Top Picks | Exotic

Bitter, rich, and complex, Diaghilev is the scent of old books, musty theatres, velvet curtains soaked in Mitsouko, and the sheen of salty, lickable, post-coital sweat on your lover’s skin. Put smelling Diaghilev on your bucket list.

The unique scents of India are the defining element of Neela Vermeire’s work, and Trayee deftly incorporates a smorgasbord of exotic spices and incenses into a composition that wears surprisingly light, bright and transparent. The gentle smokiness of the base notes ends up feeling soothing and soft.

Inspired by the warm, rich depth of fine cognac, 1270 is a deep, dark gem- exotic woods and spices meet warm, sweet raisins from rare French grapes and the notes connoisseurs identify in cognac- cocoa, coffee, prune, vanilla. This is a fragrance for even the most discerning of palates.

Rich, lush and woodsy, the namesake Mazzolari offers a spicy vetiver note couched in lush green tones. Deep and romantic, this isn’t “exotic” in the sense of a trip around the world- more like the mystery and romance waiting to be discovered in your own backyard.

A brilliantly exotic twist on a classic men’s fragrance, Fougere Bengale takes the traditional fougere formula- lavender up front, tonka and moss in the base- and adds a mélange of Eastern spice and a gorgeous honeyed tobacco both sweet and seductive. Entirely a fougere and yet entirely unique, this is meant for the gentleman who likes to stand out.