The 12 Best Patchouli Perfumes of 2024

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Patchouli is one of those scents that has a lot of mystery associated with it. Once thought of as a pungently sweet fragrance worn by joint-smoking flower children in the 1960s, today you can find patchouli in some of the world’s most luxury perfumes. Patchouli is a type of plant (it’s classified as part of the mint family) that originated in Southeast Asia, and grows best in tropical climates. But, due to its widespread use as a personal fragrance, it’s now cultivated all over the world. The perfume industry isn’t the only one on board with patchouli; in fact, it’s used in spiritual and alternative medicinal practices as well as a natural bug repellent.1

Musky, sweet, and dark, patchouli is one of the most popular notes found in perfume. To help you narrow down the best patchouli fragrance for you, we tapped several experts and tried top-rated options for ourselves. We paid special attention to the top, heart, and bottom notes, and even considered each fragrance’s longevity and dry down. The result: An expertly curated list of patchouli perfumes. 

Our Top Picks

Best Overall

1. Perfumehead Canadian Tuxedo Extrait de Parfum

Perfumehead Canadian Tuxedo Extrait de Parfum

PHOTO:

Neiman Marcus

$425 at Neiman MarcusView on Bergdorfgoodman.com

What We Like: Boozy and earthy, and smells understatedly expensive.

What We Don’t Like: Not the most affordable.

Boozy and earthy are two words Byrdie commerce writer Alyssa Kaplan used to describe this fragrance upon first whiff. “It reminds me of a jazz club or a chic boutique hotel,” she explains, which makes sense, given that neither has much in common except for being synonymous with understated luxury. Perfumehead’s Canadian Tuxedo is quite literally opulence in a bottle; and at almost $500, it should be. Top notes of coriander, orange flower, and bay leaf introduce the fragrance before it dries down and highlights the heart notes of cumin, patchouli, and cedarwood, and leaves behind a sillage of tonka bean, Peru balsam, and cistus absolute. 

Fragrance Family: Spicy | Key Notes: Coriander, Cumin, Patchouli, Peru Balsam, Tonka Bean| Sizes: 1.7 oz. 

Best Woody

2. Byredo Bibliothéque Eau de Parfum

Byredo Bibliotheque Eau de Parfum

PHOTO:

Nordstrom

$225 at NordstromView on Byredo.com

What We Like: Subtle patchouli notes, and velvety and woody.

What We Don’t Like: Can skew powdery.

Initially released as a candle, fans of Byredo’s Bibliothéque begged for it to be released in perfume form. They got their wish—and ironically turned this fragrance into one of the brand’s top-selling perfumes. What sets this scent apart from other patchouli fragrances is its unique can’t-quite-put-your-finger-on-it notes that create a sexy cross between flowers and leather-bound books. Top notes of plum and cinnamon lend a sweet touch to the otherwise woody and intense blend of leather, violet, birch wood, patchouli, and vanilla, capturing the attention of anyone you pass by. Take our word for it, a spritz or two of this perfume will attract compliments and admirers. 

Fragrance Family: Woody | Key Notes: Plum, Cinnamon, Leather, Violet, Birch Wood, Patchouli, Vanilla | Sizes: 1.7 oz. and 3.4 oz.

Best Fresh

3. Jo Malone London English Pear & Freesia Cologne

Jo Malone London English Pear & Freesia Cologne

PHOTO:

Sephora

$30 at SephoraView on Opensky.com

What We Like: Fresh and fruity, and layerable and versatile.

What We Don’t Like: Patchouli can get lost underneath the top notes.

Described as a traditional chypre fragrance—one that is warm, dry, and built around a woody, mossy accord (in this case patchouli)—Jo Malone’s English Pear & Freesia is great for those who love brighter, fruitier scents. It highlights top notes of King William pear, which offers a mellow yet juicy scent, and crisp, clean freesia. Fresh and invigorating, this fragrance is a lot lighter than the other options on this list and lends itself well to sunshine, time spent outside, and sophistication. 

