The Perfume Library

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.

Gris Charnel (Eau de Parfum)

8.2

bdk Parfums · 2019

Fruity · Sweet · Spicy

Eau de Parfum

bdk Parfums Gris Charnel Eau de Parfum is a unisex scent that leans towards fall and winter, opening fruity and spicy before settling into a powdery, creamy woodiness. Longevity and sillage are both rated good. Most voters pick fall, then winter and spring, while summer comes last. It suits evenings, leisure and daily wear, and it can go to the office too. Voters read it as slightly more feminine, though plenty call it masculine. It opens with fig, cardamom and black tea: the fig brings fruity sweetness, the cardamom adds spice and the tea a dry edge. In the heart, Bourbon vetiver and orris absolute build a woody, powdery base. Tonka bean absolute and Indian sandalwood finish it in a creamy, sweet warmth.

Encre Noire Sport

7.7

Lalique · 2013

Fresh · Citrus · Aquatic

Lalique Encre Noire Sport is a men's fragrance that balances the earthy, smoky side of vetiver with the freshness of citrus and aquatic notes. It opens with bergamot, grapefruit, Provençal lavender and cypress, a clean, citrusy first impression. In the heart, nutmeg adds spice, aquatic notes keep it cool, and two vetivers give it a green, woody, earthy spine. Musk and cashmere wood soften the base. Longevity is rated good and sillage moderate. Most voters recommend spring, fall and summer, with winter trailing behind. It leans towards daily wear, leisure and the office, and mostly reads as masculine. Lalique Encre Noire (Eau de Toilette) and Carven Vétiver (2008) have a close profile.

Sultan Vetiver

7.9

Nishane · 2014

Fresh · Green · Spicy

Nishane Sultan Vetiver is a unisex scent that puts the earthy, smoky side of vetiver in a green, spicy frame. It opens with bergamot and Peruvian pepper tree for brightness, while absinth adds a green, bitter edge. In the heart, Java, Bourbon and Haitian vetivers meet tonka bean and neroli, which soften them. The base of Brazilian vetiver, leather and amberwood sets a woody, leathery floor. Longevity and sillage are both rated strong. Most voters pick autumn and spring, with winter and summer further behind, and it leans towards leisure, evening and night-out wear. Most voters read it as masculine or classic. Its profile is close to Hermès Bel Ami Vétiver and Goutal Vétiver.

Homme

8.1

Xerjoff · 2007

Citrus · Spicy · Woody

Xerjoff Homme is a men's fragrance in which citrus and spice meet smoky, woody notes of leather, vetiver and cedar. Its longevity and sillage are both rated strong. Most voters pick autumn and winter, spring follows, and summer is the least chosen season. Evenings and nights out lead the occasions, and the character votes lean masculine and classic. It opens on bergamot, orange, mandarin and lemon, with ginger and tarragon adding spice. The heart brings clove, lavender and iris. The base of amber, Atlas cedar, sandalwood, vetiver, rose and leathery notes leaves a resinous, smoky, leathery trail.

Jean-Louis Scherrer (Eau de Toilette)

8.1

Jean-Louis Scherrer · 1979

Fresh · Floral · Green

Eau de Toilette

Jean-Louis Scherrer Eau de Toilette is a discontinued women's fragrance with a green, floral chypre character. It opens with the crisp bite of galbanum, blackcurrant bud and bergamot, with tangerine softening the edges. Jasmine, iris and rose form a floral heart. The base settles into a dry, woody floor of oakmoss, patchouli, vetiver and sandalwood. Longevity is rated strong and sillage good. Most voters pick fall and spring, and it is spread evenly across office, daytime and evening wear. Most voters read it as feminine and classic. Givenchy III and Goutal Eau du Sud have a close profile.

Scherrer 2 (Eau de Toilette)

7.8

Jean-Louis Scherrer · 1986

Floral · Fruity · Sweet

Eau de Toilette

Jean-Louis Scherrer Scherrer 2 Eau de Toilette is a chypre-leaning women's fragrance that sets florals over a resinous, woody base of myrrh, cedar and patchouli. Its longevity is rated strong and its sillage good. Most voters pick fall and winter, and it leans towards nights out and evenings. It reads feminine and classic. It has been discontinued. It opens with angelica, jasmine, rose, tuberose and Portuguese mandarin, floral with a fruity edge. Myrrh, cinnamon and cedar bring a spicy, woody warmth in the heart. It dries down on patchouli, benzoin and oakmoss, sweet, powdery and faintly animal.

