The Perfume Library

Black XS (Eau de Toilette)

6.7

Rabanne · 2005

Fresh · Citrus · Fruity

Eau de Toilette

Rabanne Black XS Eau de Toilette is a men's fragrance that pairs fresh citrus with the sweet, spicy warmth of praliné and cinnamon. It opens bright with calamondin and Calabrian lemon, while sage and tagetes add a slightly green edge. In the heart, Tolu balm, praliné, black cardamom and cinnamon turn it gourmand and spicy. The base settles on patchouli, ebony, rosewood and black amber, giving a woody, oriental floor. Longevity is rated good and sillage moderate. Most voters pick fall and spring, with winter close behind; it leans towards evenings and nights out, and also works for leisure time. It reads mostly masculine and modern. Zara Zara Man Gold and Swiss Arabian Al Basel have a close profile.

No Limit$

6.8

Philipp Plein · 2020

Sweet · Synthetic · Spicy

Philipp Plein No Limit$ is a sweet, spicy and woody men's scent that leans towards fall and winter evenings. Both its longevity and its sillage are rated good. Most voters pick fall and winter, and it is worn mostly for evenings and nights out. In the character votes it reads masculine first, then modern. It opens with aquatic notes, bergamot and ginger. In the heart, cardamom, clove, star anise, cinnamon and black pepper bring a spicy warmth. The base of black amber, bourbon vanilla, oud, leather and dark chocolate pulls it towards a sweet, resinous and smoky finish.

Morning Chess (Eau de Parfum)

7.8

Vilhelm Parfumerie · 2015

Fresh · Citrus · Green

Eau de Parfum

Vilhelm Parfumerie Morning Chess Eau de Parfum is a masculine scent that sets a citrusy, green freshness against a leathery, smoky texture, and suits spring and autumn days. It opens with bergamot, bringing a citrus lift with a faint fruity edge. In the heart, Tuscan leather and galbanum take over: the leather meets the sharp green galbanum and gives the scent a smoky, earthy feel. Patchouli and black amber settle underneath, leaving a woody, sweet and slightly spicy warmth. Longevity and sillage are both rated good. Most voters pick spring and autumn, and leisure and business settings lead, with evening wear also possible. It reads masculine. Nishane Hacivat and Vilhelm Parfumerie Dear Polly have a close profile.

Tonnerre / 1805

6.5

Beaufort · 2015

Citrus · Spicy · Woody

Beaufort Tonnerre / 1805 is a smoky, citrus-led and clearly masculine scent that leans towards autumn and winter days. Lemon, lime and bergamot draw a fresh citrus frame, while smoke, gun powder and brandy add a rough, spicy edge. Fir balsam, birch and black amber build a woody, resinous base, and the animal and earthy accords darken the whole. Its longevity and sillage are both rated strong. Most voters pick autumn and winter, with leisure and evening wear coming first, and most of them read it as masculine. Profumo di Firenze Cuoio and Tauer Perfumes L'Air du Désert Marocain Noir have a close profile.

Signature pour Homme (Eau de Parfum)

8.0

Zaharoff · 2018

Fresh · Floral · Sweet

Eau de Parfum

Zaharoff Signature pour Homme Eau de Parfum is a fresh, woody fougère for men, with spicy and floral touches running through it. Longevity and sillage are both rated good. Most voters call it masculine and classic, and it leans towards autumn and spring without ruling out summer or winter. It sees most use at the office and in daily wear, and it also carries into evenings and nights out. The top opens with Zanzibar black pepper, pear, French lavender and cardamom, where the pear and lavender give a fresh start. The heart brings Florentine iris, Kahili ginger and Indonesian oud, settling into a woody, slightly sweet base of black amber, myrrh, sandalwood and patchouli. It shares a close profile with Zadig & Voltaire This Is Him! Vibes of Freedom and Zaharoff Signature Tabac.

