The Perfume Library

Laudano Nero

7.8

Tiziana Terenzi · 2014

Sweet · Spicy · Woody

Tiziana Terenzi Laudano Nero is a sweet, woody and smoky unisex fragrance that suits autumn and winter evenings. Cognac, absinth, Latakia tobacco and rosemary lead the opening, while cedarwood, frankincense, vanilla and oud build a warm, resinous base. The sweetness never turns light: spice and earth weigh it down, and smoke and resin give it a dark edge. Most voters pick winter and fall, and it is chosen mostly for evenings and nights out rather than the office. Longevity is rated very strong and sillage strong. Most voters read it as masculine, though it is presented as unisex. Tom Ford Oud Wood and Amouage Fate Man have a close profile.

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.

1996 - Inez & Vinoodh (Eau de Parfum)

7.1

Byredo · 2013

Floral · Sweet · Spicy

Eau de Parfum

Byredo 1996 - Inez & Vinoodh Eau de Parfum is a unisex scent that opens with black pepper and juniper berry, moves into a powdery floral heart of violet, leather and iris, and sweetens into vanilla and patchouli; it has been discontinued. Its longevity is rated strong and its sillage good. Most voters pick autumn and winter, and it leans towards evenings and nights out; masculine and feminine votes sit close together, so it reads as in between. Black pepper and juniper berry give a spicy start, while violet and iris bring a powdery floral heart with leather adding a leathery edge. The base of vanilla and black amber is sweet and resinous, with patchouli adding an earthy, smoky tone. Byredo Baudelaire and Tom Ford Noir (Eau de Parfum) have a close profile.

Dear Polly (Eau de Parfum)

7.6

Vilhelm Parfumerie · 2015

Fresh · Citrus · Green

Eau de Parfum

Vilhelm Parfumerie Dear Polly Eau de Parfum is a fresh, citrusy and green scent with a fruity, faintly smoky side, suited to everyday wear. Apple and bergamot open it with a bright, fruity lift. Ceylon tea softens the heart, and oakmoss, black amber and musk anchor the base. Sweet and spicy touches settle over a woody, slightly smoky ground. Longevity is rated good and sillage moderate. Most voters pick spring, autumn and summer, and daily wear, leisure and work come up most. It reads mainly feminine, though some find it modern or masculine. The Dua Brand Morning Love Letter and Creed Aventus have a close profile.

Dark Amber & Ginger Lily

7.7

Jo Malone · 2008

Fresh · Floral · Sweet

Jo Malone Dark Amber & Ginger Lily is a women's fragrance that sets the spicy warmth of ginger and black cardamom against a floral heart and a black amber base. Its longevity is rated good and its sillage moderate, so it stays fairly close to the skin. Most voters suggest fall and winter, with spring not far behind. Evening, leisure and daily wear get almost equal support. Most voters read it as feminine, though a fair number find it masculine. It opens with black cardamom, pink pepper and ginger, which give a spicy lift. The heart of jasmine, rose, orchid and water lily turns floral and creamy. In the base, frankincense, patchouli, leather, sandalwood and black amber settle into a resinous, smoky, sweet warmth.

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.

Baudelaire

7.6

Byredo · 2009

Spicy · Woody · Oriental

Byredo Baudelaire is a spicy, woody unisex fragrance built around black pepper, juniper berry and leather; it has been discontinued. It opens with black pepper, caraway and juniper berry, giving a dry, sharp spice. In the heart, leather, frankincense and hyacinth turn it smoky and resinous. The base of papyrus, black amber and patchouli leaves an earthy, oriental trail. Longevity is rated good and sillage moderate. Most voters pick autumn and winter, and it leans towards evenings and nights out. Most voters find it masculine. Nishane Pachulí Kozha and Byredo 1996 - Inez & Vinoodh (Eau de Parfum) 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.

