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 Extremely classy; perhaps a bit outdated to some.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.
