Osmanthus in Perfumery — L’Artisan Parfumeur Fleur de Lune and the Best Niche Fragrances of 2025 with Osmanthus

I can’t think of a more autumnal scent than the aroma of fragrant osmanthus. In this article, I’ve gathered the most beautiful and natural perfumes that capture the true essence of osmanthus, available in stores for autumn 2025.

Kinmokusei: Japan’s Golden Autumn Flower

I must admit, about five years ago I probably would have passed by a perfume centering on the solo note of these golden-orange flowers — after all, I hadn’t encountered them in real life yet. Such irony, isn’t it? But once you experience them and catch their scent, it’s hard to remain indifferent.

My first encounter with osmanthus happened in Japan..

It was mid-October — a time when all other blooms had long faded, and the trees were ablaze with autumn colors. The Japanese call this season kōyō — and yes, the Japanese wouldn’t be themselves if they didn’t have a special word to mark the arrival of autumn leaves and the time to admire them, just as they do with cherry blossoms in spring.

I was walking through the university campus along my usual path when I suddenly caught a very vivid, fragrant scent. It was sweet and intense, with subtle soapy undertones, and it lingered everywhere. Nearby, groups of Japanese students were cleaning the grounds — and for a moment, I wondered if they had somehow washed the streets with a divinely fragrant shampoo! After all, the Japanese are obsessed with cleanliness. Then I looked up — and there it was: a large, stately shrub, blooming with orange flowers. I walked past it, trying to inhale its aroma as often as possible.

Kinmokusei — or “golden osmanthus” in Japanese — blooms in mid-autumn, which is quite unusual for this side of the world, but only until the first rain. Its delicate petals cannot withstand heavy moisture or strong winds and fall immediately — and in Japan, autumn often brings typhoons with heavy rain and hurricane-like winds. In northern Japan, the osmanthus bloom can be as short as one day, yet its intense fragrance, carried by the wind everywhere, is unforgettable. Below, I’ve listed my personal picks for the best osmanthus perfumes of 2025.

Perfumes with Osmanthus Notes

In L’Occitane’s collection, there is an excellent osmanthus perfume — Osmanthus L’Occitane en Provence. It is almost a soliflore, a classic osmanthus as expected, with subtle hints of peach, orange, and leather. It carries light soapy nuances, just like the real flower. At first, it smells very true to life, like a real Japanese kinmokusei, but, like osmanthus in the rain, it is not long-lasting and quickly fades on my skin. Osmanthus L’Occitane en Provence is also available in a 10ml travel version - perfect to give it a try.

L’Artisan Parfumeur Fleur de Lune — a limited edition. This is a true aromatic osmanthus with the same apricot undertones, yet there is no hint of soapiness. The sweetness of the floral pollen is expertly balanced with leather and suede notes. The soft suede note lingers beautifully in the autumnal cool air. Fleur de Lune has excellent longevity on my skin.

Ormonde Jayne Osmanthus is another very true-to-life blooming osmanthus. However, in creating this fragrance, Ormonde Jayne deviated slightly from the classic peach or apricot fruit notes at the top, using pomelo, pepper, and davana instead. In the heart, the true osmanthus reveals itself with subtle jasmine undertones.

Molinard Osmanthus is one of my favorite osmanthus fragrances, crafted as a classic interpretation of a blooming tree. It opens with notes of bergamot and mandarin, evoking the feeling of a cool, damp morning somewhere in Asia, followed by luscious notes of ripe peach — sweet, almost honeyed, as if juice is streaming from them. You can sense the slightly rough peach skin and the fragrance of juicy ripe apples. In the base, leather and musky tones appear. Gradually, the bright fruity notes merge into the scent of a real fragrant osmanthus — the moment when the flowers are carefully gathered on silk cloths, and their aroma spreads in sweet waves on the wind. Molinard Osmanthus is warm, soft, and velvety — just like the real flowers.

Perris Monte Carlo Absolue d’Osmanthe — a predatory osmanthus. The animalistic, almost dark side of the flower is expressed most strongly here. This is not a light, carefree flower. No, this is a predatory flower-witch, capable of seducing and intoxicating even the most faithful prince. There is none of the soft, velvety fruitiness; the plum and jasmine notes are wrapped in animalistic nuances of tolu balsam, emphasizing the wild, almost animalistic nature of the flower. It is intensely attractive and simultaneously frightening, like the thick, flowing juice of a poisonous yet gorgeous plant.

Osmanthus Eau de Parfum Acqua di Parma and 17 Nandan Road Ulrich Lang — two very light, almost transparent osmanthus fragrances with a natural feel. The Acqua di Parma osmanthus is like a delicate veil, evoking the echoes of a blooming tree, watercolor sketches, the wind carrying the scent from afar.

17 Nandan Road opens with a sweet, juicy, classically fruity kinmokusei note, with subtle powdery and soapy nuances in the base, but it fades quickly. It contains no animalic tones and no complexity — just a simple, cute interpretation of the golden flower.

The most natural osmanthus fragrance for autumn

Finally, my most favorite (and I mean it), most authentic, and intoxicating osmanthus in perfumery — Osmanthus Noir Parfumeurs du Monde. Having encountered a real golden tree in full bloom, I cannot forget its scent. I was therefore thrilled to find it at Parfumeurs du Monde. It strikes a perfect balance between ethereal, incredibly enticing amber-floral notes — true to the flowers — and a hint of animalic undertone also present in real osmanthus. But this is a soft, quiet note, enhanced by the addition of olive, like the purring of a tamed creature. It carries none of the repelling predatory edge — which is just perfect!

In Japan, from early October, as the kinmokusei blooms, shop windows, cozy little stores, huge department malls and even confectioneries are adorned with osmanthus flowers. Products in stores and cosmetics are not left behind — everything acquires the sweet aroma of yellow-orange flowers: from hand creams and shampoos to konbini (Japanese convenience stores open 24/7) inspired by kinmokusei custard cream.

Which osmanthus perfumes do you love?

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