Sunshine In A Bottle: 10 Best Smelling Neroli Fragrances For Men
Fragrance doesn’t come with hard-and-fast rules like fashion, but if it did, there might be one akin to “never wear white after Labor Day”. Swap ‘white’ for ‘summer scents’ and, suddenly, shelving them after 1 September feels like it might make sense.
Granted, the Labor Day decree was more about preserving social order than practicality. And while fragrance has its own history of elitism—once the preserve of nobility—this particular ‘rule’ actually holds some logic. Neroli, white florals and citrus notes are inherently seasonal and can feel out of step with cooler weather and the return to routine.
Which is a real shame, because few things are as uplifting or escapist as a great neroli scent. One spritz and you’re no longer commuting through grey concrete—you’re gliding up a staircase on the Amalfi Coast. The good news? We’re officially in neroli season here in the northern hemisphere.
What is neroli?
Floris
Extracted from the fragrant white blossom of the citrus aurantium—better known as the bitter orange tree—neroli oil delivers a blend of honeyed sweetness, green freshness and airy brightness. It’s a staple of Mediterranean summers, and has been used in perfumery since 1709, when Giovanni Maria Farina featured it in the creation of the original ‘eau de cologne’.
Like other citrus notes, neroli’s molecules are notoriously volatile, meaning it doesn’t tend to stick around on the skin. That’s why it often shows up in lighter colognes. Our advice? Manage your expectations, double your usual number of spritzes, and embrace its glorious, fleeting charm. And as for packing it away after the August bank holiday? Remember—somewhere in the world, it’s always summer.
Now, let’s dive into 10 of the best orange blossom-based scents worth wearing.
The best men’s neroli fragrances
Gucci The Alchemist’s Garden Fiori di Neroli
A new addition to The Alchemist’s Garden collection from Gucci, Fiori di Neroli is produced through an exclusive partnership with Liguria’s last artisanal neroli producer.
A golden blend of complex accords, it features bergamot, Italian green mandarin and petitgrain in the opening notes; Italian neroli, orange flower absolute and samba jasmine absolute in the heart; over a base of cereal accord, virginia cedarwood and orcanox.
Like nectar, the combination of woods, jasmine and amber gives this neroli generous warmth and longevity.
Maison Francis Kurkdjian Petit Matin
For those who like their neroli with a side of Parisian flair, Petit Matin by Maison Francis Kurkdjian is as crisp and radiant as a stroll through the Jardin du Luxembourg at sunrise. Bright, zesty and sheer without feeling wispy, it balances Calabrian lemon and orange blossom with hawthorn and musky ambroxan.
This is a crisp, modern neroli that’s easy to wear and undeniably elegant. It’s light but long-lasting, making it perfect for everyday use in warm weather or whenever you want to feel fresh and put together.
Tom Ford Neroli Portofino
One of the earlier Private Blend releases, Neroli Portofino was composed by Rodrigo Flores-Roux and quickly established itself as one of the standout performers in the Tom Ford fragrance collection. Neroli Portofino birthed a body care line, numerous flankers and distinctive aqua packaging, setting it apart.
A heavenly blend of Tunisian neroli, Italian bergamot, winter yellow mandarin, orange flower and lavender, this vibrant citrus floral is a compliment machine, and like holiday in a bottle.
Creed Néroli Sauvage
Creed’s neroli offering was first calibrated in 1994. It’s an icon that’s getting better with the passage of time. It’s inspired by Roman gardens and the 17th-century Duchess of Bracciano and Princess of Nerola, Marie-Anne de la Trémoille, who perfumed her gloves and popularised wearing the essential oil made from the flowers of the bitter orange tree.
This exquisite ‘wild’ neroli opens with an enticing burst of grapefruit, ginger, mandarin, lemon, bergamot and sweet orange, middle notes of neroli, petitgrain, lavender and verbena, with vetiver, oak moss, musk or cedarwood in the base.
The powdery, dry down smells mature without being dated, thanks to a supremely elegant blend that delivers great performance.
Le Labo Neroli 36 and Fleur D’Oranger 27
OK, technically, we’re cheating as this is a double entry. However, we can’t discuss Neroli 36 without mentioning Fleur d’Oranger 27, as both scents pay homage to the same source.
A focused, floral fragrance with a warm base, Neroli 36 is centred around orange blossom essence. In contrast, Fleur d’Oranger 27 encompasses the broader notes of the entire tree, from peel to bark and citrus.
Thirty-six ingredients, including rose, musk, jasmine, vanilla, mandarin orange, and powdery aldehyde, comprise the irrepressibly sunny Neroli, lending it a sensual base. Fleur d’Oranger includes petitgrain, bergamot, lemon and musk, making it greener, spicier and multi-faceted.
Can’t decide? Get sampling.
Editions de Parfums Frederic Malle Cologne Indelebile
Dominique Ropion’s blend of neroli and musk has bags of charm. The combination of orange blossom, lemon, bergamot, and rosemary creates a very bright, neroli-fueled note on the opening that lasts quite impressively until subsumed by the base notes of narcissus absolute and white musk.
It’s why Cologne Indélébile is the Gemini of neroli scents; one side is clean and fresh, the other is super seductive.
Granado Limão Taiti & Neroli
Established in 1870 by José Antonio Coxito Granado, the eponymous house became the official pharmacy to Brazilian royalty by 1880. Built on historic foundations, the vintage-style, fine fragrance line is surprisingly affordable, and you don’t need to be in Copacabana to pick it up.
Limão Taiti & Neroli is a citrus cologne featuring double neroli in the top and middle notes, complemented by sparkling Tahiti lemon, mandarin orange, lavender and petitgrain, all set against a base of musk, amber and cedar, creating a heavenly summer scent.
It also comes in a 300ml size for generous spritzing.
Diptyque L’Eau de Neroli
A long-standing scent in the Diptyque collection, L’Eau de Neroli was released in 2008. It takes its cues from the harvest in Calabria, when the perfume scent fills the air, blending with the scent of bergamot orchards.
Neroli, bergamot, orange blossom and beeswax create an impression of just-squeezed citrus, fresh orange peel and honey.
4711 Original Eau de Cologne
A great neroli fragrance doesn’t need to break the bank. As it says on the bottle, 4711 is echt Kölnisch Wasser, or genuine Cologne water, produced to the same recipe by Wilhelm Mülhens since 1792 – or so they claim.
Timeless and sharp, it opens with a zesty blast of bergamot, lemon and orange, with a heart of herbaceous lavender and rosemary, underpinned by a base of neroli.
You definitely get more bang for your buck in terms of quantity if you’re happy to compromise on longevity and performance.
Floris London Neroli Voyage
The marine notes in Floris’ Neroli Voyage lend a masculine edge to this neroli, which appears in the top and heart notes, along with lemon, jasmine flower, ginger fennel seed, oak wood, amber and musk.
It’s uplifting and fresh with an appealing salty twist.
