MUST-HAVE NICHE FRAGRANCES FOR HIM AND HER IN 2024

2024 is indeed the start of an exciting new year full of possibilities, and goals. You’ve also probably got a list of resolutions you’ve made for yourself too. We hope that one of your resolutions is discovering the perfect fragrances for yourself. This is the year to discover a niche unisex fragrance that's made for your personality and vision for this year. Let’s face it perfume is far more than just a smell, it unlocks and embodies who you are at the very core of your being, and even has the power to turn heads as you own every room you walk into. 

You’re probably wondering though, we’ve all heard of perfume but what is a niche perfume? Niche perfumes are very limited and unique as they are produced in-house on a small scale. These bespoke perfumes are known to source the rarest raw ingredients such as ambergris, agarwood, and frankincense, to create a truly indulgent and long-lasting fragrant experience for their users. Niche perfumes are designed to be unisex as it is believed a scent is personal and will smell different on each person's skin regardless of gender. It is the epitome of exclusivity and sophistication and generally has an exhilarating origin story behind its fragrance.

The world of niche fragrances requires guidance and we’re here to navigate through this titillating journey of the senses and help you discover the most captivating and sophisticated unisex niche fragrances of the year 2024 that are sure to leave a lasting impression, for both him and her.

1: Instant Crush Mancera

If Mancera’s Instant Crush was to be described, it is that heady feeling of falling in love for the first time. The infatuation that fills your thoughts and the playful excitement of being close to the one you love. It was launched by the niche perfume house of Mancera in the year 2019. It is a phenomenal fragrance created by the olfactive master Pierre Montale, for the modern-day romantic in him or her. 

With the first spritz of Mancera’s Instant Crush you are instantly drawn in by the allure of the irresistible trio - rose, jasmine, and amber. It is a rich masterful blend of floral romance, woody sensuality, and citrus sweetness. An artful fusion of sparkling citrus notes and a warm vanilla and sandalwood base, it is seductive and long-lasting. It seamlessly transitions from an intimate fall coffee date to a cozy winter night by the fire. Mancera is known for producing high-quality, niche fragrances and Instant Crush is no exception. 

Top Note: Orange, Bergamot, and African Orange Flower 
Heart Note: Fruits, Roses, and Patchouli 
Base Note: White Musk, Amber, and Leather 
Longevity: 8-10 hours 
Versatility: Date Night, Special Occasions, Evening Parties

 

2: Erba Pura Xerjoff

Erba Pura Xerjoff feels much like the Mediterranean sun caressing your skin as the wind that blows through your hair is tinted with the dreamy refreshing fragrance of a fruit bouquet. It is a deliciously enchanting elixir that weaves a tale of freshness and joyful allure with a modern blend of Mediterranean citrus and sweet fruits that dances over a warm, sensual amber base. It is perfect for those who are drawn to the gentle beauty of life. The uniqueness of this perfume is that it holds a little secret…. a rare molecule extracted from a rare Indian herb. It is a perfectly abstracted fragrance that highlights a person’s aura.

Top Note - Sicilian Orange, Calabrian bergamot and Sicilian Lemon
Heart Note - Fruits
Base Note - White Musk, Madagascar Vanilla and Amber
Longevity: 8-10 hours
Versatility: Everyday Wear, Brunch, Shopping, Picnic, Beach, Casual Outing

 

3: Grand Soir Maison Francis Kurkdijan 

Imagine yourself walking through an enchanting night in the city of Paris, hand in hand with a lover. The sky and the city are lit up with a thousand shimmering lights, that for a second, it takes your breath away. This is the feeling that is ignited by the scent of Grand Soir by Maison Francis Kurkdjian. A niche statement amber fragrance that sparks a little joie de vivre. Grand Soir's composition consists of a warm vanilla and sensual woody finish where the harmonious blend of rich, warm notes is not just a fragrance but a sensory escape from the mundanity of reality. It is a long-lasting and captivating scent created with the most precious of raw ingredients such as the Tonka Bean from Venezuela and Brazil. This elegant fragrance is perfect for special occasions, whether you're dressing up for a holiday party or simply enjoying a candlelit dinner for two, you’re sure to lose yourself in the frenzy of this scent’s allure. 

