Moody, Cosy and Stylish—These Are the 12 Winter Perfumes Set to Dominate the Upcoming Season
The best winter perfumes, as told by a fragrance-obsessed beauty editor.


Ask me about the best perfumes on the market, and I'm sure there will be some summer fragrances on the list. However, as much as I love a light, citrus scent in the warmer months, in my opinion, winter is when perfumes really come into their own. About 80% of my fragrance collection is dominated by winter scents, and for good reason.
You see, this is the time to bring those rich, deep, heady perfumes that might be deemed "too much" for summer out of hibernation. It's the season to make a statement with your scent. To coat your cashmere jumpers in a signature fragrance that everyone will know you by. To have fun, get experimental and turn heads with your winter perfume of choice.
Even as someone who usually gravitates towards soft, sweet, fresh aromas, I like to make the most of the new season and channel my bolder alter-ego through my scent of choice. Seeing as I've tried almost every notable winter perfume out there (I'm a bit of an expert when it comes to trending scents), I thought it was about time that I rounded up the fragrances to have on your radar if you're ready to try something new. Below, you'll find my edit of the best winter perfumes of all time, from old favourites to new perfume icons in the making.
12 Best Winter Perfumes 2025
- Best woody winter perfume: Diptyque Tam Dao
- Best warm winter perfume: Jo Malone London Ginger Biscuit
- Best subtle winter perfume: Glossier You Doux
- Best boozy winter perfume: Malin + Goetz Dark Rum
- Best citrus winter perfume: Kilian Angels' Share on the Rocks
1. Diptyque Tam Dao
Key notes: Italian cypress, ambergris, sandalwood, cedar, amber, Brazilian rosewood, white musk
First up is a fragrance that I come back to every single winter, Tam Dao by Diptyque. What I like about this perfume is that it's soft yet impactful, with creamy sandalwood and woody cedar creating this smooth, earthy aroma. Italian cypress adds a fresh, clean, almost pine-like scent that reminds me of a crisp walk on a cold winter's day. This isn't any old walk, though; think of it as a stomp down the Champs-Élysées in your finest cashmere coat.
2. Jo Malone Ginger Biscuit
Key notes: Ginger, nutmeg, cinnamon, caramel, roasted hazelnuts, tonka bean, vanilla
If you want to smell like a winter dessert, but in a sophisticated, afternoon-tea-at-the-Ritz kind of way, let me introduce you to Ginger Biscuit by Jo Malone London. This is the ultimate festive scent, with notes of ginger, nutmeg, cinnamon and caramel fusing to create a warm, sweet, comforting yet totally chic gourmand fragrance. I bring this out every single Christmas and it never fails to earn me compliments.
3. Glossier You Doux
Key notes: Violet, palo santo, frankincense, myrrh, ambrox
I get it—some of you would rather have something a little more subtle for day-to-day use. If that's the case, then Glossier's You Doux needs to be on your radar. Similar to the brand's original You perfume, this fragrance has a soft, delicate, skin-like scent; however, the warm, woody aroma makes this perfect for the season ahead. Think heart notes of palo santo combined with a musky base of ambrox.
4. Malin + Goetz Dark Rum
Key notes: Bergamot, plum, leather, rum, vanilla, patchouli, amber, milk
Boozy scents are a big hit at this time of year, and my personal favourite has to be Dark Rum from Malin + Goetz. This is the ultimate cool-girl fragrance, with a rich, syrupy undertone thanks to notes of rum, plum and vanilla. It feels like sipping on a cocktail in a dimly lit bar, slipping off your favourite leather jacket while making eyes across the room.
5. Kilian Angels' Share on the Rocks
Key notes: On the Rocks accord, cognac essence, tonka bean absolute, bergamot, grapefruit, aldehydes
Speaking of boozy scents, you may be familiar with Kilian's iconic Angel's Share perfume, but in my opinion, the newest iteration is perfect for this time of year. As the name suggests, this scent takes a more frosty approach, with notes of bergamot and grapefruit taking center stage. When I spritz this, it's almost as if I can hear the ice clinking in my cocktail glass, while drops of condensation trickle onto my hand.
