For a home that smells as good as you do, reach for one of these options
It wasn’t until I experienced Diptyque that I realised how unique, complex, and intoxicating a scented candle could be. That discovery opened a world of luxury candles, leading me to discover storied fragrance houses like Trudon and Astier de Villatte, fascinated by their intricate scent pyramids and captivating descriptions. A candle from these specialised brands transforms a space, setting a warm tone and offering a beautifully layered scent experience. With fall here and winter approaching (and the “Ber” months, AKA the best months), it marks the season for filling your home with the inviting and elevated aromas of the candles below. Once you’ve burned one, it’s hard to return to anything mass-market.
I’m especially drawn to woodsy, spiritual fragrances—scents rich in history with an otherworldly depth that feels at home in fall and winter. Scent preferences are personal, and today’s perfumers approach candle compositions with the same artistry and precision as fine colognes, treating them as another olfactory canvas to paint on. Whether your vibe leans woodsy, earthy, herbaceous, or floral, luxury candles are layered with top, base, and even heart notes that evolve as they burn, revealing dimension and character.
It’s not just about the scent—the experience, from the vessel to the typography, elevates a candle’s presence and aesthetic. Think of it like a great vinyl record: the music is key, but when the album cover is just as impressive, it adds something special to admire as you listen. The same goes for these candles, whose vessels range from hand-blown coloured glass to graphite stoneware to bold, graphic designs. They’re just as beautiful to display as they are to burn. And they make luxurious gifts that feel as meaningful to give as they do to receive.
How to get the most out of a scented candle
A few often-overlooked tips will help you get the most out of your candle and prolong its life. On the first burn, always let the wax melt evenly across the surface to create a full pool—this prevents tunneling (where unused wax gets left around the edges). Keeping the wick trimmed is essential for a proper flame, reducing soot, and maximising scent throw. Aim to trim it to about ¼ inch before each burn. Instead of blowing out the flame (which also leads to extra soot and smoke), invest in a candle snuffer or a cloche to cover it and contain the smoke as it slowly extinguishes.
To preserve the candle’s fragrance, store it away from direct light, and when not in use, consider using a cloche to keep the aroma sealed in (plus, it’s fun to sniff the cloche when the candle is not burning). Many brands also recommend reusing the candle vessel after burning. Place it in the freezer overnight; the remaining wax should easily come out with a spoon or fall out. You now have a decorative container for items such as change, keys, or anything else. While many brands suggest burning the candle within the first six months after opening (as the scent might weaken), I’ve found that storing them in a cool, dark place will maintain their fragrance for much longer until you’re ready to light it up. Lastly, artful matches are always good to have on hand, with much more character than a Bic lighter.
The best scented candle waxes
Besides the scent itself, the type of wax is an often-overlooked detail that I’d argue is fairly personal. Each wax serves as the carrier of the fragrance and affects how well it disperses scent (the throw), how long it burns, and how much soot it produces. While we wouldn’t choose a candle solely for its wax type, it’s worth keeping in mind, especially if, like us, you appreciate the craft and connoisseurship behind a better burn.
Soy wax, derived from soybean oil, has become popular thanks to its eco-friendly, renewable, and biodegradable properties. While its scent throw may be more subtle than other waxes, soy compensates by producing less soot and giving you a longer-lasting candle. Although not as widely used, coconut wax is newer and sustainable with an exceptional scent throw and an even burn.
Paraffin wax, once the industry standard and still commonly used in mass-produced candles, boasts a strong scent throw and clean burn but is often criticised for being a byproduct of crude oil.
Vegetal waxes, often derived from plant-based sources like coconut or rapeseed, are increasingly used by niche brands for their natural origins and smooth, clean-burning properties. Lastly, many candle makers may blend waxes for proprietary mixes that balance scent throw, burn quality, and environmental impact.
