The Perfume Library

No. 11

7.9

Pierre de Velay · 2009

Citrus · Floral · Fruity

Pierre de Velay No. 11 is a unisex chypre that opens with a bright lemon freshness and settles into powdery, floral, woody warmth; it has been discontinued. Both its longevity and its sillage are rated strong. Most voters lean towards autumn, with spring and winter not far behind, and it suits nights out, leisure time and evenings best. Votes for masculine and feminine are nearly even, so it sits comfortably on either side. It starts with citrus notes and lemon, then moves into May rose, violet and Grasse jasmine. The base is led by patchouli, vetiver, oakmoss and vanilla, while celery seed and pepper add a spicy edge. The result is a sweet, creamy chypre with a faint animal touch.

Nemean Lion

7.4

Argos · 2022

Green · Spicy · Woody

Argos Nemean Lion is a green, woody unisex scent that leans towards the colder months, with spice, resin and leather giving it a rugged character. It opens with Scots pine, citrus notes, labdanum and oakmoss, a green and earthy start. In the heart, coriander, juniper berry and pink pepper add spice, while jasmine and clary sage soften the edges a little. The base of musk, Mysore sandalwood, oud, leather and amber settles into a creamy, resinous, animalic warmth. Longevity and sillage are both rated strong, and most voters pick autumn and winter, with spring well behind and summer rarely chosen. It suits anyone who wants a dense, characterful scent without a gendered slant. Caron Yatagan and Chanel Antaeus have a close profile.

Santal Pondicherry

7.3

Blend Oud · 2019

Sweet · Spicy · Woody

Blend Oud Santal Pondicherry is a sweet, woody unisex scent that voters place mostly in fall and winter; it has been discontinued. Longevity is rated good and sillage moderate. Most voters pick fall and winter, with spring not far behind and summer chosen least. Wear is spread across leisure, business and evening. It reads equally masculine and feminine, with no clear lean either way. Frankincense, cedarwood and citrus notes open it, while saffron and cardamom bring spice at the heart. In the base, sandalwood, vanilla and amber settle into a sweet, creamy, powdery woodiness, with cedarwood returning. Giorgio Armani Emporio Armani Stronger With You Sandalwood and Bon Parfumeur 302 Ambre Iris Santal have a close profile.

Laguna (Eau de Cologne)

6.9

Harry Lehmann

Fresh · Citrus · Green

Eau de Cologne

Harry Lehmann Laguna Eau de Cologne is a fresh men's scent led by star anise, mint and citrus notes; it has been discontinued. Its longevity and sillage are both rated weak, so it stays close to the skin and stays light. Most voters point to summer and spring, and daily wear, leisure and the office come up most. Masculine is the leading character vote, though a fair number call it feminine. The notes have no top, heart or base split, so it reads as one piece: the spiciness of star anise and the coolness of mint meet the brightness of citrus notes. Lavender adds a green touch, while sandalwood, patchouli and vetiver form a woody, slightly powdery ground. A fruity edge runs through the accords too.

Oriental Essence - Eau des Indes

7.2

Rituals · 2015

Fresh · Citrus · Floral

Rituals Oriental Essence - Eau des Indes is a fresh, floral women's fragrance that leans towards spring and summer days; it has been discontinued. It opens with citrus notes, bergamot and white tea, and the heart of peony, mimosa and ginger adds a soft floral touch. In the base, white musk, cedarwood and musk set down a creamy, lightly woody floor. The overall impression is fresh, green and clean. Longevity and sillage are moderate, so it stays close rather than leaving a heavy trail. Most voters pick spring and summer, and daily wear, leisure and office settings lead the occasions. A feminine character prevails. Women'secret W'eau Garden and Folie à Plusieurs Hope have a close profile.

Désert (Eau de Toilette)

7.4

Fragonard

Fresh · Citrus · Sweet

Eau de Toilette

Fragonard Désert Eau de Toilette is a men's fragrance that opens with citrus and deepens into saffron, tobacco and oud, sitting between fresh and spicy. The citrus top notes give it a bright, fresh start. In the heart, saffron, spicy notes and woody notes come forward. The base holds tobacco, oud, beeswax and tonka bean, leaving a sweet, creamy and slightly smoky trail, with an oriental streak among the accords. Longevity and sillage are moderate. Most voters pick fall and winter, with spring not far behind, while summer is the least chosen season. It suits everything from daily wear to evenings out. Its profile is close to Just Jack Tobacco Leaf and Junaid Perfumes Tiyoob.

