Red Shield

The first impression is the warm clash of honey and black pepper, with cedarwood setting it on a woody footing. In the heart, iris adds a powdery softness and freesia lightly opens the floral side, while vetiver and leather give the scent a dry, leathery spine. The base of tonka bean absolute, vanilla and amber carries the sweetness into an oriental warmth.

Longevity and sillage are both rated good. Most voters pick fall and winter, with spring not far behind, and summer is rarely chosen. It is linked most often with evenings and nights out. Voters lean slightly feminine, though a fair share also call it masculine.