The Perfume Library

Shalimar Ode à la Vanille - Sur la route du Mexique

8.5

Guerlain · 2013

Citrus · Floral · Sweet

Guerlain Shalimar Ode à la Vanille - Sur la route du Mexique is a women's fragrance for fall and winter evenings, with a gourmand character built on vanilla and chocolate; it has been discontinued. It opens on Mexican vanilla and moves into caramel and chocolate at the heart. The base holds frankincense, tonka bean, iris and opoponax. A powdery, resinous and slightly smoky depth sits under the sweet, gourmand core, while citrus and spice stay in the background. Its longevity is rated strong and its sillage good. Most voters pick fall and winter, and evening or night out. Most find it feminine, and some read it as classic. Erik Kormann November and Memo Paris Manoa have a close profile.

Ciel Woman

7.7

Amouage · 2003

Fresh · Floral · Green

Amouage Ciel Woman is a fresh, floral scent with a powdery, creamy feel, reading as an easy daytime fragrance for women. It has been discontinued. Longevity is rated good and sillage moderate, so it stays close without pushing into the room. Most voters pick spring and summer, with daily wear, leisure and the office leading the occasions. Voters mostly read its character as feminine. Cyclamen, gardenia and violet leaf open green and airy, while water lily, peach aldehyde, jasmine and rose soften the heart into something floral. The base of amber, sandalwood, frankincense, musk and cedarwood settles it into a woody, sweet, creamy finish. Ex Nihilo Iris Porcelana and Fragonard Soleil have a close profile.

Geranium pour Monsieur

7.2

Editions de Parfums Frédéric Malle · 2009

Fresh · Floral · Green

Editions de Parfums Frédéric Malle Geranium pour Monsieur is a fresh, green and spicy take on geranium, made for men. Chinese geranium and the cool edge of mint and peppermint set the tone from the start; cinnamon and clove add warmth, while sandalwood and frankincense lay a woody base underneath. Fresh, green and woody accords lead, with a slightly synthetic sheen alongside. Longevity and sillage are moderate. Most voters pick spring and summer, and leisure, daily wear and the office get the most votes. It is mostly seen as masculine and classic, though some also find it modern. Heeley Menthe Fraîche and Electimuss Silvanus have a close profile.

Ambre Russe

7.9

Parfum d'Empire · 2005

Sweet · Gourmand · Spicy

Parfum d'Empire Ambre Russe is a sweet, spicy amber with a smoky, leathery weight, unisex and suited to cold-weather evenings. Longevity is rated strong and sillage good. Most voters pick fall and winter, and summer barely comes up. Evenings and nights out are the most common occasions. Votes for masculine and feminine sit close together, so it reads open to both. Cinnamon and coriander bring the spice, while frankincense adds a resinous depth. Cade juniper wood, birch wood and Russian leather draw a smoky, leathery frame, softened by musk and ambergris. Champagne, vodka and tea leave a gourmand edge inside the sweetness.

Her Confession

7.9

Lattafa · 2024

Floral · Sweet · Synthetic

Lattafa Her Confession pairs tuberose, jasmine and frankincense with the creamy sweetness of vanilla, tonka bean and musk, a feminine scent with a clear gourmand side. Longevity and sillage are both rated good, and most voters give longevity a high score. Fall and winter get the most votes, spring follows, and summer trails. It leans towards leisure and daily wear, but also suits evenings and nights out. Half of voters call it feminine, and a third call it modern. Cinnamon's spice and Mystikal® come first; in the heart Mahonial®, frankincense, jasmine and tuberose build a floral core. The base of musk, vanilla and tonka bean sweetens it and leaves a powdery, creamy warmth. Overall it reads floral and sweet, with a slightly synthetic sheen.

