The Aromatic Intrigue: Gin's Cologne-Like Notes Explored

Gin and cologne share a common ingredient: juniper. Juniper is the backbone of gin's flavour and fragrance, and it is also a common ingredient in men's colognes. The shared ingredient means that some colognes can smell like gin, or gin and tonic.

Gin-based perfumes for women

Penhaligon's Juniper Sling

This perfume has been described as a "crisp cocktail shot of gin" with the freshness of juniper, which is gin's signature aromatic. It also includes cool measures of angelica and brandy, and a touch of black pepper for an enigmatic touch. It's a popular choice among those seeking a gin-based fragrance.

Library of Fragrance Gin and Tonic

If you're a fan of the classic gin and tonic, this light and crisp fragrance might be the one for you. It's said to be just as enjoyable as its namesake drink, making it a perfect choice for any time and anywhere.

Commodity Gin

Commodity Gin is a fragrance designed for both women and men, offering a fresh and woody blend of juniper berry, lime, and ginger leaf. It's part of the brand's Black Collection, which features dark, moody, and intense fragrances. This perfume is inspired by a lavish night out, evoking a sense of mystery and endless possibilities.

Gin Flower Solstice Scents

Gin Flower is a floral, fruity, and gourmand fragrance for women and men, launched in 2018. It features top notes of juniper berries, lime, and citron, with middle notes of black elder, osmanthus, honey, vanilla, apricot, and pear. The base note is sandalwood, adding a warm and woody touch. This perfume is inspired by a gin and St. Germain elderflower liqueur cocktail, offering a sweet and uplifting scent.

Demeter Fragrance Gin & Tonic

For those seeking an accurate representation of a gin and tonic, Demeter Fragrance's Gin & Tonic perfume is said to be a spot-on match. It's a fun and unique option to transport you to your favourite happy hour, anytime and anywhere.

Bath & Body Works Juniper Breeze Body Splash

While not a traditional perfume, this body splash from Bath & Body Works is a great option for those who want to wear the scent of gin. It features juniper, a key ingredient in gin, and is a refreshing option for the warmer months.

These options provide a range of gin-based perfumes for women, allowing you to embrace the unique and captivating scent of gin in a whole new way. Whether you're looking for something light and crisp or deep and woody, there's a gin-inspired fragrance to suit your taste.

Gin-based perfumes for men

Gin is a classic juniper berry note that appears in gin liquor. It is bracing, mind-clearing, and exhilarating, and is often used in woody, fougere, and chypre compositions to give a piquant start.

Library of Fragrance Gin and Tonic

A light, crisp fragrance that is just like its namesake drink.

Penhaligon’s Juniper Sling

A crisp cocktail shot of gin with the freshness of juniper, cool measures of angelica and brandy, and a beating libertine heart of black pepper.

Calvin Klein CK Eternity for Men

This scent showcases juniper berries in its heart. It is a classically refreshing and romantic floral fragrance that is decidedly unisex.

Commodity Gin

A woody aromatic fragrance for men with top notes of bergamot, watery notes, and eucalyptus; middle notes of white woods, jasmine, and leather; and base notes of musk, sandalwood, and patchouli.

Molton Brown Apuldre

A complex and sophisticated scent that smells like a gin and tonic. It is green, bright, and sparkly, and later turns woody and lush.

Bath & Body Works Juniper Breeze Body Splash

A classic scent that features juniper.

Calvin Klein CK Be

A follow-up to Calvin Klein's grunge-era smash, CK One, this scent also features juniper.

Demeter Fragrance Gin & Tonic

A fragrance that celebrates the famous cocktail. It has a slightly intoxicating, strong, sweet, crisp, zesty, and musky fragrance.

The juniper note in gin

The scent of juniper is often described as icy, woody, and sweet. It is a versatile note that can be paired with other aromas to create unique and complex fragrances. In the case of gin, the juniper note is often complemented by citrus, florals, almonds, and other botanicals, resulting in a bracing, mind-clearing, and exhilarating scent.

In perfumery, juniper is commonly used in men's colognes, adding a refreshing and invigorating touch. It is also a key ingredient in some of the most popular fragrances on the market, such as Penhaligon's Juniper Sling, a crisp and gourmand scent with notes of angelica and brandy. Calvin Klein's CK Eternity for Men is another notable example, featuring juniper berries at its heart.

