Tag: sweet

Ice-Cream Dreams – fragrances for feeling ‘out of office’

Gourmand fragrances given a dreamy ice-cream twist are currently having their moment in the sun, and now is the perfect time to seek out some perfumes melting the deliciousness of a sweet treat into something altogether more sophisticated, but still SO much fun to wear! Dreaming of your holiday, or making the most the most of these last days of Summer spent at home? Peruse this curated menu of cool, creamy, and (we must admit) utterly addictive scents, and pretend you hear the tinkling tones of the ice-cream van, instead of endless email notifications.

We think these ice-cream-inspired perfumes are the closest you can come to that blissful feeling of wandering barefoot along a beach, or meandering down the cute, cobbled back-streets of some picture-postcard destination, savouring every last lick of your gelato in hand (before it drips down your knuckles or – horrors! – is stolen by a swooping seagull).

So, even if you’re stuck at home for now, and moodily hate-liking the holiday pics of pals flooding your Insta feed; simply select your favourite ‘flavour’ of these ice-cream fragrances and pretend you’re in whichever of the scented scenarios you’d love to escape to. Basically, they’re a shortcut to being olfactorially in ‘Out of Office’ mode with every single spritz…

 

 

 

 

Juliette Has a Gun Miami Shake

Conjuring sun-soaked beaches and sultry nights, we begin with a burst of zesty lime and cool coconut water, evoking the refreshing allure of a tropical paradise. As it warms, creamy notes of salted caramel and vanilla are wrapped with silky sandalwood, warm skin, and white musk, making us long to cast off the cardies we’ve recently re-worn. Embodying the carefree spirit of Miami, think instead: wafting in pastel resort wear, and sunset strolls while savouring a waffle cone piled high with sweet treats.

 From £25 for 7.5ml eau de parfum spacenk.com

 

 

 

 

SokiLondon Cleopatra

An ‘Orange Gelato’ accord is conjured via cool, juicy mandarin sumptuously swirled into glossy vanilla and sandalwood’s milky smoothness, while orange blossom, neroli and jasmine sambac are petals scattered on a sun-kissed breeze across sand dunes. One to wear while embodying full-on Queenly vibes, we feel, it’s described by the house as not so much being worn but ‘wielded’! So, ditch the flipflops for a gilded sandal; switch up the jeans and a tourist t-shirt for a goddess gown, and waft regally while liberally spritzed in this…

£79 for 50ml eau de parfum sokilondon.com

 

 

 

 

Jo Malone London Raspberry Ripple

Cleverly rippling the raspberry with redcurrants, even if you’re not a gourmand lover we urge you to give this a go on skin: the fragrant fusion is nowhere near as sweet as you’d think! Using a raspberry / redcurrant melange feels lusciously piquant (freshly picked berries, not that neon pink syrup), with hints of the waffle cone and a white musk dry down adding further to the nostalgic smiles. Playfully balancing the best of childhood memories with a beautifully wearable chicness, this limited edition summer special feels so joyful to wear, and impossible to resist.

 From £59 for 30ml Cologne jomalone.co.uk

 

 

 

 

 

Moschino Toy 2 Pearl

We’ve always felt Toy’s bottle was more than a little genius, but in this glorious rendering, the cuddly curves shimmer with iridescent colours reminiscent of a sunset refracted in a pearl’s lustre while nestling on the seabed. The scent within is inspired by Tahitian mother of pearl, with icy lemon sorbet and oregano lifting freesia and jasmine to the wonderfully evocative ‘warm sand’ note in the fragrant finish. Putting more fun into the finale are vetiver, cypress and suitably snuggly musks. Come for the bottle, stay for the scent!

From £49 for 30ml eau de parfum theperfumeshop.com

 

 

 

 

4160 Tuesdays What I Did on My Holidays

Ah, now this is pure scent-memory, bottled; capturing the essence of British seaside holidays when caravans and ‘Knobbly Knee Competitions’ were the thing (instead of boutique hotels and jet-skiing). Imagine the salty breeze mingling with the sweet aroma of candy floss and mint rock from the local amusement arcades. The scent of suntan lotion lingers as you excitedly explore rock pools, and the day ends with a warm café visit, your skin still tinged with bright sun, sea scents, and the biggest knickerbocker glory you’ve ever seen. Sensory time travel to carefree days…

£65 for 50ml eau de parfum in our shop

 

Written by Suzy Nightingale

Savour the Scent: Afternoon Tea-Inspired Perfumes to Delight the Senses

Surely few rituals are as quintessentially British as Afternoon Tea – a tradition that has become a byword for elegance, comfort, and a touch of indulgence. From its origins in the 19th century – supposedly when Anna, the seventh Duchess of Bedford, first felt a “sinking feeling” in the late afternoon [don’t we all, dear?] and requested tea with a light snack; the custom has flourished into an occasion beloved by locals and visitors to these shores alike.

For many, Afternoon Tea is a gentle pause in the day, a chance to savour delicate sandwiches, warm scones, and exquisite pastries, all accompanied by the gentle clink of fine china and the soft hum of conversation.

 

 

 

 

It’s hardly any wonder, then, that tourists flock to experience this slice of British life, eager to immerse themselves in a world where time slows, and every sense is indulged. And indeed, that perfumers often look to this ritual for fragrant inspiration (as we shall see – scroll on for our olfactory suggestions!)

