The oud, cedarwood, and leather in this scent are subtle, adding depth and a little darkness to the scent.
Scent notes: rose, saffron, cinnamon, lychee, rose absolute, out, cedarwood, cypriol, leather
7. Penhaligon’s The Favourite
It’s not hard to become the favourite when you’re wearing Penhaligon’s The Favourite. Inspired by Sarah, the Duchess of Marlborough, The Favourite is refined, feminine, and graceful. Sweet, powdery notes of violet, iris, and rose swiftly make way for a sensual woody musk. The perfect scent for anyone wishing to live out their Marie Antoinette fantasies — minus the beheading.
Scent notes: violet, freesia, mandarin orange, mimosa, iris, musk, sandalwood, ambroxan
8. Dior Oud Ispahan
For those in need of a little olfactory escapism. Inspired by the scents of an oriental palace, Dior Oud Ispahan transports wearers to old-world Turkey or Persia, with luxurious rose and saffron complemented by bold, heady notes of leather, frankincense, and cedarwood.
Scent notes: labdanum, rose, patchouli, saffron, oud, sandalwood, cedarwood
9. Aesop Rōzu
A rose unlike any other. Green and fresh in the opening, Aesop Rōzu is more akin to a real rose than a typical floral fabrication; there’s a slight sweetness in the middle which is swiftly tempered with smoky, woody notes of patchouli and sandalwood.
Scent notes: rose, shiso, pink pepper, bergamot, bitter orange, guaiac wood, jasmine, ylang-ylang, sandalwood, vetiver, patchouli, myrrh, musk
10. Liquides Imaginaires Dom Rosa
Champagne, rose, and woods meet in Liquides Imaginaires Dom Rosa, creating an intoxicatingly boozy yet subtle take on the archetypal floral. The sparking, effervescent notes of champagne and rose dry down to a warm, woody base of cedarwood, vetiver, and guaiac wood.
Scent notes: champagne, pomelo, pear, rose, cloves, cedarwood, vetiver, guaiac wood
Words by AR Staff