Shamrock

7.7

Mine Perfume Lab · 2020

Citrus · Fruity · Sweet

Mine Perfume Lab Shamrock is a unisex scent that sets the brightness of citrus against honey and vanilla, with a sweet, gourmand character on top. It opens on citrus notes, moves into honey, jasmine and whisky at the heart, and settles on sandalwood, musk and vanilla, which soften and sweeten the dry-down. Fruity and spicy accents keep the sweetness lively, while the woody side stays in the background. Longevity and sillage are both rated good. Most voters pick fall and winter, with spring not far behind, and it leans towards evenings and nights out, though it also works for leisure. Bishop Bonne Nuit and Rasasi Royale for Women have a close profile.

Pinaud Special Reserve

7.9

Clubman

Fresh · Spicy · Woody

Clubman Pinaud Special Reserve is a fresh, spicy men's fragrance built on citrus notes, musk and woody notes. The notes aren't split into top, heart and base, so it reads as a single whole. Fresh citrus notes sit alongside woody notes, with musk laying a soft base underneath. The spicy and resinous side, joined by earthy, smoky and leathery touches, gives it a classic fougère feel, with a faint animal trace in the background. Longevity and sillage are rated moderate. Most voters pick autumn and winter, while spring and summer come well behind. It leans towards daily and leisure wear, and also suits evenings and the office. Voters rate it highly for value. Its profile is close to Tonsor & Cie Vintage Style and Avon Cool Blue Wave.

Éclat de Vert

7.5

Aerin · 2018

Fresh · Citrus · Floral

Aerin Éclat de Vert is a fresh, green floral that pairs bright citrus with a creamy softness, and it reads as a scent for women. Lemon and citrus notes set a bright frame, while galbanum adds a sharp green edge. Jasmine and magnolia build the floral side, and orris absolute with ambrox smooths everything into a creamy base. Longevity and sillage are moderate. Most voters pick spring and summer, and daily wear, leisure and the office come up most often. Half of the voters call it feminine. Angel Schlesser Intimate White Flowers and Victoria's Secret Citrus Lily have a close profile.

Yellow

7.7

Kanchaveli · 2025

Citrus · Sweet · Spicy

Kanchaveli Yellow is a unisex scent that pulls fresh citrus notes toward a sweet, spicy side with cinnamon and leather. Yellow's longevity and sillage are both rated good. Most voters pick fall, then spring, with winter and summer less favored. Office, evening, leisure and night out get similar weight, so it isn't tied to one setting. The notes have no top, heart and base split, so it reads as a whole: citrus notes give a bright start, cinnamon adds spice and sweetness, and leather brings a leathery depth. The accords also include a woody, resinous tone. Zara Vibrant Leather Winter and Roger & Gallet Open Gold have a close profile.

Balkis (Eau de Parfum)

7.0

Al Rehab

Floral · Fruity · Sweet

Eau de Parfum

Al Rehab Balkis Eau de Parfum is a sweet, floral and gourmand women's fragrance, with jasmine and honey softened by vanilla and white musk; it has been discontinued. Balkis gets the most votes for fall and winter, with summer and spring further behind. Voters point to evening, night out and leisure, while business is the least chosen setting. Longevity is rated good and sillage moderate. More than half of voters read it as feminine. Jasmine, lily and violet form the floral core, with honey and vanilla adding sweetness and citrus notes lightening it. White musk settles everything onto a soft, powdery base. Fruity, spicy, resinous and woody tones sit quietly in the background.

Oro Rosso

7.6

Bois 1920 · 2019

Citrus · Floral · Fruity

Bois 1920 Oro Rosso is a sweet, spicy unisex scent that pairs blood orange with saffron and grounds them with oakmoss. Most voters pick fall and winter, with spring next. It leans towards evenings and nights out, yet sits easily in leisure time too. Longevity is rated strong and sillage good. Votes split evenly between masculine and feminine. The opening is bright with citrus notes and blood orange. The heart blends sage, lavender, jasmine and saffron, so the floral side is softened by spice. The base of oak wood and oakmoss lays down a woody, powdery ground, while a gourmand sweetness runs throughout. Its profile is close to Xerjoff Blue Hope and Le Chameau Espada Intense.

