my personal winter scents
the vibe: cold winter woods, warm crackling fires and moonlit nights ❄️🌲🕯️🌖
ah, the fourth and final seasonal perfume favourites post: winter. winter is one of my favourite seasons—not just for perfume. i adore the world when it’s tucked beneath a thick white blanket, the nights made brighter by moonlight bouncing off the snow, the way every sound feels gently hushed by its insulation. the quiet feels even quieter in winter, like the world has agreed to speak in whispers.
much like my autumnal perfumes, my winter scents lean sweet, a little spicy, and warmly familiar. i also find myself reaching for woody notes this time of year—scents that remind me of the forest after fresh snowfall, cold air and evergreens softened by something comforting underneath.
Dolce and Gabbana Devotion Intense
The first scent on my list of winter perfumes is Dolce & Gabbana Devotion Intense. I also love the original version (non-intense), but I think the intense wins out just slightly for me. To me, this smells like a Terry’s chocolate orange — my absolute favourite Christmas chocolate. Ever since I was a little kid, I always got a Terry’s chocolate orange on Christmas. They started selling them all year now, but I still hold out and will never buy myself one, I only get them as gifts to maintain that feeling of it being special. The key notes of Devotion Intense are: Hazelnut, Orange Blossom, Madagascar Vanilla.
the vibe: snow falls gently in the moonlight outside. unwrapping a terry’s chocolate orange on christmas eve and having a slice — the first taste of christmas.
Ellis Brooklyn APRÈS Eau de Parfum
Ellis Brooklyn APRÈS is described: “the rush of alpine air, a crisp whiff of evergreens, and the richness of bourbon, praline, and vanilla”, and that 100% fits what it smells like to me. Like the smell of fresh powdered snow, the air when skiing, and the smell of drinks passed around a wooden ski lodge. It’s sweet but not sugary, and I definitely get the woody notes mixed in when I smell it.
the vibe: spending the day skiing before heading into the wooden lodge to sit by the fire, a good drink in hand and surrounded by good company. you can smell the scent of the cocktail mingling with the wooden walls of the lodge.
Replica: by the Fireplace & Jazz Club
I know I included Replica By the Fireplace in my autumn perfume favourites, but it seriously fits winter so well too. The sweet and smoky notes feel like chestnuts roasting on an open fire, the smell of the fire smoke mingling with baked goods in the kitchen. It is VERY smoky and warm. Key notes: Clove Oil, Chestnut Accord, Vanilla Accord.
the vibe: a classic winter day, chestnuts are roasting by an open fire, the snow outside covers the land in a thick white blanket, and you hear Christmas music softly playing in another room.
My next Replica pick for winter is Jazz Club. Jazz club is also a little bit smoky, but no where near as much as By the Fireplace. Instead, Jazz Club is much more boozy and a little romantic. I also find it less sweet. This scent makes me think of a late winter night out on the town in New York City, which makes sense because it’s time and place is Brooklyn, 2013. It smells like cocktails, spice and the faint smell of smoke wafting in. The key notes in Jazz Club are: Pink Pepper, Rum Absolute, Tobacco Leaf Absolute.
the vibe: a late night on the town, snow gently falling while you slip into a jazz club. The live band is playing, you get cozy and warm in a booth, sipping a cocktail while the faint smell of cigarette smoke drifts by your nose.
Jo Malone Ginger Biscuit & Orange Bitters
I have two Jo Malone winter picks — the first is Ginger Biscuit. It was originally brought out years ago, then brought back for holiday 2023 and 2024, and again this year for 2025. This smells exactly like it sounds! Just like a sweet gingerbread cookie. The key notes are: Ginger, Roasted Hazelnut, Tonka Bean.
the vibe: the icy snow sparkles outside under the afternoon sun, while you are warm inside baking and decorating gingerbread houses
The second Jo Malone cologne I wanted to include is Orange Bitters. This is another limited edition holiday scent that’s returned for a few different years. Unlike Ginger Biscuit, this one is much more bitter (hence the name) and of course, citrus-y. To me it smells like zesty orange cocktails. The key notes are: Sweet Orange, Bitter Orange, and Sandalwood.
the vibe: an evening spent with friends playing boardgames on the coffee table in front of the fire. crafting the nights cocktails with orange bitters, clinking glasses while you laugh and play games.
Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille
This is another perfume that I included in my autumn roundup but have to also include here. It’s a sweet, smoky, heavier scent, perfect for winter evenings. I find in autumn and winter I tend to love smoky scents mixed with sweet notes to tone them down a little. The smokey tobacco notes make me picture cold nights, snow falling outside of a decadent cocktail bar. Such a vivid story plays out in my mind when I smell certain things, and I love the aesthetic I pair with this scent.
the vibe: a night spent at an opulent cocktail bar, a fire is crackling in the fireplace, and a band plays live music while snow falls heavily outside.
Phlur vanilla smoke body mist
Plur Vanilla Smoke body mist is perfect to layer a little smoky smell to another perfume. I love layering this over a sweet gourmand to really channel those baked goods in one room, open fireplace crackling in another. It’s so cozy, even on it’s own! The key notes are Cashmere Vanilla, Incense, Cacao Blanc. I love it because it can take one of my regular everyday gourmands and make it feel more autumn/winter-y.
There’s also been a few new scents I want to check out this year, so while they aren’t favourites yet they have a lot of promise.
7 Virtues Buttercream Haze — Described as “decadent vanilla perfume that’s good enough to eat. Notes of buttercream icing, maple caramel crème, and whipped vanilla melt into tonka bean for a delicious long-lasting fragrance scent to savor slowly”, it sounds like the ultimate gourmand for when you want to smell good enough to eat.
Kayali Oudgasm Chocolate — Another gourmand scent that sound sweet enough to eat. I love the idea of a chocolate perfume, I feel like I never see chocolate notes in perfume. This one is described as “A decadent gourmand fragrance that wraps the skin in a warmth that feels both edible and sexy. It opens with the tempting blend of spiced rum and caramel apple, a flirtation of sweetness and spice. As it deepens, velvet orris and incense smolder at the heart, before melting into an addictive base of dark cocoa and chocolate oud.”
Nest Creme De Clementine — This one seems promising for us Terry’s chocolate orange lovers. Described as “An irresistible, joyful citrus gourmand bursting with the bright, sun-drenched scent of clementine zest, swirled together with sweet vanilla cream and rich blond woods to create an addictively delicious confection”. I love a sweet gourmand citrus, so I’m very excited to try this out.
i hope you enjoyed the final instalment of my favourite seasonal perfumes. i’m sure it wont be the last time i talk about my favourite scents, because i just love fragrance and how it makes me feel.
—K
