Lacoste L.12.12 Noir

The latest addition to the L.12.12 range of fragrances named after the famous Lacoste polo shirt. Noir is a woody aromatic said to be inspired by the intensity of warm summer evenings and the timeless elegance of the above polo shirt. A classic fougere fragrance containing top notes of watermelon and Egyptian basil along with a heart of lavender and verbena. A dark chocolate accord along with cashmeran, coumarin and patchouli are revealed in the base.

This fragrance features a patented new technology – Cyclodextrin – an innovative molecule which encapsulates the fragrance ingredients and reactivates them when it comes into contact with moisture on the skin.

TheChicGeek says “This is surprisingly good. The fragrance has an attractive warmth that is mellow and refreshing at the same time. This is one of those fragrances that men will enjoy wearing. While there is nothing revolutionary here, it is a good example of a mass produced fougere fragrance.”

Best For – Young, Sporty Dad

Lacoste L.12.12 Noir - 100ml - £47

Uomo by Ermengildo Zegna

Developed by Spanish perfumer Alberto Morillas, Ermengildo Zegna’s new Uomo fragrance combines classic ‘Zegna Bergamot’ – grown at the label's grove in Calabria -  grassy vetiver and cedarwood with a shot of violettyne captive - an intense violet extract.

TheChicGeek says “This is a fresh, citrus fragrance with just a hint of the violet. The initial, top hit of fragrance is really clean and slightly addictive while the dry down does disappoint to a mediocre vetiver/woody base.”

Best For – Dapper Dad 

Uomo by Ermengildo Zegna - 100ml - £60 - Exclusive at Boots

Salvatore Ferragamo Acqua Essenziale

Inspired one of the four elements – water – Acqua Essenziale contains notes of mint and lemon tree leaf along with heart notes of  geranium, rosemary and cascalone – a molecular aquatic note. The base of patchouli and vetiver, alongside Helveltolide – a new floral musk. The nose again is Alberto Morillas.

TheChicGeek says “This has a unusual but attractive synthetic smell. The cooling of the mint and cascalone is there, along with warmth of lavender. It’s pleasant and masculine and a definite reminder of water, but I think a fragrance needs a little more personality if it is to standout in today’s crowded marketplace.”

Best For –Holiday Dad

Salvatore Ferragamo Acqua Essenziale – 100ml - £58

DSquared2 – Potion For Man Blue Cadet

A follow-up to the original Potion by fashion duo DSquared2, Blue Cadet is an aromatic, woody fragrance with key notes of bergamot, mandarin, pine, blue hemlock, cedarwood and musk. Created by perfumer Mathilde Bijaoui.

TheChicGeek says “This has a cooling metallic smell whose woody and fresh heart of pine leaves and various other forest ingredients are lifted by the citrus top.”

Best For – Gay Dad!

DSquared2 – Potion For Man Blue Cadet – 100ml - £54

Aramis Perfume Calligraphy Rose

Aramis’ new Perfume Calligraphy Rose is the latest in a collection focused on Harrod’s Middle Eastern customer. Containing intoxicating rose absolute, this is an ingredient which isn’t as feminine as you would first think – Click here

The fragrance opens with golden accents of saffron, combined with wet honeysuckle petals, energized by the modern freshness of oregano leaves. To reveal the wild beauty of the Turkish rose absolute, the luxurious heart develops captivating vapors of myrrh and styrax, contrasted with a layer of French lavender. The background creates an aura of mystery and irresistible seduction: a soft hypnotic veil of labdanum and musk is combined with the tantalising power of ambergris and olibanum to create a delightful trail of undeniable magnetism.

TheChicGeek says “This isn’t for shrinking violets, nor is it too overpowering that it’s unwearable. We’re seeing more and more of these style of fragrances, so it will be interesting to see whether it makes it into the mainstream. For those who like something a bit exotic and rich, this should do the trick.”

Best For – Exotic Dad

Aramis Calligraphy Rose - 100ml - £115 - Exclusive to Harrods

Bulgari MAN Extreme

Bulgari MAN Extreme is an update of the original Bulgari MAN fragrance. It is a fragrance that melds Mediterranean freshness, a heady woodiness and an oriental touch, said to evoke Rome’s vitality and strength, according to the blurb.

An aroma of vegetal and zesty top notes such as pink grapefruit, Calabrian bergamot and cactus pulp that create a tingling olfactory experience, one that bursts with energy. At the heart, a distinctive floral masculine vibe released by a fusion of white freesia, Guatemalan cardamom and vegetal amber, accented by a luminous trail of reassuring earthy notes such as balsa wood, Haitian vetiver and Laotian benzoin that add an oriental warmth and radiance to this special scent.