Fleurs et Flammes

7.1

Antonio Alessandria · 2015

Citrus · Floral · Green

Antonio Alessandria Fleurs et Flammes is a feminine scent that sets citrus, green and floral notes against a powdery, creamy base. Longevity is good and sillage moderate, so it suits those who want a scent that stays close without filling the room. Most voters pick spring and fall, with evening and leisure leading the occasions. Most voters read it as feminine and classic. Bergamot, galbanum and green notes give a fresh, sharp opening, softened a little by summer fruits. The heart centres on lily, rose and carnation, with white blossoms alongside. In the base, musk, soft woods and almond milk leave it creamy and powdery. Santa Maria Novella Lana and Nectar Olfactif Etoile de Bali have a close profile.

Monsieur mon Amour

7.3

Atelier Flou

Fresh · Citrus · Floral

Atelier Flou Monsieur mon Amour is a men's fragrance that sets a fresh, citrusy mood against floral, green and lightly smoky woods, and it suits spring and summer days at work or in your free time. Most voters recommend it for spring and summer, with fall next and winter trailing behind. Business, leisure and daily wear share almost equal weight, while night outings come lower. Longevity is rated moderate and sillage weak, so it stays close to the skin rather than filling a room. Most voters find it masculine. Jasmine and citrus notes open it, gaiac wood, frankincense and cedarwood form the heart, and patchouli, ambergris and musk soften the base. The overall impression is fresh and green, with a sweet, spicy and resinous warmth underneath. Its profile is close to Maison Margiela (untitled) and Dunhill Custom.

Rose Absolue

7.7

Tauer Perfumes · 2025

Citrus · Floral · Fruity

Tauer Perfumes Rose Absolue is a unisex rose scent that leans towards fall and winter evenings, warming rose absolute with amber and resins. Longevity is rated strong and sillage good. Most voters pick fall and winter, with evenings and nights out leading, though leisure and daily wear also get votes. It reads slightly more feminine than masculine, but a good share of voters call it masculine, so it sits comfortably in between. It opens with citrus notes, spices and berries brightening the rose. The heart holds rose absolute and floral notes, and the base of amber, resins, benzoin, ambergris and woods adds a sweet, woody, oriental warmth. Tauerville Rose Flash and Parfums DelRae Bois de Paradis have a close profile.

Touche pour Homme

7.7

Rue Broca

Fruity · Sweet · Synthetic

Rue Broca Touche pour Homme is a sweet, spicy men's fragrance that suits evenings and nights out, especially in fall and winter. It has a fruity, gourmand character. It opens with linden blossom, mint, blackcurrant and citrus notes for a fresh fruity touch. Orange blossom, musk and oriental spices come forward in the heart, while vanilla, cinnamon and precious woods settle it onto a creamy, woody, sweet base. Longevity is rated strong and sillage good. Most voters pick fall and winter, then spring, with few votes for summer. Night out and evening wear lead, though it also works for daily use. It reads masculine. Its profile is close to Hugo Boss The Scent Magnetic for Him and Rabanne 1 Million Black.

Sélection Verte

8.2

Creed · 1970

Fresh · Citrus · Green

Creed Sélection Verte is a fresh, green men's fragrance that pairs neroli and citrus notes with a peppery edge. Longevity and sillage are both moderate: it neither dominates a room nor fades quickly. Most voters place it in business, daily and leisure wear, with evening and night-out use further behind. Voters mostly call its character masculine, while classic and modern draw similar shares. It opens with neroli, citrus and peppery notes, fresh and lightly spiced. Herbs and peppermint in the heart bring out the green side. Ambergris leaves a calm base underneath, and fruity and resinous touches round out the accords.

Iris Bleu & Iris Blanc

6.6

L'Occitane en Provence · 2015

Fresh · Citrus · Floral

L'Occitane en Provence Iris Bleu & Iris Blanc is a fresh, floral women's scent that leans towards spring and summer days. It opens with citrus notes and blackcurrant. In the heart, peach, fig milk, white iris and ylang-ylang come together, giving it a fruity, green and slightly creamy character. The base of cedar, white musk and Iris pallida settles the sweetness onto a powdery, woody footing. Longevity and sillage are rated weak, so it stays close to the skin. Most voters pick spring and summer, and daily wear, leisure and office settings lead the occasions. Most voters read it as feminine.