Mister Marvelous (Eau de Parfum)

6.7

Byredo · 2011

Fresh · Citrus · Green

Eau de Parfum

Byredo Mister Marvelous Eau de Parfum is a men's scent that carries the fresh, green opening of mandarin orange leaf and bitter orange blossom through bamboo and green lavender into black amber and white cedarwood; it has been discontinued. It opens citrusy and green: mandarin orange leaf and bitter orange blossom give an airy first impression. In the heart, bamboo and green lavender keep that greenness going, and the base of black amber and white cedarwood settles it onto a woody, lightly spicy footing. The overall feel is clean, fresh and a little synthetic. Longevity and sillage are moderate. Most voters pick spring and summer, and daily wear, leisure and the office lead the occasions. Most read it as masculine, though a fair share find it feminine.

Signature Tabac (Eau de Parfum)

8.1

Zaharoff · 2021

Sweet · Spicy · Woody

Eau de Parfum

Zaharoff Signature Tabac Eau de Parfum is a sweet, spicy and smoky men's fragrance, where tobacco and resinous woods build a warm, dense character. The top opens with French lavender, rum, star anise and cognac, giving it a spicy, boozy start. In the heart, honey, tobacco and oud come forward, with fir balsam and cedar laying a woody base. In the base, Bourbon vanilla, tonka bean and black amber sweeten it and settle into a resinous, smoky warmth. Longevity is rated strong and sillage good. Most voters pick fall and winter, with nights out and evenings the most chosen moments, and leisure and business also getting votes. It reads masculine and classic. Amouage Opus XIV - Royal Tobacco and Guerlain Tobacco Honey have a close profile.

The Orchid Man

7.5

Frapin · 2015

Fresh · Citrus · Floral

Frapin The Orchid Man opens with Madagascar pepper and Calabrian bergamot, then settles onto a dry, woody base of leather and oakmoss, in a scent made for men. Citrus and pepper lead the top, while leather and jasmine soften each other in the heart. In the base, oakmoss, patchouli and black amber carry it towards a woody, lightly sweet finish. The overall impression is a balanced mix of fresh, floral and leathery accords. Longevity is rated good and sillage moderate. Most voters recommend spring and fall, and daily wear, leisure and business get the most votes. Most voters read its character as masculine and classic. Hayari Amour Elegant and Mancera Cedrat Boise have a close profile.

Sublime Cedar

8.1

Zara · 2019

Fresh · Green · Sweet

Zara Sublime Cedar is a fresh, woody fragrance for men, built around cedarwood, pink pepper and black amber. Longevity is good and sillage moderate, so it stays noticeable up close without filling a room. Most voters pick spring and fall, with summer not far behind. Daily wear, office and leisure are favoured about equally, while evening and sport get fewer votes. The notes read as a single whole rather than in layers: dry cedarwood leads, pink pepper adds a spicy spark, and black amber brings a sweet, creamy warmth. Green and earthy touches give it a fresh backdrop, with a slightly synthetic edge. Zielinski & Rozen Tobacco, Cedarwood, Pepper / Fiction and Montblanc Explorer Platinum have a close profile.

Al Basel

7.4

Swiss Arabian · 2014

Fresh · Citrus · Green

Swiss Arabian Al Basel is a masculine fragrance that sets fresh citrus against a sweet, gourmand and spicy woody-oriental base; it has been discontinued. Lemon and sage keep the opening bright and green. In the heart, cinnamon, praliné, black cardamom and tolu balm sweeten it and add a spicy, gourmand warmth. Patchouli, leather and black amber anchor the base, and the woody, leathery side takes over as it dries. Longevity and sillage are rated good. Most voters find it masculine; it leans towards spring and fall and is chosen for leisure time and evenings. Rabanne Black XS and Rasasi Yazan for Him have a close profile.