This spring, delightfully, the ritual of Afternoon Tea has found a new, scented dimension in the heart of London. The Rose Lounge at Sofitel London St James, renowned for its serene and enveloping atmosphere, has collaborated with Memo Paris to create a limited-edition Afternoon Tea experience, inspired by the house’s latest fragrance, Portobello Road. Until 20th June 2025, guests are invited to embark on a sensory journey where the boundaries between flavour and fragrance blur deliciously…

 

 

 

Sofitel says: ‘The Memo Paris Afternoon Tea at Sofitel London St James is available from 11th March to 20th June, served daily from 12 pm to 5 pm. Priced at £70 per person, or £80 with a glass of Champagne, this indulgent experience is the perfect way to celebrate the magic of Portobello Road. We look forward to welcoming you for an unforgettable Afternoon Tea, where the worlds of fine fragrance and gourmet cuisine meet.’

 

 

The menu, crafted by pastry chef Lerrick Coelho, draws directly from the rose-laden, rain-fresh notes of the Portobello Road perfume, with each treat echoing a facet of the scent. The Chicken Coronation on Toasted Croissant offers a sumptuous twist on a classic, while the Cornish Crab Roll brings a whisper of the British coast. Sweet creations such as La Rose – a marriage of rose, Yorkshire rhubarb, mandarin, and vanilla crème – and a Gold Chocolate and Earl Grey Slice evoke both the romance of London’s gardens and the sophistication of its tearooms. Even the zesty Yellow Carnival Passion Fruit Mango and Coconut Sphere transports the palate to sunnier climes, all within the opulent embrace of the Rose Lounge.

[For further inquiries about the Memo London Afternoon Tea experience, call the Sofitel team on (0)20 7389 7820 or email [email protected].]

 

In further celebration of this fragrant union of tea, cake, and scent – and to end our month-long look at the theme of tea fragrances, (but this time focusing on the cakes and vibe!) – we’ve chosen a selection of perfumes that perfectly evoke the spirit of Afternoon Tea in all its forms. Each fragrance conjures a different aspect of the experience – from the anticipation of a rain-dappled stroll through London’s backstreets to the irresistible allure of patisserie, marzipan, and birthday cake (to be enjoyed at any time!) and beyond.

So, let’s indulge, shall we…?

 

 

 

Memo Paris Portobello Road captures the excitement and charm of exploring London’s most intriguing backstreets, where antique shops beckon and the air is tinged with the promise of discovery. The fragrance opens with the dewy freshness of rain on stone, mingling with the elegance of rose and the green brightness of myrtle oil. It is as if one has escaped a sudden shower by ducking into a cosy yet impossibly elegant setting for Afternoon Tea, where the scent of fresh blooms and polished wood lingers in the air. The bottle itself, adorned with the artistry of Kate Daudy, is a visual tribute to the city’s creative spirit – a journey in liquid form, as evocative as the street that inspired it.

£235 for 75ml eau de parfum harveynichols.om

 

 

 

AKRO Bake is a revelation for those who thought the idea of a lemon cake-inspired scent might be too sweet or whimsical. Here, the gourmand genre is elevated: the perfume opens with a burst of bright lemon peel, cutting through the smooth, creamy heart of cake batter and airy sponge. There is a luscious swirl of Chantilly cream, a whisper of rum, and a dusting of brown sugar and vanilla that lingers on the skin like the memory of the perfect patisserie. Perfumer Olivier Cresp has created a scent that is both nostalgic and utterly modern – a fragrant treat that tempts without overwhelming, as light and irresistible as a slice of lemon drizzle on a sunlit afternoon.

£80 for 30ml eau de parfum thefragranceshop.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thursday Marzi is a joyful homage to marzipan, conjuring the image of a traditional Battenberg cake with its pastel squares and squidgy almond outer layer. The fragrance begins with a bold, almost photorealistic hit of bitter almond, soon softened by clouds of vanilla and brown sugar. Carnation adds a subtle, spicy warmth, while musk lends a gentle, comforting finish. Marzi is a scent that wraps the wearer in the happy memories of tea times past – the anticipation of cake, the pleasure of sweet treats, and the freedom to indulge at any moment. It is as perfect for grey, chilly days as for the hopeful cusp of spring, bringing a smile with every spritz.

Try a sample as part of the Thursday Fragrance Discovery Set 3 x 2ml for £20 in our Shop

 

 

 

THoO Keep Glazed is a patisserie-inspired delight, designed to stimulate both nose and imagination. Inspired by the creations of renowned pastry chef Ksenia Penkina, this fragrance opens with a lively burst of frozen lemon, juicy mango, and the green freshness of strawberry leaf. The heart is a creamy blend of Chantilly, coconut, and a hint of ginger crumble, evoking the sensation of biting into an artfully crafted dessert. As it settles, fruity musk and precious woods create a soft, lingering finish. Keep Glazed is a solar, uplifting scent – bright, creamy, and just a little bit decadent, it is the olfactory equivalent of a patisserie window on a summer’s day, each note inviting you to take another bite.

£220 for 75ml eau de parfum harveynichols.com

 

 

Marissa Zappas Annabel’s Birthday Cake is a whimsical, otherworldly celebration in scent. Imagine a lavish garden party, where angels gather around a pastel-hued cake adorned with rich tuberose frosting and candied rose petals. The fragrance opens with the soft, powdery embrace of heliotrope and a dusting of lemon sugar, followed by the creamy sweetness of cake fresh from the oven. Honeycomb and roasted tonka add depth and warmth, while cocoa absolute brings a subtle richness. Annabel’s Birthday Cake is both playful and refined – a scent that balances the innocence of childhood celebrations with the sophistication of a grown-up tea party, leaving a trail of sweetness and joy in its wake.

From £12 for 2ml sample eau de parfum saintecellier.com

 

Written by Suzy Nightingale

Indulgent chocolate scents for EVERY taste

As Easter approaches and chocolate eggs beckon from every corner, there’s another way to indulge in the world’s favourite treat – one that lingers far longer than a fleeting bite. Chocolate fragrances have become something of gourmand perfume phenomenon in themselves, offering everything from creamy comfort to enigmatic allure. While the idea of wearing chocolate might once have raised eyebrows, today’s perfumers are deftly weaving this note into scents that are as complex and captivating as the finest truffles.

