Get-ahead gifts for fragrance lovers
As the festive season approaches, getting ahead with your Christmas shopping becomes an ever-pressing priority. What better way to streamline your gift-giving than by investing in gorgeously curated fragrance discovery sets?
Not only do these luxurious collections make for stunning presents, but they can also be split into smaller gifts—perfect as stocking fillers, table or tree gifts, or even to fill your own Christmas crackers.
Imagine gifting not just a perfume, but an entire sensory journey. Fragrance discovery sets are the ultimate Christmas present for the curious, the adventurous, and those who love to explore new olfactory landscapes. These meticulously curated collections are like treasure chests of scent, offering a passport to worlds of aromatic wonder. The beauty of a discovery set lies in its ability to transform gift-giving from a guessing game into an experience of pure delight. No more anxiety about selecting the perfect single bottle—instead, you’re presenting a miniature museum of fragrances, each vial a potential signature scent waiting to be discovered.
For those uncertain about a loved one’s precise fragrance preferences, these sets are nothing short of magical. They invite exploration, encouraging the recipient to venture beyond their comfort zone and sample scents they might never have considered. It’s like offering a fragrant adventure in a beautifully packaged box. The luxury of these niche collections goes far beyond mere sampling. Each miniature bottle represents the artistry of master perfumers, crafted with the same meticulous care as a full-sized fragrance.
From houses that have been creating scents for generations to contemporary artisan perfumers, these discovery sets capture the essence of true olfactory craftsmanship. Practically speaking, these sets are a brilliant solution for the gift-giver who wants to show thoughtfulness without the risk of getting it wrong. They provide an opportunity to try before investing in a full bottle, allowing the recipient to explore, experiment, and ultimately find their perfect scent. It’s like giving the gift of possibility—wrapped up in elegant packaging and brimming with potential.
This Christmas, step away from predictable presents. Choose a fragrance discovery set and give the gift of olfactory exploration — a present that promises surprise, delight, and the chance to uncover a new signature scent that might just become a lifelong love…
The Strangelove Discovery Set offers a rare opportunity to experience an exquisite collection of premium niche fragrances. Crafted by passionate perfumer and industry campaigner Christophe Laudamiel, these scents are built around a foundation of precious, sustainably-sourced oudh (also spelled ‘oud’), blended with other meticulously selected ingredients from around the world. This set allows you to explore the entire range of Strangelove’s opulent and addictive fragrances, each showcasing stunning raw materials. From the euphoric Indian champaca and creamy gardenia enfleurage in deadofnight to the surprising dark chocolate and orris butter notes in lostinflowers, this collection represents the pinnacle of olfactory artistry. Indulge in this decadent journey through some of the most coveted niche scents in the niche perfume world. You will get to try:
deadofnight – empowers its devotees to take risks and dive into their desires.
fallintostars – propels a mystical experience of boundless wonder, as lovers transcend time and space to journey into a parallel universe.
lostinflowers – evokes the thrill of new love, capturing that electric moment of discovery when two destined wanderers finally collide: lost in time, lost in romance, lostinflowers.
meltmyheart – inspires romance and indulgence for devoted lovers.
silencethesea – captures the intimacy of the lover’s gaze: soundless, eternal, profound.
£95 for 5 x 2ml eau de parfum
Granado Coleção Elixir EDT Discovery Set: Perfect for Busy Lifestyles
Whether you’re a fashion week attendee or a busy professional, these handbag-sized fragrances cater to our fast-paced, on-the-move lifestyles. They’re ideal for touch-ups during the day, perfect for travel, and essential for those unexpected moments when you need to transition from day to night. It doesn’t matter if you’re navigating the bustling streets of Paris during Fashion Week, or simply looking to elevate your daily fragrance routine: this set offers a perfect blend of sophistication and on-the-go scented convenience.
