Scentimental: Nine Seductive Fragrances for Summer

Elsewhere in the realm of fine fragrances, two thoroughly rakish brands have united to celebrate their shared history, clientele and joint-addresses – both on London’s Jermyn Street. A new scent by Floris, created in collaboration with Turnbull & Asser aims to conjure memories of one’s first visit to the shirtmaker’s flagship store – and evokes the anticipation, the sense of belonging and the lingering feeling that one has found something special. Rich aromatic notes of sandalwood, oud and orris recall the fragrant antique wooden furnishings in both the stores, before developing into citrusy mandarin, juniper and bergamot. Jasmine and lavender add a floral layer that is more typical of Floris products, and the resultant combination is characteristic of the shared passion for craftsmanship of both houses. Named 71/72 after Turnbull & Asser’s oft-frequented store, the scent is of limited availability in only 200 hand poured units, making this a truly exclusive, sartorial scent. £160.00, www.florislondon.com.

Le Labo – the fragrance laboratory – has a manifesto of beliefs that include testing its products on New Yorkers rather than animals, and echoes our own heartfelt sentiment that “the future of luxury (hence perfumery) lies in craftsmanship”. Their attitude towards artisanal products encompasses the idea that every component should be handpicked, hand-poured, hand-formulated, and this attention to detail is demonstrated first and foremost in the artfully layered Bergamote 22. The number 22 signifies the number of ingredients in each bottle, most notable of which are the notes of delicately floral petit grain, mouth-watering grapefruit and exhilarating hints of amber and musk. It's perhaps worth saying at this point that Le Labo’s strong sense of principled luxury is underpinned by the belief that “explanation kills art” – so we’ll let this fragrance do the talking. £165.00, www.lelabofragrances.com.

This year marks 100 years since Acqua di Parma first graced the world with their master perfumers and uncompromising savoir-faire. Created in the old town centre of Parma, the scent has stayed true to its namesake with its signature sunshine yellow presentation box in perfect harmony with its unmistakably intense yet fresh fragrance, ideal for colourful gentlemen of taste. With Sicilian citrus, lavender, verbena, bergamot and Bulgarian rose, the complex aroma of Colonia is the result of a rigorous selection and blending process and the prestigious handcrafting so typical of a true Italian heritage brand, and with proponents like Diego della Valle and Luca Cordero di Montezemolo wearing Acqua Di Parma, clearly this is a perfumer that inspires loyalty in its most faithful (and most rakish) customers. £64.00, www.acquadiparma.com.

Hermès Paris – the crème de la crème of French luxury – has stood at the forefront of elegant, continental chic for as long as anyone can remember. This is, in many ways, reflected in the house's signature cologne, Terre d’Hermès. Presented in a clean, angular bottle that allows the scent itself to do the talking, the Terre d’Hermès was developed to create a rich fragrance with natural elements in mind, in line with the house’s insistence on using only natural materials and fibres in their creations. With a distinctive density drawn from citrusy grapefruit and orange notes with touches of cool flint, fiery pepper and supple Atlas cedar notes, perfumer Jean Claude Ellena’s romantic notion that this fragrance leaves one “feeling the earth, lying on the ground, gazing at the sky” encapsulates the energy and warmth of this beautifully rounded fragrance. £152.00, www.hermes.com.

Maison Francis Kirkdjian’s contemporary vision centres around the idea that a collection of fragrances should be created and worn like a wardrobe. This idea extends to the notion that a modern gentleman tailors his scents for different occasions, moods and moments, and even times of the day. All of which is evident in their upcoming launch of Petit Matin and Grand Soir, a scent with sultry edge and intoxicating blend of ingredients. With the soft vanilla warmth of benzoin from Siam, Tonka bean from Brazil and cistus labdanum from Spain, Francis Kirkdjian draws on a quixotic mixture of heady, heavenly notes that create a woody, oriental fragrance one can slip into when the sun begins to descend and the decanters begin to pour. Available in September, www.franciskurkdijan.com.

The oldest family owned perfumer in Paris, and official supplier to the late Queen Victoria herself, Creed channels a palpable sense of aristocratic exclusivity. Developing in London in the 1760s, the house moved to Paris under the patronage of Empress Eugénie less than a hundred years later, where it met with international demand. Today Creed maintains the traditional ‘infusion’ technique employed by perfumers during the 19th century, almost completely abandoned by modern manufacture. With this in mind, ‘Tabarôme Millésime’ is a powerful, masculine scent for the confident character, with base notes of the finest tobacco laced with ginger and bergamot (it smells like the best sort of gentleman’s club) this scent would not be out of place mingling with the nose of a dram and cigar smoke. The term ‘millesime’ translates as ‘vintage’ in French, but in the perfume world this refers to the strength of the scent - a long lasting number layered with crisp, fresh notes of green tea, mandarin and lemon, warmed by sandalwood, patchouli and vetiver. The definition of traditional luxury, Creed delivers a rare and empowering product.£200.00, www.creedfragrances.co.uk.

Kicking it up a gear in the house’s typical style, (note the automotive pun) Dunhill’s signature masculine fragrance ICON has been given a strong yet sensitive update. Its compact design is ideal for the globetrotting rake for whom a streamlined scent is essential, in a convenient size and sleek bottle. The bottle’s dashing design – created by Mark Eisen – with its cylindrical machine-tooled metal case harks back to the brand’s motoring heritage, without losing the sense and style that Dunhill is so synonymous with. Powerful – but not overpowering – notes of Italian bergamot and neroli are met with spicy pepper, cardamom and delectable Lavender de Provence, supported by smoky oud wood; oris leather accord and notes of vetiver. For the sophisticated travelling man, Dunhill’s ICON Travel does what it says on the tin – and more. Available soon, www.dunhill.com.

Since its inception, Murdock has offered modern gentlemen an immersive experience in men’s grooming; from barbershop services to versatile, luxurious products that create a collection of grooming essentials. Their Napier 1933 is a tribute to the golden age of British motorsport, reminiscent of the Napier automobile of the early 20th century; which was, of course, the very same emerald green of its chosen Murdock bottle. Channelling a former time when Stirling Moss ruled the racetracks, this intriguing and quintessentially British scent is a celebration of classicism and sophistication. Top notes of cypress, hyssop and fig leaf present a delicate nose, warmed by patchouli and rich dried fruits. With heavier base notes of oakmoss and amber, this unusual and virile fragrance ranks high on The Rake’s list of must-haves. £70.00, www.murdocklondon.com.

Luxury menswear titan TOM FORD is no stranger to pushing boundaries and the house’s uplifting Neroli Portofino has cologne reached heightened levels of intensity with the new ‘Forte’ release. The bottle’s design reflects the glittering turquoise Mediterranean coastline, and typifies FORD’s masculine edge and lasciviousness. The scent itself is a heady blend building upon base notes of zesty bergamot and blood orange, lush green depth of basil and galbanum follow, before the purest extract of neroli and the floral complexity of orange flower and bitter orange zest. Add to these subtle notes of leather accord and amber, and one is left with a deeply sensual sensory experience. With surprising longevity, this is a sultry scent that can take you the distance and last long into many a warm summer’s evening. $290.00, www.tomford.com.