Available at Floris, priced £140 for 100ml EDP.

Zadig & Voltaire This Is Him!

Like debut albums, first-time fragrances set benchmarks that are difficult to equal with later launches, partly perhaps, because so much love, care and attention goes into getting them right – before shameless greed takes over with subsequent releases.

Zadig & Voltaire’s first male-only scent goes straight into this year’s top ten by virtue of its sexy, punchy and youthful character. A sensual, woody and spicy mix of grapefruit, vanilla, black pepper and sandalwood, it’s perfect for first dates and clubbing when you need a scent that creates an impact. Fingers crossed the Parisian fashion house doesn’t suffer from second album syndrome with any follow-up.

Available at Superdrug, priced £55 for 100ml EDT.

Oliver Sweeney Bosco Selvatico

Oliver Sweeney might be better known for shoes, but the English brogue meister has also launched two exceptionally good fragrances in the last few years. Bosco Selvatico is the follow-up to 2015’s excellent Argento and continues in a similar independently minded, trend-defying vein.

The name means ‘wild wood’ in Italian, but this is actually a vetiver-based fragrance that’s big on galbanum – a note which gives fragrances a leafy green vibe. Inhale deeply as there’s even an unexpected whiff of the sea there.

Available at Oliver Sweeney, priced £99 for 100ml EDP.

Honourable Mentions

Penhaligon’s oudy and leathery Alizarin; Tom Ford’s seventies-inspired Private Blend Vert D’Encens; John Varvatos’ homage to bikers, Dark Rebel Rider; Dior’s reworked version of Fahrenheit, Fahrenheit Cologne, Joop’s spiced-up version of Joop! Homme, Red King; and Beaufort London’s quirky, aromatic green fragrance Fathom V.

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