There are some fragrances that are too “on the nose.” They are exactly what they seem. But others (most, to be frank) can be more complex. You smell these fragrances and think to yourself, “Hey, I know exactly what is in this perfume,” but then you read the listed notes, and you start doubting your nose.
I’ve personally come across numerous fragrances that carry notes that I can not detect at all, or carry a note that alters so drastically based on what it’s accompanied with that it’s almost impossible to point out. This is the case with the Apple Note. Apples come in many different flavours and smell differently for starters; therefore, apples will naturally smell differently from one fragrance to the next, depending on the specific type of apple the scent is trying to imitate. Secondly, the apple note is more often than not too subtle, overshadowed by stronger notes.
Here are some fragrances that I wouldn’t have guessed carried an apple note if I hadn’t read the list of notes for each. Have you ever smelled a perfume and later found it carried a note you would have never expected?!
For Women:
1. Sabrina Carpenter Sweet Tooth Cherry Baby EDP
| Highlights | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | Sabrina Carpenter |
| Best for | Women |
| Fragrance Family | Floral Fruity |
| Notes | Top: Cherry, Brown sugar, Plum, and Apple Middle: Dark Chocolate, Red Poppy, Vanilla Orchid, and Peony Base: Musk, Cashmere Wood, Amber, Resin, and Patchouli |
| Release year | 2024 |
| Projection | Moderate |
| Perfumer | Gil Clavien |
Sabrina Carpenter’s Sweet Tooth Cherry Baby is a blast of cherry, sharing the stage with some delicious supporting notes. Brown sugar and plum give it a syrupy sweetness. But then there’s the sweet, glazed, candied apple note. If you weren’t paying close attention, you might miss it entirely, lost in the cherry-chocolate-floral whirlwind.
Even more so, the apple note morphs as the fragrance develops. It steps back, allowing the dark chocolate and red poppy to bloom. The dry down is a blend of musk and cashmere wood, but that initial hint of apple adds a touch of brightness.
2. Versace Pour Femme Dylan Blue EDP
| Highlights | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | Versace |
| Best for | Women |
| Fragrance Family | Floral Fruity |
| Notes | Top: Granny Smith apple, Black Currant, Clover, Forget me not, and Shiso Middle: Peach, Petalia, Rose Hip, Rose, and Jasmine Base: Musk, White Woods, Patchouli, and Styrax |
| Release year | 2017 |
| Projection | Moderate |
| Perfumer | Calice Becker and Natalie Gracia-Cetto |
Versace Pour Femme Dylan Blue presents itself as a fresh, floral-fruity fragrance, but its complexity lies in the interplay of its various notes. The presence of the apple here shows through in the form of a Granny Smith apple, adding a crisp facet that prevents the composition from becoming overly sweet.
The apple note in Dylan Blue evolves as the fragrance develops, intertwining with the peach and rose notes in the heart. As the fragrance settles into its base of musk, white woods, and patchouli, the trace of apple provides a subtle tartness.
For Him
1. Armaf Club De Nuit Intense EDT
| Highlights | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | Armaf |
| Best for | Men |
| Fragrance Family | Woody Spicy |
| Notes | Top: Lemon, Pineapple, Bergamot, Black Currant, and Apple Middle: Birch, Jasmine, and Rose Base: Musk, Ambergris, Patchouli, and Vanilla |
| Release year | 2015 |
| Projection | Moderate |
| Perfumer | Armaf |
Armaf’s Club De Nuit Intense is a fragrance known for its bold and assertive character, often compared to Creed Aventus. The opening is a burst of citrus and black currant. However, amidst this initial intensity lies a subtle apple note.
The crispy apple note melds with the smoky birch and floral heart of jasmine and rose. This fusion creates an interesting contrast between the initial fruitiness and the emerging woody and floral facets. It contributes to the fragrance’s overall balance, adding a hint of sweetness that complements the masculine composition.
2. Versace Eros EDT
| Highlights | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | Versace |
| Best for | Men |
| Fragrance Family | Aromatic Fougere |
| Notes | Top: Mint, Green Apple, and Lemon Middle: Tonka Bean, Ambroxan, and Geranium Base: Madagascar Vanilla, Virginian Cedar, Atlas Cedar, Vetiver, and Oakmoss |
| Release year | 2012 |
| Projection | Moderate |
| Perfumer | Aurélien Guichard |
Versace Eros is characterised by fresh mint and zesty lemon, complemented by a hint of sweetness from vanilla and tonka beans. This is a man’s fragrance that women tend to love.
The apple accord here introduces a subtly sweet and fruity dimension, adding to the fragrance’s energetic character. It prevents the opening from becoming too sharp or overly citrusy. The green apple note intertwines with the warm and sensual notes of tonka bean and ambroxan, creating a juxtaposition between the fruity freshness and the underlying warmth and sensuality.
Unisex:
1. Le Labo Another 13 EDP
| Highlights | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | Le Labo |
| Best for | Unisex |
| Fragrance Family | Amber Woody |
| Notes | Top: Pear, Apple, and Citrus Middle: Ambrette (Musk Mallow), Amyl Salicylate, Moss, and Jasmine Base: Iso E Super, Cetalox, Helvetolide, and Ambrettolide |
| Release year | 2012 |
| Projection | Moderate |
| Perfumer | Nathalie Lorson |
Le Labo’s Another 13 is known for its unique and somewhat enigmatic character. While often described as a primarily ambroxan and woody fragrance, the opening features a subtle blend of pear, apple, and citrus.
The apple note here adds a delicate, almost ethereal fruitiness to the perfume. It prevents the composition from feeling too heavy or synthetic. And while it is prominent, the subtle apple note plays a crucial role in the overall composition, contributing to its clean, skin-like quality.
2. Xerjoff Oud Stars Alexandria II EDP
| Highlights | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | Xerjoff |
| Best for | Unisex |
| Fragrance Family | Amber Woody |
| Notes | Top: Palisander Rosewood, Lavender, Cinnamon, and Apple Middle: Rose, Cedar, and Lily-of-the-Valley Base: Agarwood (Oud), Sandalwood, Amber, Vanilla, and Musk |
| Release year | 2012 |
| Projection | Moderate |
| Perfumer | Chris Maurice |
Xerjoff’s Oud Stars Alexandria II seeks to capture the essence of the city of Alexandria through a rich, historically significant, and culturally rich scent. The opening is a captivating blend of palisander rosewood, lavender, cinnamon, and, you guessed it (or not), apple.
The apple note in Alexandria II is a warm and slightly spiced apple, adding a touch of sweetness and intrigue. It complements the other top notes beautifully, creating a harmonious opening.
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