The notes, scent throw, wax type, and vessel all work in harmony for a sensory experience that elevates the ambiance of a well-curated home. A luxury candle also makes for a universally appreciated gift—a thoughtful and elegant gesture, especially as the holidays approach. Below, we’ve gathered some of our favorite candles, from heritage houses to modern makers. Whether a new release or classic scent, each will make your place smell incredible. ’Tis the season, so light one (or a few) and set the vibe.
The best scented candles to burn right now
Trudon Empire
Key notes: Laurel, lavender, rosemary, thyme, wild juniper, hay, pine, sage
Trudon is synonymous with opulence and heritage, and I’ve always been drawn not just to their bestsellers but also to the more niche scents the house has retired over the years. Fortunately for longtime devotees, three of those favorites have just returned. Among them, Empire stands out as pure olfactory artistry—a composition that captures the burning brush and smoky grandeur of a Napoleonic encampment. It opens with laurel, lavender, rosemary, and thyme before settling into a base of wild juniper, hay, pine, and sage. The result is transportive and layered, full of woods, smoke, herbal tinges, and a distant campfire on a crisp fall evening. It’s not a mass-appeal candle, but rather a masterful study in scent for those who appreciate bold, heady compositions—challenging, yes, but deeply rewarding in its historical, scene-setting spirit.
Astier De Villatte Aoyama
Key notes: Patchouli, damp wood, clove, fresh moss, cedar
French brand Astier de Villatte crafts some of my favorite scented candles, known for their exceptionally clean burns and refined scent throws, each with a warm, signature undertone that gently hints at nutmeg. Every fragrance reads like an olfactory postcard, capturing landscapes, cities, and moments in time through intricate scent pyramids. I’ve written about many of them, but this fall I keep coming back to Aoyama, inspired by the scent of an old wooden house in Tokyo’s neighborhood. Evoking quiet, rainy afternoons and weathered cedar beams, it opens with chic patchouli and damp wood, then drifts into clove and fresh moss for warmth. Meditative and grounding, it carries a nostalgic undertone best enjoyed on a contemplative fall day as the leaves swirl outside.
Diptyque Citrouille
Key notes: Pumpkin, clove, vanilla, nutmeg
If pumpkin, spice, and everything nice is more your speed this fall, the limited-edition Citrouille candle from luxury stalwart Diptyque will fill your home with the intoxicating aroma of baked goods. Pumpkin often gets an unfair rep in the fragrance world (blame cheaper candles or the caffeinated drink), but Citrouille (French for “pumpkin”) is the furthest thing from the sugary candle cliché you might be picturing. It’s a fall luxury gourmand at its finest, interpreting pumpkin into something sophisticated and very comforting. Warm, spiced, and enveloping, this candle infers a pumpkin bread baking in the oven, rich with cinnamon, heady clove, and a swirl of creamy vanilla.
The Maker Spiritus
Key notes: Frankincense, cannabis (flower), vanilla bean
The Maker is now as celebrated for its curated fragrances as it is for its immersive, eclectic hotel in Upstate New York. The scents are niche-inspired compositions, and every candle is crafted from soy wax and housed in an exquisite ribbed, vintage-style vessel that doubles as a tumbler once burned. My seasonal pick from the collection is Spiritus. It’s simple on paper yet blended so beautifully that it feels transcendent. Frankincense and resins open the composition, mingling with tonka and vanilla bean for a sensual, sophisticated, and addictive aroma that invites you to linger beside a boutique hotel’s flickering fireplace on a cold night.
Loewe
Baobab Collection
Santa Maria Novella Melograno
Key notes: Pomegranate, spice, and floral tones.
Santa Maria Novella fragrances embody an ethereal, minimalist luxury where every note feels intentional, and that same refined simplicity carries through to their classic candles. The packaging is exquisite—heavy, round paper stock containers printed with herbal motifs that channel old-world Italian elegance, equally at home in a cathedral or on a curated scent shelf. Melograno is one of the house’s most iconic scents, and if you lean toward spice, it’s a regal take on the genre. But this isn’t your typical cinnamon affair; it’s more of a refined potpourri with soft herbal, floral, and subtly fruity (pomegranate) notes that add depth. It’s spice with nuance, along with the heritage and craftsmanship that define SMN.