6. Loewe Roasted Vanilla
Key notes: Vanilla, amber, pink pepper, oakwood
Vanilla fragrances are hugely popular at this time of year, but if you want something a little outside the box, this Loewe perfume is the one to go for. A far cry from your cookie-cutter vanilla scents, this fragrance feels rich, intense and elegant, with pink pepper and oakwood adding spicy, somewhat leathery undertones. Once it settles on the skin, warming vanilla starts to seep through, but not before smoky amber infiltrates the senses.
7. Dior Ambre Nuit
Key notes: Amber, Damascus rose
While I love vanilla fragrances, another scent that I gravitate towards a lot in the winter months is amber. In particular, Dior's Ambre Nuit. Notes of amber dominate this perfume, creating a warm aroma that makes me want to snuggle up in front of the fire under the softest of blankets. However, what I love most about this scent is the addition of Damascus rose. While it's not immediately obvious, this soft, powdery note gradually starts to sparkle on the skin, adding a sensual element that feels sophisticated yet sweet.
8. YSL Libre Vanille Couture
Key notes: Lavender, orange blossom, vanilla, rich rum absolute
We all know my obsession with YSL's Libre perfume, but this winter, the brand is treating us to a new iteration with a focus on the rich, warming scent of vanilla. While lavender and orange blossom are still at the heart of this fragrance, the addition of boozy rum absolute and decadent vanilla will leave you feeling more intoxicated than ever before. This is the scent to wear if you want people chasing you down the street this season. You've been warned.
9. Givenchy L'Interdit Parfum
Key notes: Pear, bitter almond, orange blossom, tuberose, jasmine sambac, mimosa absolute, patchouli, vetiver
The newest addition to Givenchy's L'Interdit collection, this fragrance is infused with bitter almond essence, making the scent more addictive than ever before. Consider this your winter date-night perfume, with a trail of musky florals that will linger long after you leave the room.
10. Acqua di Parma Zafferano
Key notes: Bergamot, mandarin, coriander seed, bitter orange, jasmine sambac, rose, saffron, vanilla, patchouli
This new winter fragrance from Acqua Di Parma is a work of art. The luxurious concuction of saffron, citrus, vanilla and patchouli creates a head-turning scent that feels warm yet fresh, creamy yet spicy and soft yet bold. It's beautifully complex, and feels rich and bright as it settles on the skin.
11. Guerlain Shalimar L'Essence
Key notes: Bergamot, almond, rose, iris, vanilla, tonka bean, musk
Guerlain's original Shalimar scent is an icon, but this year, to celebrate its 100th anniversary, the brand has created Shalimar L'Essence, an intoxicating fragrance heightened by notes of vanilla. It's hard to get across just how good this scent is through a screen, but if I had to sum it up, I would say it smells like a chic Parisian powder room, with gourmand notes floating through the air. It's warm, sweet and sensual, with a smooth, woody undertone that makes it feel oh-so-expensive.
12. Initio Parfums Privés Can't Get Enough
Key notes: Rose, pink pepper, hedione, caramel, vanilla
Speaking of intoxicating scents, Initio's newest fragrance is the kind of perfume that will have people falling in love with you on the very first spritz. A delicious blend of rose, caramel and vanilla, this grown-up gourmand is undeniably sexy, with hints of pink pepper adding a bold, spicy touch.
Why Trust Us
At Who What Wear UK, we know that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our editors have tested thousands of products over the years—spanning skincare, makeup, hair and nails—and work closely with trusted experts, including dermatologists, makeup artists and leading industry insiders to ensure every guide is well-researched, inclusive and relevant to you.
We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they’re affordable favourites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how and what we’d truly recommend to a friend.

Grace Lindsay is the junior beauty editor at Who What Wear UK. At the age of 18 she decided to train as a makeup artist before going on to study english and media at Goldsmiths University. It was during that time that she explored her love for journalism by interning at a small beauty start-up based in Shoreditch. Since then, she has worked at a number of publications including Marie Claire and Hello!, where her love for all things beauty continued to grow.
As Who What Wear UK's junior beauty editor, she covers everything from the latest hair trends to the stand-out makeup products of the season.
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