The Perfume Library

Side Effect

8.5

Initio · 2016

Sweet · Gourmand · Spicy

Initio Side Effect is a sweet, spicy and smoky unisex scent built around vanilla, rum and cinnamon. Vanilla and rum give it a creamy, gourmand sweetness, while cinnamon and saffron add a warm spiciness on top of it. Sandalwood lays down a woody base and tobacco carries the smoky side. Hedione softens the whole mix a little. Both longevity and sillage are rated strong. Most voters pick autumn and winter, and evenings or nights out; summer is rarely chosen. It leans masculine, though a good share of voters find it feminine. Niche 4 All Vanilla Rum and French Avenue After Effect have a close profile.

Club de Nuit Intense Man (Eau de Toilette)

7.5

Armaf · 2015

Fresh · Citrus · Fruity

Eau de Toilette

Armaf Club de Nuit Intense Man Eau de Toilette is a men's fragrance that sets a fresh, citrusy opening on a smoky, woody base. It opens with lemon, bergamot, pineapple, apple and blackcurrant, a fruity and bright start. The heart brings jasmine, rose and birch, and the birch adds a smoky edge. The base holds patchouli, musk, ambergris and vanilla; the woody side leads, with vanilla only softening it. Longevity and sillage are both rated strong. Most voters pick spring and summer, with autumn close behind and winter the least chosen. Daily wear and leisure come first, though business and evening use also get votes. Half of the voters find it masculine. Hamidi Oud & Perfumes Addicted Intense and Ayat Black Amsterdam have a close profile.

The One for Men (Eau de Parfum) (2015)

8.4

Dolce & Gabbana · 2015

Fruity · Sweet · Spicy

Eau de Parfum

Dolce & Gabbana The One for Men Eau de Parfum is a fruity, sweet and woody men's fragrance that sets bright bergamot and Tarocco orange against the warmth of sandalwood and amber. It opens with bergamot, Tarocco orange and basil, then moves into French clary sage, orange blossom and French lavender. The base holds Australian sandalwood, amber and cedarwood. The fruity, sweet side leads, while spicy and oriental touches stay in the background. Longevity and sillage are moderate. Most voters pick fall and winter, and it is chosen mostly for evenings and nights out, with summer a distant last. About half of voters call it masculine. Dolce & Gabbana The One for Men (Eau de Toilette) and Armaf Rugir have a close profile.

Versace pour Homme Dylan Blue (Eau de Toilette)

7.6

Versace · 2016

Fresh · Citrus · Aquatic

Eau de Toilette

Versace pour Homme Dylan Blue Eau de Toilette is a fresh, citrusy and aquatic men's fragrance that suits spring and summer days and easygoing daily wear. Its longevity and sillage are rated as good. Most voters pick spring and summer, with autumn next and winter the least chosen season. It leans towards daily, leisure and business wear, and voters call it masculine and modern. It opens with aquatic notes, grapefruit, Calabrian bergamot and fig leaf, giving a fresh, fruity start. Violet leaf, patchouli and black pepper add a spicy, lightly woody heart. In the base, saffron, frankincense, musk and tonka bean soften and sweeten it.

Noir Extreme (Eau de Parfum)

8.4

Tom Ford · 2015

Sweet · Gourmand · Spicy

Eau de Parfum

Tom Ford Noir Extreme Eau de Parfum is a sweet, spicy men's fragrance that suits fall and winter evenings best. Cardamom, neroli and nutmeg open with a spicy, lightly citrusy start. In the heart, orange blossom, jasmine and rose add a soft floral touch. The base of vanilla, sandalwood and amber settles into a creamy, woody, gourmand sweetness. Longevity and sillage are rated good. Most voters pick winter and fall, and evenings and nights out lead the occasions. It reads mostly masculine, though some voters find a feminine side. Tom Ford Noir pour Femme and Armaf Odyssey Homme have a close profile.

Khamrah / خمرة

8.0

Lattafa · 2022

Sweet · Gourmand · Spicy

Lattafa Khamrah / خمرة is a sweet, gourmand and spicy unisex fragrance, warm, creamy and woody, that suits cold weather and evenings best. Most voters pick winter and fall, and wear it in the evening or on a night out. Its longevity and sillage are both rated strong. Votes on character are split closely between masculine and feminine, so it sits somewhere in between. It opens with bergamot, nutmeg and cinnamon for a spicy start. Tuberose, praliné and date bring sweetness in the heart. Vanilla, roasted tonka bean, Siam benzoin and amberwood leave a creamy, woody warmth at the base. Ard Al Zaafaran Riqqa / رقة and Ayat Oud Khamrah / عود خمرة have a close profile.

