The Perfume Library

Oriental Spice

8.0

Esteban · 2008

Sweet · Spicy · Woody

Esteban Oriental Spice is a unisex fragrance that opens with sharp cardamom and ginger, then settles into a sweet, woody warmth of cinnamon, benzoin and sandalwood. Cardamom and ginger give the top a spicy start, and in the heart lily and cinnamon soften that edge. The base of benzoin, sandalwood and tolu balm leaves a resinous, creamy, powdery sweetness. The overall style is oriental: sweet and spicy over a woody base. Longevity is rated good and sillage moderate. Most voters pick fall and winter, and summer is rarely chosen. Evenings, nights out and leisure time lead the occasions. Voters read it as more feminine than masculine, though some find it masculine.

Ambre

8.0

Esteban · 2007

Fruity · Sweet · Gourmand

Esteban Ambre is a sweet, spicy unisex scent that suits fall and winter evenings. Its longevity is good and its sillage moderate. Most voters pick fall and winter, and it leans towards evenings and nights out, though some wear it for daytime and leisure too. Votes lean feminine, but a fair number call it masculine. It opens with rhubarb, nutmeg and pink pepper, a fruity spice. The heart holds hawthorn, freesia and patchouli. As it dries, vanilla, amber and sandalwood settle into a sweet, woody, powdery warmth, with gourmand and resinous shades in the accords. Hermès L'Ambre des Merveilles and Histoires de Parfums Ambre 114 have a close profile.

Tonka

7.4

Esteban · 2007

Fruity · Sweet · Spicy

Esteban Tonka is a unisex scent that pairs a sweet, spicy fruit warmth with a woody, faintly smoky base. Most voters pick autumn and winter, with spring close behind. It is worn for daily use, leisure and evenings in similar measure. Its longevity is rated good and its sillage moderate, so it stays noticeable up close without filling a room. Voters see it as masculine and feminine in almost equal parts. It opens with ginger, bergamot and pink pepper, then dried fruits, patchouli and cinnamon fill the heart. Vetiver, tonka bean and sandalwood sit underneath. Sweetness and spice lead, while a powdery, earthy woodiness keeps the scent grounded.

Baume Tolu

7.2

Esteban · 2010

Floral · Fruity · Sweet

Esteban Baume Tolu is a sweet, resinous unisex fragrance: a floral and fruity face over a warm, gourmand base. Longevity is good and sillage moderate, so it stays fairly close to the wearer. Most voters pick autumn and winter, though spring is not far behind. It leans towards leisure, evenings and nights out. Feminine and masculine votes are almost even, so it sits comfortably on either. It opens with red bell pepper and green mandarin orange, fresh with a slightly sharp edge. In the heart, tagetes, immortelle and davana bring a floral, spicy turn. The base is dominated by Tolu balm, tonka bean and vanilla, which sweeten it into a soft, resinous warmth.

Orientalissime

7.6

Esteban · 2008

Fruity · Sweet · Gourmand

Bois Plume

7.1

Esteban · 2009

Fresh · Floral · Fruity

Esteban Bois Plume is a unisex fragrance that moves from a fresh, floral start to a powdery, spicy and woody finish. Lavender, bergamot and cardamom give the opening a fresh, lightly spiced air. At the heart, rose, iris and patchouli add a floral, powdery softness. In the base, cinnamon, Brazilian rosewood, cedar and sandalwood pull the scent toward a sweet, resinous, woody warmth. Longevity and sillage are moderate. Most voters pick fall, followed by spring and winter, and it leans toward leisure and evening wear. Voters read it as somewhat more feminine. Those after a similar profile may also look at Amouage Ciel Man and Mauboussin Homme.

Cuir

7.3

Esteban · 2008

Floral · Sweet · Spicy

Esteban Cuir is a spicy, woody unisex scent built around lavender, leather and vetiver. Longevity is rated good and sillage moderate. Most voters pick autumn and winter, with spring in third place. It leans towards leisure and evening wear, and also gets votes for the office and daytime. It reads neither clearly masculine nor feminine, as votes split almost evenly between the two. Lavender, mint and cardamom open it fresh. In the heart, pink pepper, clove and violet add spice with a soft floral edge. The base of vetiver, leather, patchouli and amber settles into a sweet, resinous, leathery warmth.

Le Bain - Sensuelle Russie

8.2

Esteban

Fruity · Sweet · Gourmand

Esteban Le Bain - Sensuelle Russie is a sweet, spicy unisex scent whose gourmand, fruity side is balanced by a woody, resinous base. It has been discontinued. Cinnamon and cardamom give it a spicy warmth, while bergamot adds a light freshness. Cedar, patchouli and stone pine build a woody, resinous depth, and ambergris softens it. The overall impression is sweet, oriental and a little powdery. Longevity is rated good and sillage moderate. Most voters pick winter and fall; evening, night out and leisure wear are nearly tied. More voters call it feminine, though a fair share see it as masculine. Costume National Homme and Esteban Bois Plume have a close profile.