These Miscegenic Three: Othello

7.5

Ikiryō · 2018

Floral · Fruity · Sweet

Ikiryō These Miscegenic Three: Othello is a sweet, spicy and smoky scent whose resinous, woody character suits autumn and winter evenings. Longevity is rated strong and sillage good. Most voters pick fall and winter, and it leans towards evenings, leisure and nights out. It was released as a masculine perfume, yet voters split almost evenly between masculine and feminine. It has been discontinued. Black amber, oud and black pepper dominate, while black spruce lays a woody base. Black dahlia and blackthorn add a floral, fruity sweetness, and the animal and smoky accords deepen the dark mood.

Triomphe (Eau de Parfum)

6.7

Rancé 1795 · 2009

Fresh · Citrus · Floral

Eau de Parfum

Rancé 1795 Triomphe Eau de Parfum is a fresh, spicy masculine scent that opens on bitter orange, bergamot and cardamom and settles into leather, frankincense and black amber. It lasts a moderate length of time and sits close to the skin, with weak sillage. Most voters pick spring, fall and summer, and winter is the least chosen season. It is mostly worn for leisure, daily use and the office, with evening and night out further behind. Most voters read it as masculine. The opening is led by citrus and cardamom, with green mandarin orange and bitter orange keeping it bright. In the heart, tarragon, cinnamon and myrtle add a spicy, lightly floral turn. The base brings leather, frankincense and vanilla, giving a resinous, powdery and smoky warmth. Amouage Dia Man and Etro ManRose have a close profile.

Les Compositions Parfumées - Glorious Indigo

7.7

Lalique · 2020

Fresh · Sweet · Spicy

Lalique Les Compositions Parfumées - Glorious Indigo is a sweet, spicy woody scent with resinous and smoky shades, suited to autumn and winter evenings and reading as masculine. Most voters pick autumn and winter, though spring is not far behind. It leans towards evenings and nights out, and also works for leisure. Longevity and sillage are both rated good, and the character votes lean masculine. It opens with ginger, cinnamon absolute and cistus absolute for a spicy warmth, with vanilla sweetening it. Cedarwood and patchouli build a woody heart. The base of gaiac wood, sandalwood and black amber dries down smoky and resinous.

Vibrant Leather Explosion

7.8

Zara · 2024

Fresh · Citrus · Fruity

Zara Vibrant Leather Explosion is a fresh, spicy fragrance for men that sets a sharp opening of black pepper, bergamot and lemon against a leather base. Black pepper sits beside the citrus at the start, while bamboo and violet leaf in the heart pull that freshness towards green. As it dries, black amber, patchouli and leather come forward, and cotton candy sweetens the woody, leathery base slightly. A fruity, synthetic sheen runs through it. Voters rate its longevity and sillage as good, and its value for money scores high. It is classed as a men's fragrance. Zara Vibrant Leather and Zara Bogoss Vibrant Leather Winter have a close profile.

A Day Fragrance by Zara Origins

7.6

Zara · 2024

Fresh · Citrus · Floral

Zara A Day Fragrance by Zara Origins is a fresh, masculine scent that pairs bright citrus with a floral and green backdrop. It opens with bergamot and lemon for a sharp citrus lift. The heart brings orange blossom, narcissus absolute and petitgrain, with the floral side kept green and slightly earthy. Black amber and musk in the base soften everything, adding a faintly sweet, spicy and woody finish. Longevity is rated good and sillage moderate, so it stays with you through the day without filling the room. Its fresh character makes it an easy everyday wear. Le Labo Fleur d'Oranger 27 and Penhaligon's Castile have a close profile.

Darkness

7.2

Béjar

Fresh · Sweet · Synthetic

Béjar Darkness is a men's fragrance with a sweet, spicy and woody character, opening with fresh citrus and settling into a vanilla warmth. The top is bergamot, bitter orange and grapefruit, which reads fresh and sharp at first. In the heart, black amber, cardamom, cedar and gaiac wood give it a spicy, woody body. The base brings vanilla along with musky and sweet notes, leaving a gourmand, powdery softness. Longevity is rated strong and sillage good. Most voters pick fall and winter, spring also gets a fair share, and few choose summer. It leans towards leisure, night out and evening wear. Cuba Cuba Gold and Zara For Him Red Edition Intense have a close profile.