Another one produced by perfumer Alberto Morillas, he says “At the heart of this is cardamom, which I personally watched grow, and that gives the fragrance a white, immaculate, and very masculine dimension. When integrated into the fragrance it instantly evokes the openness of a landscape that stretches out into infinity. Masculinity requires a slightly ambiguous strength so we chose freesia because of its freshness, unconventional appeal and the immediate clarity it brings. The challenge of this fragrance was to find a new freshness in this quintessential Bulgari signature”.

TheChicGeeks says “The floral here has a cold freshness which lends itself towards the masculine. Thumbs up Roman Emperor style for this one.”

Best For – Gladiator Dad

Bulgari MAN Extreme - 100ml - £60.00

Yves Saint Laurent – L’Homme Libre – Cologne Tonic

This is limited-edition, woody-aromatic fragrance, created by Olivier Polge, opens with sparkling notes of Primofiori lemon, carried on an aquatic wave spiced with a shiver of pink pepper. The heart contains violet Leaves and aromatic basil. The heady, woody imprint of L’Homme Libre is a subtle alliance of Haitian vetiver and leather, highlighted by the clarity of Cashmeran wood and immaculate musks.

TheChicGeek says “This has a lovely refreshing greenness. The violet heart is softly mellowed on the dry-down to warm leather and vetiver. A very easy fragrance to wear.”

Best For – Everyday Dad

Yves Saint Laurent – L’Homme Libre – Cologne Tonic – 60ml - £35 - Exclusive at Boots

Givenchy new men's fragrance launched this month, and is exclusive to John Lewis until 12th May. This woody, masculine scent is a modern homage to the gentlemanly ideal. Not only do you look like a gentleman, now you can smell like one!

In this digital age of living our lives ever faster and more virtual, have we forgotten our manners and ultimately how to be a gentlemen? Here to reminder us is Givenchy's new Gentlemen Only fragrance. Referencing Givenchy's 1970's classic men's scent, Givenchy Gentleman, Gentlemen Only is a contemporary update that is a reaction to the last few decades of gender-bending, unisex fragrance and a return to men smelling like men.

Left - The blue-hued flask is reminiscent of an English gentleman's flask and the original Givenchy Gentleman bottle

An elegant woody fragrance, Gentlemen Only was created for modern men who are not afraid to assert their personality, with simplicity and nonchalance. The fragrance initially gives off an aromatic and spicy freshness - a blend of green mandarin orange, pink peppercorns, nutmeg and birch leaves. Then, its depth and extreme sensuality are revealed by a trio of noble woods (cedar, patchouli, vetiver) before the powerful and charming reign of incense takes the lead.

TheChicGeek says "We've come along way since the 1970's and what it means to be a man today is very different to what it was back then. This cleverly manages to balance the two; the woody masculinity with a clean and contemporary lightness.

"The fragrance has a warm and subtle scent that is consistent throughout. The sticky orange sits well with the spicy peppercorns and the heart of woods. This is a fragrance that would work well on any age and allows the wearer to stamp their authority and personality on to it. Gentlemen, just don't forget your manners!"

Givenchy Gentlemen Only -  50ML - £41.50

www.johnlewis.com

For your FREE sample, simply print off this voucher - Click here and take to your local John Lewis department store

Left - Actor Simon Baker is the face of the new Givenchy Gentlemen Only fragrance

Inspired by the mystery and luxury of the Middle East, Tom Ford brings us his new unisex fragrance, Sahara Noir. Tom Ford says "Sahara Noir is rich and exotic: it wraps the balsamic, incense-touched notes of frankincense in gold and honey-cloured light". He adds, "Middle Eastern culture has an extraordinary appreciation for the luxurious, emotional and memorable qualities of fragrance: perfume is worn there in a way that feels very familiar to me. Sahara Noir is my interpretation of this heritage. It is a deep and substantial perfume that caresses the senses".

Sahara Noir is an oriental woody fragrance centred around frankincense. Top notes of bitter orange and Orpur, a cistus essence, The 'Orpur' denotes a natural ingredient of exceptional quality and purity). Jordanian calamus, an unusual, oasis sweet grass and Levantine cypress lend a fresh sweetness.

The heart of frankincense is mixed with cinnamon from Laos, papyrus extract, Eqyptian jasmine templar and rose absolute from Morocco. Beeswax from Burma adds a honeyed-animalic richness. While the base is amber-laced and warm. Formed of two facets of laddanum - labdanum absolute and ambreinol, alongside benzoin and vanilla bean, the dry-down of Lebanese cedar, frankincense resign, agarwood and Peru balsam finish the fragrance.