Top Note: Tonka bean from Brazil and Venezuela 
Heart Note: Ciste Labdanum 
Base Note: Vanilla Amber Accord and Benzoin from Siam 
Longevity: 8-10 hours 
Versatility: Formal Evening Events, Date Night, Special Occasions

 

4: Gypsy Water Byredo  

Gypsy Water unveils a world of boundless exploration and untamed wanderlust. This  captivating fragrance transports you to a bohemian paradise, where sun-kissed skin and  earthy aromas intertwine with the allure of far-off lands. It ignites your inner nomad, inviting  you to embark on life's uncharted adventures. Imagine vibrant caravans gently treading  dusty roads, the warmth of a bonfire beneath a starlit sky, and the thrill of discovering new  adventures on the horizon. Gypsy Water is a nostalgic nod to the Romani lifestyle, where life  is lived authentically and passionately, a celebration of freedom and the beauty of the open  road. Gypsy Water is a mysterious fragrance inspired by the beauty of nature and the smell  of freedom. This captivating scent combines earthy woody notes, fresh citrus, and  comforting vanilla and perfectly complements those of a free-spirited nature. Whether  you're exploring the great outdoors or simply seeking a touch of mystery and intrigue, this is  the perfect fragrance for you. 

Top Note: Juniper, Lemon, Bergamot, and Pepper 
Heart Note: Pine needles, Incense, and Orris Root 
Base Note: Vanilla, Sandalwood, and Amber 
Longevity: 8-10 hours 
Versatility: Beach, Office, Everyday Wear, Nature Walk, Picnic 

 

5: Montale Arabians Tonka

Envision yourself galloping across an endless desert, your hair whipping in the wind, as you charge towards the exhilarating unknown. Montale Arabians Tonka is the fragrance that embodies this spirit of freedom and adventure. This refined and bold scent unleashes an animalistic allure with its charismatic notes of Oud, amber, and musk. It's a long-lasting, dark, and seductive aroma, inspired by the richness of Arabian culture and a tribute to the fiery spirit of Arabian horses. Mysterious, captivating, and luxurious, much like an Arabian night, Montale Arabians Tonka is a bewitching scent that will ensnare any room you enter.

Top Note - Tobacco Leaves, Spices, and Black Pepper
Heart Note - Tonka Bean, Vanilla, and Guaiac Wood
Base Note - Sandalwood, Vetiver, and Ambergris
Longevity: 10+ hours
Versatility: Formal Dinner, Black-Tie Event,

 

6: No. 4 Apres l’ Amour

No. 4 Apres l'Amour is a multi-layered fragrance that speaks to the soul and evokes the senses. Its olfactory journey is much like a love and connection that lingers long after the moment has passed, leaving a lasting impression on those who experience it. No. 4 Apres l' Amour is a sensual fragrance that perfectly encapsulates the allure of intimate encounters. It exudes erotic energy, designed to enthrall and delight, keeping you enchanted all day long. It opens with vibrant notes of bitter orange and aromatic spices, before revealing its deeper, more syrupy facets of amber. The emotive potency of raw perfume materials unleashes an intoxicating aroma that lingers with a sweeter, almost molasses quality that ensnares the senses. It's a fragrance that invites you to indulge in life's most passionate moments.

