Iris has to be one of my favorites notes and it may even be my absolute favorite. It’s a note that can be done in many different ways and at its best, it can be one of the most classy and sophisticated elements in perfumery. In general I’m quite big on textures when assessing a fragrance and iris can be hard to beat. Below you’ll find 40 of my favorite iris fragrances loosely ranked in orde, followed by 10 more that I don’t know well enough to rank. I tried to keep the list dedicated to fragrances where iris is one of the prominent facets of the composition.
01. Xerjoff Irisss
When I think of iris in its most beautiful form, my mind goes to Irisss. A rather pure iris-centric fragrance, with bergamot as the big supporting note. Rooty and carrot-like, but not overly vegetal, with a really smooth texture. This fragrance feels regal and I consider it ‘the Queen’ of my fragrance collection.
02. Chanel 31 Rue Cambon
31 Rue Cambon is my favorite from a host of great iris-infused Chanel fragrances. It’s quite spicy, with greener tinges, but also sweetness. Extremely classy; perhaps a bit outdated to some. It’s my personal favorite from the Les Exclusifs.
03. Dior Bois D’Argent
From my favorite Les Exclusifs, to my favorite Maison Christian Dior/Dior Privee. Bois D’Argent is coziness embodied. Sweet, powdery, woody… almost gourmand and sugary, but also quite bright and clean. A staple in my collection and one of my favorites to wear to bed or on a Sunday morning.
04. Les Abstraits Belle Ame
A relative newcomer; Eugen and Antoine Lie’s collaborations for Les Abstraits have worked out really well, but it’s this Belle Ame in particular that is the masterpiece of the collection so far. Unique, almost nutty, perhaps a tad masculine leaning iris.
05. Masque Milano L’Attesa
The highest ranking iris on the list that I didn’t have a bottle of when I compiled the list (but I bought it right after). L’Attesa, like my favorite Irisss, is quite ‘pure’, albeit with a more sparkling bright opening. Top quality iris here.
06. Dior Homme Parfum
The big brother from the Dior Homme line and in my opinion the best. This is a loud, powdery iris-leather fragrance. It can be a bit much too wear sometimes, but under the right circumstances, it’s amazing. I didn’t include Dior Homme Intense, but that’s also great (albeit very different).
07. Van Cleef & Arpels Bois D’Iris
This one I’d say is 90% similar to Dior Bois D’Argent. I always feel like Bois D’Iris has maybe 5% more florals and 5% less woodiness, but they are interchangeable for me. I happen to have both, but I’d generally advice to pick one.
08. Miyaz Perfume Iris Cacao
A surprising pick here (and one that I keep forgetting often in my top 50 lists). Iris Cacao is a very gourmand iris. Thick, chocolate with a hint of earthiness and a pasty, dense iris texture. The version I have is not on sale anymore; slightly altered versions came out after, so I can’t speak on the specifics of those. My version, is addictive.
09. Maitre Parfumeur Et Gantier Cuir Fetiche
Another hidden gem, that I bought ‘on accident’ as it were (huge discount in their Paris boutique, due to new packaging). This is a vintage-esque pissy floral opening, with a iris-leather drydown. A lot more iris than the opening would give away and the iris specifically really makes this beautiful fragrance, hence it’s high placement.
10. Gallivant Bukhara [#AD]
Bukhara is my favorite Gallivant (although the new Accra is very intriguing). This is perhaps the sharpest bright iris on the list. Matched up with pear for a cripsy, brittle powdery sensation that shines in high heat.
11. Maison Crivelli Iris Malikhan [#AD]
One that I unfortunately listed on my ‘The best fragrances I sold and why’ list: Iris Malikhan. A very rooty iris, with quite a bit of sweetness and a smokiness as well. One of the most unique fragrances on this list.
12. Byredo Seven Veils
A discontinued and arguably best release from Byredo. Seven Veils is very sweet, spicy and vanillic; almost boozy to me. Reminiscent of Guerlain Spiritueuse Double Vanille, but with a carroty iris at the center.
13. Les Indemodables Iris Perle
An easy going, bright and versatile iris. As always, the quality with Les Indemodables is top of the line (same perfumer and ingredient sourcing as Les Abstraits at #4). This is an iris that I’d love to wear to the office for example.
14. Atelier Des Ors Iris Fauve [#AD]
Iris Fauve is a more masculine leaning, woody iris. I mostly get wood shavings from Iris Fauve, with some sweetness and some iris. I sometimes wish I got more iris and less wood, but it’s a stunning release.
15. Maison Sybarite Bed Of Roses
This fragrance was a wonderful surprise to me. A very milky, earthy, but also almost gourmand fragrance. Not much rose or acidity here to my nose, but a sweet spiced iris. It’s on my wishlist.
16. Armani My Way Parfum
The 2023 My Way flanker is only on the list because of its immaculate opening. Fresh, citrussy iris that really steals the show. The drydown gets more sweet and fruity, less good, but I’m glad to have a bottle for just the first hour of each wear.
17. Xerjoff Fatal Charme
This is a lovely and underrated Xerjoff. Not so much a powdery iris here as a marshmallow texture. Floral and gourmand. Probably better on women, but I’m always surprised that this isn’t more popular.
18. Electimuss Vixere [#AD]
Vixire could’ve been a bit higher up, but it doesn’t register as a full-on iris. It’s very floral, with vanillic and iris touches. A top 3 release from Electimuss.
19. Chanel La Pausa
As mentioned earlier, Chanel has a slew of great releases with some iris in it. La Pausa is very focussed, with a somewhat green, dewy rooty iris to my nose. Less to my taste than some others on the list, but impressive nonetheless.