TheChicGeek says "If it was good enough for baby Jesus, then it's good enough for Tom Ford! Frankincense gives that deep incense/churchy smell which transports you to another world or dimension.

Tom Ford is always one for powerful scents and this appeals to the Oud crowd who want an intoxicating and deep richness to their fragrances. The packaging matches the preciousness of the ingredients, and like selling coals to Newcastle, Tom Ford's Middle Eastern customer will be buying this by the shelf load".

Above - Tom Ford - Sahara Noir - 50ml - £100

www.selfridges.com

Just down a narrow alleyway, off Mayfair's fashionable Dover Street is the Illuminum Fragrance Lounge. This quiet, minimal interior is home to Illuminum's range of 32 original fragrances. On your Illuminum fragrance experience you will be presented with a selection of glasses, each of which are infused with different Illuminum fragrance.

Left - Inside the lounge

This is a fantastic way to discover a scent as the amount of molecules is not as high as on freshly scented blotters which could easily overpower your very delicate sense of smell. The base note of a fragrance emerges on our skin after a few hours and is a note of the scent which lasts the longest.

The fragrances are split in 4 groups; Citrus, Oud, Musk and Floral. If you let the sales person know what type you prefer, they will bring over a selection for you to try. You can walk in, but it's best to book. Give yourself an hour for something you will wear, hopefully, forever.

Right - The fragrance are sprayed on to blotters inside brandy glasses and then you smell the heart and base notes inside the glass

TheChicGeek says "There is something to be said about being away from the noise and rush of the department store or perfume shop when choosing a fragrance. You need to concentrate without distraction. When I first heard about the Illuminum Lounge I thought it was somewhere where you created your own fragrance. This can be an extremely overwhelming task and you can end with something of a dog's dinner of a scent. So, it makes sense that all the scents here are full formed by experts and you are given the time and space to select. Made in Walthamstow, Illuminum's scents use quality ingredients and for the sizes, the prices aren't ridiculous.

The Beethoven is playing, you're in a minimal, Kelly Hoppen-type interior, so it has something the Clockwork Oranges about it all. But, this is part of the fun, enjoy it. It can seem daunting at first and you may feel you're under pressure to be clever, but go on gut instinct, and just choose what you like.

The Vaporizer collection contains 15% perfume and the Haute range contains 30%, the fragrance will change over time, so it's good not to rush. When you start to narrow the selection down, you then spray on your skin. Then hopefully, after that, you'll know what you like and that's your selection. I went for the Black Oud, which changed to a dry down smelling to me like rosewater. It was interesting because I wouldn't usually wear an Oud fragrance. But, like everything, we should always be openminded."

Left - What would Anthony Burgess pick? More Illuminum scents on display

Illuminum - Vaporizer Collection - 50ml - £70, Haute Perfume - 100ml - £150, Limited - 100ml - £400

www.illuminumperfume.com

Never underestimate the power of fragrance. A little hit of natural oils can make you feel relaxed, less stressed or more alert. The lavender, eucalyptus and chamomile essential oils in this 'Knackered Cow' will help you to unwind. It may seem a bit girlie, but it works.

One of our favourite new fragrances of the year; this subtle and warm woody masculine fragrance opens with sticky citrus and mellows with tonka bean and leather. 

In preparation of its launch at the end of the month, Givenchy's new men's fragrance, Gentlemen Only, has launched a Facebook Application - Click here , where entrants can win a trip to New York through a photo competition or a bottle of the fragrance through an instant win competition. 

Unleash the gentleman within you, with the instant-win game 'Be A Gentleman!' All you need to do is click on the umbrella - if it opens you'll protect your damsel from the rain and win the perfume Gentleman Only by Givenchy. 

Or, make your selection for the ideal gentleman and try your hand at winning a bottle of Gentlemen Only by playing 'Find your Gentleman Only accessory'. If you find the perfect combination, you win!

Givenchy is also offering you the chance to win a once in a lifetime trip to NYC. To win, all you need to do is take a photo of yourself, sporting your most Gentlemanly outit in front of the Givenchy logo at a Givenchy sales-point, and post it directly onto Instagram (#Gentlemen Only), or onto Facebook using the application. The 10 most-liked photos will then be chosen out of a hat. And because they don't do things in halves at Givenchy, the winner leaves for New York with a cheque for 2000 euros to spend at Bergdorf Goodman!

