In short: myrrh smells warm, resinous and slightly sweet — a balsamic, amber-woody note with a faintly medicinal, almost smoky-bitter edge and a soft licorice or anise facet. In perfume it adds depth, warmth and a touch of incense-like mystery, which is why it shows up so often in cozy fall and winter fragrances. (For a deeper dive into the raw material itself, see our companion guide on what myrrh smells like.)
With a warm and amber woody scent, many people flock to fragrances that embrace this element. Not all fragrances get it right when using myrrh, but there are plenty that do.
Not every fragrance uses myrrh well, but plenty do — pairing its resinous warmth with amber, oud, rose, spice or vanilla. Below are ten of the best myrrh perfumes and colognes across price points and styles, with what each smells like, how it performs, and who it suits.
Our Top Picks
Best Overall
Black Onyx by Ajmal is our best overall pick because while it has feminine touches, it’s a unisex fragrance that’s perfect in the year’s colder months.
With this unique fragrance, you’ll smell hints of cinnamon and cardamom, rose, myrrh, musk, and amber. You can wear it every day and on all occasions, which is a huge reason it’s our best overall pick.
PROS: Wearable every day and is unisex
CONS: The scent doesn’t linger when you leave a room
- For: Unisex
- Seasons: Fall/Winter
- Wear it: Day, evening, and night
- Launched: 2016
Best For Men
Ambre Sultan is the best myrrh cologne for men. This rich fragrance comes from a famous French perfume house and is fit for a king.
The fragrance notes are myrrh, sandalwood, bay leaf, amber, and coriander which contribute to a mysterious and unique scent. Ambre Sultan is a unique fragrance that’s heavy on herbs.
PROS: Lasts for over eight hours and medium silage
CONS: The strong herbal scents might not be for everyone
- For: Men
- Seasons: Fall/Winter
- Wear it in: Evening and nighttime
- Launched: 2000
Best For Women
Datura Noir is our top pick for the best perfume for women. This feminine scent features strong almond notes, myrrh, lemon blossom, coconut, and mandarin, which makes for a seductive fragrance that won’t burn the noses of people around you.
While most myrrh perfumes are wearable in colder months, the coconut hints make it perfect for summer.
PROS: Perfect for daytime wear, and people will compliment how nice you smell.
CONS: It’s not as warm as other myrrh perfumes
- For: Women
- Seasons: Summer
- Wear it: Day and evening
- Launched: 2001
Best For Bold Scents
If you’re looking for the best bold myrrh scent for women, our top choice is Lalique Fleur. This bold fragrance is perfect for evening and nighttime wear due to its warm scent notes.
Lalique Fleur has strong amber, pink pepper, cinnamon, and rum notes, making it ideal for wearing at night on any occasion in the cooler months.
PROS: It lasts all night and lingers in the air when you leave the room
CONS: It might be too intense for daytime wear
- For: Women
- Seasons: Fall/Winter
- Wear it: Evening and Night
- Launched: 2014
Best Myrrh Perfume With Jasmine
One of the newest creations from Carner Barcelona is Ambar Del Sur. We believe this is the best myrrh and tonka perfume with hints of jasmine.
This year-round perfume is perfect for women, but some men might find the scent appealing. The scent notes of this fragrance include Spanish labdanum, vanilla, tonka bean, amber, and spicy patchouli.
PROS: Spicy, sweet, and great to wear any time of the day
CONS: The longevity could be better
- For: Women
- Seasons: Year-round
- Wear it: Day and nighttime
- Launched: 2018
Best Myrrh Perfume From Tiziana Terenzi
From the famous Tiziana Terenzi comes their versatile scent, Delox. This perfume combines warm and sweet scents perfectly, which makes it an excellent fragrance for women.
The scent notes featured in Delox are rose, coffee, myrrh, honey, and amber. The blend of coffee with floral elements provides a seductive scent that’s great for wearing on all occasions.
PROS: Perfect for everyday wear and is warm, sweet, and floral.