Patchouli

7.4

Esteban · 2008

Fresh · Floral · Sweet

Esteban Patchouli is a unisex scent that opens fresh and spicy, then moves toward powdery, resinous and earthy tones. Pink pepper and black pepper give it a sharp, spicy start. In the heart, violet leaf, iris and white rose add a soft, powdery floral touch. Labdanum and patchouli form a sweet, woody, earthy base. Longevity and sillage are moderate. Most voters pick fall, followed by winter and spring, and it leans toward evenings, nights out and leisure time. Voters read it as both feminine and masculine, so it sits comfortably in between.

Bois Velours

7.2

Esteban · 2009

Fresh · Floral · Green

Esteban Bois Velours is a woody, spicy unisex fragrance that most voters place in fall and spring. Both its longevity and its sillage are moderate. Voters link it to business, leisure and daily wear, and it also gets picked for evenings. Most call it masculine, though a fair number find it feminine. It opens with Guinea pepper, nutmeg and pepper for a spicy start. The heart holds leathery notes, patchouli, floral notes and sandalwood, while vetiver, cedar, musk and amber set a woody, sweet base. Fresh and green touches soften the edges. Panouge Absinthe Gaïac and Il Profvmo Touaregh have a close profile.

Ambrorient

7.9

Esteban · 2008

Citrus · Sweet · Gourmand

Esteban Ambrorient is a unisex scent that sets a bright citrus opening against a sweet, gourmand, powdery oriental body, and it suits autumn and winter evenings best. Most voters pick autumn and winter, with spring further behind. It leans towards evenings and nights out, though office and daily wear are not out of reach. Its longevity and sillage are rated good. Voters read it as more feminine, followed by classic and masculine. Bergamot and mandarin orange give the opening a fresh, citrusy start. In the heart, cistus and heliotrope pull it towards powder. The base of opoponax, vanilla and benzoin leaves a sweet, smoky, spicy warmth. Boucheron Ambre d'Alexandrie and Bois 1920 La Vaniglia have a close profile.

Colère d'Épices

7.0

Esteban · 2007

Fresh · Floral · Green

Esteban Colère d'Épices is a unisex spice scent led by ginger and cardamom and deepened by clove. Longevity is moderate and sillage weak, so it stays close and leaves a quiet trail. Most voters pick spring and fall, though summer has a fair share too. It leans towards leisure and daily wear, and works at the office as well. Votes split almost evenly between masculine and feminine. It opens with ginger and cardamom, fresh and spicy. In the heart, clove, cyclamen and heliotrope bring floral and green touches that soften the spice. As it dries, musk, benzoin and amber sweeten it onto a woody, oriental base. Versace Crystal Noir and Montblanc Présence have a close profile.

Belle au Parfum de Oud

6.8

Esteban · 2012

Floral · Sweet · Spicy

Esteban Belle au Parfum de Oud is a women's fragrance that leans towards fall and winter evenings, pairing a floral, sweet heart with spice and resin. The top holds saffron, mandarin orange and cistus, a spicy opening softened by sweet citrus. In the heart, ylang-ylang, nagarmotha and lily form a floral core. The base of labdanum, oud and patchouli settles into a warm, woody, resinous, oriental finish. Longevity is rated good and sillage moderate. Most voters pick fall and winter, with spring and summer trailing behind. It is worn mostly for evenings and nights out, and also for leisure time. M. Micallef Aoud and Penhaligon's Cairo have a close profile.

Modern Chypre

5.9

Esteban · 2007

Fresh · Floral · Fruity

Esteban Modern Chypre is a unisex take on the chypre tradition, fresh, fruity and floral, and soft and sweet rather than severe. It opens bright and fruity with green mandarin orange, raspberry and bergamot. In the heart, lily of the valley and white rose add a soft, powdery floral touch, and the base settles into a resinous chypre ground where praliné sweetness meets patchouli. Longevity and sillage are moderate. Voters spread across all four seasons, with spring and fall slightly ahead. Business, leisure and evening use get an equal share of votes. Its unisex character suits any wearer. Emporio Armani Diamonds Rose and Parfums de Marly Darcy have a close profile.

Tourbillon de Thé

6.7

Esteban · 2006

Fresh · Citrus · Floral

Esteban Tourbillon de Thé is a fresh, citrusy unisex scent built around bergamot, bitter orange and tea. It opens with a sharp citrus hit of bergamot, bitter orange and grapefruit. The heart turns floral and green with jasmine, rose and tea, while mango adds a fruity sweetness. Vanilla, sandalwood and musk soften the base. Voters rate its longevity and sillage as weak, so it stays close to the skin. Most voters pick summer and spring. It is seen as suiting daily wear, leisure and the office. Borsari 1870 Lemongrass e Cassis and Molinard Thé Basilic have a close profile.

