As the climate cools, fragrance experts warn of a shift away from the fresh and fruity aromas of summer towards more complex and sophisticated notes. Autumn trends reflect adult indulgences such as complex spices—saffron, toasted sesame and cardamom—as well as the depth of a good cup of coffee. For those over 21, alcoholic notes such as bourbon or whiskey are also projected.
Fruits are also evolving. Manufacturers are moving away from clear fruity aromas like watermelon in favour of darker and more romantic fruits, such as deep plum or dehydrated date. Classic notes such as tonka and peony are also maturing: tonka works as the more interesting sister to vanilla, capable of shifting between woody, dry or almond notes, while peony maintains a more sophisticated character than an obvious rose.
According to the Spate Popularity Index, gourmand fragrances saw an 85% year-on-year increase in popularity in 2026. A joint study by CPL Aromas, a global fragrance house, and The Fragrance Shop, a major British retailer, calls this evolution "gourmand 2.0". Researchers have observed that sugary ingredients are being combined with textured gourmand notes such as tea, coffee, rice and spices.
Emma, a perfumery student behind the social media account @perfumerism, noted that "traditional gourmand notes like vanilla and pistachio are being saturated by the body mist trend and beginning to become more common, aimed at a younger audience". She added that "for fine fragrance brands, there is an urgency to capitalise on this gourmand trend whilst distinguishing the product as premium with new and complex notes".
Trizzino highlights spices such as earthy saffron. Anti Bast combines saffron and warm cardamom with frankincense absolute and amber, creating a spiced aroma ideal for cooler weather. If this seems too heavy, the new Velvet Violet by Dries Van Noten lifts culinary aromatics such as toasted sesame with nutty flavour and bitter roasted barley with lighter notes such as fresh pink pepper and powdery violet.