But how do we get the note of chocolate in a scent? Well, sometimes it’s extracted directly from cocoa beans, but he natural materials – Cocoa Absolute and Cocoa CO₂ extract – are costly and can be too subtle for many compositions. Instead, perfumers often turn to a creative palette of molecules: isobutyl phenylacetate for its waxy, cocoa nuance; vanillin for sweetness; and pyrazines for that roasted, bittersweet depth. Sometimes, even patchouli or tonka bean is used to echo chocolate’s richness, while certain musks can conjure the creamy sensation of white chocolate. The result? A spectrum of chocolate scents, ranging from playful and sweet to darkly seductive, each evoking the irresistible pleasure of chocolate in a new, wearable form.

Why the current obsession, though? Gourmand fragrances, with their edible, nostalgic notes, have been (as we’ve reported, often) utterly booming these past few years; and they truly are continuing that renaissance in 2025. Of the ‘foodie fragrances’, chocolate in particular taps into a collective longing for comfort and sensory delight, while also offering a sophisticated twist when paired with woods, spices, or florals. Chocolate scents can be statements of self-expression, storytelling, and pure olfactory escapism.

 

For those tempted to explore, here’s a handpicked selection of chocolate-centric scents that prove this note is anything but one-dimensional…

 

 

 

 

4160 Tuesdays Figs in White Chocolate

Once an insider’s secret for the brand’s ‘Scenthusiasm’ subscribers, this fragrance is now available to all – and what a treat it is. Imagine the green freshness of just-ripe figs, their flesh glistening beneath taut skin, enveloped in a buttery veil of white chocolate. The chocolate here is not cloying but creamy and nuanced, lending a gentle sweetness that caresses rather than overwhelms. It’s a fragrance that captures the anticipation of biting into a chocolate-dipped fruit: lush, inviting, and utterly moreish.

 From £70 for 30ml eau de parfum 4160tuesdays.com

 

 

 

 

Sabrina Carpenter Sweet Tooth Cherry Baby

Sabrina Carpenter’s latest olfactory offering arrives in a playful, chocolate-bar-inspired bottle – its deep red hue hinting at the delights within. This scent taps into the trend for cherry notes, but it’s the dark chocolate that anchors the composition, adding a sultry richness to the juicy fruit. Cashmere wood, peony, and glazed apple swirl around the chocolate, creating a fragrance that is both flirtatious and sophisticated. The chocolate note here is decadent yet balanced, offering a plush backdrop for the cherry to shine – a modern gourmand with irresistible charm.

 From £24.99 for 30ml eau de parfum theperfumeshop.com

 

 

 

JUSBOX Fifty Four

 Inspired by the legendary glamour of Studio 54, this fragrance is as subversive as it is dazzling. The chocolate note emerges on the dance floor alongside a boozy splash of Piña Colada and rum, soon joined by cinnamon bark and tobacco-infused patchouli. Here, chocolate is not sweet but smoky and mysterious, adding depth and intrigue to the composition. It’s the scent of velvet ropes and disco balls, of midnight escapades and whispered secrets – a chocolate accord for those who prefer their indulgence with a side of rebellion.

 £235 for 78ml eau de parfum harrods.com

 

 

 

 

Fabrica Della Musa Île Bourbon

 Named for the vanilla-rich island of Madagascar, Île Bourbon is a gourmand fantasy that swirls dark chocolate with creamy vanilla, spiced cardamom, and clove. The chocolate here is dark and seductive, its bitterness softened by the lushness of vanilla and the warmth of exotic spices. A breeze of Somalian incense drifts through, lending an air of mystery and sophistication. This is chocolate as a passport to faraway lands, a scent that lingers like the memory of a decadent dessert shared under starry skies.

 £195 for 100ml eau de parfum libertylondon.com

 

 

 

Sarah Baker Gold Spot

Sarah Baker’s Gold Spot is a tribute to the golden age of celebrity, and its chocolate note is as glamorous as a red-carpet moment. Bergamot and orange blossom bring a sunlit brightness, while butterscotch and a dusting of dark chocolate create a luscious, layered sweetness. The chocolate here is rich and luxurious, enveloped in the warmth of Laos oudh, Suyufi agarwood, and amber. It’s a fragrance that glows with opulence, conjuring the allure of old Hollywood and the thrill of being in the spotlight.

 £145 for 50ml extrait de parfum available in our Shop

 

Chocolate fragrances, then, are far more than a fleeting trend – they are a celebration of perfumery’s power to evoke pleasure, comfort, and adventure. Whether creamy or bitter, playful or mysterious, the chocolate note continues to enchant, offering a deliciously wearable escape for every mood and moment. This Easter – and beyond – why not indulge in a delicious fragrant treat of your own?

 

Written by Suzy Nightingale

Aromatic Awakening: The Art of Coffee in Fragrance Design

In a world where the boundaries between our morning ritual and our signature scent are deliciously blurring, coffee has become the aromatic muse captivating perfumers worldwide. From the steaming cup that awakens our senses at dawn to the complex coffee notes that linger on our skin at dusk, this beloved bean is experiencing a remarkable renaissance in fine fragrance. So now, we invite you to explore how coffee – once merely the companion to our daily routines – has transformed into the most intoxicating note in modern perfumery…

There’s a fascinating symbiosis between fragrance and flavour in how coffee enters the perfumer’s palette. Indeed, often these two teams of scientists-meets-creatives are based in the same building. Romantically, we could imagine famous noses sitting at their desks and raising their noses to discover where a delicious aroma is wafting from, tracing it to the basement of the Flavours department, and then jostling with their employees to be the first to use an exciting new discovery. Though one supposes it’s a rather more prosaic testing and development process than that fantastical scenario, before the food ingredient crosses the floor to the perfumers’ portfolio.