Nitro Blue

7.3

Dumont

Fresh · Floral · Aquatic

Dumont Nitro Blue is a masculine scent that opens on orange blossom, basil and cinnamon and sits between fresh and sweet; it has been discontinued. In the top, lemon and sage brighten the scent while orange blossom and cinnamon add a sweet warmth. The heart brings tolu balm, praliné and black cardamom, where the gourmand and creamy side becomes clear. The base settles on black amber, patchouli and Brazilian rosewood, giving a woody foundation. Aquatic and synthetic tones run through the accords as well. Its longevity and sillage are rated strong, though only a few people have voted, so that picture is tentative. There are not enough votes to say which seasons or occasions suit it.

Yazan for Him

6.4

Rasasi · 2014

Citrus · Fruity · Sweet

Rasasi Yazan for Him is a men's fragrance that sets a citrus and fruity freshness against spice, sweetness and an oriental, woody depth. Longevity is rated good and sillage moderate, though the number of votes is small, so these figures are only a rough guide. Voters place it mostly in leisure and daily wear, followed by evenings and nights out. It opens with sage and lemon. In the heart, balsam, cinnamon and praliné bring a spicy, gourmand sweetness. The base of rosewood, Indian oud, black amber, sandalwood and patchouli leaves a woody, animalic depth.

Armada Black

7.0

Yves de Sistelle

Fresh · Citrus · Floral

Yves de Sistelle Armada Black is a men's fragrance that sets a fresh, citrusy start on a spicy, woody and slightly smoky base. The top holds pineapple, cardamom, cinnamon and citrus notes, so the fruitiness arrives together with spice. In the heart, green apple, cedar and bamboo come forward, and pineapple carries on, turning the opening sweetness into something greener and lighter. The base of black amber, precious woods and patchouli adds a resinous, earthy and smoky depth. A floral accent stays in the background and softens the woody structure. Yves de Sistelle Chairman Black and SweDoft Rasputin have a close profile.

Terra Nova

9.1

Michael Malul · 2022

Fresh · Citrus · Spicy

Michael Malul Terra Nova is a men's fragrance that pairs a fresh opening of lotus, lemon leaf and bergamot with an earthy, resinous base of patchouli, tonka bean and black amber. Voters rate its longevity and sillage as good, though the vote count is small, so this is an early impression rather than a firm verdict. It reads as masculine, but there are not enough votes to say which seasons or occasions suit it. The top notes of lotus, lemon leaf and bergamot give a citrusy, fresh start. Toward the heart, violet, sandalwood and ambrox add a soft woodiness. In the base, patchouli, tonka bean and black amber dry down spicy, oriental and earthy. Santa Maria Novella Patchouli (Eau de Cologne) and Robert Piguet Bois Bleu have a close profile.

My Sir

8.0

Roccobarocco · 2018

Citrus · Floral · Green

Roccobarocco My Sir is a men's fragrance that pairs the freshness of rhubarb, grapefruit and bergamot with a heavier base of patchouli and black amber. Its longevity and sillage are both rated good by those who voted, though the number of votes is small, so this is only a rough indication. It reads as masculine, and there is no clear lean towards a particular season or occasion. It opens with rhubarb, grapefruit, ginger and bergamot, giving a citrusy, slightly fruity and green freshness. In the heart, lavender, geranium and black pepper add a spicy, floral turn. The base of patchouli and black amber dries down woody, earthy and a little animal in warmth. A synthetic facet also runs through the accords.

Jul et Mad · 2022

Fresh · Floral · Aquatic

Zara · 2023

Fresh · Floral · Green

Oriflame · 2013

Floral · Fruity · Sweet