Allure Sensuelle (Eau de Parfum)

7.9

Chanel · 2005

Floral · Fruity · Sweet

Eau de Parfum

Chanel Allure Sensuelle Eau de Parfum is a sweet, spicy floral for women that suits fall and winter evenings best. It opens with a bright citrus lift of mandarin orange, orange and bergamot, with pink pepper adding a light spice. In the heart, jasmine, rose and iris build a floral, powdery base while candied fruits bring sweetness. The base of vanilla, amber, patchouli and frankincense turns it warm, woody and oriental. Longevity is rated strong and sillage good. Most voters pick fall and winter, and it is chosen most often for evenings and nights out. Half of voters call it feminine, with the rest finding it classic or modern. Dior Midnight Poison and Chanel Coco Noir have a close profile.

Nuit et Confidences

8.0

Goutal · 2017

Floral · Sweet · Gourmand

Goutal Nuit et Confidences is a floral, gourmand scent that sets bright Italian bergamot and mandarin over orchid, frankincense and black pepper, and settles into creamy vanilla and tonka bean. It opens with a bright citrus lift from Italian bergamot and Italian mandarin orange. In the heart, orchid, frankincense and Madagascan black pepper add a spicy, faintly smoky edge to the floral core. The base of musk, Bourbon vanilla and Brazilian tonka bean turns it powdery, creamy and sweet. Longevity is good and sillage moderate. Most voters pick autumn and winter, with evening and night out leading the occasions, though it also works for leisure. It reads mostly feminine. Aerin Tangier Vanille and Acca Kappa Vaniglia Fior di Mandorlo have a close profile.

Vert d'Encens

8.0

Tom Ford · 2016

Green · Sweet · Spicy

Tom Ford Vert d'Encens is a green, resinous unisex scent that leans towards fall and winter days; it has been discontinued. Frankincense, fir balsam and pine resin carry the scent, while cardamom and basil add a spicy, herbal freshness. Bergamot and lemon lighten it, and jasmine and heliotrope bring a soft sweetness. The overall impression is green, woody, earthy and slightly smoky. Its longevity is rated strong and its sillage good. Most voters pick fall and winter, with spring not far behind. It leans towards leisure and evening wear. It reads more masculine, though it works as a unisex scent. M. Micallef Style and Le Couvent Valparaiso 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.

Arso

8.1

Profumum Roma · 2010

Green · Sweet · Spicy

Profumum Roma Arso is a green, smoky unisex scent built around leather, pine resin, frankincense and cedar leaf, suited to evenings in the cooler months. It reads as a single whole: a leathery, resinous backbone with the green, woody tones of cedar leaf alongside. Frankincense adds a smoky, spicy edge, while the sweet accord softens the firmness and an earthy depth stays in the background. Longevity is rated strong and sillage good. Most voters pick autumn and winter, with evening and leisure the most mentioned uses, and summer rarely chosen. Most voters find it masculine. Bottega Veneta pour Homme Parfum and Atelier des Ors Cuir Sacré have a close profile.

Purpose

7.8

Amouage · 2023

Fresh · Green · Spicy

Amouage Purpose is a unisex scent that pairs a fresh, green opening with spicy, resinous and smoky-leathery depth, and it suits fall and winter evenings best. Longevity and sillage are both rated strong, so it carries well from the skin. Most voters pick fall and winter, with spring not far behind; it leans towards evenings, nights out and leisure time. Most voters read it as masculine, though it is made as a unisex perfume. Bergamot, pimento, frankincense and pink pepper give it a bright, spicy, lightly resinous start. In the heart, vetiver, rose, papyrus and sandalwood build a green, woody, earthy body. Saffron and suede in the base add a smoky, leathery warmth.

Iris Nazarena

7.9

Aedes de Venustas · 2013

Fresh · Floral · Green

Aedes de Venustas Iris Nazarena is a unisex scent that opens on iris and star anise, deepens with oud and clove, and settles into an earthy, smoky base. Most voters pick fall and spring, and evening, night out and leisure are its leading occasions. Longevity is rated good and sillage moderate. Voters split almost evenly between masculine and feminine, so it leans neither way. The top notes are star anise, iris, ambrette and juniper berry, which read fresh, green and powdery. In the heart, oud, rose and clove add a floral, spicy depth. Patchouli, vetiver and frankincense anchor the base in earthy, woody, smoky tones.