L’Objet Côté Maquis
Key notes: Salt, cashmere wood, incense, labdanum, amber, musk
L’Objet is celebrated for its exquisite home décor and fragrances alike, so it’s no surprise that its candle vessels—adorned with intricate patterns and bold porcelain graphics—are as chic as the scents within. Every candle in the collection impresses, but Côté Maquis stands out with an elusive, intoxicating aroma that’s hard to describe yet instantly captivating. It conjures the scent of sea air drifting through a coastal forest, blending a salt accord, earthy incense, and cashmere wood over a base of warm, golden labdanum. The result is resinous and smoky yet softly ozonic, like standing on a cliff above the ocean at dusk. And once the wax burns down, the vessel, naturally, becomes an object of décor in its own right.
Assouline Paper
Key notes: Clove, atlas cedar, leather, cashmere, bourbon, vanilla, parchment
Celebrated for its collectible, heirloom-worthy coffee table books, the iconic publishing house Assouline recently introduced the Library Collection—a line of home objects as refined as its literary legacy. Crafted by a team of artisans, the collection’s candles embody the brand’s storied aesthetic and smell as luxurious as they look. Each is hand-poured into a striking rectangular amber glass vessel and presented in an elegant red box that feels tailor-made for gifting. The scents evoke the quiet romance of literary spaces—leather-bound books, antique wood, and smoky tobacco. Paper opens with clove and Atlas cedar for spicy warmth, deepens into leather and soft cashmere, and finishes with a whisper of bourbon vanilla and parchment. It’s the olfactory equivalent of sipping fine whiskey beside well-worn books in a mahogany-lined study
Carrière Frères Cypress
Key notes: Cypress, evergreen needles, resin, mossy earth
Parisian house Carrière Frères is known for its beautifully botanical aromas, crafted in its Normandy workshop using 100% vegetable wax. The brand’s candles often highlight single-note compositions like lavender, sandalwood, or absinthe, but don’t mistake their simplicity for minimalism. Each scent is layered, refined, and quietly transportive. Cypress captures the majesty of the tall evergreen, enriched with lush green undertones for depth. Moss and resin mingle to create a gorgeously woodsy, meditative fragrance that brings the crisp calm of the coniferous tree indoors. Its projection is impressive too; even unlit, it subtly perfumes the room with its tranquil air.
Krigler Oud For Highness 75
Key notes: Amber, oud, honey, patchouli, saffron, sandalwood
The House of Krigler commands quiet reverence among scent connoisseurs, and that same IYKNK factor carries over to its home collection. Oud for Highness 75 beautifully translates the spicy woodiness of the cologne into wax. Despite its smaller vessel, the throw is impressive, filling a room with rare oud—slightly sweet, delicately smoky, and steeped in sophistication. It opens with amber, oud, and honey, then unfolds into notes of patchouli, saffron, and sandalwood, with floral undertones adding depth. This candle demands to be lit during your swankiest holiday gatherings, preferably while you’re wearing a velvet double-breasted blazer and cashmere turtleneck to match its regal, rich mood.
Loewe Palo Santo
Key notes: Palo santo, atlas cedar, citrus tones
Loewe brings the same design-forward sensibility and luxury of its garments and leather goods to its home scents. The new Palo Santo candle arrives in a charming, illustrated box reminiscent of a vintage horticultural guide, and the fragrance inside is as refined as its presentation. This isn’t the smoky stick you’d find at a home goods store. Instead, it channels the essence of Palo Santo, blending the sacred wood with Atlas cedar and bright citrus for a slightly sweet, honeyed warmth. And, because it’s Loewe, the wax is housed in a ribbed glazed terracotta vessel with a stamped base—an object as quietly opulent as the scent it holds.