Juniper can also be found in other fragrance categories, such as body splashes and bath products. For instance, Bath & Body Works' Juniper Breeze Body Splash is a classic example of a juniper-forward fragrance that is perfect for a refreshing change of pace.

The versatility of the juniper note is further showcased in the Diptyque Eau Duelle fragrance, where it takes on a warmer and smokier character, providing a deeper and more vanilla-centric scent experience.

The botanicals in gin

Gin is a spirit defined by its botanicals. While gin is required to have some juniper, the rest of the botanicals are up to the distiller. This freedom makes gin one of the most diverse liquors on the market.

The key botanical in gin is juniper, which is also where the drink gets its name from. Juniper is grown around the world and has dozens of different varieties. In ancient times, juniper was used as a spice and for medicinal purposes. It has a dominant pine flavour and is responsible for the fresh, piney, 'walking through a forest' character of gin.

Coriander is the second most common botanical in gin. Coriander seeds, better known as the seeds of the cilantro plant, can represent a significant proportion of the botanicals in gin other than juniper. Coriander has a complex taste that is a little spicy, citrusy, and nutty when crushed, making it a good complement to juniper.

Gin commonly uses the root of the angelica plant, but some gins use the flower and seeds as well. It has an earthy and medicinal taste and is also found in Fernet and Chartreuse.

Citrus fruits are a core botanical of many gins. Lemon and bitter orange are the most common, but the range is as varied as the citrus family itself. Lemon notes in gin come across primarily as zesty and sweet lemon peel. As with lemon, orange peels are the most common part of the fruit used in gin production, and dried orange peel in particular. Depending on the type of orange used, the oils in the skin can provide bitter or sweet notes.

Orris root, which comes from the iris flower, is another common botanical in gin. It has a floral and sweet aroma that is common in perfume and adds an earthy and woody flavour to gin.

Cardamom is another botanical used in gin. It is a spice that is difficult to describe other than to say it smells and tastes like itself. It is common in food from southern India and is related to ginger. Cardamom pods are bright green and have a somewhat numbing and medicinal taste. They are also highly aromatic with a powerful flavour.

Other botanicals used in gin include liquorice root, cassia tree, and cinnamon.

Gin and tonic-inspired fragrances

The gin and tonic is a classic cocktail that has inspired the creation of fragrances that aim to capture its essence. Here is a detailed guide to some unique gin and tonic-inspired perfumes and colognes:

Library of Fragrance Gin and Tonic

This fragrance captures the essence of a gin and tonic, offering a light and crisp scent that is versatile and can be worn anytime, anywhere. It is an ideal choice for those who want to feel energized and fresh during the hotter weather.

Penhaligon's Juniper Sling

Juniper Sling is a sophisticated and enigmatic fragrance with a crisp gin and tonic accord. It features the freshness of juniper, the signature aromatic note in gin, along with cool angelica, brandy, and a hint of black pepper. This scent is perfect for those who appreciate a gourmand fragrance that is both sugary and spicy.

Art de Parfum Gin and Tonic Cologne

Art de Parfum's Gin and Tonic Cologne is a recreation of the classic cocktail, awakening the senses with its sharp spice and sparkling freshness. It includes notes of juniper, grapefruit, lemon zest, cucumber, cedarwood, and white musk, creating a versatile and invigorating aroma.

Gin Fizz by Lubin

This fragrance was inspired by the 1955 cocktail, Gin Fizz, celebrating the beauty of Grace Kelly. It is described as a chic, sparkling, and fresh scent, reminiscent of a fashionable cocktail. While it may not be a direct gin and tonic interpretation, it captures the essence of a celebratory drink.

Molton Brown Apuldre

Molton Brown Apuldre is a complex and sophisticated interpretation of a gin and tonic. It opens with a bright and green scent, reminiscent of a well-crafted cocktail, and then evolves into a woody and lush fragrance, offering a unique olfactory experience.

These fragrances showcase the versatility of gin and tonic as a source of inspiration in the world of perfumery, capturing the essence of the cocktail while adding their unique twists. Whether you're a gin enthusiast or simply looking for a refreshing and invigorating scent, these fragrances are sure to delight your senses and add a touch of sophistication to your day or evening.

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