TOP-5 Underrated Perfumes: Forget About Baccarat, Kirke, and Ganymede

Exceptionally well-blended, not cloying, wrapping you in good vibes and a holiday resort feeling.

Imagine if the world hadn't yet invented masterpieces like Ganymede, Baccarat Rouge, Kirke, Molecule, Tom Ford’s cherry and other fragrances proudly displayed in every online store with the tag “Bestseller.”

In that case, which scents could have become iconic instead? It’s an interesting question. Here’s our list of underrated (in our opinion) perfumes that could rival Baccarat’s sweetness or Ganymede’s mineral notes—but for some reason, they didn’t make it to the top.

The Most Visionary — Etro Heliotrope

Just imagine: Etro Heliotrope was launched in 1989, a time dominated by aldehydic, peach-jasmine notes and powdery lavender fougères. But this scent looked far into the future, and now, it fits perfectly with today’s olfactory preferences of the general public.

The main theme of the fragrance is Königsberg baked marzipan—warm (thanks to its balsamic notes) and cozy. It unfolds differently depending on the weather: on a windy day — crisp almond with crushed apricot kernels; indoors — marzipan, mimosa, vanilla, and a cashmere sweater.

Its longevity is solid—lasting all workday on skin and up to 24 hours on clothes and hair (the base may linger even longer). It wears close to the skin, without a loud trail shouting, “Hey, I’m a walking Christmas marzipan!”
This scent will never go out of style—timeless and unique.

Etro Heliotrope is the purest, most elegant and stylish almond scent in perfumery.

It draws you in not only with its refined marzipan notes and forward-thinking concept, but also with a certain mystery. No one seems to know who created it. There’s no captivating legend behind it—something crucial in perfume marketing. That could be the very reason it’s still so underrated.

With Balls of Steel — ORTO PARISI Terroni

We think this one could have easily replaced "Black Afgano" and would knock out just as many people as Kirke’s base does.

Smoked pomegranate, over-fried pork cracklings wrapped in tobacco leaves and served on a leather base. Explosive woody and earthy notes—something primal, savage, even extreme. Perhaps this is what the first aristocrats among Pithecanthropus smelled like.

At its core: wet cigarettes, hot resins, and loads of musk. Yet the composition is very well-balanced overall. If you don’t dissect the fragrance note by note, it simply comes across as stylish, bold, yet very comforting.

We’d challenge the idea that Terroni is strictly a masculine scent—it’s unisex and fits perfectly with an “aviator” style.

Its longevity is insane—you can’t wash it off with soap. The sillage? One spritz in a room and the whole building knows you’re home.

Better and More Uplifting Than Cognac — 1270 Frapin

Juicy plum with pineapple, a touch of linden honey, and sea water. All three seemingly unrelated notes bond beautifully with rum absolute.

The newer version, where plum is drowned out by amber and spices, doesn’t hit the same.
There’s also 1270 Extreme by French cognac house Frapin. But even the Extreme version wraps you in cozy warmth and the festive fumes of family celebrations.

The original version is magnificent. Anyone familiar with 1270 will agree. The only drawback? Longevity. Honestly, it’s the kind of scent you just want to douse yourself in.

Summer’s "Quiet Luxury" — LM PARFUMS Acqua Zenzero

Meet the cold ginger lemonade of the fragrance world. Sophisticated, harmonious, and nothing excessive.

If it weren’t for Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue or Givenchy Blue Label, this scent could have easily taken their place in the spotlight. And it probably outshines the ginger Molecule.

The longevity struggles—it evaporates in 2–3 hours on warm skin. That’s probably the main reason it’s underrated. But it has more brightness, lightness, and joy than most of its peers.

Osmanthus for the Price of a Grocery Run — AGATHA Un Matin A Paris EDP

Yes! Why are perfumes from this jewelry brand so hard to find in perfumeries? This is a true hidden gem among affordable fragrances.

Jewelry brands always put great thought into their perfumes, with complex transformations—like the shimmer of a gemstone. They pour love and artistry into them just as they do with their jewelry.

The heart of this perfume holds real osmanthus, but before that you’re treated to cold peach juice and creamy fudge. In the drydown, there's something reminiscent of Coco Mademoiselle!

Be sure to go for the EDP version—it’s rich and immersive. The EDT is quieter with a lighter sillage, but more airy.

Exceptionally well-blended, not cloying, wrapping you in good vibes and a holiday resort feeling.