Frustration

7.2

Etat Libre d'Orange · 2022

Sweet · Gourmand · Spicy

Etat Libre d'Orange Frustration is a unisex scent that pairs a sweet, gourmand character with spice and smoke, suited to fall and winter evenings. Its longevity and sillage are both rated good. Most voters pick winter and fall, and it is chosen most often for evenings and nights out. Voters are split on whether it reads masculine or feminine. It opens with rum, cinnamon and cumin, which give a warm, spicy start. In the heart, vanilla and vanilla absolute bring a creamy sweetness, while cistus absolute adds a resinous depth. The base of chestnut wood and Bourbon vetiver settles into a woody, smoky foundation. Initio Side Effect and Lou de Pre Bright Tobacco have a close profile to Frustration.

Mercedes-Benz Intense

7.3

Mercedes-Benz · 2013

Fresh · Citrus · Floral

Mercedes-Benz Intense is a fresh, citrusy men's fragrance that sets floral, aquatic and spicy touches on a woody base. Longevity is rated good and sillage moderate. Most voters pick spring and autumn, and daily, business and leisure wear lead the occasions. It reads as masculine, with voters split between classic and modern. Mercedes-Benz for Men (Eau de Toilette) and Acqua di Giò pour Homme (Eau de Toilette) have a close profile. It opens with Italian mandarin orange and Calabrian bergamot, softened by a green edge from violet leaf absolute. The heart pairs violet with Madagascar pepper. The base settles into Bourbon vetiver, American cedar and patchouli, with ambrox lending it a touch of sweetness.

Vetiver Royal Bourbon (2014)

8.0

Oriza L. Legrand · 2014

Fresh · Green · Spicy

Oriza L. Legrand Vetiver Royal Bourbon is a masculine vetiver fragrance that joins a fresh, green start to a woody, smoky, earthy body. Its longevity and sillage are both rated good. Most voters pick autumn and spring, with summer and winter further behind. It leans towards leisure, evening and daily wear, and also suits the office. Voters call it masculine and classic. Peppermint, thyme and vetiver absolute give a cool, green, spicy start. The heart holds labdanum, Bourbon vetiver, sandalwood and iris. In the base, tobacco, leather and oakmoss pull it towards a smoky, resinous warmth. Chanel Sycomore and Etro Vetiver have a close profile.

L'Anarchiste (Eau de Toilette)

7.4

Caron · 2000

Fresh · Citrus · Green

Eau de Toilette

Caron L'Anarchiste Eau de Toilette opens with mint and orange blossom and moves into vetiver, sandalwood and gaiac wood, a fresh, woody scent aimed at men; it has been discontinued. Mint and orange blossom come first, and the accords lean fresh, citrus and green, with a fruity, sweet softness alongside. In the heart, Bourbon vetiver and Indian sandalwood give the scent a woody body, and musk with gaiac wood dries it down on a spicy, woody base. Most voters pick fall and spring, and it is worn for leisure and daily use as well as business. Its longevity is rated good and its sillage moderate. Half of voters call it masculine, and a good number find it classic. Jean Paul Gaultier Le Beau Mâle and Halston Halston Man (Eau de Toilette) have a close profile.

Little Song

7.9

Meo Fusciuni · 2018

Floral · Spicy · Woody

Meo Fusciuni Little Song is a masculine fragrance that moves from a floral, spicy opening into an earthy, smoky and resinous depth, best suited to evenings and cooler weather. Its longevity and sillage are both rated good. Most voters pick autumn and winter, with spring and summer well behind. It is chosen mostly for evenings, leisure time and nights out. More voters find it masculine, though a fair number read it as feminine. It opens with bergamot, ginger and pink pepper, then carries Turkish rose absolute and coffee in the heart. The base holds sage absolute, labdanum absolute, tobacco absolute, Bourbon vetiver, musk and civet. The floral side and the smoky, resinous, earthy side balance each other.

Les Nombres d'Or - Vétyver

7.9

Maison Mona di Orio · 2011

Fresh · Citrus · Green

Maison Mona di Orio Les Nombres d'Or - Vétyver is a unisex scent that ties citrus freshness to earth and smoke, with a green, woody streak; it has been discontinued. Longevity is good and sillage moderate. Most voters pick fall and spring, with winter and summer trailing behind. It suits leisure and daily wear, and the office too. Voters lean towards calling it masculine, though a fair number find it feminine. It opens with Argentinean grapefruit and Madagascan blue ginger for a cool brightness. Towards the heart, clary sage absolute, labdanum and nutmeg add a spicy, faintly resinous warmth. The base rests on Bourbon vetiver, Virginia cedar and patchouli, a woody, earthy footing softened by musk and tonka bean.