Quite apart from the reciprocal correlations between what we smell and taste (it’s commonly cited that up to 80% of ‘flavour’ is experienced through retro-nasal olfaction as we eat); another intriguing connection is the fact that, just as perfumers rely on fragrance wheels to navigate the olfactory landscape, coffee connoisseurs often employ tasting note ‘wheels’ – colour-coded charts of descriptive words – to hone their palates. The parallels between these sensory tools are striking, with both serving as visual guides to the complex world of aromas and flavours.

 

 

 

 

Whilst various versions of fragrance wheels have existed since 1949, it was Michael Edwards, a renowned fragrance expert and founder of Fragrances of the World, who revolutionised the concept in 1992 with his improved modern iteration. This wheel has since evolved to reflect contemporary fragrances and our ever-changing perception of scent. Because coffee professionals, much like perfumers, also undergo rigorous training to discern the subtle nuances.

The terroir, harvesting methods, processing techniques, storage conditions, and blending of coffee beans all contribute to a vast array of aromas and tasting notes, mirroring the intricate world of perfumery. One might describe a coffee as having ‘notes of sun-kissed berries with a whisper of jasmine’, or ‘a rich, velvety base of dark chocolate accented by a hint of smoky spice’ – descriptors that could just as easily grace the packaging or marketing of a perfume. This shared language of sensory exploration bridges the gap between the realms of coffee and fragrance, inviting we enthusiasts to savour the complexity of enjoying sipping and sniffing with equal passion and discernment.

 

 

 

 

What makes coffee such an intriguing note in perfumery is its remarkable versatility, and The Fragrance Shop 2025 trend report confirms that coffee notes are indeed taking centre stage in what they term the ‘neo-gourmand’ movement – a new wave of fragrances that are more sophisticated and complex than traditional gourmand scents. Often featuring coffee alongside other intriguing notes like matcha, rice, sesame, and nuts, this family of scents are what some are now calling ‘umami perfumes’ – the savoury counterpoint to sweet gourmands.

For those eager to explore this aromatic trend, why not lets some of these coffee inspired fragrances filter through to your daily rotation…?

 

4160 Tuesdays Black Velvet Cafe 

A deep, intoxicating coffee absolute weaves seamlessly with oudh and woods, creating a plush, textural experience that lives up to its velvet namesake. As it unfolds on skin, the warmth of tobacco and the earthiness of patchouli emerge, grounding the composition while allowing glimpses of brightness to shine through. The true artistry of Black Velvet Cafe lies in its evocation of that secluded corner in a subtly lit café – black velvet furnishings surrounding you, the comforting embrace of leather nearby, and that perfect espresso warming your hands – a sensory memory captured in a bottle that transcends seasons and occasions.

£50 for 50ml eau de parfum 4160tuesdays.com

 

 

 

 

 

Adscenture Turkish Delight

Beckoning you to Istanbul’s labyrinthine Grand Bazaar, where the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingles with exotic spices in the air. The journey begins with a vibrant burst of ginger and warm, roasted coffee notes that immediately transport you to a bustling Turkish café. As you wander deeper, the fragrance unfolds its heart of aromatic cinnamon leaf, smoky tobacco, and delicate geranium. But the true magic emerges in the drydown, where powdery Turkish delight confections blend seamlessly with creamy vanilla, resinous benzoin, and earthy labdanum, leaving a trail as mesmerising as the bazaar itself. This is an olfactory adventure that captures the essence of Istanbul’s sensory tapestry in a bottle.

£60 for 30ml eau de parfum in our Shop

 

Electimuss Caspian Cherry

Promising ‘a truly indulgent cherry confection of Bacchanalian intensity, served on a silver platter’, perfumer Kevin Mathys certainly delivers. Atop a burnished base of vetiver and white chocolate, luxuriant cherry is resplendent in almond liqueur and whipped coconut, while spiced honey, dark chocolate and a shot of coffee beckon you closer. Inspired by ancient Romans first tasting cherries, traded across the Caspian Sea; this is a complete feast for the senses.

£200 for 100ml extrait de parfum electimuss.com

 

 

 

 

Roja Dove Perfumery Chou Chou

Almost a century after their original launch, Roja Dove redesigned three fragrances created by 1930s perfumer Pierre de Velay. After translating the texts in de Velay’s diaries, his reinterpretations include this ultra-gourmand indulgence, in which a sparkle of citrus soon drifts dessert-wards, past violet and jasmine to notes of vanilla, coffee, milk chocolate, candyfloss, caramel, then on to a finale of oakwood, dry woods, amber and musks. One for those who take their coffee with plenty of sugar and relish the opulence, this is far beyond a grab-and-go latte: think delicately sipping while wearing an exquisite silk dressing gown and matching slippers, reading letters from a lover on a chaise lounge…

£495 for 100ml eau de parfum rojadoveperfumery.com

 

 

 

La Montaña Alfredo’s Café Candle

Coffee can also be captured in candle form, such as this stunner – inspired by a real-life café owned by Alfredo, this fragrance embodies the heart and soul of community life. As you light the candle, you can almost hear the lively chatter, hearty laughter, and the satisfying clack of dominoes hitting the table. This complex aroma took exceptional craftsmanship to perfect, requiring over forty iterations before achieving its final, captivating scent. The result is a sophisticated blend of black tobacco, coffee, and brandy, intertwined with notes of leather and church incense, transporting you to the warm, cosy atmosphere of a bustling Mediterranean café.