Fragrance Family: Fruity floral | Key Notes: King WilliamPear, Freesia, Patchouli| Sizes: 1.0 oz., 1.7 oz. and 3.4 oz

Best Floral

4. Gucci Flora Gorgeous Gardenia Eau de Parfum

Gucci Flora Gorgeous Gardenia Eau de Parfum

PHOTO:

Gucci

$39 at Sephora$168 at UltaView on Gucci.com

What We Like: Gorgeous bottle that comes in four sizes, and comforting, familiar, and feminine.

What We Don’t Like: Might be too sweet for some.

Encased in a gorgeous (pun intended) new bottle, Gucci’s Flora Gorgeous Gardenia has received quite the makeover. When I first sniffed this perfume, I was instantly struck by a feeling of nostalgia, and after a quizzical text to my mom, she reminded me that this is very similar (if not identical) to the brand’s original Flora fragrance that she wore often when I was a child. The fragrance is built entirely around the gardenia flower, which is a flower that has long been admired as a source of elixirs and magic potions. This modern floral features top notes of Italian mandarin, blossom accord, and red berries, along with heart notes of white gardenia, jasmine absolute, and frangipani flower. In terms of base notes, the perfume includes a touch of patchouli and brown sugar accord, adding a subtle sweetness and lots of depth to its sillage. 

Fragrance Family: Fruity floral | Key Notes: Italian Mandarin, White Gardenia, Jasmine, Frangipani Flower, Patchouli, Brown Sugar | Sizes: 0.25 oz., 1.0 oz., 1.6 oz., and 3.3 oz.

Best Earthy

5. Henry Rose Dark is Night

Henry Rose Dark is Night

PHOTO:

Henry Rose

$35 at NordstromView on Henryrose.comView on Credo Beauty

What We Like: Complex and smells different on everyone, and starts off earthy but turns sweet on contact with skin.

What We Don’t Like: Doesn’t last as long as we’d like.

With just the right amount of patchouli, Dark is Night from Henry Rose is one of our favorites in this category. This scent leans on the woodiness of patchouli while notes of green grass, vetiver, freesia, and vanilla bean round it out and make it complex yet not overpowering. It smells the best once it’s had time to meld with your skin—doing so makes it feel like the fragrance is tailor-made just for you. 

Fragrance Family: Earthy | Key Notes: Green grass, Vetiver, Freesia, Patchouli, Vanilla Bean | Sizes: 0.27 oz. and 1.7 oz.

Best Fruity

6. Tom Ford Bitter Peach Eau De Parfum

TOM FORD Bitter Peach Eau De Parfum

PHOTO:

Sephora

$80 at Sephora$103 at Walmart$395 at Nordstrom

What We Like: Unique note pairing, and pretty lacquered bottle.

What We Don’t Like: Can be very strong if too much is used.

Another great option for those who love sweeter scents, Tom Ford’s Bitter Peach is intoxicating and addicting. Featuring a blend of pêche de vigne (aka peach of the grapevine), a very rare type of peach that flourishes during the last weeks of summer in France, plus Sicilian blood orange oil, this perfume is as juicy as it gets. What’s more, notes of rum-infused davana oil, patchouli, and sandalwood offer a sultry, sensual vibe that’s completely unmatched. 

Fragrance Family: Fruity | Key Notes: Peach of the Grapevine, Blood Orange, Patchouli | Sizes: 0.33 oz., 1.0 oz., and 1.7 oz. 

Best Smoky

7. Le Labo Patchouli 24 Eau de Parfum

Le Labo Patchouli 24 Eau de Parfum

PHOTO:

Nordstrom

$322 at Nordstrom

What We Like: Iconic, potent, and a little goes a long way.

What We Don’t Like: Opens up slowly.