Carbone (2010) (Eau de Toilette)

7.8

Balmain · 2010

Green · Sweet · Spicy

Balmain Carbone opens with ivy, elemi resin and Madagascar pepper, a smoky, resinous men's fragrance that has been discontinued. Most voters pick autumn and winter, with spring further back and summer the least favoured. It leans towards evenings and nights out, though daily and office wear also get votes. Longevity is rated good and sillage moderate. Half of voters call it masculine, and a good share also find it classic. The top notes bring ivy's green edge and a peppery spice. In the heart, black fig and frankincense add a resinous depth. Vetiver lays an earthy base, which musk, Siam benzoin and vanilla sweeten and soften. Green, sweet and spicy accords lead, with woody and leathery tones in the background. Olfactive Studio Autoportrait and Profumum Roma Arso have a close profile.

He Wood Rocky Mountain Wood

7.6

Dsquared² · 2009

Fresh · Floral · Green

Dsquared² He Wood Rocky Mountain Wood is a woody, green and resinous men's fragrance built around cedarwood, vetiver and frankincense. White pepper adds a spicy edge, while violet and Canada lily bring a soft floral touch. Musk and mineral amber round it off underneath. The overall impression is fresh, earthy and slightly smoky rather than heavy or sweet. Longevity is rated good and sillage moderate. Most voters pick fall and spring, with winter not far behind. It is worn mainly for leisure, daily use and the office, and it reads clearly masculine. It has been discontinued.

oudTouch

7.6

Franck Olivier · 2014

Floral · Sweet · Spicy

Franck Olivier oudTouch is a unisex oriental that pairs a floral, sweet body with spicy, resinous and smoky tones. Orange, raspberry and toffee open with a fruity sweetness. The heart brings patchouli, violet, frankincense, jasmine absolute and rose, while vanilla, musk and amber in the base soften it onto a warm footing. Longevity and sillage are rated strong. Most voters pick winter and fall, and it leans towards evenings and nights out. Its character reads mostly masculine and classic. It shares a close profile with Mancera Aoud Exclusif and Fragrance Du Bois Oud Noir Intense.

Queen of Silk

7.2

Creed · 2024

Floral · Fruity · Sweet

Creed Queen of Silk is a feminine fragrance that pairs a floral, fruity sweetness with a powdery, creamy woodiness, and it leans towards evenings and cooler seasons. It opens with magnolia, saffron and Chinese osmanthus. In the heart, tuberose and passion fruit carry the floral sweetness while Java patchouli and oud add a woody depth. The base of myrrh, frankincense, musk and Bourbon vanilla settles into a soft, creamy, lightly spiced warmth. Longevity is rated strong and sillage good. Most voters pick fall, followed by spring and winter, and evening and night out are the most chosen occasions. Most voters read it as feminine. Perfumes with a close profile include The Dua Brand Silk Queen and Ormonde Jayne Arabesque.

Meander

7.6

Amouage · 2020

Fresh · Floral · Green

The Dark Side

7.4

Tigha · 2019

Spicy · Woody · Oriental

Mana

8.4

Nishane · 2022

Floral · Spicy · Woody

Nishane Mana is a dense, oriental and woody unisex fragrance in which spice, resin and smoke settle over a floral heart. It opens with black pepper, cardamom and saffron for a spicy warmth, while geranium adds a faint green edge. In the heart, Turkish rose, oud, castoreum and suede bring an animal, leathery depth. The base of frankincense, benzoin and labdanum turns soft and resinous, and patchouli and gaiac wood keep the smoky, woody tone going. Longevity and sillage are rated very strong, so a few sprays are enough to be noticed. Most voters pick fall and winter, and it leans towards evenings and nights out. Most voters read it as masculine, though it remains unisex. Its profile is close to Papillon Artisan Perfumes Anubis and Montale Aoud Legend.

