There are an infinite number of scent note combinations in the world of fragrance. Some combinations are more popular than others, though. Some are even so ubiquitous they become their own fragrance families with names that refer to a specific blend of notes.
One you’ve probably come across while trying out colognes—but might not know what it means or how to pronounce it—is chypre. Like most things in the world of perfumery, the term comes from French. It’s pronounced “sheep-ruh”—and extra points if you can get that guttural “r” sound on the second syllable like the French say it.
The word literally translates to “Cyprus,” the Mediterranean island country south of Turkey. That’s because, in 1917, French perfumer François Coty released a fragrance called “Chypre” inspired by the local plant life and trade goods native to Cyprus. The combination of bergamot, oakmoss, labdanum, and patchouli was such a big hit that it literally inspired a whole family of fragrances.
Similarly to how fougère colognes are built on the trifecta of a fresh and herbal note (typically lavender), a sweet and warm note (typically coumarin), and an earthy note (typically oakmoss), chypre colognes are built on a contrast of fresh and citrus top notes (like bergamot, lemon, or orange), floral and spicy heart notes (like rose or jasmine), and woody and mossy base notes (like oakmoss, patchouli, or labdanum). The result is a gorgeous contrast between a bright, citrusy opening and a deeper earthy and woody base that evokes natural landscapes. If you’re having trouble imagining it, try one of the chypre colognes down below—we rounded up our absolute favorites.
Like I said earlier, the very first chypre fragrance was made by François Coty all the way back in 1917. While the original Chypre parfum was discontinued in the mid-20th century, Infiniment Coty Paris released a new chypre fragrance in 2024 called Aristo Chypre, which is a modern twist on the classic Coty fragrance. This version emphasizes the rose and patchouli elements, adding essential oils of both on top of the fragrance house’s famous chypre accord.
It’s stronger than your typical floral or earthy cologne, so it’s better for those who prefer bolder scents. Commonly referred to as Polo Green, Ralph Lauren’s Polo EDT adds some spice to the classic woody chypre. It’s got the bergamot, florals, oakmoss, and patchouli typical of a basic chypre fragrance, but it’s punctuated by caraway, coriander, and juniper berries up top.
Extract — continue reading at the source.