Despite being a key olfactory note, patchouli goes under the radar in this perfume from Le Labo. Instead, a smoky blend of leather, birch, and tar takes the lead, making this a heavier, more sensual scent. But if you’re not into that kind of thing, don’t worry; to sweeten things up, vanilla makes an appearance. This is really one of those scents that surprises you when you first smell it—because yes, you pick up that smoky black tar—but it opens up slowly to this sweet, complex fragrance that you’ll never get tired of. Plus, it comes in two sizes: a standard 1.7-ounce bottle and a larger 3.4-ounce bottle that, we swear, lasts forever. 

Fragrance Family: Woody | Key Notes: Leather, Patchouli, Birch, Tar, Vanilla | Sizes: 1.7 oz. and 3.4 oz.

Best Clean

8. The 7 Virtues Patchouli Citrus Eau de Parfum

The 7 Virtues Patchouli Citrus Eau de Parfum

PHOTO:

Sephora

$19 at Sephora

What We Like: Clean, hypoallergenic, and planet-positive, and fresh, floral scent.

What We Don’t Like: Can be too strong for some.

We love when a fragrance has a good story behind it, like this one from The 7 Virtues. Formulated with planet-positive essential oils harvested by families in nations rebuilding after war or strife, this fragrance is the physical embodiment of the brand’s “make perfume, not war” mantra. This particular scent highlights the freshness of sweet peony and rose geranium along with ethically sourced patchouli essential oil from Rwanda. Even after a few hours of lingering on the skin, you can expect this perfume to smell elegant and fresh. 

Fragrance Family: Freshfloral | Key Notes: Cassis, Rose Geranium, Patchouli| Sizes: 0.33 oz. and 1.7 oz.

Best Unisex

9. Diptyque Tempo Eau de Parfum

Diptyque Tempo Eau de Parfum

PHOTO:

Diptyque

View on Diptyqueparis.com

What We Like: Woody and classic, and mysterious but inviting.

What We Don’t Like: Can be intense.

Honoring the roots of patchouli, Diptyque’s Tempo contains three different patchouli extracts, giving it an elegant and woody smell that’s hard to ignore. All of that could be intense, but thanks to violet leaf, it’s a little more complex and multi-dimensional. It has a cool aesthetic that looks great on any vanity or countertop and each spritz offers a mysterious aura that’s nothing short of inviting. 

Fragrance Family: Woody | Key Notes: Patchouli, Maté, Clary Sage, Violet| Sizes: 2.5 oz.

Best Eco-Friendly

10. Eau So Vert Boozy Patchouli

Eau So Vert Boozy Patchouli

PHOTO:

Eau So Vert

View on Eauso.com

What We Like: Biodegradable and sustainable, and boozy, citrusy, and striking.

What We Don’t Like: Might lean powdery to some noses.

Powered by patchouli and a squeeze of citrus, this must-try fragrance from Eauso Vert is striking. It’s rich, woody, and spicy while also being incredibly light thanks to a twist of lemon, making it a spectacular starting point for someone looking to dip their noses into the world of patchouli. As if there wasn’t already so much to love, the brand also utilizes a “luxury that gives a damn” philosophy that ensures the formula, packaging, and supply chain practices are done with sustainability in mind. This particular fragrance boasts 97.8 percent biodegradable elements and a recyclable glass bottle. We’re also huge fans of experiences, so the fact that the brand curates Spotify playlists to suit the vibes of each perfume only makes us love it more.

Fragrance Family: Woody spicy | Key Notes: Italian Bergamot, Lemon, Pink Pepper, Neroli, Patchouli, Turkish Rose, Amber| Sizes: 1.7 oz.

Best Perfume Oil

11. Lumira Cuban Tobacco Perfume Oil

Lumira Cuban Tobacco Perfume Oil

PHOTO:

Lumira

View on Atelierlumira.com

What We Like: Affordable, and sustainably sourced.