CONS: It’s not a good value for your money
- For: Women
- Seasons: Fall/Winter
- Wear it: Day and nighttime
- Launched: 2017
Best Amber Myrrh Fragrance
From the design house of Yves Saint Laurent comes the classic scent, Opium. Launched almost 50 years ago, if you’re looking for one of the original myrrh perfumes that made headlines, it’s Opium.
This refined scent features some of the most robust amber notes, balsamic, and white floral, and is spicy and subtly sweet.
PROS: People love the strong amber scent and that it’s from a famous designer
CONS: Only lasts for a few hours at a time
- For: Women
- Seasons: Fall/Winter
- Wear it: Nighttime
- Launched: 1977
Best by Pierre Montale
Montale’s Aoud Ambre is a beautiful scent from Pierre Montale. This fragrance has strong myrrh notes, and amber, rose, and oud scents.
While many people wear it during the day, it’s best worn at night at professional or elegant events. Where improvements are needed with this fragrance is its longevity. Some people feel like it lasts only a few minutes to an hour.
PROS: There’s a strong oud scent
CONS: The longevity is terrible
- For: Unisex
- Seasons: Fall/Winter
- Wear it: Nighttime
- Launched: 2006
Best Oud-Forward Fragrance
M7 Oud by Yves Saint Laurent is the best myrrh perfume if you’re looking for a fragrance with oud being front and center. It’s a sultry scent that is perfect to wear at night and in the office if you don’t mind a stronger scent.
Besides oud, the scents you’ll smell include amber, patchouli, and warm spices. It’s an earthy and warm scent that works best in cold weather.
PROS: It’s very masculine and will make a statement
CONS: It can be overpowering if you spray on too much
- For: Men
- Seasons: Fall/Winter
- Wear it: Nighttime
- Launched: 2011
Best Packaging
Psychedelic Love is our top pick for a myrrh perfume if you’re looking for elegant packaging. The sleek black and gold bottle makes a statement when placed on your counter or dresser.
As for the fragrance itself, it’s the perfect combination of woody and powdery. You’ll smell sandalwood, Bulgarian rose, and other floral notes.
PROS: Floral, woody, and lasts for hours
CONS: Even though it’s considered a unisex scent, it is more on the feminine side
- For: Unisex
- Seasons: Fall/Winter
- Wear it: Nighttime
- Launched: 2017
Myrrh Perfume: Frequently Asked Questions
What does myrrh smell like in perfume?
Myrrh is a warm, resinous note with a balsamic sweetness and a faintly bitter, medicinal, smoky edge. It often carries a soft licorice or anise facet and adds amber-woody depth, which is why it reads cozy and slightly mysterious rather than fresh or sharp.
Is myrrh a masculine or feminine note?
Myrrh itself is unisex. It can lean masculine in oud- and spice-forward blends like M7 Oud, or feminine in rosy, sweet or floral compositions like Datura Noir. How it presents depends entirely on what it’s paired with.
What notes blend well with myrrh?
Myrrh pairs beautifully with amber, oud, rose, vanilla, tonka, sandalwood and warm spices such as cinnamon and cardamom. These combinations amplify its resinous warmth and make it especially well-suited to cooler weather and evening wear.
What is the difference between myrrh and frankincense?
Both are tree resins used in incense and perfumery, but frankincense is brighter, more peppery and citrus-pine, while myrrh is darker, sweeter and more medicinal-balsamic. They’re often used together because their warm, smoky qualities complement each other.
Which perfumes have a lot of myrrh?
Standout myrrh-forward fragrances include Serge Lutens Ambre Sultan and Datura Noir, Ajmal Black Onyx, YSL Opium and M7 Oud, and Montale Aoud Ambre. They range from everyday unisex warmth to bold, oud-heavy statement scents.
Final Thoughts
Myrrh is an excellent ingredient that helps bring warmth to fragrances.
Whether you’re looking for a new perfume, oil, or cologne for yourself or an excellent gift for someone in your life with this beautiful ingredient, you can’t go wrong with any of the best myrrh perfumes and colognes on our list.
Selena Marc is a fragrance enthusiast, freelance writer, and dog mom living in Houston, Texas. When she's not writing about her favorite new perfumes, you can find her enjoying yoga or a morning hike.