Alter ego of the women’s fragrance with its striking and iconic double F design, the new Fan di FENDI Pour Homme fragrance is said to be 'the male version of the “IT fragrance”, the embodiment of Italian-style and charm'.

Condensed into a block of graphic and singular glass, the bottle is a contrast of materials, glass and Surlyn plastic, enhanced by Fendi’s iconic colours, yellow and grey.  

Left - The Fan di FENDI Pour Homme bottle with signature double Fs cutout in plastic

The fragrance is a modern and fresh woody aromatic. It has been developed by François Demachy, Director for the development of olfactory perfumes at LVMH in collaboration with the perfumers Delphine Lebeau and Benoist Lapouza. The top notes feature a bracing freshness of tangerine from Sicily, generously accompanied by bergamot from Calabria. A fresh and aromatic top note with basil sets the tone. The heart beats with spicy rose hips and cardamom, with geranium before melting into the powerful woody tonalities of cedar from Texas. The base shows itself in the sensual, oriental depths of a light leather accord revealed by the power of tonka bean and patchouli.

The face of the fragrance is Mark Ronson. This English musician, composer and producer, who shares his time between London and New York, grew up in a family of musicians and artists. At 36, he has established himself as one of the music world’s most sought after personalities and is considered as a contemporary artist and fashion icon. Mark Ronson is universally recognised for his work with Amy Winehouse, Lily Allen, Adele or Duran Duran amongst many others but also for his solo work.

Right - Mark Ronson demonstrating the effect Fan di FENDI has on supermodels!

TheChicGeek says "This is one of our favourites so far this year. The metallic tonka bean is warmed with the leather and wood and made lighter with the citrus top notes. This is a soft fragrance that doesn't shout it's masculinity and therefore smells more sophisticated for it. It would work on any age group."

Fan di FENDI Pour Homme - 50 ML - £42

Exclusive to Harrods

www.harrods.com

Nationwide from May 2013

Bentley Motors is launching a premium fragrance, their first, entitled Bentley For Men. Said to be created 'especially for cosmopolitan, self-confident, individualistic, and at the same time highly success-oriented men who are only satisfied with the very best'.

French perfumer Nathalie Lorson, from Firmenich, is behind the creation. She has tried to transform the essence of the legendary automobile brand - wood and leather - into a fragrance.

Left - Bentley For Men Intense with a higher concentration of perfume

Bentley For Men’s top notes offer a cocktail of spicy and aromatic essences. The dark, spicy power of black pepper meets invigorating bergamot and green bay leaves. The heart notes reveal the timeless elegance and sensual feel of brown leather. The perfumer has enhanced these leather notes with natural rum essence to give the composition fullness and an elegantly addictive character. Clary sage and cinnamon then unfold, further heightening the finesse and uniqueness of the whole fragrance.

“I chose cedar because of its powerful unadulterated scent and patchouli for its sensual depth and natural elegance,” says Nathalie Lorson.

This combination of fine woods gives the fragrance a strong, masculine structure. The base notes are sensuously accompanied by musk and benzoin Siam, which convey a feeling of comfort and warmth and, in the perfumer’s words, “are perfectly suited to today’s men”.

As an addition, there is Bentley for Men Intense, a higher-concentration of fragrance with “more leather, more spices, more patchouli...”. Lorson has also enriched the fragrance with incense to lend the composition even more fullness and added African geranium as an elegantly aromatic accompaniment to this rich accord. At the heart, labdanum resin smoothly rounds out the leather notes and creates an intense amber resonance. And in the base, she has further accentuated the woody dimension with a sandalwood note.

The bottle’s cap surrounds a diamond-shaped polished metal section, resembling the front of the car. The Bentley signet, the “Flying B”, is embossed on the bottle’s shoulder.

TheChicGeek says "I've decided to treat 'car' fragrances like celebrity fragrances, which means judging each on its own individual merits. It's all too easy to put the Ferraris, Porsches and Jaguars into the same tacky category.

This starts on two very male bases, wood and leather. Here they are warm, subtle and classy. The Intense is a higher concentration, being an Eau de Parfum, so has more depth and lasts longer. Overall, both are great fragrances and the packaging has the quality feel you expect from Bentley. Why car companies feel compelled to produce fragrance and clothing collections is anybody's guess, as the two customers are very different, but here is something which would be a welcome addition to any man's glove box, regardless of the marque."

Bentley For Men - Eau de Toilette - 100 ml - £59.50

Bentley For Men Intense - Eau de Parfum - 100 ml - £69.50

www.harrods.com