Adlan Pins & Needles
Key notes: Fir needle, balsam, oak moss, petrichor
I discovered the buzzy Los Angeles–based Adlan Fragrances through a fellow olfactory aficionado, and what immediately stood out were the vessels: sleek graphite stoneware jars with matching lids that look as if they belong in an old English countryside castle. These are for the artful burner, someone who lights a candle as much for its vibe as its aroma. All the scents have a woody sophistication, and Pins & Needles captures pine in a beautifully balsamic niche. The coconut wax blend layers fir needle, balsam, oak moss, and a hint of petrichor (a note that evokes the forest floor after rain). The result is a crisp, majestic evergreen aroma that is at home in the depths of winter as it is around the holidays.
The Quiet Botanist In the Weeds
Key notes: Cedar, oud, rose, amber, myrrh, musk
Hudson-based shop The Quiet Botanist is a hip apothecary-style shop whose candles, soaps, and tea blends blur the lines between botany, design, and fragrance. Everything carries a horticultural through line —from the vintage, garden-inspired graphics on the packaging to the earthy, layered scent profiles within —and if you’re drawn to florals with depth and intrigue, you’ll love their creations. In the Weeds evokes the feeling of a long walk through upstate woods in autumn, down a path lined with trees and wild blooms. Cedar and oud lend a calm headiness, rose adds a soft muskiness, and a base of amber, myrrh, and musk adds warmth for a trail-blazing, botanical escape.
P.F. Candle Co. Blonde Hinoki
Key notes: Eucalyptus, fir needle, hinoki wood, petrichor, blonde cypress, cedar
P.F. Candle Co. is known for its approachable candles housed in the signature amber jars, but the brand’s Hi-Fi Collection elevates things: better wax, double wicks, a substantial cocoa-brown vessel, and more nuanced scent pyramids. Blonde Hinoki takes inspiration from the woods used to build record shelves in hi-fi listening bars—and as someone whose record collection and listening nook are sacred territory, I can relate. Woody and green, the scent opens with eucalyptus, fir, and ginger before unfolding into a heart of hinoki, cedar, and petrichor (that trending “after the rain” note), then settles into blonde cypress, cedar, and moss for a subtly herbaceous depth. It’s a stellar indie-aromatic companion for cozy record-listening nights.
Baobab Collection Sherwood
Key notes: Rosemary, cedarwood, vetiver
Belgian brand Baobab Collection’s candles and vessels are stunning decorative objects that smell as good as they look. Crafted in Grasse, France, the line ranges from single- and double-wick designs (Baobab helped pioneer the multi-wick format) to showstopping seven-wick, 13-inch statement candles. Sherwood is a standout—laced with rosemary, cedar, and vetiver, it’s an aromatic blend that’s woodsy, herbal, and earthy. The deep green glass vessel, etched with vertical lines reminiscent of towering tree trunks, shifts from khaki to warm browns and golden yellows as the flame flickers, casting a hypnotic glow that’s as enchanting as its aroma.
Aedes de Venustas Cellarius
Key Notes: Spices, papyrus, rosewood, cedarwood
Aedes de Venustas has long been a trailblazer in the world of niche fragrance, and its in-house candle line is no exception. All of them are exemplary for different reasons, but this fall Cellarius feels apropos. Picture yourself in an old observatory on a crisp, starry autumn night—bronze instruments glinting in the dim light, surrounded by aged leather and parchment maps. Cellarius captures that exact mood in scent form: spicy, woodsy, and otherworldly. Layers of spice mingle with papyrus to evoke antique paper, while cedar adds grounding warmth. But it’s the rosewood (rich, resinous, and subtly floral) that gives the fragrance its intoxicating, almost celestial allure.
This story was first published on Robb Report USA. Featured photo by Loewe, Santa Maria Novella, Diptyque