£39 for 220g in our Shop

 

However you like your aromatic brew, it’s clear coffee notes are continuing to percolate through the fragrance world, offering an invigorating alternative to traditional sweet scents. Whether you prefer your coffee (and your perfume) milky and sweet or dark and intense, there’s never been a better time to wake up and smell the coffee – quite literally.

Written by Suzy Nightingale

Deliciously More-ish Fragrances: Sweet Treats for the Senses

Looking for sweet treats? We’ve got a whole wardrobe of gourmand scents to tempt AND perhaps even surprise your senses…

As we approach the festive season, a time traditionally associated with indulgence and comfort, it’s no surprise that gourmand fragrances continue to captivate our olfactory senses.These delectable scents, reminiscent of sweet treats and culinary delights, have been going strong throughout 2024 and are poised to remain a significant trend well into 2025.

Gone are the days when gourmand fragrances could simply be dismissed as being overly saccharine or simplistic, or indeed only aimed at younger people. The new generation of edible-inspired scents has evolved into a realm of sophistication and complexity, offering depth and nuance that might surprise even the most discerning fragrance enthusiast.

 

 

 

 

Today’s gourmands are a far cry from the cloying, synthetic concoctions of yesteryear. Instead, they present a refined balance of sweetness and depth, often incorporating unexpected notes that elevate them beyond mere olfactory confectionery. The enduring popularity of these scents can be attributed to their ability to evoke comfort, nostalgia, and a sense of indulgence without the calories. In a world that often feels uncertain, there’s something undeniably comforting about wrapping oneself in a scent that recalls warm kitchens, festive gatherings, and childhood treats.

At The Perfume Society we’ve curated a selection of our favourite sweet treat scents for you to indulge in this season. However, we urge you to widely explore the new generation of gourmands if you haven’t already – you might just discover a sophisticated side to sweetness you never knew existed. Let’s delve into some delectably sweet yet stunning offerings that have caught our attention (and we just can’t get enough of!)

 

 

 

sweet treat scents EAU MG

 

EauMG GREEDY GOURMAND begins with an irresistible burst of succulent raspberry and juicy clementine, Cherry blossom, sweet, sticky apricot, and lush rose, settle into a warm embrace of musk and sandalwood, cosseted by creamy vanilla, offering a sophisticated and utterly delicious gourmand experience that lingers enticingly on the skin.

£95 for 50ml eau de parfum in our shop

 

 

 

sweet treat scents shay & blue

Shay&Blue SALT CARAMEL is a masterclass in balance. The initial burst of sweet, buttery caramel is expertly tempered by a whisper of sea salt, preventing the scent from becoming cloying. As it settles, subtle woody notes emerge, adding depth and sophistication to this gourmand delight.

£65 for 100ml eau de parfum in our shop

 

 

 

sweet treat scents Experimental Perfume Club

Experimental Perfume Club PISTACHIO HAIKU offers a unique take on the gourmand genre. This fragrance opens with a crisp, green fig leaf, reminiscent of freshly cracked pistachio shells, before revealing a creamy, nutty heart. A base of soft woods and subtly sweet vanilla rounds out this elegant composition, proving that gourmand scents can be both delicious and refined.

Try a sample in our Fragrant Fantasy Discovery Box, £22 / £18 for VIPs

 

 

 

sweet treat scents Ojar

Ojar HALWA KISS is a love letter to Middle Eastern sweets. This opulent fragrance combines notes of cardamom, rosewater, and saffron with a rich base of caramelised sugar and nuts. The result is a complex, layered scent that manages to be both comforting and oppulent, particularly in this oil absolute format.

£195 for 100ml absolute selfridges.com

 

 

 

sweet treat scents Maison Tahite

Maison Tahite VANILLA² elevates the humble vanilla bean to new heights. This is not your average vanilla fragrance – it’s a sophisticated blend that showcases different facets of the note. From the creamy sweetness of Tahitian vanilla to the smoky depth of Bourbon vanilla, this scent is a journey through the complexities of this beloved ingredient.

£99 for 100ml eau de parfum 50-ml.co.uk

 

As we embrace the festive season and look forward to the new year, these deliciously more-ish fragrances offer a perfect way to indulge our senses. Whether you’re a long-time gourmand lover or a curious newcomer, we encourage you to explore these sweet olfactory treats. After all, in the world of perfumery, a little indulgence goes a long way….

 

Written by Suzy Nightingale

Delicious fragrances fit for The Great British Bake Off…

Indulging in the sweet allure of gourmand fragrances has never been more enticing, especially as the new season of The Great British Bake Off 2024 approaches. This beloved show, which celebrates the art of baking, aligns perfectly with the ever-rising trend of edible-inspired scents that evoke the comforting and nostalgic aromas of cakes, pastries, and other delicious treats. Gourmand fragrances, characterised by their delectably addictive notes such as vanilla, caramel, honey, and chocolate, have captured the hearts of fragrance lovers worldwide. But we know many of you might still raise a sceptical eyebrow…

Love them or shun them, these scents have seen a staggering 77.5% rise in searches for ‘gourmand’ this year, so it’s clear these olfactory delights are more than just a passing trend. Plus, there are FAR more grown-up and nuanced versions available – so something for all tastes, we promise. The comfort and joy these scents bring resonate deeply, often transporting us back to cherished memories of childhood baking and generally embracing good times. As we transition into a season filled with warmth and cosiness, now is the perfect time to explore these fragrances that not only smell delicious, but also provide us with a sense of comfort and happiness.

