After highlighting 50 Iris fragrances and 50 Rose fragrances, it was time to finally dedicate a list to that ‘other’ majestic floral: Jasmine. I love the versatility of the jasmine note: indolic, green, bubblegummy, sensual/romantic, sharp, soft, warm, cool, powdery, bitter, sweet. It can be used in so many forms and combinations, yet a (good) jasmine scent rarely gets lost in the mix. This is by no means a definitive list, nor my ranked favorites, but a showcase of jasmine. While not quite 50 options, here are 15 diverse ScentAdvice-approved picks for this regal flower. Enjoy!
Jean Patou JOY PARFUM
Originally released c. 1931, Joy is one of the all-time great jasmine creations. You can still pick it up these days (for a good price), but scents will vary widely. The version that made me think of Joy first when compiling this list, is my vintage Joy Parfum concentration. I don’t know how old my bottle is (predates batch codes), but it clearly aged a lot, so it will be different from the average version you can pick up online. It’s (become) extremely skanky, sensual, warm jasmine and rose. One of my most prized gems in my collection.
Ostens IMPRESSION JASMINE ABSOLUTE [#AD]
Ostens is a stellar brand, with Jasmine Absolute being my favorite in their collection. This is a brighter, sparkling, Summery take on jasmine. What really shines here is the quality of the ingredient. You can also combine it with their pure oil (which is a tiny bit indolic and darker) for a great mix. It’s been arguably my favorite modern jasmine ever since I smelled it.
Dior MISS DIOR EDT (VINTAGE)
Now, I don’t want to be that guy that says you should always get vintages or older batches. However, in the case of Miss Dior, it’s important to understand that the entire DNA has shifted in the past. Originally, Miss Dior was more of a jasmine, while in 2012, what initially was the Rose Cherie flanker DNA, became the regular Miss Dior line. The initial Miss Dior continued under the ‘Originale’ name from 2011, but I can’t confirm how similar that is to the vintage versions that I’m familiar with. I have 2 vintage miniatures and a marvelous spray bottle from 1970 and it’s a beautiful mossy floral. It takes more time to warm up and get sweeter, with its greener, brighter opening than the earlier listed vintage of Patou Joy Parfum. It’s equally stunning.
Amouage Reflection Man
Completely different from the jasmines on the list so far; Reflection Man is a more masculine, fresh and cool take on the note. It’s not a pronounced floral, but a more subtle jasmine that non-jasmine loving men could still appreciate. To me, Reflection Man is one of the ultimate office fragrances and ‘boss’ type confidence booster. I also love Reflection 45, but that has less of the jasmine opening, so Reflection Man feels more at home on this list.
Creed Jasmin Imperatrice Eugenie
A surprise discovery for me in 2024, that instantly became my favorite Creed release. This is unabashedly retro smelling and won’t suit everyone’s (modern) taste, especially the ‘pissy’ opening and powdery texture, but it’s an outstanding composition. People often talk of Creed’s use of higher quality ingredients (or used to), but with Jasmin Imperatrice Eugenie, it was the first time that I genuinely felt that way. The sandalwood in the base is the star of the show.
Mancera JASMIN EXCLUSIF
Jasmine can go in many directions and here, it’s used alongside a heavy, perhaps barnyardy oud scent. Definitely the most daring, least mass-appealing fragrance to wear from this list. It has the abrasiveness of many a Mancera or Montale, but it feels suitable for the type of scent that it is. Admittedly, I couldn’t wear this on most occasions, but it’s one of the Mancera’s in recent years that I think brought something worthwhile to the table.
Le Labo Lys 41
While this isn’t a fragrance that I’m as familiar with as most others on the list, I thought it was worth mentioning. Especially given that Le Labo has an actual jasmine themed release: Jasmin 17. Which I do enjoy, but that’s a safe, soft, marshmallowy sweet floral in and not a great representations of jasmine specifically to me. Lys 41 on the other hand, leans much harder into the white florals, so it may be worth checking out if you’re looking for jasmine.
One Day JASMINE TEA [#AD]
I can’t speak highly enough about One Day’s tea collection. I will say that Jasmine isn’t my favorite, that honor goes to Oolong Tea. There are quite a few similarities between the two, with Oolong being the sweeter, but at the same time, more unique composition. However, Jasmine Tea is beautiful. It has the bitterness and green hues from tea leaves in the opening, but a cleaner, almost transparent vibe after.
Fragonard Jasmin Perle De The EDP
The most affordable option on the list and one that’s very well done for that price. Somewhat similar in style to the previous, One Day Jasmine Tea, you get the bitterness from tea leaves here, which match perfectly with jasmine. Jasmin Perle De The is even less indolic and more of a ‘generic watery tea’ as it dries, but it’s pleasant throughout and a no-brainer for around €35-40.
Moresque Regina
While jasmine is often part of the sun-tan lotion style fragrances, it’s usually so blended in or generic that I wouldn’t think of them as jasmine first. Regina retains that balance better to me, with a clear briny sea breeze nature and a strongly vanillic drydown, it’s the jasmine that stands out as a refresher until the sweetness eventually takes over. I had to include a sun-tan-ish scent on the list and Regina is best in class.
Milano Fragranze CORTILE
Milano Fragranze is the more affordable sister-company of the excellent Masque Milano. While the line overall is not on the level of Masque’s to me, there are some stand-outs at a good value to be found in it; my favorite being Cortile. This reminds me of a chalky, powdery, even ashy take on a white floral. It has a slightly smoky and earthy edge. The concept also centers around coffee, but I never quite found that in Cortile. An excellent jasmine though.
Maison Violet COMPLIMENT
Somewhat similar to the previous Milano Fragranze Cortile, this Maison Violet is very powdery. As most fragrances from the house are to me, but usually with an iris core; in Compliment the white florals reign supreme. I’ve heard this being compared to Frederic Malle’s Carnal Flower, as both also prominently feature tuberose, but I believe Compliment grows a lot sweeter later on.
Prissana Mandarava
Mandarava is likely my favorite perfume purchase of 2024. This is a dense, rich fragrance, with perfumer Prin’s recognizable sweet earthy woods and an ambery warm, fiery base. While not as prominent of a jasmine as the rest of the list, the stars of the show in Mandarva are absolutely the florals (jasmine, rose, champaca). They offer an almost piercing, sharp facet that cuts through the earthiness and woodiness. There’s something special here that perhaps comes closest to the feeling that the vintage Joy Patou can give me.
Chanel Gabrielle PARFUM or ESSENCE
Gabrielle is Chanel’s yellow floral/orange blossomy take on jasmine. While it can be a tad heady in the opening, the drydown is a mass-appealing take on the note, with Chanel’s usually nice quality. I haven’t tested all versions properly, but based on what I know, I’m partial to the Parfum/Extrait, although the price is hard to justify. The Essence flanker may be the best option overall.
Serge Lutens A La Nuit
To close off the list, a bit of a cheat. A La Nuit is often hailed as the best jasmine soliflore scent on the market. I have tried it and I did love it, however, each time I smelled it was from a tester bottle that I presume had aged significantly. The jasmine was quite a bit more indolic and heavier in my experience, than almost any opinions online suggest, so I probably have a misleading view of it. I really need to get my nose on A La Nuit again and review it one day. I felt it belonged on this list regardless.