Geisha Noire (Eau de Parfum)

8.0

aroma M · 2007

Sweet · Spicy · Woody

Eau de Parfum

aroma M Geisha Noire Eau de Parfum is a sweet, spicy woody oriental, warm, smoky and resinous, that suits the evenings of the cooler months. Its longevity is rated strong and its sillage good. Most voters pick autumn and winter, and evening and night out are the occasions it leans towards. It is unisex, though most voters read it as more feminine. Sandalwood, tonka bean and black amber sit together from start to finish. The sweetness is held in check by spice, over a woody, powdery base with a faint animalic warmth and a smoky touch. Edward Bess Spanish Veil and Christian Louboutin Loubiprince 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.

Black Amber

7.5

Agonist · 2011

Sweet · Spicy · Woody

Agonist Black Amber is a sweet, spicy, resinous unisex scent built around black amber, styrax and Bourbon vanilla; it has been discontinued. It opens with red algae, davana and frankincense, then cedarwood, Java vetiver and tobacco flower set a woody, earthy heart. In the base, patchouli and Indian sandalwood soften into vanilla, and it dries down warm and smoky. Longevity is rated strong, while sillage stays moderate. Most voters pick fall and winter, and it leans towards evenings and nights out. More voters read it as masculine, though many hear it as feminine. Boss Bottled Elixir and Lubin Akkad have a close profile.

Moonlight (Eau de Parfum)

7.4

Ariana Grande · 2017

Floral · Fruity · Sweet

Eau de Parfum

Ariana Grande Moonlight Eau de Parfum is a feminine scent that sets a floral, fruity sweetness on a powdery, creamy base. Longevity and sillage are moderate: it stays close rather than filling a room. Most voters pick spring, autumn and winter, with summer trailing behind. It leans towards leisure and daily wear, with some votes for evening and office. Most voters call it feminine. The top is blackcurrant and plum, fruity from the first spray. At the heart, marshmallow sweetness is softened by peony. The base of vanilla, black amber and sandalwood dries down creamy and gourmand. Adidas Get Comfy and Zara Cashmere Rose have a close profile.

Sueded Oud

7.6

Clean · 2015

Fresh · Floral · Sweet

Clean Sueded Oud is a smoky, resinous unisex scent that blends oud, suede and frankincense. It opens with honeysuckle, birch wood and chili alongside frankincense, a floral freshness carrying a little spice and smoke. In the heart, magnolia, night-blooming jasmine and fir balsam sit beside the oud. The base of suede, patchouli, black amber and praliné turns it leathery, sweet and oriental. Longevity and sillage are moderate. Most voters pick fall, followed by spring and winter, and leisure, daily wear and the office are the most named settings. Masculine and feminine votes are level, so many read it as sitting between the two. Nejma One and Etat Libre d'Orange Nostos have a close profile.

Relativamente Rosso

7.6

Bois 1920 · 2013

Floral · Sweet · Gourmand

Bois 1920 Relativamente Rosso is a unisex scent that pairs May rose absolute with vanilla and patchouli, floral and sweet with a woody, spicy edge, and it suits autumn and winter evenings. It opens with May rose absolute, frankincense and sugar, so the rose sits on a sweet, resinous base. In the heart, everlasting flower, sandalwood and davana add a woody warmth. The base of patchouli, vanilla, black amber and vetiver settles into something gourmand, earthy and slightly smoky, with an animal trace. Both longevity and sillage are rated strong. Most voters pick autumn and winter, and it is chosen most often for evenings and nights out. Feminine and masculine votes run close, so it reads as open to either. Electimuss Jupiter and Armani Privé Ambre Orient have a close profile.

Archetipo

7.8

Mendittorosa · 2017

Fresh · Aquatic · Green

Mendittorosa Archetipo is a fresh yet smoky, resinous woody scent that leans towards fall and spring days. It opens with fir balsam, frankincense and pink pepper, with bushman's candle at the heart. The base of black amber, labdanum, patchouli, cashmere wood, Java vetiver and oakmoss sets an earthy, green and spicy floor. Longevity and sillage are both rated good. Most voters pick fall, then spring, and it is chosen most for leisure and evening. It is unisex, though most voters read it as masculine. Heeley Cardinal and Comme des Garçons Rouge have a close profile.