 

 

 

With a tent-full of new contestants and all manner of culinary challenges ahead, the upcoming episodes of The Great British Bake Off will undoubtedly inspire many of us to embrace their inner baker, but even if you’re not a natural in the kitchen (god forbid the soggy bottom!) we urge you to seek these out, and spritz on some deliciousness. No matter if you find yourself drawn to the classic richness of vanilla or the playful sweetness of caramel, there’s a gourmand fragrance out there with your name on, just waiting for you to indulge…

 

 

AKRO Bake 

A lemon cake inspired scent that’s so realistic yet not too sweet, and that we’re obsessed by? We’d never have believed it, until we smelled THIS. Gourmand? Yes, there’s cool, smooth cake-batter scrumptiousness followed by steamy, (slightly undercooked?) sponge-y-ness and Chantilly cream, but it’s masterfully balanced with bright lemon peel. Indulging our cravings is co-founder and perfumer Olivier Cresp’s ethos for AKRO – and we were hooked, from first sniff! Worthy of a ‘Hollywood handshake’ for sure.

£160 for 100ml eau de parfum fenwick.co.uk

 

 

 

 

Maison Tahité Cacao2

As contestants whip up decadent chocolate cakes and intricate pastries, Cacao2 envelops you in a warm hug of dark chocolate notes. The fragrance opens with a spicy cinnamon accord that tickles the nose, reminiscent of the aromatic spices often used to elevate chocolate desserts, while intoxicating toasted notes evoke the aroma of freshly baked goods emerging from the ovens in the Bake Off tent (but none of the burning.) Cedar and vetiver provide a sturdy base, enhancing the fragrance’s character and adding depth, much like how a well-structured chocolate tart needs a perfectly baked crust for support. And we all need extra support, these days…

£90 for 100ml eau de parfum libertylondon.com

 

 

 

 

 

Shay & Blue Salt Caramel

If you have ever experienced lifting the gilded lid of a beautifully packaged box of Charbonnel et Walker‘s Sea Salt Caramel Truffles, you’ll recognise perfumer Julie Massé photo-realistic longer-lasting fragrant interpretation of the addictive cocoa confection. Caramel and bourbon vanilla rock on the precipice of sweetness before being dashed through with a hint of freshly-hewn sandalwood and an ultra-intriguing definite note of the salt crystals to set your taste buds salivating. We desperately want a cake inspired by this, please!

£25 for 10ml eau de parfum shayandblue.com

 

 

 

4160 Tuesdays Creamy Vanilla Crumble

Imagine settling in to watch the bakers create their masterpieces while you’re surrounded by the scent of vanilla custard and crumble (surely one of the most soul-soothing desserts ever?) It’s almost as if you could taste the contestants’ creations through your television screen, adding an extra layer of sensory enjoyment to your weekly viewing ritual. Here, there’s no stress, all pleasure in the cuddle of creamy custard notes, complemented by the delightful crunch of crumble. The addition of a subtle fresh leaf tobacco accord adds depth and sophistication, preventing the scent from becoming overly sweet, but you’ll definitely want second-helpings!

£100 for 50ml eau de parfum in our shop

 

THoO Crazy Bon Bon Pop

Imagination is allowed to run wild in THOO’s ‘Crazy Collection’, its fragrant flights of fancy wittily reflected in the hand-decorated bottles. Bon Bon Pop whisks us to nostalgic childhood memories of filling paper bags with treats. Of course the Bake Off challenges often revolve around such whimsically delicious nostalgia, and in this scent we’re invited to feel like that kid in the sweetshop again, woohoo! Perfumer Douglas Morel fuses white peach, coconut, caramel-drizzled amber and a reassuringly woody base, to soothe, after we’ve gorged ourselves – albeit it olfactorially (at first…)

£220 for 75ml eau de parfum harveynichols.com

 

Written by Suzy Nightingale

Further honey fragrances for the hive…

Our theme this month has been honey fragrances, and as you’ll have learned in our first fragrant edit, honey is creating quite the buzz [sorry] in the world of perfumery lately. It can add such a unique character to a scent’s composition. Possessing floral, blossom-y or addictive and even animalic qualities along with the touch of sweetness the synthetic recreation of the aroma offers a perfumer, there really is a honey fragrance for every taste.

Here, we showcase seven further delicious, honey-centric scents we feel our fragrant hive mind of Perfume Society perfumistas would welcome trying…

 

4160 Tuesdays Honey Jasmine Karma

A blissful blend to whisk you somewhere lovely and conjure sunshine even if the weather’s not behaving, this white floral wafts forth a vegan honeyed aroma for which (as their website delightfully describes) ‘no bee has been bothered’. The sticky sweetness is tempered by a drowsy luminescence that keeps it from being cloying, and the Karmawood™ adds a powdery sandalwood feel that proves incredibly grounding in the dry-down. Instant ‘om’.

From £40 for 15ml eau de parfum 4160tuesdays.com

 

 

 

Marc-Antoine Barrois Tilia

Tilia is the Latin name for the linden tree, whose blossom is honeyed, seductive, and surely the true embodiment of summer. Created with Marc-Antoine’s long-time creative ‘accomplice’, Quentin Bisch, this solar masterpiece is dusted with pollen and drizzled with honey, but with the green of leaves, crushed in a palm, and cool vetiver offering welcome shade. It is, we’re told, ‘Simple. Solar. Smiling. The scent… of holidays that never end.’ Oh, yes!

From £105 for 30ml eau de parfum lessenteurs.com

 

 

Redolescent Hive Mind

Redolescent Hive Mind

Picture fresh honey dripping from combs while worker bees fill the air with rhythmic hum, creating a refined and sophisticated aroma. The perfume, a luxurious blend of beeswax, cedarwood, jasmine, and lemon, exudes a classy, gilded warmth. As the scent settles, it connects you to the natural world, grounding you in summer moments and cloudless skies. Not just a perfume; it’s a golden glow for special occasions, a connection to nature, and a tribute to the vital role of bees in our world.

