I'm going to list my top 10 winter picks for 2012. And hopefully some of you will list yours.
Fragrances that are very strong, which often project too much in the summer, do much better in the winter since the cold air limits the projection. That said, while many summer fragrances won't project well in the cold air, most of my fall picks (such as Rive Gauche) can. All scents here are graded by their projection and longevity, in addition to their overall quality.
11th: Kouros (Sorry, I like you, but too many of the people I'm around would consider you quite the stinker.)
10 - Angel Men
This made a splash in the 90's (a decade dominated by fresh sporty scents) by challenging the consumers with Mugler's male variation of Angel. Some may find the tar note harsh, but beneath that it smooths into a vanilla-chocolate sweet gourmand (with a quality patchouli note).
9 - Sycomore
What winter list would be complete without a vetiver-based scent? And a well-made one I'll add. The vetiver in this exclusive Chanel fragrance is set into a safe pleasing floral aroma. This is easily unisex and recommendable to those who like vetiver. For those who are on a budget, I would recommend Encre Noir by Lalique, which is very similar and good in it's own right.
8 - Le Male
Who can forget the naked sailor bottle design? Lavendar, mint, vanilla, tonka bean. A known compliment getter. Some will say it's cheap, synthetic and overly sweet. Others will love it. But this is largely likeable among non-basenoters.
7 - 1 Million
Cinnamon, leather, and blood orange. It's sweet, fruit, but with darker undercurrents. Many classify it is a club-scent, but myself? I can (and enjoy to) wear this practically anywhere. Of all of my fragrances, this is probably the one that gets me the most attention. It's high on my fall list as well, because I simply love this one.
6 - Aventus
Pineapple, bergamot, apple, birchwood, and a little bit of vanilla. It's gotten a lot of hype on here, but to me, it lives up to the high standards it is saddled by. It is probably my #1 overall favorite out of every one on the list, but this work well all-year round whereas my higher picks are mostly winter-only for me.
5 - Dior Homme
Uses the "make-up" note of iris to make a powdery scent (with a smooth gourmand background) that is masculine and unlike anything else in the designer market. I like the original a little more than the intense version, but both are great. While you don't necessarily need to own both since the differences are minimal, you can't go wrong with either.
4 - M7
Amber, oud, cherry syrup smell. It's love-hate, and most non-basenoters I know weren't big fans of this. This is harsh, pungent and noxious, in the most pleasing way possible, to people looking for something daringly unique. There is no fragrance on the market exactly like this. A true masterpeice. It's a shame they had to discontinue it.
3 - Egoiste
This powerhouse by Chanel has been overshadowed by many of the more modern releases, but still, it is an unforgettable leafy woody vanilla scent that will well suit those open to more traditional tastes.
2 - Pure Malt
A boozy beer scent with the signature patchouli, that dries down into a chocolate vanilla base, that is enjoyable all the way through.
1 - New Haarlem
Pancakes, french toast, butter, syrup, sugar, coffee, vanilla. The king of gourmands. Projects better than any other fragrance I know of and lasts upwards of 14 hours. Seeing as you only need one spray per wearing, the lasting value on this well justifies the price.
Fragrances that are very strong, which often project too much in the summer, do much better in the winter since the cold air limits the projection. That said, while many summer fragrances won't project well in the cold air, most of my fall picks (such as Rive Gauche) can. All scents here are graded by their projection and longevity, in addition to their overall quality.
11th: Kouros (Sorry, I like you, but too many of the people I'm around would consider you quite the stinker.)
10 - Angel Men
This made a splash in the 90's (a decade dominated by fresh sporty scents) by challenging the consumers with Mugler's male variation of Angel. Some may find the tar note harsh, but beneath that it smooths into a vanilla-chocolate sweet gourmand (with a quality patchouli note).
9 - Sycomore
What winter list would be complete without a vetiver-based scent? And a well-made one I'll add. The vetiver in this exclusive Chanel fragrance is set into a safe pleasing floral aroma. This is easily unisex and recommendable to those who like vetiver. For those who are on a budget, I would recommend Encre Noir by Lalique, which is very similar and good in it's own right.
8 - Le Male
Who can forget the naked sailor bottle design? Lavendar, mint, vanilla, tonka bean. A known compliment getter. Some will say it's cheap, synthetic and overly sweet. Others will love it. But this is largely likeable among non-basenoters.
7 - 1 Million
Cinnamon, leather, and blood orange. It's sweet, fruit, but with darker undercurrents. Many classify it is a club-scent, but myself? I can (and enjoy to) wear this practically anywhere. Of all of my fragrances, this is probably the one that gets me the most attention. It's high on my fall list as well, because I simply love this one.
6 - Aventus
Pineapple, bergamot, apple, birchwood, and a little bit of vanilla. It's gotten a lot of hype on here, but to me, it lives up to the high standards it is saddled by. It is probably my #1 overall favorite out of every one on the list, but this work well all-year round whereas my higher picks are mostly winter-only for me.
5 - Dior Homme
Uses the "make-up" note of iris to make a powdery scent (with a smooth gourmand background) that is masculine and unlike anything else in the designer market. I like the original a little more than the intense version, but both are great. While you don't necessarily need to own both since the differences are minimal, you can't go wrong with either.
4 - M7
Amber, oud, cherry syrup smell. It's love-hate, and most non-basenoters I know weren't big fans of this. This is harsh, pungent and noxious, in the most pleasing way possible, to people looking for something daringly unique. There is no fragrance on the market exactly like this. A true masterpeice. It's a shame they had to discontinue it.
3 - Egoiste
This powerhouse by Chanel has been overshadowed by many of the more modern releases, but still, it is an unforgettable leafy woody vanilla scent that will well suit those open to more traditional tastes.
2 - Pure Malt
A boozy beer scent with the signature patchouli, that dries down into a chocolate vanilla base, that is enjoyable all the way through.
1 - New Haarlem
Pancakes, french toast, butter, syrup, sugar, coffee, vanilla. The king of gourmands. Projects better than any other fragrance I know of and lasts upwards of 14 hours. Seeing as you only need one spray per wearing, the lasting value on this well justifies the price.
