The Scent Of Spring
Of the two yearly peak times for fragrance launches, spring is the one that sees the freshest, brightest new offerings.
So if you’re thinking of treating yourself to a new eau de toilette or want to revamp your fragrance wardrobe, you could do worse than opting for one of these newly released scents.
Tom Ford Noir Extreme
It might share a name and bottle design with 2012’s violet-heavy Tom Ford Noir (one of my favourite fragrances of the last ten years) but this woody oriental scent couldn’t be more different in character.
An ideal evening fragrance, it’s sweet, heady and spicy, with a punchy floral jasmine accord and notes of mandarin, vanilla, rose, and cardamom. What’s more, it offers impressive longevity on the skin.
Sexy stuff.
Bentley Infinite Intense
Considering that Bentley is a car brand, its latest foray into the world of perfume has been surprisingly good. That said, as time goes by each new fragrance in their portfolio is slightly less distinct than the last.
Infinite Intense, then, is a real stab at über-commercial, mainstream acceptance. Both fresh and woody, it’s versatile and perfectly wearable but definitely has a whiff of the generic about it, too.
Dunhill ICON
The creation of perfumer Carlos Benaïm (the nose behind Calvin Klein’s ever-popular Eternity For Men), ICON is a traditionally masculine blend of bergamot, lavender, black pepper, oud wood and vetiver.
Starting off sweet and juicy (not dissimilar to Haribo Starmix), it matures on the skin into something altogether warmer, smokier and sexier.
The bottle – being cylindrical and sporting the engine-turned design that graces so many Dunhill accessories – is also superb.
Hermès Le Jardin De Monsieur Li
Taking his inspiration from Chinese gardens, Hermès’ legendary in-house perfumer Jean-Claude Ellena has created a delightfully fresh and uplifting unisex scent with Monsieur Li.
Crisp, citrusy and subliminally floral – with jasmine, kumquat and mint – it’s as delicate as a flower and the perfect fragrance for warmer weather.
Carven Vétiver
Originally created back in 1957, Carven Vétiver’s 2015 re-launch is good news for men looking for an elegant, grown-up eau de toilette (something we’d like to think you would find in Don Draper’s fragrance collection) and, naturally, for anyone who’s a fan of vetiver fragrances.
This formulation, however, is lighter, fresher and so much more wearable for daytime than, say, Guerlain’s legendary Vetiver, thanks to notes of lemongrass, grapefruit and geranium.
Eau de Cartier Vetiver Bleu
Another lighter vetiver fragrance (are we detecting a possible trend here?), this one manages to combine a fresh crispness with a sexy leatheriness.
It smells like there’s a hint of liquorice in there too. Like Carven’s Vétiver, it’s perfectly light and summery.
Bottega Veneta Pour Homme Extreme
Described as “more intense, more sensual, even more masculine” by perfumer Antoine Maisondieu, this ‘extreme’ version of the Italian luxury brand’s signature fragrance, Bottega Veneta Pour Homme, is a woodier and more leathery experience than its brother, and is also pimped with an amplified, fiery pimento note.
Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Swimming in Lipari Pour Homme
The latest limited edition version of the fantastically successful Light Blue fragrance, Swimming in Lipari is an ‘aquatic’ scent that’s all about capturing the essence of the sea.
What does that smell like exactly? It has a slight saltiness to it, as well as a bitter but refreshing grapefruit and aromatic rosemary.
Another fragrance worth packing for your summer getaway.
Mont Blanc Emblem Intense
The bottle might be shaped a bit like a Pac-Man character but it’s still one of the most striking fragrance flacons out there.
This new interpretation of the Emblem fragrance has a fruity edge thanks to the inclusion of an apple note that makes it juicier than the original, but is still as warm and creamy on the skin once it’s had a few hours to bed in.
Givenchy Gentlemen Only Casual Chic
Gentleman Only, launched in 2013, breathed new life into the Givenchy fragrance portfolio. Hot on the heels of an ‘intense’ version released last year comes this fresher, spicier version.
Featuring cardamom, juniper and ginger, this incarnation, as the name suggests, is a little less formal than the original, making it perfect for gym bags or that much-needed spring break you’re planning.
Final Word
Spring cleaning your wardrobe shouldn’t be your only priority as the icy winds die down and temperatures start to heat up – it’s well worth reshuffling your fragrance collection as well.
Whether you opt for something floral and sweet or fresh and woody, these ten new scents will have you smelling both superb and seasonally-appropriate.
Have you discovered any new fragrances recently? What are your go-to springtime scents?
Let us know in the comments section.