£145 for 50ml eau de parfum in our shop

 

 

 

Paco Rabanne Lady Million

Captivating at first spritz, Lady Million the brightness of neroli is immediately trailed by charismatically seductive orange blossom narcotic jasmine and creamy gardenia pulsing to deeper tones of patchouli and an opulent drizzle of honey melding beautifully with the woody base notes. Amber glows to become all enveloping, a swathe of sweetness that lasts for hours. Presented in a bottle to represent a diamond (and spawning many follow-up fragrances for its huge success) it’s a bestseller for a reason.

£86 for 50ml eau de parfum boots.com

 

 

Initio Addictive Vibration

Don’t be deceived by the innocent-sounding blend of orange blossom and honey in Addictive Vibration: this is seriously naughty…Unveiling a body of lustful scent in ‘a magma of flesh and fiery blend of musk and honey. Addictive Vibration captivates with its heart of orange blossom and vanilla orchid.’ Well golly, this is a steamy scent and will certainly get pulses racing. As they say… ‘The bodies succumb to arousing waves of attraction lingering in their wake, a trail of carnal dependance.’ Wear with caution at the supermarket, then!

 

 

 

JEAN_PAUL_GAULTIER_SCANDAL_A_PARIS

Jean Paul Gaultier Scandal

Fusing the sparkle of blood orange, gilded honey, patchouli and gardenia to a musky base reflects the light and shade found in ‘the endless fun of Paris.’ At first the gardenia shines through, diffusing the honey as though backlit by golden sunshine and punctuated with the darkly glimmering juice of a fleshy blood orange. As the sun dips lower, the patchouli comes out to play, weaving a honeyed, chypre trail that still billows with the gardenia’s flirtatiousness.

From £62 for 30ml eau de parfum jeanpaulgaultier.com

 

Kajal Joorie

‘In working on the creation of Joorie,’ says founder Moe Khalaf, ‘ I kept having flashbacks to the farmhouse where my family would go during our summer holidays.’ Here we are invited to relive the halcyon days via ‘berries, figs, jasmines, petunias, chamomiles, and lavender’ plus fresh wild honey eaten while gazing blissfully at the sky, surrounded by the hazy buss of bees and smiling in the sunshine. Woven throughout is Moe’s favourite rose bush, the velvety petals now dipped in honey for us to enjoy, here.

£186 for 100ml eau de parfum kajalperfumes.com

 

Written by Suzy Nightingale

Honey fragrances – get ready to bee inspired…

Our theme this month is honey – warm, luxurious and comforting, honey works wonderfully in fragrances to emphasise floral notes, or add touches of amber richness.  There’s a whole hive of honey and beeswax scent notes in fragrances, and perfumer  Christine Nagel explains why she loves using it…

‘Honey has two facets – half devil, half angel. In Ambrée structures, it has a sweet, comforting effect, taking you back to childhood. But a small touch in a feminine structure can be extremely sexy…’

There are so many varieties of honey, each taking their smell (and colour) from the flowers on which the bees that produce it have feasted.  Orange blossom honey.  Eucalyptus honey.  Acacia honey:  the variations are almost limitless, sometimes woody, flowery, herbal or even tobacco-y.  The ancient Arab perfumers were the first to capture honey’s sweetness in perfumery, but today the honey featured is generally a synthetic note – one that’s drizzled sensually over quite a few fragrances in the past few years.

Now, can you envisage getting sweet on any of these honey-centric scents…?

Guerlain L’Art & La Matière Tobacco Honey

There’s something about honey which goes beyond delicious to downright irresistible in this fragrant nuzzle-me-closer scented experience, which had us purring from first spritz. Imagine a fine tobacco that’s been kept dry in a precious, carved wooden box, yet somehow suffused with nectar; enrobed in a nugget of glowing amber, but sliced with shards of light. Defiantly rich, yet it it floats in drifts around you like a gilded cloud.

£295 for 100ml eau de parfum guerlain.com

Parfums de Marly Oajan

Talk about a honeyed charm, this fragrance has it by the jar-full! Silky honey slinks to a sizzle of cinnamon, with apricot-tinged fruity osmanthus sweetly gliding to the smoothest amber, resinous (incense-like) labdanum and and rich benzoin. Swirled with addictive vanilla and toasty tonka bean, the earthy patchouli and dried fruity note of davana grounds the base. An all-day wist or neck-sniffer, for sure.

£245 for 125ml eau de parfum selfridges.com


Floral Street Sunflower Pop

Celebrating their collaboration between the Van Gogh Museum, Floral Street unveil a scent inspired by the artist’s most famous painting. The very definition of optimism, it’s sunny to look at and sunny inside, vibrant with fresh mandarin, Calabrian bergamot, and accords of vegan honey and Bellini cocktails. We’ll raise a glass to a fresh scent that allows us to hang onto summer for a wee while longer.

From £110 for 100ml eau de parfum floralstreet.com

Or

Enter our GIVEAWAY here for the chance to win the Sunflower Pop products!

Floris Honey Oud

A really good introduction to how oudh can be used in a nuanced way – almost as a seasoning instead of the main flavour – this one is actually delicious (as in, if it came in a jar, you’d want to lick it off your fingers, or slather it on buttered toast and guzzle it, ). The spiced honeyed note intensifies as oudh softly adds depth.. Intensely nuzzle-able, there’s nothing whatever to frighten the horses, here, even if you’ve avoided oudh!

From £30 for 10ml eau de parfum selfridges.com

[NB: Also available to sample as part of the Floris Private Collection set, for only £35, and including some of their most iconic scents].

