Ex Nihilo 2014 EDP

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Bois d'Hiver

by Michel Girard

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Ex Nihilo Bois d'Hiver is an Eau de Parfum launched in 2014, created by Michel Girard. Bois d'Hiver opens with Pink Pepper and Cardamom, settles into a heart of Cyclamen, Cedar, and Heliotrope, and dries down to a base of Cypriol Oil or Nagarmotha, Musk, Sandalwood, and Patchouli. Ex Nihilo's Bois d'Hiver carries a Favourite verdict, a woody-led wear.

If you're after a winter forest vibe, this delivers. Much love for the opening, but short-lived performance and the glaring similarities to Tom Ford Oud Wood make this one divisive. Be warned, it's a classy act that often fades too fast off the skin for the price tag.
What our verdicts mean →
  • Sophisticated
  • Clean
  • Elegant
  • Woody
  • Subtle
£136.80 at Notino 50ml Check price on → Check prices ↓
Bois d'Hiver Eau de Parfum bottle

Scent Profile

Composition

Timeline

Showing: Overall Blend

Top, heart and base are the brand's own listing, not a timing claim - the industry classifies a note by its character as much as by how fast it fades. Each curve here is modelled from that material's own volatility, so groups can overlap when a house lists long-lasting materials in its heart.

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Performance & Mood

Performance

Longevity
Moderate (4-6h)
Projection
Moderate
Intensity
Moderate

Mood

Mood Energising
Calming
Character Playful
Serious
Sentiment Uplifting
Brooding

When To Wear

Best Seasons

Best For:
Fall Winter

A cold-weather scent - best worn in autumn and winter.

Best Occasions

Best For:
Office Casual
Also Works:
Date

Its refined and non-overpowering nature, coupled with many describing it as an 'easier wear' and 'perfect for work', makes it suitable for office and casual settings. The common complaint about its limited longevity and projection means it leans away from formal events, where a longer-lasting impression is usually desired, though it's still a good choice for a more intimate date.

Declarable allergens

We derive these from the materials behind this fragrance's notes, not from the bottle. Each one is likely, not confirmed. The list is partial - the box can name others.

Declarable under EU Annex III

  • Sandalwood Santalol from Sandalwood
  • Synthetic musk Hexamethylindanopyran from Musk

The large name is the everyday one. The small name is the INCI form on the box, so you can compare the two. Reactions differ between people. A patch-test panel is not a ranking of risk. How we derive this

About

Bois d'Hiver opens with a cool, almost camphorous blast of spicy cardamom and pink pepper, evoking crisp winter air. This sharp, fresh beginning gradually melts into a refined heart of clean cedar balanced by the subtle floral touch of cyclamen and heliotrope. The drydown reveals a musky, dry woodiness, grounded by earthy patchouli and creamy sandalwood, making it a sophisticated woody-spicy scent that echoes a serene, leafless forest in winter.

Similar

Compare & Pair

Layer

Wear two at once. See what layers well with Bois d'Hiver Eau de Parfum - the blends worth trying, and how each one scores.

Complement

Round out the rotation. See what complements Bois d'Hiver Eau de Parfum - fragrances that pair with it, worn side by side.

Where to buy

Prices for the United Kingdom · · checked 3 October

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Drawn from community reviews and editor-reviewed before publishing on . See our methodology and disclosure policy.