Allure Homme Sport Eau Extrême

8.3

Chanel · 2012

Fresh · Citrus · Aquatic

Chanel Allure Homme Sport Eau Extrême is a fresh men's fragrance built on citrus and aquatic accords, dry rather than sweet, and suited to spring and summer days. It opens cool with cypress, mint and mandarin orange, then black pepper and clary sage add a light spicy, herbal edge in the heart. As it dries down, white musk, sandalwood, cedar and tonka bean settle into a woody, powdery and creamy base. The fruity and sweet accords stay in the background, softening the fresh character rather than leading it. Longevity and sillage are both rated good. Most voters pick spring and summer, with daily and leisure wear leading, and business and sport close behind. It reads masculine and modern. Its profile is close to Chanel Allure Homme Sport (Eau de Toilette) and Dior Joy (Eau de Parfum).

By the Fireplace

7.9

Maison Margiela · 2015

Sweet · Gourmand · Spicy

Maison Margiela By the Fireplace is a sweet, smoky unisex scent that suits evenings in the colder months. It opens with clove and pink pepper for a spicy warmth, softened by orange blossom absolute. The heart of chestnut, gaiac wood and cade juniper turns woody and smoky, and the base of Peru balsam, cashmeran and vanilla settles into a sweet, resinous, gourmand warmth. Longevity and sillage are both rated good. Most voters pick winter and fall, and it is chosen most for evenings and nights out. It reads somewhat more masculine than feminine, though many voters see it as feminine. Boulangerie Crème Caramel and Emir Camp Fire have a close profile.

Y (Eau de Parfum)

7.5

Yves Saint Laurent · 2018

Fresh · Citrus · Aquatic

Eau de Parfum

Yves Saint Laurent Y Eau de Parfum is a fresh, woody men's scent that carries the brightness of bergamot, apple and ginger into an aromatic heart of lavender and sage. It is rated as lasting well and projecting well. Most voters pick spring and summer, with autumn close behind. It leans towards daily wear, leisure and the office, and is mostly seen as masculine and modern. It opens with bergamot, elemi resin, apple, ginger and aldehydes, a clean, fruity start with a light spice. The heart of lavender, sage, geranium absolute and juniper berry adds an aromatic, green edge. The base of vetiver, tonka bean, frankincense and Operanide® settles it into a woody, lightly sweet finish, with aquatic and synthetic touches running in the background.

Cool Water (Eau de Toilette)

7.2

Davidoff · 1988

Fresh · Citrus · Aquatic

Eau de Toilette

Davidoff Cool Water Eau de Toilette is a fresh, green men's fragrance that leans towards summer and spring days. It opens with lavender, mint, green notes, rosemary and coriander, a cool and herbal start. Neroli, jasmine, geranium and sandalwood soften the heart, while oakmoss, amber, musk and cedarwood form a woody base. Aquatic and citrus accords set the overall mood. Longevity and sillage are rated moderate. Most voters recommend summer and spring, and daily wear, leisure, sport and business settings come up most often. Most voters read it as masculine and classic. Câline Absolute Blue and La Rive Distant Wave have a close profile.

Sauvage Elixir

8.1

Dior · 2021

Fresh · Sweet · Synthetic

Dior Sauvage Elixir is a sweet, spicy men's fragrance with a woody, oriental backbone, opened up by a fresh start. Longevity and sillage are both rated very strong. Most voters pick autumn and winter, spring follows, and summer is the least chosen season. It is worn mostly for evenings and nights out, with some votes for daytime and the office. Most voters read it as masculine, with many calling it classic. Grapefruit, cardamom, nutmeg and cinnamon give it a bright, spicy opening, with Provençal lavender at the heart. In the base, patchouli, liquorice, Haitian vetiver and amber notes pull the scent towards a sweet, woody warmth.

Oud Satin Mood (Eau de Parfum)

8.2

Maison Francis Kurkdjian · 2015

Floral · Sweet · Spicy

Eau de Parfum

Maison Francis Kurkdjian Oud Satin Mood Eau de Parfum is a floral, sweet oriental with a woody, spicy depth, a rich unisex scent that suits evenings. Longevity and sillage are both rated very strong. Most voters pick autumn and winter, and few choose summer. It is mostly worn in the evening and on nights out. Votes for feminine and masculine are close, so it sits comfortably on either. The overall impression is warm and creamy. Turkish damask rose absolute and Bulgarian damask rose build the floral core, while violet adds a powdery softness. Laotian oud brings a woody, spicy depth, and amber, vanilla and Siam benzoin sweeten and warm it further.