Potion for Woman

6.9

Dsquared² · 2012

Floral · Fruity · Sweet

Dsquared² Potion for Woman is a sweet, fruity floral with gourmand and powdery touches, and it reads as distinctly feminine. It opens with blackcurrant, violet and bergamot. The heart brings rhubarb, rose, lily of the valley and jasmine into a floral core. The base of vanilla, musk and black amber warms and sweetens it, while patchouli adds a woody depth. Longevity is rated good and sillage moderate. Most voters pick fall and spring, with winter not far behind, and it leans towards daily wear, leisure and the office. It has been discontinued. Eisenberg Tentation and Yves Saint Laurent Manifesto have a close profile.

Room Service

7.3

Vilhelm Parfumerie · 2015

Fresh · Citrus · Floral

Vilhelm Parfumerie Room Service is a fresh, citrusy and floral perfume built around mandarin orange nectar, blackberry and violet. The top pairs mandarin orange nectar with blackberry for a fruity, sweet start. Violet, bamboo and pink orchid carry the floral and green character in the heart. Black amber, musk and sandalwood settle the scent into a woody, creamy base. Longevity and sillage are moderate. Most voters pick spring and summer, and it is worn for leisure, daily use and the office. Most voters read it as feminine. Byredo Mojave Ghost and Giardino Benessere The Bianco have a close profile.

Tonka Musk (Eau de Parfum)

7.9

Alyssa Ashley · 2020

Sweet · Gourmand · Spicy

Eau de Parfum

Alyssa Ashley Tonka Musk Eau de Parfum is a sweet, spicy unisex scent that suits fall and winter days best. Cinnamon opens with a spicy warmth, then tonka bean and black amber pull the heart toward a creamy, resinous feel. Musk and vanilla sit in the base, leaving a sweet, gourmand and powdery finish. Longevity and sillage are rated moderate. Most voters pick fall and winter; leisure and daily wear lead, with evening and business also getting votes. Though unisex, most voters read it as feminine. Profumum Roma Oxiana and Goldmusk Desert Night have a close profile.

Stockholm 1978

7.4

Vilhelm Parfumerie · 2015

Fresh · Citrus · Floral

Vilhelm Parfumerie Stockholm 1978 opens on black pepper, almond and lemon, a fresh, green and spicy unisex scent that suits spring and autumn and easygoing daytime wear. The first impression pairs the bite of black pepper with soft almond and bright lemon. In the heart, geranium and rosemary add a floral, green note. The base of black amber, moss and patchouli settles into a woody, powdery and creamy finish, and the sweetness never takes over. Longevity and sillage are rated good. Most voters pick spring and autumn, with winter the least chosen season. It leans towards leisure, business and daily wear. Voters read it as masculine more often than feminine, though a fair share call it feminine, so it sits fairly evenly between the two. Parfums de Marly Darley and Mazzolari Hartley have a close profile.

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.

Somnia 517

6.7

Maison Noir · 2023

Floral · Fruity · Sweet

Maison Noir Somnia 517 opens with Italian bergamot, moves into a floral heart of jasmine and frangipani, and settles into a sweet vanilla and black amber base, as a unisex scent. Voters rate both its longevity and its sillage as good. Most voters pick fall and winter, and it leans towards evenings and nights out, though it also gets worn for leisure. On character, feminine leads, with masculine a clear second. The top is bergamot, the heart holds Spanish cistus, frangipani and jasmine, and the base brings black amber, cashmere wood and vanilla. The floral and fruity core softens into a sweet, gourmand, creamy base, while spicy, woody and resinous touches add warmth in the background. Ex Nihilo The Irreverents and Agonist Say Yes have a close profile.

Velvet

7.1

Commodity · 2018

Floral · Sweet · Synthetic

Commodity Velvet is a unisex scent that sets a floral, sweet character over a creamy, spicy and faintly smoky base, leaning towards autumn and winter evenings. It opens with roasted almond, clove and coconut water, then moves into a soft, powdery heart of vanilla blossom, heliotrope and Turkish damask rose. The base of black amber, blond woods and silver birch settles into a warm, woody, slightly smoky dry-down. Longevity is rated good and sillage moderate. Most voters pick autumn and winter, and it suits evenings, leisure time and nights out. Voters read it as somewhat more feminine, though a sizeable share call it masculine. Nest Turkish Rose and Montale Gold Flowers have a close profile.