- Époque Tropical: Perfect for evening events, with its enveloping woody notes balanced by citrusy mandarin
- Imperial: Ideal for anytime, offering a fresh and light scent with an intriguing Brazilian-Portuguese duality
- Nostalgia: Suitable for romantic dinners, featuring spicy top notes and an elegant floral body
- Jardim Real: Great for everyday gorgeousness, combining citrusy freshness with delicate floral notes
- Infusão Botânica: Invigorating for grey days, with its warming spicy and aromatic profile
£48 for 5 x 10ml eau de toilette in our shop
The Experimental Perfume Club Discovery Set Essential contains nine niche fragrances designed for blending and creating custom scents. Developed by perfumer Emmanuelle Moeglin, it includes three top, mid, and base notes that can be worn alone or combined. The set allows fragrance lovers to experiment with endless combinations, guided by inspiration cards. Fragrances range from fresh bergamot and fig to mellow jasmine and rose to deep amber and sandalwood. This set brings the experience of Moeglin’s perfume workshops home, allowing users to craft unique, personalised fragrances through creative mixing and matching. The set includes:
Top / Fresh
Bergamot Incense – citrus and exotic spices are brought together in this bright fragrance with Eastern influence.
Fig Neroli – the crunch of fresh herbs in a Mediterranean garden in bloom.
Cardamom Moss – a swirl of spices wrapped in salty waves of mineral mosses and Ambroxan.
Mid / Mellow
Jasmine Osmanthus – a tribute to white flowers growing on hot sand. Radiant, floral and exotic.
Rose Rhubarb – imagine rose bushes growing from a rhubarb patch.
Tonka Sesame – an utterly delectable combination of gourmand notes and woods; fused in perfect harmony.
Base / Deep
Amber Iris – an amber wrapped in powdery notes; dark yet soft.
Sandalwood Musk – mineral sandalwood met with leather and musks. Mineral, woody and addictive.
Cedarwood Absinth – a rich leathery fragrance unashamedly herbaceous , sultry and powerful.
£50 for 9 x 2ml eau de parfum (plus full instructions)
Within the Mastenbroek Classic Collection Discovery Set, you’ll get to explore master perfumer Ruth Mastenbroek’s most renowned compositions. After many years of studying, working abroad and then crafting scents for mega brands like Jo Malone London, Ruth launched her own line of meticulously crafted scents. Each perfume is a masterpiece, taking years to develop using the finest global ingredients. This curated selection showcases Ruth’s artistry and is perfect for fragrance enthusiasts or as a gift for those wanting to discover a unique perfume house. Experience the culmination of Ruth’s expertise and passion in this must-try collection of sophisticated scents. The boxed set includes:
Signature – Fresh fruity notes of mandarin, bergamot and pineapple waltz elegantly together with rose on a stage of patchouli and oakmoss.
Amorosa – Amorosa is alive with an insistent freshness. Watermelon bursts onto fresh green vetivert, as a heart of white flowers caresses its woody and amber base.
Oxford – Oxford’s bold oudh and amber layers clash with its softer vanilla and vetiver notes. A daring ambrée composition not for the faint-hearted.
Firedance – a scorching, modern interpretation of the classic rose perfume, as exotic leather dances in surprise harmony with the main character – smouldering Damask rose. Set against a warming backdrop of oudh and patchouli, a shining amber note radiates from the skin in this memorably intimate and sexy perfume.
Dagian – Dagian is the feeling of optimism that breaks at dawn, the exhilarating hope of a fresh start. As the sun rises, a breeze of lime and mint shimmers over notes of orange blossom and rum.
£32.50 for 5 x 2ml eau de parfum
For those seeking something bolder still, the Sarah Baker Extrait Discovery Set showcases the brand’s artistry in perfumery, offering super-strength versions of their signature scents. Founded in 2015 by American-born, London-based artist Sarah Baker, this collection represents the pinnacle of olfactory craftsmanship. Each fragrance in the set is an incredibly long-lasting extrait, designed to leave a lasting impression. Baker’s collaborations with top perfumers like Ashley Eden Kessler and Sarah McCartney have resulted in unique, boundary-pushing scents that blend art and fragrance. This discovery set allows you to experience the full range of Sarah Baker’s olfactory vision, from classic compositions to avant-garde creations like the limited edition Jungle Jezebel, all in their most potent and enduring forms. Get ready to try samples of:
Atlante: A mermaid emerging from the sea. Real beach vibes.