 

 

 

 

Thameen Bravi

What if the diva lost her voice and needed the power of perfume to regain her bravado? This imagined story was the starting point for the third in Thameen’s ‘Britologne’ series, Bruno Jovanovic adding aphrodisiac ginger’s tingle to decadent tuberose, seducing with the decadent wild honey, and wonderfully smoky toasty-ness of walnut throughout, this packs a seriously addictive gourmand punch. Encore!

£250 for 100ml Cologne elixir selfridges.com

 

Written by Suzy Nightingale

Gourmand Scents for Shrove (4160)Tuesday(s) & Beyond

Pancakes or 4150 Tuesdays perfumes? We’ll take both, thanks! And now we have many of these in 50ml or full-size bottles stocked in our shop, it’s even easier to dip in to the deliciousness.

Because we are often what we eat – or at least, our taste preferences can be mirrored in the foods we crave – we thought why not widen this and say ‘we are what we smell’? So, let us match your favourite pancake toppings to some delectably more-ish perfumes from the always delightfully eccentric British niche house of 4160 Tuesdays. Definitely not only for Pancake Day itself – this house has something for every perfumista’s palate. Scents to indulge yourself with far beyond Shrove [4160]Tuesdays…

 

‘…lemon and orange and real honey absolute for a fresh, tasty top note that makes you lick your lips. So perhaps it’s a gourmand – a scent that smells of tasty food – but the pancake bit is quite subtle – plus they are British pancakes, the sort with no sugar in the batter. Oh who are we kidding? Really it’s all about warm bodies.’

4160 Tuesdays Sunshine and Pancakes from £32 for 15ml eau de parfum

 

‘It leads out with cedrat, orange, tangerine and bergamot essential oils,  juicy fragrance reminding us of eating a lemon top ice cream on a summer day. In reality, after its happy introduction, it’s a gently but perfectly constructed floral chypre with an iris-narcissus-lily of the valley heart, with a generous topping of white chocolate mousse, tonka absolute and musks.’

4160 Tuesdays Fluffy Lemon Top from £85 for 50ml eau de parfum

 

 

‘A long time ago in a village perched on a hill, there was a house above a chocolate shop where a beginner perfume-maker’s friend lived… Over the Chocolate Shop is the gloriously rich aroma you can inhale as the chocolatiers make their first batch of pralines in the early morning. Melting cocoa butter, a dash off coffee, hazelnut extract and a drop of vanilla absolute.’

4160 Tuesdays Over the Chocolate Shop from £100 for 50ml eau de parfum

 

 

‘A light, fruity floral fragrance which smells like a refreshing glass of fruit punch with a hint of cherry jam.  So how do we create a cherry jam note? What we did was to blend citrus essential oils, flowers, woods and raspberry. We’re pleased with its scrumptiousness.’

4160 Tuesdays Fruits of the Tree of Knowledge from £25 for 15ml eau de parfum

 

 

‘…the ideal blend of tart with sweet, smooth with sharp, bright with soothing. It’s made with one part tart to 29 parts comfort – the perfect balance between two contrasting themes, a pudding in a perfume. It’s all the delights of smelling rhubarb crumble with custard, a sparky citrus fruit and Yorkshire rhubarb-inspired creamy vanilla delight.’

4160 Tuesdays Rhubarb & Custard 1:29 £100 for 50ml eau de parfum

 

The first gourmand: Brillat-Savarin – an 18th Century chemist who knew you are what you eat (and smell!)

Long before ‘gourmand’ foodie-inspired fragrances were even dreamed of and while smell was still perceived as the poor cousin of our other senses, one 18th Century polymath was championing the exquisite pleasures that taste and smell bring to everyday life. And more than mere pleasure alone: in fact, he heralded the proper appreciation and scientific study of these long-foregranted senses…
‘Tell me what you eat and I will tell you what you are.’ So said Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin, 1755-1826, a French lawyer and politician whom, apart from law, studied chemistry and medicine, and eventually gained fame as an epicure and gastronome.
 

 
His seminal work Physiologie du goût (The Physiology of Taste), contains Savarin’s philosophies and observations on the pleasures of the food, which he very much considered a science – long before the birth of molecular gastronomy and serious studies of taste and smell had begun. And smell was very much at the forefront of the gastronomique experience, Savarin had worked out; exclaiming:
‘Smell and taste are in fact but a single composite sense, whose laboratory is the mouth and its chimney the nose.’
Previously considered the least important of the senses – indeed, smell remains the least scientifically explored, though technology is making huge leaps in our understanding – Savarin proclaimed that,’The sense of smell, like a faithful counsellor, foretells its character.’
 

 
Published only two months before his death, the book has never been out of print and still proves inspirational to chefs and food-lovers to this day.
 

 
Preceding the remarkable leaps in knowledge high-tech equipment has allowed and revealing how entwined our sense of smell is to the taste and enjoyment of food, Savarin also observed how our noses protect us from eating potentially harmful substances, explaining ‘…for unknown foods, the nose acts always as a sentinal and cries: “Who goes there?”‘ while coming to the conclusion that a person’s character may be foretold in their taste and smell preferences… ‘Tell me what you eat and I will tell you what you are.’
We devoted an entire issue of our award-winning magazine The Scented Letter (now available in print, and with online subscriptions worldwide!) to taste and smell – as of course we are gourmand fans in ALL the senses. And so it is heartening to know that Brillat was on our side here, with this extremely useful advice we selflessly pledge to carry through life:
‘Those who have been too long at their labor, who have drunk too long at the cup of voluptuousness, who feel they have become temporarily inhumane, who are tormented by their families, who find life sad and love ephemeral… they should all eat chocolate and they will be comforted.’
Wise words, indeed. We plan to enjoy all the sweet temptations that come our way, in scent form and in chocolate. Talk about having your cake and wearing it, too!
Written by Suzy Nightingale