Boss Bottled (Eau de Toilette)

7.4

Hugo Boss · 1998

Fresh · Citrus · Fruity

Eau de Toilette

Hugo Boss Boss Bottled Eau de Toilette is a men's fragrance that sets a fresh opening of lemon and bergamot against the warmth of cinnamon, clove and vetiver. The top holds lemon, bergamot, plum and apple, giving a fresh, citrusy, fruity first impression. In the heart, cinnamon and clove add spicy warmth, and the base of vetiver, cedar and vanilla settles the scent into a woody, lightly sweet finish. Longevity and sillage are moderate. Most voters pick spring and fall, and daily wear, business and leisure lead the occasions. It reads masculine, somewhere between modern and classic. La Rive Grey Point and La Rive New Ride have a close profile.

London (Extrait de Parfum)

9.0

Widian · 2018

Fruity · Sweet · Spicy

Extrait de Parfum

Widian London Extrait de Parfum is an unisex scent that sets a fruity, sweet body against spice, wood and leather. Its longevity is rated very strong and its sillage strong. Most voters pick autumn and winter, while summer gets few votes. It leans towards evenings and nights out, with daily and office wear well behind. Voters read it as masculine more than anything else, followed by modern and classic. It opens with violet, cypress and oud. Raspberry and lily of the valley bring a fruity sweetness to the heart. The base is musk, leather, vanilla and amber, which softens and sweetens the scent while keeping its leathery, woody and oriental side. Monkoku Berry Oud and Scentiments London have a close profile.

Ombré Leather (2018) (Eau de Parfum)

8.3

Tom Ford · 2018

Floral · Sweet · Spicy

Tom Ford Ombré Leather is a leathery, smoky unisex scent that most voters place in fall and winter evenings. Its longevity and sillage are both rated strong. Most voters pick fall and winter, and evening and night out lead the occasions. On character it leans masculine, though it is worn as a unisex fragrance. It opens with saffron, cardamom and jasmine sambac. The heart turns to black leather, vetiver and patchouli, where the leathery, woody and smoky side comes forward. In the base, white moss and amber sweeten and soften it, with the floral and spicy touches sitting in the background.

Tony Iommi Monkey Special

8.3

Xerjoff · 2021

Fruity · Sweet · Gourmand

Xerjoff Tony Iommi Monkey Special is a sweet, spicy unisex scent that suits autumn and winter evenings. Its longevity is rated very strong and its sillage strong. Most voters pick autumn and winter, and evenings or nights out; summer and daytime wear are rarely chosen. Nearly half of voters read it as masculine, though it is a unisex scent. It opens with passion fruit, Calabrian bergamot and rum, with Bulgarian geranium adding a cooler edge. The heart brings Singapore patchouli, cinnamon, leather and rose, with a smoky, leathery tone leading. In the base, vanilla, caramel and tonka sweetness is softened by Australian sandalwood and ambergris. The Dua Brand Rockstar and French Avenue Cocoa Morado have a close profile.

Ani (Extrait de Parfum)

8.3

Nishane · 2019

Citrus · Green · Sweet

Extrait de Parfum

Nishane Ani Extrait de Parfum is a woody, gourmand-leaning unisex scent in which pink pepper and cardamom spice are sweetened by Turkish rose, vanilla and patchouli. The top pairs pink pepper, blue ginger, bergamot and green notes for a fresh, spiced opening. Turkish rose, cardamom and blackcurrant form the heart, and the base settles into a warm, creamy mix of patchouli, vanilla and cedarwood. Benzoin and musk soften the sweetness. Longevity and sillage are both rated strong. Most voters pick fall and winter, with summer a distant last. It leans towards evenings and nights out, and also works for leisure time. Masculine and feminine votes are nearly level, so it reads as truly unisex.

Encre Noire (Eau de Toilette)

7.7

Lalique · 2006

Fresh · Green · Spicy

Eau de Toilette

Lalique Encre Noire Eau de Toilette is a green, woody fragrance for men, opening with cypress and vetiveryl acetate and built around two different vetivers in the heart. Longevity and sillage are both rated good. Most voters pick autumn and winter, with spring not far behind and summer the least chosen season. It leans towards evenings and leisure time, and also gets votes for daily and business wear. It reads masculine and classic. Cypress and vetiveryl acetate give a fresh, green start. In the heart, Bourbon vetiver and Haitian vetiver form an earthy, smoky core. Cashmere wood and musk soften it at the base, while the spicy and resinous touches stay behind the woody character. Lalique Encre Noire Sport and Miller Harris Vétiver Bourbon have a close profile.