Halston Z-14 (Cologne)

7.6

Halston · 1976

Fresh · Citrus · Green

Halston Z-14 (Cologne) is a classic men's scent that joins a fresh opening of bergamot, lemon and basil to the smoky, earthy warmth of cedarwood, patchouli and leather; it has been discontinued. It opens fresh, green and citrusy with bergamot, lemon and basil, while cypress dries that freshness into a sharper green. In the heart, vetiver, patchouli, cinnamon and cedarwood push it towards a spicy, woody character. The base of leather, moss, amber and frankincense settles into a resinous, smoky ground. Longevity and sillage are both rated good. Most voters pick autumn, followed by spring and winter, and it is named a little more often for leisure and daily wear. Most voters read it as masculine, many as classic. Halston Halston Z (Eau de Toilette) and Azzaro Azzaro pour Homme (Eau de Toilette) have a close profile.

Anubis

8.2

Papillon Artisan Perfumes · 2012

Floral · Spicy · Woody

Papillon Artisan Perfumes Anubis is a resinous, smoky unisex scent that suits fall and winter evenings. Most voters pick fall and winter, and evening and night out lead the occasions. Longevity is rated strong and sillage good. Most voters read it as masculine, though some call it feminine or classic. The scent sits in a floral, spicy and woody frame. Egyptian jasmine and pink lotus carry the floral side, with saffron adding spice. Sandalwood, frankincense and labdanum give a resinous, woody warmth, suede adds a leathery touch and immortelle a dry edge. Animal and smoky accords pull it towards the darker side. Nishane Mana and Gritti Florian have a close profile.

Spicebomb Night Vision (Eau de Parfum)

7.1

Viktor & Rolf · 2020

Fresh · Green · Fruity

Eau de Parfum

Viktor & Rolf Spicebomb Night Vision Eau de Parfum is a men's fragrance that pairs a fresh, green opening with a spicy, woody body, and it suits evenings and nights out best. Clove, cardamom, black pepper and grapefruit lead the top, with green apple and lemon keeping it bright. Lavender and rosemary add an herbal touch in the heart, while fir balsam, patchouli and cedarwood build a woody base. The overall impression is fresh, lightly sweet and spicy. Longevity and sillage are both rated good. Most voters pick fall and winter, with spring not far behind and summer chosen by few. Night out, evening and leisure are the most named occasions. It reads masculine and modern. Zara For Him Black Edition Intense and Diesel Only The Brave Wild have a close profile.

Cierge de Lune

8.1

Aedes de Venustas · 2016

Floral · Sweet · Gourmand

Aedes de Venustas Cierge de Lune is a sweet, spicy unisex fragrance that sets ylang-ylang and Bourbon vanilla absolute over suede and amber. Longevity and sillage are both rated as good. Most voters suggest autumn and winter, and wear gathers around evenings and nights out. It reads more feminine to voters, though a fair number call it masculine. It opens on a crystal accord. The heart brings together ylang-ylang, hedione, black pepper, pink pepper and vanilla, so the floral side is warmed by spice. The base of suede, ambroxan, frankincense, musk and amber dries down powdery, creamy, slightly smoky and leathery. The sweet, gourmand side leads. Perfumes with a close profile include Panouge Perle Rare Gold and Tom Ford White Suede (Eau de Parfum).

Idole de Lubin (Eau de Parfum)

8.0

Lubin · 2011

Sweet · Spicy · Woody

Eau de Parfum

Lubin Idole de Lubin Eau de Parfum is a sweet, spicy and smoky unisex scent, woody and resinous, that suits the evenings of the colder months. Most voters pick fall and winter, while summer trails far behind. Evening and night-out wear lead, with leisure use close behind. Longevity is rated good and sillage moderate. Voters lean slightly masculine, though a sizeable share finds it feminine. It opens with black caraway, saffron and rum absolute, brightened by bitter orange zest. In the heart, smoked ebony wood, frankincense and sugar cane bring a sweet, smoky warmth. The base settles into amber, red sandalwood and leather, with cistus rounding out the resinous feel.