As far as gifting is concerned, one has hardly ever gone wrong with a perfume. A good fragrance might be a common and easy choice for a gift, yet, it is timeless and makes for a personal gift. More to the point, the festive season offers an excuse to be a little adventurous with one's choices. From the warmth of oud and leather to the freshness of citrus and the richness of rose, this year's fragrance launches and signature compositions offer something for different tastes. Whether it is an elaborate extrait or an everyday scent with a distinctive character, these seven fragrances make a considered addition to the Diwali gifting list.
Amouage's Exceptional Extraits collection offers two more concentrated interpretations of its established fragrances. Decision 42 combines frankincense, Calvados, saffron and cinnamon with rose, sandalwood, vanilla and leather, creating a composition built around the resilience of a juniper tree. Overture 41 brings together pink pepper, bergamot and cardamom with frankincense, myrrh, cedarwood and vanilla, in a fragrance that celebrates boldness and elegance.
Price: Rs 53,800 each.
Inspired by the landscapes of West Texas, Ombré Leather Reserve intensifies the leather character of the original fragrance. Silver juniper, cypress and black pepper lead into pinyon wood and Pepperwood™, while cypriol, cistus and pine tar deepen its black leather accord. Texas cedarwood, sandalwood and benzoin round off the composition. The matte-black bottle, finished with platinum-toned accents, reflects the fragrance's darker character.
Price: Rs 23,300 for 100ml.
Where to find: Tira, Tata CLiQ and Nykaa.
Jo Malone London's Velvet Rose & Oud Cologne Intense gives the classic rose a darker interpretation. Clove lends the opening a touch of spice, followed by the honeyed richness of Damask rose. Smoky oud anchors the fragrance, adding depth to its floral heart. The result is a pronounced composition for those who prefer their florals with a more opulent, woody character.
Price: Rs 17,900 for 100ml.
Where to find: Sephora India, Nykaa and Tira Beauty.
Givenchy's Gentleman Society Eau de Parfum Sport offers a fresher interpretation of the collection's woody-floral signature. Created by perfumer Karine Dubreuil Sereni, it opens with Italian lemon before moving into a heart of narcissus and iris, with sandalwood, vetiver and amber woods lending depth. A musky base completes the composition. The black lacquered bottle, marked with red accents, takes its visual cues from the worlds of speed and performance.
Price: Rs 13,000 for 100ml.
Where to find: Tira, Sephora and Nykaa.
Created by perfumer Quentin Bisch, Cool Elixir: Safran Mineral places saffron at the centre of its composition, using responsibly sourced saffron extract from Greece. The ingredient is paired with a cedarwood trio and an unexpected apple accord, producing a warm, distinctive fragrance. Its deep red faceted bottle, topped with Davidoff's signature gold cap, gives the latest addition to the Cool Elixir collection a suitably striking presence.
Price: Rs 8,100 for 100ml.
Where to find: Tira Beauty, SS Beauty, Myntra and Sephora.
Drawing on the brand's 35-year association with aromatherapy, Secret Alchemist offers two fragrance sets for those who enjoy experimenting with scent. The Signature Alchemy Discovery Set contains four 15ml perfumes: Royal Tuberose, Saffron Dusk, Fresh Vetiver and Midnight Patchouli. The Alchemy Layering Edit pairs Rose Oud Eau de Parfum with Mystic Santal Night Hair Perfume for an evening combination.
Price: Signature Alchemy Discovery Set: Rs 1,999
Alchemy Layering Edit – Night: Rs 2,499.
Victoria's Secret revisits its iconic Very Sexy collection with three fragrances: Very Sexy Her, Very Sexy Scarlet and Very Sexy Night. The first pairs pink pepper, mimosa and orchid in a floral woody composition, while Scarlet brings together rose, jasmine sambac and ambrette. Night takes a warmer route with black plum, iris and sueded woods. The collection also includes matching body care for fragrance layering.
Where to find: Victoria's Secret stores and Victoria's Secret India website.