20. Teo Cabanel Deja Vu
One of two from the house on this list. A playful surprise, with a fruity acidic chewing gum, underpinned by a muddy cashmeran-esque iris base.
21. Maison Violet Cycle 001
Probably my favorite Maison Violet after Sketch, but it will be hard to find (limited and sold out release). Cycle 001 is more contemporary than the Violet’s that came before. Clean linen and spiced powder skin scent.
22. L’Artisan Parfumeur Bana Banana
Speaking of unique… how about some banana? The banana is prominent in the first minutes, but it becomes powdery iris and candy violet that smells a bit like a men’s shampoo.
23. Ormonde Jayne Vanille D’Iris
Unique fragrance, unlike any iris I know. ‘Clean’ vanilla, green iris and a fruity tinge (osmanthus/peach/jasmine) and a peppery powder texture.
24. Francesca Bianchi Unspoken Musk
Unspoken Musk falls in line with Luxe Calme Volupte and Libertine Neroli as a more vintage-inspired Bianchi to my nose. The iris in the composition adds a nice classic touch.
25. Affinessence Santal Basmati [#AD]
Santal Basmati is more of a woody scent, almost musky in the drydown. Aside from the sesame opening it’s quite tame and with more performance I may have ranked it higher.
26. Prada Infusion D’Iris
I’ve always loved this, but after a recent revisiting, I find it a bit too green for my taste. Dry, spicy with sharp, yet soapy florals. Mature and solid.
27. Grossmith Diamond Jubilee Bouquet
A retro-styled, sharp baby-powdery floral. Violet is prominent here, but the iris as well. Citrus cuts through it to adds some levity. I’d only need one fragrance like this in my collection, but this would be a good choice.
28. Maison Tahite I-Ristretto
An unexpected take on iris-coffee, as this fragrance opens with a talcum powdery, clean linen vibe. White musk, but mixed with the softest hint of coffee vapors. More cardboard-like cashmeran than iris in texture.
29. The Harmonist Royal Earth Parfum [#AD]
The EDP is a full blown woody-iris fragrance a la Iris Fauve, whereas this parfum adds a fruity tinge and makes it fully unisex. More fun, but still quite understated and classy.
30. Cherigan Iris Coffee
Dry roasted coffee on top of a quite traditionally feminine leaning combination of jasmine and iris. I need to revisit this, but it was definitely my favorite Cherigan.
31. Ensar Oud Iris Ghalia [#AD]
This one I wished I liked (even) more. The drydown is an amazing, warm animalic and rather sweet scent with a peachy fruitiness that leads the way. The iris isn’t prominent or at least familiar to me and the opening has a hint of ‘barbecue’ toasted qualities that keeps this lower on the list.
32. Azman Killer Vavoom
I remember how much I like this fragrance, but the iris didn’t stand out all that much to me. I get a lot of chocolate here, similar to Miyaz Iris Cacao, but with a fruity tinge.
33. Anomalia Narcotic Bohemic [#AD]
A recent addition to my collection. Similar to Maison Sybarite Bed Of Roses; dense spicy, earthy, but also sweet. Iris-woody, but not as milky as the Sybarite.
34. Givenchy Gentleman EDP Reserve Privee
This sits somewhere in between Dior Homme Parfum and Dior Homme Intense. Iris-woody, with a leather backbone; bitter, but also sweet and nutty. A step below the Dior’s for me, but nice.
35. Stephane Humbert Lucas Panthea Iris
Panthea Iris is a more traditional, nice quality iris-centric scent with less distractions than most on the list. I would probably like it more now than I did when I had the bottle.
36. Teo Cabanel Encore
I’d call Encore a semi-gourmand. Inspiration taken from carrot cake and chai latte, the carrot-iris combination here feels quite spicy and bready, more so than a real sweet gourmand. There’s even a hint of fresher green hues.
37. D’Orsay J’Ai L’Air De Ce Qui Je Suis (J.R.)
D’Orsay has a couple nice irisses. J.R. is mainly a cardamom-iris-cedarwood with mandarin. Uplifting and sharp for the Summer. Les Ombres Fantasiques (A.R.) is similar, but more simple-woody.
38. Escentric Molecules Molecule 01 + Iris
Escentric Molecules is a house I don’t always appreciate, but this + Iris feels like a logical match for its DNA. I get a hint of hazelnut (as with Les Abstraits Belle Ame), earthy with an ozonic top.
39. Lorga Moroccan Iris [#AD]
Moroccan Iris reminds me a bit of the sweet bubblegummy Teo Cabanel Deja Vu. Very joyful fragrance, probably mostly loved by women; unconventional for an iris.
40. Jacques Fath L’Iris De Fath EDP
I had high hopes for this new reimagined L’Iris de Fath, but I can’t say that I loved it fully. A very spicy take, with more distractions that I was expecting for such a ‘reference’ iris in history.
As a bonus; here are 10 iris fragrances that I either have not smelled, have only smelled briefly or too long ago and didn’t want to put on the list above for that reason.
41. Frederic Malle Iris Poudre
42. Serge Lutens Iris Silver Mist
43. Celine Black Tie
44. Prada L’Homme EDT
45. diptyque Fleur De Peau
46. Chanel N. 19 Poudre
47. Ex Nihilo Iris Porcelana
48. Hermes Hiris
49. Le Labo Iris 39
50. Etat Libre D’Orange La Fin Du Monde
Let me know in a comment below what glaring omissions you see or which hidden gem you would recommend trying!