What We Don’t Like: Not as long lasting as eau de parfum.

In order to truly appreciate this perfume oil, allow me to paint you a picture. Imagine you’re standing in Havana, breathing in smoky cigars, eyeing playful colors, and sensing the ghosts of the area’s glamorous past. If you could bottle that up, it would smell vibrant, intoxicating, and worthy of obsession, right? Well, that’s where Lumira’s Cuban Tobacco Perfume Oil comes in. This sustainable perfume oil captures the energy of Cuba with warm notes of cardamom and clove bud, while tangerine gives it a little tang. Once the oil has had time to mingle with the skin, it mellows down and offers a subtle hint of tobacco, patchouli, and musk. “It has a great balance between freshness and spice,” Kaplan says. “I use it as a nighttime fragrance year round.” 

Fragrance Family: Smoky | Key Notes: Cardamom, Clove Bud, Tangerine, Tobacco, Patchouli, Musk | Sizes: 0.3 oz.

Best Affordable

12. Snif Sweet Ash

Snif Sweet Ash

$65 at AmazonView on Snif.co

What We Like: Great trial period, and woody and rich with a sweet finish.

What We Don’t Like: Doesn’t last as long as some other fragrances.

Fragrances are a luxury item, but that doesn’t always equate to spending a ton of money. Sweet Ash from Snif is a fantastic budget-friendly option that smells a lot more expensive than it actually is. The sweet yet rich and woody perfume is one of my favorites, and it’s because of how complex the fragrance is. When spritzed, the perfume is inviting and warm thanks to notes of moss, patchouli, and fir balsam, which are balanced by hints of tonka and vanilla bean. As the day goes on, the fragrance gets sweeter and subtler. The cherry on top is the brand’s free trial period, which allows you to test out the fragrance in your own home before buying it.

Fragrance Family: Earthy | Key Notes: Juniper, Bergamot, Fir Balsam, Tonka, Vanilla Bean, White Moss, Patchouli | Sizes: 0.3 oz. and 1.0 oz.

What to Look for When Buying a Patchouli Perfume

Type of Fragrance

There are different categories of fragrances, each with distinct scent concentrations. Parfums have the highest scent concentration, followed by eau de parfum, eau de toilette, and eau de cologne. Perfume oils have high scent concentrations but don’t last as long and are more potent for the wearer than for those around them. As the name suggests, Diptyque Tempo Eau de Parfum is a great eau de parfum, while the Lumira Cuban Tobacco Perfume Oil is a wonderful perfume oil. 

Notes

One of the most important factors to consider before buying perfume is the notes. Within the world of fragrance, scents are categorized as fruity, floral, woodsy, or clean, and the notes you’re most drawn to are ultimately up to you. While, obviously, all of these fragrances feature patchouli, the other notes in a perfume differentiate them from one another. “Patchouli is an unsung hero that can be paired with most types of accords, from a floral all the way to a spicy or musk,” Burke-Williams says. The Gucci Flora Gorgeous Gardenia contains florals like gardenia and jasmine, while the Henry Rose Dark is Night is earthier and features green grass, vetiver, and vanilla bean in addition to patchouli. To get a better idea of which fragrances smell best to you, we recommend trying a sample first or even sniffing the fragrance in a store. 

Quality

Another element to think about is quality. Perfumes are definitely a luxury item, which means the price you pay depends on the ingredients and factors like packaging (or even the brand name itself). The Perfumehead Canadian Tuxedo Extrait Perfume, for example, is an expensive perfume, but when you consider its high-quality ingredients and thoughtfully crafted bottle, it’s totally worth it. Less expensive perfumes often contain fewer notes (and lots more sweet-smelling florals, which are easy to source, and thus, cheaper to create). Pricier options lean on rare essences that are harder to extract and distribute. While we love a good dupe, alternatives almost never replicate the scent just right, and if they do, the staying power isn’t usually as long-lasting.

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