Double Attack

7.0

Mind Games · 2022

Sweet · Gourmand · Spicy

Mind Games Double Attack is a sweet, spicy and woody unisex fragrance with a clear gourmand side, leaning towards fall and winter evenings. It opens with pink pepper, orange bitters and pimento for a spicy start. In the heart, Madagascan cinnamon, agave and geranium bring the sweetness forward. The base is dominated by Bourbon vanilla and dark chocolate, while Bourbon vetiver and Indian sandalwood settle it onto a dry, woody footing. Longevity is rated good and sillage moderate. Most voters pick fall and winter, and it is chosen most for evenings and nights out. Masculine and feminine votes sit close together, so it doesn't read as clearly one or the other. Viktor & Rolf Spicebomb Extreme and Dior Vanilla Diorama have a close profile.

Patou pour Homme (1980) (Eau de Toilette)

8.4

Jean Patou · 1980

Green · Spicy · Woody

Jean Patou Patou pour Homme is a green, spicy and woody men's fragrance with smoky, leathery edges and a classic feel; it has been discontinued. Virginia cedar, Malabar pepper and Bourbon vetiver lead, while clary sage and pimento keep it spicy and green and Mysore sandalwood softens the woody base. Alongside its chypre and fougère character there is a resinous, animal roughness. Longevity is rated strong and sillage good. Most voters pick fall and winter, and it is chosen more for nights out and evenings. Most voters read it as masculine and classic. Perfumes with a close profile include Aramis Aramis Special Blend and Arquiste Nanban.

Vetiver (Eau de Toilette)

7.5

Etro · 1989

Fresh · Green · Spicy

Eau de Toilette

Etro Vetiver Eau de Toilette is a green, earthy woody fragrance with a smoky, spicy edge, aimed at men; it has been discontinued. It opens fresh and green with sagebrush, bergamot, clary sage and petitgrain. In the heart, gaiac wood, iris and bourbon vetiver bring out the woody, earthy side, and tobacco flower with amber adds a resinous warmth in the base. Longevity and sillage are moderate. Most voters pick autumn, followed by spring and winter, and it suits daytime, leisure and office wear. Most see it as masculine and classic. Le Labo Vetiver 46 and D.S. & Durga Cowboy Grass have a close profile.

Mercedes-Benz for Men (Eau de Toilette)

6.4

Mercedes-Benz · 2012

Fresh · Citrus · Floral

Eau de Toilette

Mercedes-Benz for Men Eau de Toilette is a men's fragrance that opens with mandarin, lemon and bergamot, turns green with violet leaf, and settles on patchouli and cedarwood. Longevity and sillage are both moderate, so it stays close rather than filling a room. Most voters pick spring and summer, with fall not far behind. Daily wear, leisure and the office come up most often, and the character is mostly voted masculine. It starts with citrus in front: Italian mandarin, lemon and Calabrian bergamot give a bright, fresh opening. In the heart, violet, galbanum and nutmeg pull it towards floral and green, with Madagascar pepper adding a light spice. The base of patchouli, cedarwood and Bourbon vetiver leaves a dry, woody finish.

Rosa Centifolia (2022)

6.6

J.F. Schwarzlose Berlin · 2022

Fresh · Floral · Green

J.F. Schwarzlose Berlin Rosa Centifolia is a fresh, green floral that deepens into spice and wood, and it works as a unisex scent. It opens with osmanthus absolute, petitgrain and cardamom, which give a lightly spiced, green freshness. At the heart, Bourbon geranium, jasmine sambac and Rosa centifolia absolute build the floral body. The base of Santamanol, Namibian myrrh and Bourbon vetiver leaves a woody, slightly leathery ground, with a synthetic sheen running throughout. Voters find both longevity and sillage good. Most pick fall, spring and winter, and few choose summer. It leans towards leisure and evening wear, and votes on whether it reads masculine or feminine are almost evenly split. Ormonde Jayne 4. Montabaco (Parfum) and Ellis Brooklyn Rives have a close profile.