Charade: Big white flower with a cutting edge of rustic leather. Sophisticated and contemporary.
Jungle Jezebel: Bombastic banana bootylicious beast. Love it or hate it? We love. Join us.
Gold Spot: A spotlight on filmstars who love their luxuries, indulging themselves in bed all day with broadsheets and butterscotch bonbons.
Greek Keys: A yacht ride in the Greek Islands. Fresh, Oceanic, Luxurious.
Tartan: After a long walk in the Highlands, enjoy your first sip of whiskey next to the fire in the library.
Leopard: Power fragrance that must be worn with shoulder pads. Not for children.
Loudo: Playful and sweet, yet nostalgic and serious. Deliciously woody.
£45 for 8 x 2ml extrait de parfum
Annicke Fragrance Discovery Set – £20
Love, desire and dreams: the Annicke Fragrance Discovery Set is a collection of SIX exquisite and totally feminine fragrances inspired by the woman who dazzled their creator. Each is a story, bottled, and each will take you on a journey – as only fragrance can…
Annicke 1 – an ode to the extraordinary beauty and elegance of a woman with feminine floral aromas of lily of the valley, peony and jasmine
Annicke 2 – deliberately sensual and irresistible with harmonious notes of fruity fig and mandarin that uplift the senses, and hazelnut that brings a delicate touch of sugar
Annicke 3 – inspired by the sophisticated and glamorous charm of the early 1920s as white rose unfurls an air of vintage femininity across a dancefloor
Annicke 4 – inspired by an enchanted forest with woody and earthy undertones of Cashmeran and oakmoss, with spring-like floral notes of rose, ylang ylang and jasmine
Annicke 5 – discover the art of seduction via rich notes of full-bodied plum, golden honey with a dash of spicy rum and a base of sensual patchouli
Annicke 6 – personifying the complex dimensions of a woman, through juxtaposing notes of Sichuan pepper, bergamot and carnation
Ostens: A Fragrant Revolution in Luxury Perfumery – £40 for 6 x 2ml eau de parfum in our shop
Ostens is not your typical fragrance house. Born from the passion and expertise of industry veterans Christopher Yu and Laurent Delafon, this brand is redefining luxury perfumery with its innovative approach to scent creation.
With over two decades of experience in the fragrance industry, Yu and Delafon founded Ostens to showcase the world’s finest ingredients in their purest form.Their background in fragrance distribution and development provided them with unparalleled access to exceptional raw materials and master perfumers, inspiring them to share these olfactory treasures with discerning fragrance enthusiasts.
Ostens stands out in the crowded fragrance market by celebrating raw ingredients: Each creation is inspired by a single, exquisite raw material, allowing its true essence to shine. Collaborating with Master Perfumers, renowned perfumers like Dominique Ropion and Sophie Labbé are given complete creative freedom to craft exceptional scents. And in embracing purity, Ostens focus on using ingredients in their most unadulterated form, resulting in fragrances of unparalleled quality.
The Ostens collection offers a diverse range of scents, each highlighting a unique ingredient or accord:
Cashmeran Velvet: A warm, woody scent with smoky undertones
Cedarwood Heart: A dry, pencil-like aroma softened by creamy notes
Jasmine Absolute: A fresh, natural jasmine with stem-like qualities
Patchouli Heart No. I & II: Two modern interpretations of classic patchouli
Rose Oil Isparta: A unique take on Rosa Damascena from Turkey
Ostens invites fragrance enthusiasts to explore their entire collection through a curated set of samples. This allows you to experience the brand’s commitment to quality and creativity firsthand, discovering the extraordinary world of fine perfumery ingredients in their purest form. By ripping up the rulebook and focusing on the essence of perfumery, Ostens has created a truly unique olfactory experience. Their fragrances are a testament to the power of raw ingredients and unfettered creativity, offering a new perspective on luxury perfumery for the curious and discerning.
Written by Suzy Nightingale
