Yazhini ManimudiWhile I have enjoyed most of the perfumes we were introduced to in 2025, a look back at them left me with a tinge of disappointment. More flankers than originality. Designer brands are majorly guilty of this (See Sì Parfum, Lady Dior Essence, Bleu de Chanel) but others have also have gotten in on it- Glossier You Fleur. Sure, I love the opulent Vanille Couture (let’s not get started on the concept of limited-edition fragrances) but it truly gets to a point…
When looking back at the best of 2025, it feels rather bleak to see few originals. So for the purpose of this retrospective, I have excluded flankers, however gorgeous they might be, to highlight creative creations. A few of my early 2025 fragrances have even made it to the list:
Byredo
Alto Astral
Alto Astral was a bright, tropical summer perfume featuring coconut water, aldehydes, jasmine, and sandalwood. It is sparkling fresh and comforting at the same time. Quite a novel scent profile for someone who wants to smell unique.
Bois Obscur
Bois Obscur is part of the Night Veils collection featuring deeper, extrait de parfum concentrations of new and pre-existing fragrances. It’s a rich oud with a luxurious saffron, adding to the leather nuances of labdanum.
Chanel
Chance Eau Splendide
Eau Splendide has a fruity opening, inviting you in with its joy and enthusiasm to a soft iris and violet heart. With a red fruit accord, raspberry, and peach, the fragrance is as youthful and fun as the marketing indicates. Released in the first half of 2025, I hoped it would remain just as good in comparison to perfumes released in the latter half of 2025. And I’m happy to say it does.
Dior
Rose Star
Starting with refreshing fruits and sichuan pepper, Rose Star is a honeyed rose fragrance that is available exclusively in the Middle East. Rose is the star of the show, unveiling in its many dimensions and providing us the full experience of one of the most popular perfume notes.
Bois Talisman
Bois Talisman is gorgeous for the winter. A smoky accord blending with sugar, making you crave the feeling of roasting marshmallows on fire. Adding to this imagery is the cedarwood, the overall smokiness giving time with friends around a firepit. With a cosy vanilla, some have even said it’s like being by the fireplace…
Cuir Saddle
A modern leather, achieving a soft, supple character along with a suede accord. Made to celebrate the iconic Saddle Bag, the leathery accords blend with white florals and sit atop a woody base.
Diptyque
Lazulio
Lazulio embodies the vibrance of peacock feathers and mysterious qualities of the bird, using rhubarb and vetiver to accomplish the task. The rhubarb boasts a bright fruity opening, the vetiver helping the transition to the warm, creamy, resinous depth of benzoin.
Giorgio Armani
Armani/Privé Cuir Nu
Featuring a Dark Roast Arabica coffee, Cuir Nu is a standout gourmand of this year. It differs from the others. We start with rose and go on to a weird yet likable petrol facet. What makes it different is the caramel sweetness paired with a salty nuance for a popcorn accord.
Guerlain
Pêche Mirage
Juicy yet airy peach sits close to the skin, a jasmine note bridging it to a leather base. Peach is watery yet rich with a nectar-like sweetness, teaming up with blackcurrant and saffron which lends a leathery dimension that grounds it to the leather base. While raspberry seems to be the go-to fruit to pair with leather, Guerlain tried and succeeded with a succulent peach.
Ambre Samar
Ambre Samar was introduced in the summer, but is more of a wintry fragrance. The essence of a Christmas market and wine spiced with cinnamon and clove. Though not the most unique fragrance, it remains a well-rounded offering for an audience with love for deeper but more expensive fragrances like Tobacco Honey at a slightly lower price.
Vétiver Fauve
Vétiver Fauve is one of the early adopters of the increasing love for fig in perfumery. It creates the aura of a tropical forest without heaping on bright fruits, rather going for a milky and green fig paired with vetiver for a scent that’s both sophisticated and playful.
Memo
Portobello Road
Reminiscent of a London street, Portobello Road brings you the scent of rainfall with fresh florals, asphalt, and earthy vetiver. The art associated is beautiful in true Memo style.
Extrait Cardinaux Leather
After all their explorations of leather, French, Indian, African, Irish, Italian– about 14 leather perfumes, you guys– they have created what seems like their ultimate leather. Aptly named Leather, it is the first of the brand’s new Extrait Cardinaux collection and features a deep patchouli and soft vanilla.
Parfums de Marly
Castley
Open fresh and hot with bergamot and black pepper, Castley became one of the best men’s perfumes of 2025. It dries down to a gorgeous woody scent with a leathery undertone coming from labdanum.
Valero
Part of the new equestrian themed collection of three, Valero is a classic fougere with citrusy freshness, lavender, and geranium. It creates the aura of a barbershop fragrance that you’d get a splash of at a very high-end salon.
Which were your favourite perfumes of 2025? Read more on Perfume Mag to get insights on trends in perfumery. Like the undeniable new direction of gourmands awaiting us in 2026. Hint: It’s fruity…
Yazhini Manimudi
