Floral fragrances achieve a style and complexity that is uniquely their own. From the singularly complex to the utterly symphonic, the category encapsulates the most diverse and distinct of styles. In this sample pack, we offer a taste of the many different florals available in perfume format.
Czech & Speake's No. 88 Cologne begins this flight with a dark and complex heart composed of rose, geranium and frangipani. Whilst the moody and umbrous facets of rose are drawn out in this composition, the trick is that No. 88 leans into the masculine familiar. Geranium and bergamot serves to unite two worlds, from the interesting floral sparks of rose to an austere masculine accord of dry sandalwood and vetiver, calling to mind traditional dusky Fougères. On the other hand, if light-filled scenes are more to your taste, chase this scent with Oxford & Cambridge (also from Czech & Speake), which uses Lavender as its focal ingredient. Lavender has long been a staple in many early men's colognes, and in the barbershop. Here, clever additions of rosemary and mint move lavender away from its usual confines – ensuring that it emphasises its brilliant floral facets: sweet, agrestic, cool-and-warm. The scent is an aromatic breeze.
Eau de Protection by Etat Libre d'Orange harnesses the tenacity of brooding black pepper, cumin, and ginger to create a brilliant and addictively unconventional rose scent. A fistful of roses are crushed amongst these spice notes, creating a scent greater than the sum of its parts. It transforms its central rose note so it appears larger than itself – its cliched prettiness and delicacy transforms into pure strength – an engulfing flame that leaves an extraordinary trail. Tauer's PHI-Une Rose De Kandahar similarly develops the rose note through clever combination, leaning on the rich spiciness of tobacco, apricot, almond, amber and vanilla. Harnessing a rare rose extract from Afghanistan's rose growing region, Nangarhar, Tauer demonstrates the good sense of balance and proportion, offering a composition that is generous but not excessive, wrapping its central rose note in a textured and refined powder.
Geo F Trumper's Ajaccio Violets reminds us that tastes are a fashion, and that violets represent an anachronistic masculine taste. A classic floral for the traditionalist, violet’s distinctive earthiness trails with a long length, offering nuances of green herbal freshness, sweet powder, and woody tones. Ajaccio Violets is a dry fragrance, upright yet lithe, instantly recognisable and memorable all at once. It forgoes ornament so to present its innate beauty: neither sweet nor feminine, but simply, violets. In brilliant juxtaposition, Naomi Goodsir's Iris Cendre sets florals alight, and aristocratic iris root and violet are thrown onto ambery tobacco cinders. The result is dramatic and a work of great contrast: at once fresh yet dry, warm yet cool. Floral notes are coated in a veil of incense – and smells entirely of itself, it is without imitation.