Purple Patchouli

7.4

Tom Ford · 2007

Floral · Fruity · Sweet

Tom Ford Purple Patchouli is a powdery, earthy unisex fragrance that suits fall and spring evenings; it has been discontinued. Its longevity is rated strong and its sillage good. Most voters pick fall and spring, and evening and night out lead the occasions, with daily wear far behind. The top opens with orchid, green notes and citrus notes. Towards the heart, spices, leather and patchouli take over; in the base, vetiver, Peru balsam and amber settle it into a sweet, woody, oriental ground. Floral and fruity facets stay in the background. Empresa Patchouly Extreme and Dior Midnight Poison (Eau de Parfum) have a close profile.

Activist (Eau de Toilette)

6.9

The Body Shop · 1995

Fresh · Citrus · Fruity

Eau de Toilette

The Body Shop Activist Eau de Toilette is a fresh, citrusy men's scent, its fruity sweetness balanced by spice and a woody backdrop. Longevity and sillage are rated moderate, though the vote counts are small, so these ratings are only a rough guide. Voters spread the seasons almost evenly, so it isn't tied to one time of year. It is classed as a masculine fragrance. It opens on citrus notes. In the heart, mint and coriander bring coolness together with spice. Sandalwood in the base settles everything onto a soft, woody footing, while the oriental touch stays in the background. Wolfgang Joop Wolfgang Joop and Duke Cannon Midway have a close profile.

Rouge (Eau de Toilette)

7.5

Scorpio · 1989

Green · Sweet · Spicy

Eau de Toilette

Scorpio Rouge Eau de Toilette is a men's scent led by bergamot and lavender, running along green and woody lines, and it suits fall and spring days. Most voters pick fall, followed by spring and winter, with summer chosen less. Leisure, a night out and evenings are the occasions that come up most. Longevity and sillage are rated good, and voters mostly see its character as masculine and classic. The top is bergamot and citrus notes. Towards the heart come lavender, mint and herbaceous and fougère notes, giving it a green, earthy feel. In the base, sandalwood, patchouli and pine form a woody footing while oriental notes sweeten it. Le Bonheur Perfumes VI and Costume National Homme Parfum have a close profile.

40 Rogue

7.2

Rogue · 2019

Fresh · Floral · Green

Rogue 40 Rogue is a unisex green floral chypre that pairs a fresh, herbal side with a powdery one; it has been discontinued. Tarragon, basil and citrus notes give it a green, fresh frame. Rose, narcissus and carnation shape the floral side, while aldehydes add brightness. Oakmoss and musk settle it onto a woody, powdery base, and the fruity notes and an animal touch soften the sharper greenery. Longevity is rated good and sillage moderate. Most voters pick spring and fall, with leisure and evening wear leading. Masculine and feminine votes sit close together, and it reads as classic. Krizia Moods and Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche have a close profile.

Bois Rouge

7.7

Tom Ford · 2007

Fresh · Floral · Spicy

Tom Ford Bois Rouge is a smoky, leathery unisex scent that leans towards autumn and winter evenings; it has been discontinued. It opens with citrus notes and spices, then a heart of patchouli, lily of the valley, jasmine and cedar sits between floral and woody. The base is led by vetiver, sandalwood, leather, vanilla and amber; the fresh accord stays in the background while the earthy, oriental side turns sweeter. Longevity is rated strong and sillage good. Most voters suggest fall and winter, and it is picked most for nights out and evenings, with some daily and business wear. Most voters read it as masculine. Dior Fahrenheit and Davidoff Zino have a close profile.

401 - Lavender & Juniper

7.4

N.C.P. · 2017

Fresh · Floral · Green

N.C.P. 401 - Lavender & Juniper is a fresh, green and woody fougère that leans towards spring and summer and suits relaxed, everyday wear. Longevity and sillage are both moderate, so it neither shouts nor disappears quickly. Most voters pick summer, spring and fall, with winter well behind. Leisure, daily and office wear lead the occasions. It is labelled unisex, though voters most often read it as masculine. It opens with juniper, citrus notes and fresh notes. In the heart, sage, sandalwood and iris carry it from green towards woody and lightly floral. Hay and musk soften the base, with a spicy touch in the background. Parfums de Marly Galloway and Technique Indiscrète Lavandor share a close profile.