6 Best Molton Brown Fragrances of 2025, Tried And Tested

• Fragrance Family: Citrus/woody
• Concentration: Eau de toilette
• Motivation: Uplifting

A feel-good scent, beaming with zesty citrus fruit, Sunlit Clementine & Vetiver is one of Molton Brown’s more vibrant and dynamic fragrances. Composed by senior perfumer, Julie Massé, who was inspired by a landscape of rolling hills filled with ripe clementine trees bathed in golden sun, it has universal appeal and champions an endless summer.

Richer in quality than other citrus fruits, Massé recreated a clementine accord by combining juicy mandarin and sparkling lime together. When these vibrant head notes start to subside, the fragrance takes on a new and very elegant persona. Creamy fig leaves and roasted hazelnut lure you into an earthy and mossy dry-down, centered on a Madagascan Bourbon vetiver with uniquely smoky accents. These woody notes help extend the fragrance’s trail and, in my opinion, give it a refined masculinity.

• Fragrance Family: Floral
• Concentration: Eau de Parfum
• Motivation: Hypnotic

The perfect date-night/evening fragrance, and the first amber/rose creation from Molton Brown, Rose Dunes, is a bewitching and hypnotic, warm, and spicy scent. The sophisticated layering of floral, amber and woody notes is inspired by the mystic “desert rose,” which isn’t a flower at all, actually, but a unique rose-like formation of crystallized mineral clusters.

Composed by senior perfumer Philippe Paparella, it opens with tart cassis (green and fruity), green pepper, ginger and spicy, golden saffron, before diving deep into a heart of velvety rose, with a hint of raspberry. Green, piquant notes of geranium give a natural freshness before it takes a darker turn; an earthy base deepened by an overdose of patchouli Sulawesi (from Indonesia), with pulses of resinous amber that give it a woodier and leathery depth, and an Oudh accord.

• Fragrance Family: Woody/spicy
• Concentration: Eau de Parfum
• Motivation: Confidence-booster

Created without a brief and refined over several years before being brought to market, Re-Charge Black Pepper was first presented as an eau de toilette, more than 20 years ago. Widely recognized as the ubiquitous Molton Brown fragrance (and probably the most masculine), it has now been revisited with a new signature note and with a more intense eau de parfum concentration. Formulated (as was the original EDT) by master perfumer Jacques Chabert, the 2.0 rendition of this iconic fragrance now includes myrtle pepper (also known as allspice) with cinnamon and clove facets.

I’ve always been a fan of the original scent, but have to admit the EDP is even better. A heady cocktail of cardamom, black pepper, robust cedarwood, leather, oak moss and grounding, earthy, green vetiver, it’s the ultimate spicy-woody elixir that is perfect for the winter months, and blends well with a glass of merlot and an open fire—hedonistic, full of confidence and adventure.

• Fragrance Family: Musk
• Concentration: Eau de Parfum
• Motivation: Sensual

This unique interpretation of a musk-based scent challenges the norms of traditional perfumery. With a comforting and unique milk accord (milk is a niche ingredient which is rarely used in making fragrances), it embraces, envelopes and caresses the senses. Like a cashmere hug, it opens with the fresh, balsamic warmth of elemi resin (slightly lemony and with incense-like undertones), before exploring a heart filled with sensual, silvery musk (a natural soulmate for milk), which is powerful, yet subtle; earthy and animalistic.

The dry-down, which features ambroxan and a base of cosseting vanilla and tonka bean, gives it a distinctive elegance. I would describe this as a skin-on-skin scent, meaning it develops and changes throughout the day; it’s the perfect Sunday cologne, when you want to feel cocooned in a blanket of tender and addictive amber-like serenity. A masterpiece created for Molton Brown by senior perfumer, Maïa Lernout.