Reena Patel has a nose for what’s good this festive season
Byredo Rose of No Man’s Land
A splash of pink peppercorn and Turkish rose petals soften into hints of raspberry blossom and more Turkish rose to reach a base of elegant papyrus and white amber. This special scent is a tribute to the nurses (often referred to by soldiers as the ‘rose of no man’s land’ who saved thousands of lives during the First World War with selflessness and compassion.
£130
Lalique de Lalique Collectible Crystal Flacon
An exquisite spherical bottle finely detailed with flowers adopting an anemone design strikes the eye to unravel a precious limited edition fragrance inside. A silken swirl of fruity rose essence, heady jasmine and spicy night-scented stock lifts you up along with a cloud of delicately powdered iris. At the heart, a fluttering, feminine bouquet is brightened with vibrant green blackcurrant leaf lacing suave pear and musky blackberry. Vanilla, sandalwood and musk finish the fragrance with a drydown as velvety as a petal.
£1000
www.lalique.com
Juliette Has A Gun Another Oud
An ultra-modern interpretation of the infamously exotic and heady ingredient: oud wood. Topped with notes of bergamot and raspberry, this mysterious scent evokes the exuberance and grandeur of the Oriental world.
£99
www.juliettehasagun.com
Xerjoff Casamorati Gran Ballo
Inspired by the ancient art of Italian perfumery, this deliciously sophisticated floral scent spins you into a whirl with head notes of wild berries and mandarin to discover heart notes of honeysuckle, gardenia and jasmine. At the base, you’ll be wrapped in romantic warm tones of soft amber, caramel, vanilla and sandalwood to balance the freshness on top.
£240
www.xerjoff.com
Penhaligon’s Quercus
Named after the Latin for British Oak, this invigorating unisex cologne fills you up with citrus sparkle and joy upon first encounter. Unravelling head notes of lemon, lime, mandarin and bergamot, you are then met with heart notes of jasmine, lily of the valley and cardamom to create an elegant scent that is supported with the strength of base notes of oak moss, sandalwood, galbanum, musk and amber.
www.penhaligons.com
Dunhill Icon Absolute
A charismatic scent of Sicilian bergamot with spicy black pepper gives way to a delightfully soothing trio of citrus, wood and floral elements. A touch of cardamom takes you further out on a spice trail to reach the heart of the fragrance, which is filled with rich and earthy saffron and the velvety opulence of black rose and Egyptian jasmine. The musky embrace of a rare and smoky burning oud, a first for Dunhill, wraps up the scent in mysterious masculinity with sensual facets of tobacco leaves and Tuscan leather.
£90
www.dunhill.com
Acqua di Parma Colonia Essenza
Dressed all in black, this refined fragrance for him is citrus-fresh with a woody undertone to strike the perfect balance of a strong personality. Grapefruit, mandarin and petit grain blend beautifully to bring out the brightness in the scent, while a woody patchouli base is married with soft notes of white musk and warm amber.
£90