Malachitgrau

7.7

Grauton Parfums · 2022

Fresh · Citrus · Green

Grauton Parfums Malachitgrau is a fresh, citrusy and green unisex scent that turns spicy and earthy as it moves into woods; it has been discontinued. Bergamot, mandarin orange, bitter orange and lemon give it a bright citrus opening, with pink pepper adding a light spice. In the heart, orris root, cardamom and Texas cedar come forward. The base of vetiver, patchouli and oakmoss grounds it in a dry, earthy finish, softened by musk and ambergris. Longevity is rated good and sillage moderate. Most voters recommend it for spring and summer, and leisure and business wear lead the occasions. Most voters read it as masculine. With its vetiver focus, it has a profile close to Creed Original Vetiver and Frédéric Malle Vétiver Extraordinaire.

Sunlit Clementine & Vetiver (Eau de Parfum)

7.5

Molton Brown · 2024

Fresh · Citrus · Green

Eau de Parfum

Molton Brown Sunlit Clementine & Vetiver Eau de Parfum is a fresh, green unisex scent that sets bright clementine and mandarin against bourbon vetiver and suede. The citrus is front and centre: clementine, mandarin orange and lime give it a juicy, fruity sparkle. Fig leaf adds a green edge, while bourbon vetiver, moss and orris absolute build a woody, slightly powdery base. Roasted hazelnut and suede soften the spicy warmth and add a dry, smooth texture. Most voters pick summer and spring, and it leans towards leisure, daily wear and the office. Longevity is rated good and sillage moderate. More voters call it masculine, though a fair share see it as feminine, so it sits somewhere in between. Roja Parfums Burlington 1819 and Atkinsons Mint & Tonic have a close profile.

Pastoral

7.6

Pineward · 2022

Green · Fruity · Sweet

Pineward Pastoral is a unisex scent built on honey, hay and oakmoss, with a green, gourmand character. Honey, beeswax and propolis lay down a sweet, resinous base, while blackberry jam and apricot add a soft fruity edge. Hay, oat and wheat pull the scent towards open fields, and oakmoss with bourbon vetiver gives it a green, woody weight. Voters rate both longevity and sillage as good. Most pick fall and winter, with spring not far behind, and it is chosen mainly for leisure time and evenings. Feminine and masculine votes run close, so it sits comfortably on either. Pineward Hayloft and Slumberhouse Baque have a close profile.

Cuirelle

7.6

Ramón Monegal · 2010

Sweet · Gourmand · Spicy

Ramón Monegal Cuirelle is a unisex scent that sets a sweet, gourmand core against spice, resin and smoke, with a woody, leathery character. Ceylonese cinnamon and beeswax absolute give it a warm, honeyed sweetness, while Bourbon vetiver, Indonesian patchouli and Somalian frankincense ground that sweetness in something dry, resinous and smoky. A powdery softness stays in the background, and the oriental feel runs throughout. Its longevity is rated good and its sillage moderate. Most voters recommend fall and winter, and it is picked most often for nights out and evenings. Votes on its character split almost evenly between feminine and masculine. Laboratorio Olfattivo Alkemi and Berdoues Oud Wa Misk have a close profile.

Vetiver Bourbon

7.6

Monotheme · 2003

Fresh · Citrus · Green

Monotheme Vetiver Bourbon is a fresh, green citrus scent set on an earthy vetiver base, aimed mainly at men. It opens bright, spicy and slightly bitter with lemon, bergamot, coriander and artemisia. In the heart, orange blossom and Bourbon vetiver take over, and the earthy side of the vetiver defines the character. Sandalwood and oakmoss form a dry, woody base underneath. Longevity and sillage are moderate, so it stays close rather than filling a room. Most voters pick spring and summer, and daily wear, leisure and office top the occasions. Most see it as masculine, though a fair number read it as feminine. Malizia Uomo Vetyver and Creed Original Vetiver have a close profile.

Empreinte (2012)

7.6

Courrèges · 2012

Fresh · Citrus · Floral

Courrèges Empreinte is a chypre for women that opens with mandarin, bergamot and aldehydes, carries roses and jasmine in the heart and rests on cedar, sandalwood and leather; it has been discontinued. Its longevity and sillage are both moderate. Most voters pick spring and fall, with summer close behind. Daily wear, leisure and business are the most voted occasions. It reads feminine to most, though some find it classic or even masculine. It opens fresh and citrusy with Brazilian mandarin orange, Calabrian bergamot and aldehydes. In the heart, May rose, Bulgarian rose and jasmine add a floral, green touch. The base of cedar, sandalwood, patchouli and vetiver is woody and earthy, while moss and leather give the chypre a leathery edge. That base carries the fresh opening into a dry, spicy finish.