Niche rum perfumes: 7 warm scents, from woody to gourmand

Rum in perfume is not the smell of a bar at closing time. It is a warm, round, slightly sweet note that brings to mind caramel, wood and dried fruit. It pairs beautifully with vanilla, tobacco and spices, which makes it a star of autumn and winter scents.

Here are seven niche perfumes where rum plays a real part, from the woodiest to the most gourmand. The notes we mention are the ones on our product pages, nothing more.

Woody rum: Straight to Heaven

Straight to Heaven (2007), from Kilian Paris, brings together rum, nutmeg, cedar, patchouli and vanilla. Cedar and patchouli keep it dry and elegant, and vanilla rounds it off just enough. It is the most understated rum here, easy to wear every day in winter. See Straight to Heaven.

Patchouli rum: Monsieur.

Monsieur. (2016), from Frédéric Malle, pairs mandarin, patchouli, rum, amber and musk. Patchouli leads here, and rum gives it a slightly boozy warmth. A dense, dark scent for anyone who loves woody perfumes with character. See Monsieur..

Chocolate rum: Black Phantom

Black Phantom (2017), from Kilian Paris, brings together rum, coffee, dark chocolate, caramel, sugar cane and sandalwood. It is the most gourmand of the woody ones: think of a coffee dessert with a splash of rum. Perfect for cold evenings. See Black Phantom.

Milky rum: Palo Santo

Palo Santo, from Carner Barcelona, opens on caramel and rum. The heart blends milk and guaiac wood, then the base gathers palo santo and cedar. The milk makes it soft and creamy, and palo santo and cedar give it a woody base. See Palo Santo.

Pastry rum: Macaron Bourbon

Macaron Bourbon, from Nicolaï, opens on bitter almond, davana and a rum accord. The heart pairs rose, cinnamon and clove. The base blends caramel, patchouli, tonka bean, vanilla and musk. As the name says, it is a pastry in a bottle, spicy and comforting. See Macaron Bourbon.

Spicy rum: Veleno Doré

Veleno Doré, from Laurent Mazzone, is an extrait de parfum. It opens on rum, nutmeg and chilli pepper. The heart brings patchouli and tobacco leaf, then the base sets down vanilla, amber and black cherry. Chilli and tobacco give it a kick, and black cherry an unexpected fruity touch. See Veleno Doré.

Honeyed rum: Mad Honey

Mad Honey, from Borntostandout, opens on pink pepper and rum. The heart blends honey and Damask rose. The base gathers Bourbon vanilla, tonka bean, patchouli, benzoin and orcanox. Honey and rose make it the most floral of the selection, while it stays warm and golden. See Mad Honey.

Which one to choose?

• You want a discreet, easy rum: Straight to Heaven.
• You love dark woody scents: Monsieur.
• You are a gourmand fan: Black Phantom or Macaron Bourbon.
• You are after something soft and creamy: Palo Santo.
• You want a kick: Veleno Doré.
• You prefer a floral touch: Mad Honey.

These perfumes are warm and fairly rich: one or two sprays are often enough. On each page, compare the shops' offers or set a price alert to hear when the price drops.