Top Note - Lemon Zest and Bitter Orange Blossom
Heart Note - Aromatic Spices
Base Note - Musk, Amber, and Woody Notes
Longevity: 10+ hours
Versatility: Romantic Dinner, Intimate Occasions

 

7. Gris Charnel by BDK

It is a grey Parisian morning, and you awake surrounded by sheets emblazoned with the memories of frenzied dancing under the moonlight. Your skin is on fire with the possibilities the night entails. You then free-flow and give into your carnal desires. This is the aromatic

story that is written in the wake of Gris Charnel by BDK Parfums. The fragrance opens with the sparkling freshness of fig and cardamom, before revealing its heart of iris and Bourbon vetiver, which evokes a sense of sensuality and passion. The base of sandalwood and Tonka bean adds a carnal character to the fragrance, leaving a trail of mystery and allure. It is a beautiful blend that draws inspiration from the memory and allure of Paris, the birthplace of Maison BDK. It is a sinfully indulgent perfume that is sure to leave you yearning for more.

Top notes: Cardamom, Fig, Black Tea.
Middle notes: Iris, Bourbon Vetiver.
Base notes: Sandalwood, Tonka Bean.
Longevity: 8-10 hours
Versatility: Romantic Dinner, Intimate Occasions

 

8: Oud For Happiness by Initio Parfums Prive

Can happiness be bottled in a work of art? Does a fragrance hold the power to draw out your self-confidence and invigorate the senses with a zest for life? With Oud for Happiness by Initio Parfums Prives, we believe it is possible. Hidden within a unique and tastefully designed bottle lies a fragrance composed with a vision of light at the heart of the desert. The scent itself transports you to a modern-day Eden, brimming with blissful aromas. This composition is a potent elixir of relaxation and self-assurance, inviting you to indulge in a symphony of bergamot, ginger, licorice, vanilla, cedar, Indian oud, and musk. With each inhale, the energizing and uninhibited scent of freshly cut narcotic grass awakens your senses, while the base notes of Indian oud and musk envelop you in a cocoon of serenity. Oud for Happiness is more than just a fragrance; it's a journey to a secret dimension where deep harmony and joy reign supreme. It is a statement perfume that is ideal to adorn all year round

Top Note - Bergamot, Ginger
Heart Note - Licorice, Agarwood, Cedar
Base Note - Vanilla, Musk, Herbal Notes
Longevity: 8-10 hours
Versatility: Formal Gathering, Upscale Event, Black-Tie Gala

 

9: New York Nights Bond NO.9

Take a stroll through the “City That Never Sleeps”. Take in the sounds and smells of New York. You feel yourself being beckoned and energized by the night-time Manhattan skyline and you realize, you're falling in love with a city. That is the incandescent fragrance that Bond No. 9 New York Nights encapsulates, it mimics the pulsating energy of New York with accords of woody, floral, balsamic essence with warm and delectable tones. It is made for those who equally yearn for sophistication while being wild-eyed, experiencing New York City’s vivacious yet brooding energy after sunset.

Top Note - Gardenia, Carnation and Jasmine
Heart Note - Patchouli, Flowers, Sandalwood, and Sea Notes
Base Note - Caramel and Coffee
Longevity: 8-10 hours
Versatility: Special Occasions, Evening Gala, Gallery Events

 

10: Amouage Enclave

In the twilight hours, as the sun's fiery tendrils retreat from the fjords of Musandam, a symphony of scents unfolds. Amouage Enclave, a fragrance of unparalleled sophistication, captures the essence of this fleeting moment, where land and sea converge in a warm, earthy embrace. The scent is spicy, woody, and floral accord blended in with the timeless allure of roses with the smoky and resinous notes of incense and oud, all wrapped in a soft and luxurious leather accord. Amouage Enclave is a surprising perfume, transcending all genres, a testament to the freshness trapped inside the rich, earthy havens tucked in the fjords of Musandam. It is a fragrance that speaks the language of the elements, a symphony of scents that tells the story of a land where the sea meets the sky, and where the air is filled with the magic of the setting sun. If you’re drawn to deep earthy scents then you’ll love Amouage Enclave.

Top Note - Spicy Mint, Cardamom, Cinnamon and Pink Pepper
Heart Note - Olibanum, Patchouli, Vetiver and Rose
Base Note - Amber Xtreme, Leather, and Labdanum
Longevity: 8-10 hours
Versatility: Special Occasions, Black-Tie Events, Cocktail Party, Formal Events