Recently, I eased up on my “low-buy” mode and bought a number of perfume samples. I’m still in the process of testing them, and we’ll see if it turns into a post at some point. But as I was adding them to my database, I realized that some of those classified as “woody” didn’t smell woody to me. Neither did many others in my collection formally labeled as “Woody” or “Woody Musk,” according to Fragrantica. So, take this question in any way you like.
Saturday Question #276:
What Are Your Top 5 Woody Perfumes?
You can name perfumes that officially fall under the classification, whether or not you think they smell woody. Or you can go with what your nose tells you, regardless of classification. Or even pick based on the name of your favorite perfumes.
My Answer
I tried to combine two conditions – classification and how I perceive them. And all I could come up with from my fragrance wardrobe were the following three:
- Escentric Molecules Molecule 01
- Sarah Jessica Parker Stash
- Serge Lutens Santal Majuscule (though I almost finished this decant, so it’s down to two)
So it seems I am not the biggest fan of wood-smelling perfumes. But then I realized my vSO’s collection is much more wood-oriented. And since I chose most of those for him, it means that I do love these scents – just not on myself. So I easily chose my top 5 favorite woody perfumes for my vSO:
- Hermès Rocabar & Terre d’Hermès
- Diptyque Tam Dao
- Puredistance BLACK
- Tom Ford Oud Wood (this one checks all three “wood” boxes!)
Now it’s your turn.
Undina's Looking Glass 
Excellent question Undina.
Going through my far too many full bottles on Fragrantica the fragrances that have “woody” as the top descriptor are interesting.
They are almost all historical classics. Very unexpected. Here we go:-
Chanel No 5 both Parfum & EdT
Chanel 31 Rue Cambon
Givenchy III
Gres Cabochard
Dior Dune
There are others but again they are in this classic category.
What occurred to me that if I had to give these a descriptor woody wouldn’t be it at all!
No 5 is aldehydic, 31RC neo-chypre, GIII citrus/chypre, Cabochard leather & Dune, I sense Dune as everlasting buff but it’s the only one that I would say might be woody.
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None of the perfumes on your list reads “woody” to me either. :)
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This was an interesting exercise, because it turns out I don’t really have any obviously woody-smelling fragrances either, and the ones categorized as woody aren’t always obvious to me. I have:
– The Big Smoke by 4160Tuesdays (Woody), which smells more like frankincense to me
– Montabaco Intensivo by Ormonde Jayne (Woody Spicy)
– Infuse by Akro (Woody Aromatic), which smells like smoky tea
– Prolégomènes by Notes de Bas de Paje (Woody Aromatic), which smells like a green fig on steroids
– Ninfeo Mio by Annick Goutal (Woody Aromatic), which smells like citrus, fig, and lavender
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Great Saturday question, Undina. Here are my top five woody perfumes, where woods are the primary factor. Many of my woody perfumes are equally spicy or smoky.
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My top 5 are: Essential Perfumes Bois Imperial by Quentin Bisch, Terre d’Hermes, Lutens Feminite du Bois, Parfums de Nicolai Bois Belize and Guerlain Vetiver (original)
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Guerlain Samsara (vintage)
Gucci Guilty Absolute
SJP Stash
Terre D’Hermes
Matiere Premiere Santal Austral
Most woody perfumes have a lot of other things going on, I find.
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Sorry I’m late Undina,
There’s a LOT of woody perfume here. I’ve gone for the ones I spritz most.
Ashoka by Neela Vermeire Creations
Belgravia Chypre by Penhaligon’s
Cedre by Headspace
Santal +++ by Miller et Bertaux
The Aoud by Mancera
Portia xx
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I own a lot of woody fragrances. Most are also spicy or have incense. These are my favourite woody perfumes.
Santal Nabataea by Mona di Oro
Santal 33 by Le Labo
Bois des Iles edt by Chanel
Cadjmere by Pierre Guillaume
Bois d’iris by The different company
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DKNY Black Cashmere, LADDM, Guerlain Bois d’Armenie, Ava Luxe 23 and Hermes Santal Massoia maybe? I could easily pick 5 more!
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I adore Stash, one of my top of all time. I think Sonoma Scent Studio Champagne de Bois is another of my favorite. I’m much more drawn to Amber than straight up woods, though.
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