I have always had a great interest in perfumes and have had hundreds of varieties over the years. Unfortunately, some fifty perfumes were left at home when I left Finland for Malta, but in the years I’ve lived here, I’ve managed to build a new perfume wardrobe of niche perfumes. Here I bring you my favorites for the best unisex niche perfumes 2023 specifically for the colder season – which is the case most of the year in Nordic latitudes.
Malta is a great place to live for perfume lovers. Here you will find many niche perfumes that are difficult to get hold of in Sweden and Finland. Nowadays, however, there are online perfume shops like Gents.se, where you can find many of the best brands in the world.
Best Unisex Niche Perfumes 2023 – My Favourites Right Now
Nasomatto Baraonda
My latest perfume acquisition is the wonderful Nasomatto Baraonda, one of the highest-rated perfumes on the online perfume bible, Fragrantica.
It is a unisex perfume launched in 2014 by the Italian niche fragrance house Nasomatto. The scent is inspired by the traditional Italian spirit Amaro and is designed to evoke the feeling of drinking it in a wood-panelled bar.
Baraonda has a complex and sophisticated scent with a rich blend of woody, spicy, sweet notes. The fragrance’s top notes are a mixture of woody notes, giving the perfume an earthy and musky scent. The heart notes consist of spicy notes such as nutmeg, which gives the fragrance a warm and spicy character. Finally, the base notes consist of sweet notes such as vanilla and tonka bean, which add a touch of sweetness to the scent.
Overall, Nasomatto Baraonda is a captivating fragrance that is perfect for those who want to add a touch of sophistication to their style. The scent is long-lasting and has a moderate sillage, making it suitable for both day and evening wear. It is a fragrance that is perfect for those who appreciate the finer things in life and want to treat themselves to a luxurious and elegant scent.
Floris Leather Oud
Floris London is a venerable perfume house with several creations that are a must for anyone who appreciates the art of perfume. These include the Oud creations Leather Oud and Honey Oud, which I have owned several times in my life.
Floris Leather Oud is a luxurious perfume that combines the rich, earthy scent of oud wood with the soft and supple scent of leather. It opens with a blend of spices, including cardamom and coriander, which gives way to the fragrance’s heart, highlighting the rich and warm scent of oud.
Oud is complemented by the leathery notes that give the fragrance a soft and velvety texture. The amber, musk and vetiver base notes add depth and complexity, creating a long-lasting and unforgettable scent.
This unisex fragrance is perfect for those who appreciate the refined and elegant, with a touch of exoticism. It is ideal for evening wear, with its sensual and captivating scent that lingers on the skin.
Floris Leather Oud comes in an elegant bottle that perfectly reflects the luxurious nature of the fragrance. This is a fragrance for those who appreciate the art of perfumery and the use of high-quality ingredients to create a truly exceptional fragrance experience.
Tom Ford Ombré Leather
Another unisex perfume that I get many compliments on when I wear it is Tom Ford Ombré Leather. I’ve had this in my fragrance wardrobe for years.
Tom Ford Ombré Leather is a luxurious and sophisticated fragrance for men and women, released by American fashion designer Tom Ford in 2018. The fragrance is part of the Private Blend collection, known for its exclusive and advanced fragrances.
The perfume Tom Ford Ombré Leather is inspired by the rugged and wild landscape of the American West and evokes warm and earthy scents of leather and amber. It opens with top notes of cardamom, black leather and violet leaf, creating a spicy and smoky scent that sets the stage for the rest of the fragrance.
At the fragrance’s heart, you will find the rich and sensual notes of jasmine, patchouli and leather, which give the perfume a warm and seductive character. These notes blend perfectly with the base notes of amber, moss and white moss, creating a long-lasting and memorable scent that will stay with you throughout the day.
Tom Ford Ombré Leather is a versatile fragrance that can be worn in all seasons, but it is particularly suited to cooler weather when the warm and cosy notes of leather and amber come into their own. The fragrance is also ideal for formal occasions thanks to its sophisticated and refined character.
