Spices samples as unisex

Listed as unisex and with spices on record: 182 of our samples. We picked 8 to show here and describe them strictly by their recorded data. The order is not a ranking; it is a way to choose where to begin.

The selection

Lorenzo Pazzaglia Sun-gria

With Lorenzo Pazzaglia Sun-gria, Lorenzo Pazzaglia has an Extrait de Parfum for which Red Orange, Mandarin, Lemon, Bergamot, Green Notes, Ginger and others are on record. Its family tags read fruity, spicy and gourmand. The listing names summer and autumn as its season. Do not judge it next to other perfumes on the same arm, as they blur each other.

Atralia Absolute Ice

Atralia Absolute Ice by Atralia is a Parfum with these recorded notes: Bergamot, Thyme, Anise, Geranium, Orange Blossom Accord, Lavandin and others. It is tagged citrus, floral, fresh and oriental. For season the tags say autumn, summer and winter. Clothes hold a scent differently from skin, which makes a scarf or sleeve a useful second test.

Maison Francis Kurkdjian Grand Soir

Maison Francis Kurkdjian Grand Soir is filed as an Eau de Parfum from Maison Francis Kurkdjian; the note list on record reads Cinnamon tree, Vanilla Amber Accord, Ciste Labdanum and Lavender. By family it is filed as amber, woody, oriental and spicy. It is listed for autumn and winter. Notice how close it stays to the skin and how much of it others pick up.

Mykonos Dark Secret

Mykonos Dark Secret by Mykonos is a Parfum with these recorded notes: Black Cherry, Saffron, Bergamot, Praline, Cinnamon, Marigold and others. By family it is filed as gourmand, oriental and woody. It is listed for autumn and winter. Write down what you notice after a few minutes and again after lunch, and you will see how it moves.

Byredo Gypsy Water

Byredo Gypsy Water is an Eau de Parfum by Byredo. The notes on record are Bergamot, Juniper Berries, Lemon, Pepper, Incense, Orris and others. The scent families on record: woody, aromatic and citrus. For season the tags say spring and autumn. The opening is the loudest part and the shortest, so let it pass before deciding.

Essential Parfums Divine Vanille

From Essential Parfums comes Essential Parfums Divine Vanille, an Eau de Parfum. On paper it lists Vanilla absolute (Madagascar), Tonka bean, Benzoin, Cinnamon bark, Osmanthus, Cedarwood and others. Its family tags read gourmand, spicy and woody. For season the tags say autumn and winter. Give it time to settle before you judge it.

Bujairami Dominus

Bujairami Dominus is filed as a perfume from Bujairami; the note list on record reads Pineapple, Pomelo, Mandarin, Mango, Ginger, Amber and Vetiver. The scent families on record: citrus and woody. For season the tags say spring and summer. A paper strip shows the outline, skin shows the detail.

Gissah Imperial Valley

From Gissah comes Gissah Imperial Valley, an Eau de Parfum. On paper it lists Sicilian Bergamot, Pink Pepper, Davana, Oud, White Amber, Rosemary and others. The scent families on record: oriental and woody. The listing names autumn and winter as its season. Your own nose gets used to a scent quickly, so ask someone near you what they notice.

Also in this selection: Mykonos Bonfire Vanilla, Maison Francis Kurkdjian Gentle Fluidity Silver, Lattafa Angham, Argos Danaë, Reinvented Illusion, Jo Milano Paris Game of Spades Full-House, Pendora Scents Corazon Bourbon, Niche Emarati Safeer, Pernoire Oudian, Maison Margiela Replica Jazz Club.

How to test them

Ask someone you trust what they notice, because your own nose adapts quickly. Test it on skin and not only on paper. Spray it on the inside of your wrist or elbow and do not rub. Start light; you can always add a spray on the next wearing.

A sample is the sensible first step: a perfume on paper and a perfume on skin are rarely the same thing. Two or three samples at a time is plenty; more than that and the impressions blur. A decant of 2, 5 or 10 ml lets you wear it on several days before you decide about a full bottle.

Where to go next

• Spices samples
• Unisex
• all samples
• frequently asked questions
• sample sets
• how we fill your sample
• how to test perfume on skin
• what a decant is
• how to use a sample vial

Questions

How were these samples chosen?

By the tags and note lists on record for each perfume. Nothing was added from memory, the order is not a ranking, and perfumes without recorded notes are described without notes.

Which sizes do the samples come in?

Every sample comes as 2, 5 or 10 ml in a glass spray vial. The smallest is enough for a first impression, the larger ones for many wearings.

Why do some perfumes show no notes?

Because we only print notes we can trace to a source. Where no note list is on record, the page says so and leaves the judging to your own skin.