Explorer

7.8

Montblanc · 2019

Fresh · Citrus · Fruity

Montblanc Explorer is a men's fragrance that sets fresh citrus and spice over a smoky, woody base, and it suits daytime and work. It opens with bergamot, sage and pink pepper: the citrus feels fresh, the pepper adds a spicy edge. In the heart, vetiver and leather make it woody and a little smoky. The base of patchouli, cocoa, ambroxan and Akigalawood® dries down earthy with a slightly sweet finish. Longevity is good and sillage moderate. Most voters pick spring and summer, with daily wear, work and leisure leading the occasions. Nearly half of voters call it masculine, and many also find it modern. Armaf Club de Nuit Intense Man Limited Edition and Montblanc Explorer Ultra Blue have a close profile.

L'Homme Idéal (Eau de Parfum)

8.4

Guerlain · 2016

Fruity · Sweet · Gourmand

Eau de Parfum

Guerlain L'Homme Idéal Eau de Parfum is a masculine scent led by sweet, gourmand tones and tempered by spice and wood, suited to autumn and winter evenings. Longevity and sillage are both rated good. Most voters pick autumn and winter, with spring further back and summer getting very few votes. It is chosen most for evenings and nights out, and it also works for leisure and the office. Most voters find it masculine. Bergamot, spices and almond open on a fruity, spicy note. In the heart, frankincense, Bulgarian rose and vanilla add a creamy, powdery sweetness. Tonka bean, sandalwood and leathery notes then settle into a woody, leathery base.

Ganymede (Eau de Parfum)

8.1

Marc-Antoine Barrois · 2019

Fresh · Floral · Synthetic

Eau de Parfum

Marc-Antoine Barrois Ganymede Eau de Parfum is a unisex scent that opens fresh and floral, then deepens into spice, wood and a touch of leather. Longevity and sillage are both rated strong. Most voters recommend fall and spring, with winter next and summer chosen least. Leisure, night out and evening lead the occasions, though it also fits business and daily wear. Most voters read it as masculine, but it stays open to a unisex reading. It opens with Italian mandarine and saffron, the citrus brightness meeting a warm, spicy edge. Violet and Chinese osmanthus absolute bring a soft floral heart. In the base, Akigalawood® and immortelle absolute lay down a dry, woody, slightly leathery floor. The overall feel is a synthetic, modern freshness.

Joop! Homme (Eau de Toilette)

6.8

Joop! · 1989

Floral · Fruity · Sweet

Eau de Toilette

Joop! Homme Eau de Toilette is a men's fragrance that carries a bright opening of bergamot and mandarin orange into a warm heart of jasmine and cinnamon, then settles on a sweet base of vanilla and sandalwood. Lemon and orange blossom join the opening, and the heart turns floral and powdery with heliotrope and lily of the valley. Cinnamon adds spice, while patchouli and tonka bean deepen the sweetness at the base. The overall impression is sweet, fruity, woody and oriental. Longevity and sillage are both rated strong. Most voters pick fall and winter, and it leans towards evenings and nights out. It reads masculine, though many also call it modern.

Bois Impérial (Eau de Parfum)

8.1

Essential Parfums · 2020

Fresh · Citrus · Green

Eau de Parfum

Essential Parfums Bois Impérial Eau de Parfum is a fresh, green and spicy woody unisex scent built around Thai basil, Sichuan pepper and Haitian vetiver. Most voters pick spring and summer, with autumn close behind. Daily wear, leisure and the office lead the occasions, while evening and night out sit further back. Both longevity and sillage are rated strong. Most voters read it as masculine, though a good share call it modern. The notes have no top, heart or base split, so it reads as one piece. Thai basil and Nepalese sichuan pepper bring coolness and spice, while Akigalawood® and Georgywood® form a woody frame. Haitian vetiver and Indonesian patchouli round it out with an earthy depth. The overall impression is fresh, citrusy and slightly synthetic wood.

1 Million (Eau de Toilette)

6.8

Rabanne · 2008

Fruity · Sweet · Synthetic

Eau de Toilette

Rabanne 1 Million Eau de Toilette is a sweet, spicy and leathery men's scent that leans towards autumn and winter evenings and nights out. Red mandarin orange and peppermint give it a bright, fruity start. In the heart, cinnamon and rose absolute bring spice and sweetness, and the base settles into a warm, woody-oriental mix of leather and amberketal. The overall impression is gourmand, synthetic and clearly sweet. Longevity and sillage are rated good. Most voters pick autumn and winter, and night-out and evening wear; summer and the office are chosen less. It reads masculine and modern. Rabanne 1 Million Absolutely Gold and Rabanne 1 Million Intense have a close profile.