Fragrance Families Explained: from Gourmands to Fougères

You probably hear the term "gourmand" a lot but what does that even mean? One of the trickiest things about buying fragrance is the language. But once you understand fragrance families, you'll be able to navigate perfumes with full confidence and discover scents that you were truly looking for to match your taste.

So let's break it down. From bright citruses to rich gourmands, here's a guide to the fragrance families that shape the bottles on your shelf.

Citrus

Think lemons, bergamots, oranges and grapefruits. Bright, sparkling and refreshing. These are often top notes which give a fragrance its immediate freshness. Perfect for summer, daytime wear or whenever you want something uplifting. Acqua di Parma Fico di Almafi has quite a take on this scent profile and feels like a walk through Italian orchards in summer. 

Floral

The largest family consisting of rose, jasmine, iris, tuberose, violet and so on. Florals can be light and powdery or bold and sensual. They’re timeless and often form the heart of many perfumes. Frederic Malle, Portrait of a Lady is just a rose in full bloom. Its just sensual, showing how florals can lean into boldness and power. 

Oriental

Rich, warm, and exotic. Expect spices, vanilla, amber, incense, and resins. They make the statement in your fragrance; deep, sensual, often worn in colder weather. Amouage Interlude Man sets quite an example for this one. Resinous and smoky, with a complex heart of frankincense and amber. Not subtle whatsoever but shows how this family has the ability to dominate the whole room.

Woods

Grounded and smooth. Sandalwood, cedar, vetiver, oud. These add depth and sophistication, often forming the backbone of masculine/unisex scents. Tom Ford Oud Wood is quite an oudy woody example. Instead of being barnyard-heavy, it’s polished with spices and sandalwood, proving woods can feel luxurious and modern.

Fougère

Just a French word for "fern" which mixes lavender, oakmoss, and coumarin (a note that smells like fresh hay). It’s the DNA of many men’s fragrances: fresh yet slightly herbal, green, and aromatic. Dior Sauvage has quite a modern twist on fougère DNA. Fresh bergamot is paired with ambroxan and lavender which make it bracing yet mass appealing. 

Gourmand

mmmm, sweet, edible and addictive. It includes notes like vanilla, chocolate, caramel, coffee (basically desserts in a scent). Modern gourmands balance sweetness with woods, spice, or florals to avoid feeling too sugary. Kilian's Angels' Share is a beautiful example of a gourmand and was actually voted best gourmand since 2020 according to Fragrantica. A perfume so edible (not actually btw), set the standard for gourmands. 

Why does this matter?

There’s always more to fragrances. Understanding families isn’t just for perfumers. It’s for anyone who wants to enjoy scents more deeply. When you know families, you can easily discover new scents to find the right one for you. If you like vanilla, it opens doors to explore gourmands. It also helps determine what kind of scent works well on your skin. It becomes like building a wardrobe allowing you to build a balanced collection; light citrus for daytime freshness, rich orientals for the evening, and cozy gourmands for those intimate, comforting moments.

Perfume is personal so it shouldn’t have to be confusing. Fragrance is for yourself and your own confidence. There's no need to suffocate yourself with a fragrance just because other people like it. Next time you browse Badshah Scents, you’ll now know whether you’re craving the sparkle of citrus, the depth of woods, or the sweetness of a gourmand delight.