Cèdre

7.2

Esteban · 2007

Fresh · Citrus · Floral

Esteban Cèdre is a unisex scent that pairs a fresh citrus opening with the dry, woody feel of cedar and leather; it has been discontinued. It opens with bright citrus fruits, then spices and rose come in at the heart. The base of leather, cedar and labdanum settles into a woody, resinous, leathery floor, while the floral side stays in the background. Longevity and sillage are moderate. Most voters pick fall and winter, then spring; daily wear and leisure lead, with business settings also fitting. Most voters read it as masculine. Darkbeat Cuero and Première Note Cedar Atlas have a close profile.

Angelic Flower

6.7

Esteban · 2008

Fresh · Floral · Sweet

Esteban Angelic Flower is a fresh, floral women's perfume with a sweet, powdery side and a touch of spice. It opens bright with angelica seed and bergamot. The heart turns powdery and floral, led by violet, iris and May rose. Musk and amber soften the base, while a woody trace and a slightly synthetic sheen run through the accords. Longevity and sillage are rated moderate, though the number of votes is small, so this is only a rough guide. Its light, floral build suits easy everyday wear.

Classic Chypre

6.9

Esteban · 2007

Citrus · Floral · Green

Esteban Classic Chypre is a unisex chypre that opens with bergamot and basil and settles into oakmoss, vetiver and patchouli. The perfume has been discontinued. Its longevity is rated good and its sillage moderate, though these ratings rest on only a handful of votes and are not conclusive. There is not enough voting to say which seasons or occasions it suits; it is classed as unisex. The top notes, bergamot and basil, give it a citrusy, green start. In the heart, jasmine and rose add a floral softness while spices bring warmth. The base of vetiver, patchouli and oakmoss is woody and animalic, with vanilla sweetening it and adding a powdery tone.

Folie de Figue

5.9

Esteban · 2007

Fresh · Citrus · Green

Esteban Folie de Figue is a fresh, green and citrusy unisex scent built around fig leaf, white fig and fig wood, and it has been discontinued. It opens with the brightness of bergamot and fig leaf. In the heart, laurel and orange blossom join in and bring out the lightly fruity side of white fig. Fig wood and cedar dry it down to a woody base; the overall feel is fresh and green, with a slightly synthetic edge. Longevity is rated weak, so don't expect it to last through the day, though only a few people have voted. Régime des Fleurs Wildly Fig and Acorelle Lotus Bambou have a close profile.

Tempête de Zeste

6.5

Esteban · 2007

Fresh · Citrus · Floral

Esteban Tempête de Zeste is a fresh unisex scent that opens on mandarin orange, grapefruit and blackcurrant, with basil pushing it towards green. It wears close to the skin: longevity is moderate and sillage weak, though the small number of ratings makes this only a rough guide. Being unisex, it suits men and women alike. The overall feel is fresh, citrusy and aquatic. In the top, mandarin orange, grapefruit and blackcurrant bring a bright fruity zing, while basil adds a green edge. The heart turns soft and watery with cyclamen, water iris and freesia. Sandalwood and patchouli form a woody, lightly sweet base.

Rêve Blanc

6.6

Esteban · 2015

Floral · Fruity · Sweet

Esteban Rêve Blanc is a floral, sweet women's perfume with a powdery, creamy character. Apricot, pink pepper and mandarin orange open it with a fruity, lightly spicy freshness. In the heart, orange blossom, magnolia and frangipani come forward, and the flowers take on a soft, creamy texture. The base of musk, sandalwood and vanilla sweetens the scent with woody warmth and closes it on a powdery finish. The overall impression is of fruit and white flowers resting on a vanilla ground: soft, feminine and clearly sweet.

Le Bain - Secrète Afrique

6.7

Esteban

Fresh · Citrus · Green

Esteban Le Bain - Secrète Afrique is a fresh, spicy unisex scent built around citrus fruits, ginger, patchouli and cedar; it has been discontinued. The notes read as one whole rather than a sequence of layers. Citrus fruits give it a fresh, fruity brightness, while ginger adds a spicy edge on top. Patchouli and cedar settle that brightness onto a woody base, with green and lightly sweet touches in between and a faint oriental warmth in the background. Hermès Concentré d'Orange Verte and E. Marinella Posillipo have a close profile.

Oriental Flower

6.6

Esteban · 2008

Floral · Fruity · Sweet

Esteban Oriental Flower is a floral-oriental women's fragrance built around mandarin orange, tuberose and orange blossom, sweetened by vanilla; it has been discontinued. It opens with mandarin orange and aldehydes, a bright, lightly fruity start. At the heart, lavender, orange blossom and tuberose form a floral body, with spicy and powdery touches staying behind the flowers. In the base, vanilla sweetens the scent while cedar gives it a dry, woody ground. The overall impression is sweet, floral and oriental. Boucheron Boucheron (Eau de Parfum) and Loewe Quizás Seducción have a close profile.

Esteban · 2009

Fresh · Citrus · Floral