In terms of performance, Tom Ford Ombré Leather is a powerful and long-lasting fragrance that will stay on for several hours. It has a moderate to heavy sillage, which means it projects well without being overwhelming, making it perfect for both day and evening wear.
Overall, Tom Ford Ombré Leather is a luxurious, sophisticated fragrance perfect for anyone who loves warm and sensual scents. With its combination of leather, amber and floral notes, it is a fragrance that will leave a lasting impression.
Byredo Bibliotheque
Niche brand Byredo was founded by Ben Gorham in Stockholm in 2006 and quickly became popular worldwide. It is always an experience to visit their stores when travelling around the world.
I bought Byredo Bibliotheque on a trip to Paris last spring, and it is a luxurious and unique scent that is perfect for book lovers – which I consider myself to be. The fragrance was launched in 2017 as part of their “Night Veils” collection. The inspiration behind Bibliotheque is the scent of a traditional library, with its warm and soothing notes evoking memories of old books.
The top notes of Byredo Bibliotheque are fruity and sweet, with notes of plum and peach blending to create a juicy, appetizing scent. The magic happens at the heart of the fragrance, with the rich and complex scents of violet and peony coming together to create a beautiful floral bouquet. These floral notes are balanced by the base notes of leather and patchouli, which add depth and complexity to the fragrance, creating a rich and full-bodied scent that is truly unique.
The overall effect of Byredo Bibliotheque is a warm and comforting scent that is perfect for cosying up with a good book. The scent is sophisticated and elegant but has a playful and whimsical quality that makes it perfect for any occasion. The longevity and sillage of the scent are excellent, meaning it lasts all day and leaves a subtle scent trail wherever you go.
As for the bottle’s design, Byredo Bibliotheque is simple and elegant – just like all of Byredo’s perfumes. The perfume is housed in a square glass bottle with a minimalist white label, giving it a timeless and classic feel. The overall aesthetic of the fragrance is clean and modern yet retains a sense of sophistication and luxury.
Byredo Bibliotheque is a beautiful and unique fragrance that is perfect for book lovers and anyone looking for a warm and comforting scent. Its fruity top notes, floral heart and rich base notes of leather and patchouli make it a complex and well-balanced fragrance that stands out from the crowd.
Acqua di Parma Sandalo
Acqua di Parma is a very well-represented brand in Malta, thanks to its proximity to Italy. However, my love for this brand started already during a trip to Milan in 2010, and since then, I have owned countless perfumes from the brand – including Colonia EdC, which is one of the biggest classics in the perfume world.
My latest purchase from Acqua di Parma is Sandalo. It is a luxurious scent that captures the essence of a hot summer day in the Mediterranean. The perfume was launched in 2019 and is part of Acqua di Parma’s Signatures of the Sun collection, which contains fragrances that are inspired by the unique scents of different regions around the world.
The fragrance opens with a fresh and piquant combination of bergamot, orange and lemon notes. At the heart of the perfume, the sandalwood shines through, creating a warm and woody scent that is both reassuring and sophisticated. This is complemented by the spicy and floral notes of lavender and cardamom, which add depth and complexity to the scent. The scent is then rounded off with a base of tonka bean and vanilla, giving it a sweet and creamy finish.
One of the distinguishing features of Acqua di Parma Sandalo is its longevity. The scent lasts hours on the skin, and the drying process is as enjoyable as the first application. It is a versatile fragrance that can be worn by both men and women and is perfect for any occasion.
The bottle itself is simple but elegant, with a sleek and minimalist design that reflects the discreet luxury of the fragrance.
Overall, Acqua di Parma Sandalo is a beautifully crafted fragrance that captures the essence of summer in the Mediterranean. Its warm and woody notes make it a perfect scent for the cooler months, while its fresh opening notes also make it suitable for warmer weather. If you are looking for a luxurious and sophisticated scent that is reassuring and uplifting, this is definitely a scent to try.
These were some of the best unisex niche perfumes that you can find on the market right now. If you have your own suggestions for good niche perfumes, let us know.