Everyone’s gone nuts for pistachio fragrances but which ones are worth shelling out for? Our editors have tested them all – here are the five that are worth your time and money
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You will have noticed the serious glow-up the humble pistachio nut has had in the last few years. It started with the Dubai chocolate obsession that took over our social feeds (and our snack drawers), before pistachio green crept into onto the runways and into our wardrobes, as one of the most chic shades of recent seasons. And now? It’s conquered the fragrance world (along with other single gourmand notes such as cherry, vanilla and fig) and pistachio perfumes are everywhere you turn.
But what do pistachio scents actually smell like? “They fall into the gourmand fragrance family, known for its edible, dessert-like qualities,” explains The Perfume Shop’s fragrance expert Karla Woolley. “However, it’s typically more subtle and less sugary than other gourmand notes, such as vanilla.”
And it’s this versatility that has perfumers excited, as Woolley explains: “Due to its nutty warmth, it pairs beautifully with richer bases like woods, amber and sandalwood. However, because pistachio is also naturally associated with ice cream, pastries and treats, perfumers are leaning into this expectation, and you’ll also find it used in dessert-inspired fragrances, with notes like vanilla, caramel or chocolate. But there are also lots of modern interpretations of pistachio perfumes that are dialling the sweetness back by pairing it with salty, green or woody notes.”
This means that no two pistachio perfumes smell the same, which can make it hard to find the one that suits you, but find one you will. Woolley advises that if you’re already a fan of creamy, vanilla perfumes, then you will naturally be drawn towards pistachio perfumes. If you prefer more of a woody, musky scent then look for pistachio perfumes that are teamed with those notes.
But don’t worry, because we’ve done a lot of the hard work for you and have tried them all – from cult brands to brilliant high street finds, we spritzed, sniffed and road-tested the lot. These are the five standout pistachio scents.
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Victoria Woodhall, editor director
'The quirky, savoury, cool one'
DS & Durga Pistachio EDP, £155 for 50ml
“As a fan of fresh, non-sweet scents, I knew this quirky Brooklyn fragrance house would be my best match in this nutty challenge. It was launched as a limited run of 100 bottles in 2022 under the collection name ‘Studio Juice’ – DS & Durga is known for its off-the-wall names (as well as use of more natural ingredients) – which sold out in under 10 minutes. It is now part of the main collection. Once you smell it, you can’t argue with the INCI list, which is nut-heavy in top, heart and base notes: it reads “pistachio, cardamom, more pistachio, roasted almonds, even more pistachio and vanilla crème”. It teeters on ‘dessert’ but stays close enough to ‘handful of nuts with a negroni’, which gives a warm, relaxed and genderless vibe that grows on you.”
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SJ CORFIELD-SMITH, beauty director
'This total bargain is surprisingly sophisticated'
M&S Sweet Pistachio EDP, £16 for 50ml
“The sleek, chic minimal bottle looks like something you’d expect from luxe perfume brand Byredo, rather than find on the shelves in the M&S fragrance aisle. (They do lots of other single-note scents, which are worth a spritz when you’re next buying your lunch.) The scent is a delicate, light, airy interpretation of pistachio that conjures up that sense of green but in a soft, floral way, rather than anything sweet or edible. It’s the sort of perfume that you can wear with your favourite comfy casual outfit, but it has a surprising sophistication which means it also works when you’re glammed up. And, for under £20, you can’t go wrong.”
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DAMI ABAJINGIN, AFFILIATE PARTNERSHIPS DIRECTOR
'Lasts for 8 hours and is great for layering'
Kayali Yum Pistachio Gelato 33 Eau de Parfum Intense, £79 for 50ml
“I’m a gourmand girl through and through and this one instantly drew me in. From Mona (sister of Huda) Kattan’s brand, this has a warmth that feels indulgent and playful – perfect for transitioning into warmer days. It opens with a bold sweetness (intense, as per the name) but as it settles the creamy pistachio comes through, with vanilla, cardamom and sandalwood, creating an addictive finish that gently lingers rather than projecting. I love layering fragrances and pairing this with Maison Margiela Replica Coffee Break adds a delicious level of depth that works beautifully for the evening. I’ve tried a few Kayali scents before but the longevity of this one really stands out – I could still smell it on my skin up to eight hours later.”
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Jemma Thompson, design and social media manager
'Far less sweet than I feared – and now lives in my handbag'
Le Monde Gourmand Pistachio Brûlée EDP, was £38 now £19.60 for 30ml
“I usually gravitate towards heavier scents like rose or woody ouds so pistachio didn’t immediately appeal (I didn’t want to smell like Dubai chocolate!). But this one from niche US fragrance house Le Monde Gourmand surprised me. It’s not overly sweet; instead it’s milky, fresh and softly summery, thanks to the inclusion of vanilla and much like a pistachio-flavoured creme brûlée, as its name suggests. It reminds me of the Sol de Janeiro Cheirosa 62 fragrance I love on hot days. If you’re looking for a long-wearing scent, this might not be the one, but for under £20, it’s the ideal handbag staple.”
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Born To Standout in Nuts, £173 for 50ml
“This Korean fragrance brand, founded by a banker tired of living by the rules, is all about embracing the unconventional over what is normal or safe. So it’s no surprise that this divided office opinion the most, with several faces pulled as we spritzed it around. But its heady, intense scent was my favourite exactly because it’s so different. It’s an indulgent, sweet-like-honey yet smoky hit that smells edible, like nougat, or candied nuts. Although expensive, a little goes far and it’s long-wearing. A fun mood-boosting reminder to lean into chaos – and go a little nuts!”
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