10 of the Best Niche Fragrances for Men

Opened in 1782 as the Théâtre-Français, The Odéon in Paris was the city’s first large playhouse, becoming the centre of its vibrant arts district and a legendary cultural landmark. Taking inspiration from the same theatre, Odéon Eau de Parfum by Memo Paris captures creative fire. Rose, patchouli and tonka bean are enlivened by radiant amber, candied date and sandalwood. Meanwhile, on the bottle, French artist Jean Jullien has designed a limited-edition illustration of a rosy Parisian sky at daybreak – anticipating, says the brand, “moments to live, pages to devour, waiting in the booksellers’ boxes for the early morning, when the Odéon awakes”.

Available exclusively at Harrods, Jusbox’s London Hall Eau de Parfum draws inspiration from the capital’s fashion and music scenes, as well as our famous Knightsbridge store. Created by perfumer Julien Rasquinet, this niche scent tells the story of the city through its bold dual nature: rooted in tradition, yet always ready to reinvent itself. Opening with a striking blend of spices, it has a floral heart inspired by English gardens, before closing with a modern base of leather, cedarwood and patchouli. Wear it with London’s most famous brands, from Vivienne Westwood to McQueen and JW Anderson.

In denial about the end of summer? Recapture the season’s warmth and sunshine with Acqua di Parma’s Gelsomino a Freddo Ambrosia Extrait de Parfum, crafted with the ancient technique of cold enfleurage. Delicate jasmine flowers are layered onto purified shea butter multiple times, ensuring every nuance of the olfactive molecule is captured while preserving the flower’s natural complexity and richness. It opens with a bright burst of Italian lemon, pink pepper and artemisia, before revealing its heart of orris extract, black tea essence and jasmine enfleurage. Its base – made up of guaiac wood, cypriol and patchouli – anchors it with warm, woody notes, creating a scent of captivating tension. Light and dark, pure and smoky, yet boldly irresistible.

As the sacred bird of Hera, queen of the gods, the peacock has been a symbol of divine power since the days of Ancient Greece. Part of Les Essences de Diptyque collection, drawing on aspects of nature, Lazulio is made in homage to the majestic beauty of the peacock feather. “I wanted to create a contrast between the shimmering accord of sharp, vibrant rhubarb and the exquisitely enveloping facets of benzoin,” says perfumer Quentin Bisch. “I chose rose and vetiver to reinforce this interaction of colours and textures, imagining the scent of a gem worn by this fabulous bird.” The bottle and packaging is decorated by architect Nigel Peake, making it a beautiful gift for yourself or your loved ones.

“That specific smell you get when you unwrap a new Apple laptop” is how Escentric Molecules describes its Escentric 02 Pure Perfume. At its centre is Ambroxan, a chemical structure identical to the ambrox derived from ambergris – the most prized ingredient in perfumery, and rarely found in 2025. That said, “Ambroxan takes a back seat,” says Thomas Dunckley, an award-winning fragrance expert. “It just provides the power, driving the fragrance up into the air in a whoosh of marine-like muskiness. It’s blissful.” Expect notes of green jasmine bud and a sparkling ‘gin and tonic’ accord, complete with a hint of Almdudler, a beloved Austrian lemonade.

A quiet corner of London’s Mayfair, Savile Row is the ultimate destination for bespoke suiting – a position it has held since the early 19th century. Made in tribute to its world-class tailors, The Cut Eau de Parfum by Penhaligon’s is as meticulously crafted as a Savile Row suit. Woven through it as if by threads, you’ll find notes of mint, balsam, cypress and cedar, complete with swaggering sage and lavender. The result is a scent that exudes confidence and refinement – the ideal accompaniment to the sharpest tailoring you’ll find at Harrods.

One night on the French Riviera in 1937, Eight & Bob’s founder Albert Fouquet met a young American student then touring France: John F. Kennedy. Captivated by the scent Fouquet was wearing, Kennedy persuaded him to send a sample to his hotel the following morning. “In this bottle,” Fouquet wrote in his note, “you will find the dash of French glamour that your American personality lacks.” He was surprised a few months later when he began receiving letters from Hollywood from such stars as Cary Grant and James Stewart. Everyone, it seemed, wanted this fragrance. Cut to 2025 and The Original Eau de Parfum still stands as one of the most exclusive scents, a favourite of the world’s most refined men.

Santa Maria Novella can trace its roots all the way back to 1221. Founded in Florence by Dominican friars, it is the world’s oldest pharmacy, renowned for its perfumes and candles still crafted at the same spot today. This Incenso Eau de Parfum is designed to transport you to the Medici’s Florentine court, a nod to another piece of its extraordinary history: the fragrance designed for the young Caterina de’ Medici in 1533. Infused with cardamom and pink pepper, it has a mysterious heart of incense and papyrus, alongside the woody earthiness of its vetiver base.

Are you one for 18th-century Chinese art? Nest New York’s Voyages Opulent Osmanthus Eau de Parfum takes inspiration from the garden painted in a grisaille mural inspired by the era. With this scent, the brand explores the ancient olfactory icons of China, using delicate osmanthus petals alongside crisp, succulent Asian pear, dulcet apricot and jasmine sambac. The result? A fruity floral fragrance capturing the peace of a Chinese garden.

“We believe a man’s fragrance should be something that stands out on its own and represents his own personality and character,” says Murdock London. The brand’s new Napier Cologne is inspired by the spirit and style of horse racing in the early 1900s. Cypress, fig, dried fruits and patchouli provide a warm, fruity touch, while base notes of oakmoss and amber ground it with a warm, earthy finish. A cologne contains more raw perfume oil than aftershave, giving it a greater strength to carry it through the whole day.