The 7 Best Niche Men’s Fragrance Brands

D.S. & Durga was conceptualized and created by husband-and-wife duo David Seth and Kavi Moltz. They wanted to do something a bit different and so they uses contradictory ingredients in their fragrances to create unusual smells. They also coined the term ‘Armchair Travel,’ in reference to how the brand’s unique scent transports wearers to a different time or place.

Cowboy Grass is inspired by dusty plains and features wild thyme, rosewood, and bergamot—as well as vetiver, grass, and basil.

19-69 is a Swedish luxury fragrance brand founded by artist and product developer Johan Bergelin. The brand was launched in 2017, and since has become a quiet, but key, player in fragrance progression. Each scent is unisex and takes inspiration from a different era or culture, with strong influences from art and music. Higher Peace, for instance, is influenced by the Merry Pranksters, the psychedelic group made famous during the 1960s, and the values of Bagism, a term created by Lennon and Ono in 1969.

It might not be a household name, but Amouage has a history. Founded in the Sultanate of Oman in 1983 by the Albusaidi family, the fragrance house has redefined the Arabian art of perfumery. It launched with its iconic inaugural fragrance, Gold, created by renowned French perfumer Guy Robert, and over the years it has released over 50 fragrances.

Fragrance du Bois began life in Paris and its founder, Jonnie Swarbrick, wanted to make a fuss of the rarest ingredients in the world. The brand philosophy is simple: “Create fragrances that captivate from the first spritz and linger long after you’ve left the room.” Case in point: Lucius parfum harnesses the power of bergamot, mandarin, lotus flower, and pink pepper, while additional dry amber leaves leave a trail.

London-based Sana Jardin was founded in 2017 by Amy Christiansen, a former social worker and philanthropist. She wanted to create positive social change through commerce, using her background in philanthropy and the UN to support marginalized women. The brand works with indigenous Amazigh women in Morocco who harvest orange blossoms, jasmine, and rose. Each scent is bursting with vibrancy, and Celestial Patchouli is an uplifting scent focusing on the grounding qualities of its namesake ingredient.