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The latest men's scents run the gamut from refined to racy

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Tom Ford’s Café Rose: Sufficiently seductive on their own, the scents of coffee and rose boost the other’s potency to enigmatic effect in the most successful of Tom Ford’s Jardin Noir series. The unisex scent makes for a lasting performance on the skin, with supporting roles played by cardamom, oud and patchouli – stimulating and addictive. $225 for 50 ml at Holt Renfrew.Fred Lum/The Globe and Mail

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Gucci’s Guilty: Guilty of what? That’s for you to decide. But know one thing: This scent is for extroverts extraordinaire. Inside the flask-inspired bottle, pepper, citrus and wood notes swirl together with patchouli, a brand signature. Atop the skin, it almost seems heady enough to enhance testosterone levels – for better or worse. $90 for 90 ml at Holt Renfrew, The Bay, Sephora and others.Fred Lum/The Globe and Mail

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James Bond 007: It’s unclear whether this fragrance was shaken or stirred during creation. However, it was created by Eon Productions, which oversees the entire Bond franchise, so this is the real deal as far as tie-ins go. Its not-so-secret ingredients – apple, lavender, vetiver and sandalwood – might be too potent for the office. Save for off-duty. $35 for 30ml , $47 for 50ml at Shoppers Drug Mart.Fred Lum/The Globe and Mail

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Giorgio Armani’s Acqua di Gio Essenza: Among the best-selling men’s scents of all time, Acqua di Gio will now be sharing the spotlight with Essenza, a sparkling, sophisticated offshoot. While the original’s salty top note has mellowed out, cedar and an animalic accord maintain intensity. Which is to say, it’s clean and crisp yet runs deep. $90 for 75 ml at department stores and drugstores across Canada.

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Kilian’s Bamboo Harmony For all the romance conveyed by Kilian Hennessy’s unisex scent line, he loves the idea of an olfactory yin-yang. This is especially true of his Asian Tales series. Bamboo Harmony expresses the light purity of its name through bergamot, white tea leaves and neroli with a deeper baseline offered by spice and oakmoss – a refreshing balance. $250 for 50 ml at Holt Renfrew.

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Hermès’S Hermessence Santal Massoia Whereas leather is a common note in men’s scents, Santal Massoia stirs up an enveloping, suede-covered setting. In this latest addition to the Hermessence series, sandalwood and milky massoia wood are given a discreetly luxurious twist by perfumer Jean-Claude Ellena. This is the smell of a gentleman. $250 for 100 ml at Hermès (www.hermes.com).

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