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12 of the best festive fragrances for men, from fresh Alpine forests to spiced fruits

12 of the best festive scents for men, from woody and sensual to spiced orange and cognac 
12 of the best festive scents for men, from woody and sensual to spiced orange and cognac

It is commonly acknowledged that we wear fragrance for one (or a combination) of three basic reasons; to smell fresh, to empower us and to provide a reliable accomplice in the art of seduction.

There is however a fourth – the potential to unlock memories and warm the heart by tapping into familiarity and nostalgia. These emotive connotations are the most interesting.

The majority of winter scents fall into three categories; Alpine-inspired, those abundant with rich autumnal fruits like pomegranate or plum, and those made with incense, resins and rare spices from the Middle East.

Bvlgari Man has a stellar Alpine fragrance called Glacial Essence; a bracing blend of Alaska cedar wood, frosted ginger and sparkling juniper berries. Molton Brown has introduced a juniper berry-infused cocktail to its collection, influenced by the decadent party age of the 1920s.

But for me, the ultimate “winter wonderland in a bottle” experience is Kapitel 12, from Skandinavisk; a celebration of Denmark.

The spiced-fruits category is my favourite. Jo Loves Smoked Plum and Leather explains itself really; an aromatic mix of tanned bridle leather and aged cognac, plum liquor and cinnamon.

The standout of the season however has to be Jo Malone London’s Orange Bitters cologne, a limited edition fragrance that is only available at Christmas (making it even more special in my book), made from sweet orange, bitter orange, mandarin and rich prune, on a bed of creamy sandalwood and amber.

12 scents of Christmas

Bleu de Chanel parfum, £76 for 50ml, Chanel
Bleu de Chanel parfum, £76 for 50ml, Chanel

Bleu de Chanel parfum, £76 for 50ml, Chanel

Black Orchid parfum, £98 for 50ml
Black Orchid parfum, £98 for 50ml

Black Orchid parfum, £98 for 50ml, Tom Ford 

Angel’s Share eau de parfum, £165 for 50ml, Kilian
Angel’s Share eau de parfum, £165 for 50ml, Kilian

Angel’s Share eau de parfum, £165 for 50ml, Kilian (johnlewis.com)

L’Homme Ideal Extreme eau de parfum, £65 for 50ml, Guerlain 
L’Homme Ideal Extreme eau de parfum, £65 for 50ml, Guerlain

L’Homme Ideal Extreme eau de parfum, £65 for 50ml, Guerlain (debenhams.com)

Velvet Oriental Musk eau de parfum from £200 for 50ml, Dolce & Gabbana
Velvet Oriental Musk eau de parfum from £200 for 50ml, Dolce & Gabbana

Velvet Oriental Musk eau de parfum from £200 for 50ml, Dolce & Gabbana (harrods.com)

Tempo eau de parfum from £120 for 75ml, Diptyque
Tempo eau de parfum from £120 for 75ml, Diptyque

Tempo eau de parfum from £120 for 75ml, Diptyque (selfridges.com)

Juniper Jazz eau de toilette £85 for 100ml, Molton Brown London
Juniper Jazz eau de toilette £85 for 100ml, Molton Brown London

Juniper Jazz eau de toilette £85 for 100ml, Molton Brown London

Glacial Essence eau de parfum from £67 for 60ml, Bvlgari Man
Glacial Essence eau de parfum from £67 for 60ml, Bvlgari Man

Glacial Essence eau de parfum from £67 for 60ml, Bvlgari Man (johnlewis.com)

Kapitel 12 eau de toilette, £45 for 50ml, Skandinavisk
Kapitel 12 eau de toilette, £45 for 50ml, Skandinavisk

Kapitel 12 eau de toilette, £45 for 50ml, Skandinavisk

Smoked Plum & Leather fragrance, £70 for 50ml, Jo Loves 
Smoked Plum & Leather fragrance, £70 for 50ml, Jo Loves

Smoked Plum & Leather fragrance, £70 for 50ml, Jo Loves

Orange Bitters cologne, £50 for 30ml, Jo Malone London
Orange Bitters cologne, £50 for 30ml, Jo Malone London

Orange Bitters cologne, £50 for 30ml, Jo Malone London

Rouge eau de parfum, £120 for 100ml, Comme des Garçons
Rouge eau de parfum, £120 for 100ml, Comme des Garçons

Rouge eau de parfum, £120 for 100ml, Comme des Garçons (doverstreetmarket.com)