The Perfume Library

Chanel · 1981

Spicy · Woody · Animal

Eau de Toilette

Chanel Antaeus Eau de Toilette is a spicy, woody and leathery chypre with a dry, earthy, masculine character. It opens with myrrh, lemon, coriander and bergamot, then moves into thyme, basil and rose at the heart. Patchouli, oakmoss and labdanum dominate the base, while castoreum deepens the animal and resinous side. The overall impression is dry, earthy and austere. Most voters pick autumn and winter, while summer stays in the background. It leans towards evenings and nights out, and both its longevity and sillage are rated strong. Half of voters call it masculine, and many also find it classic. Close in profile are The Dua Brand Blast from the Past and Daniel Hechter Caractère (Eau de Toilette).

Epic Man

Amouage · 2009

Green · Spicy · Woody

Amouage Epic Man is a clearly masculine fragrance that sets a spicy, resinous and woody character on a leathery, smoky base. Saffron, cardamom, cumin and pink pepper open it hard and spicy, while frankincense and myrrh add a resinous weight. The base leans on patchouli, oud, leather and cedarwood, with castoreum and musk finishing it in an animalic, earthy warmth. Longevity is rated strong and sillage good. Most voters pick autumn and winter, and evening and night out are the occasions named most often. Most voters read it as masculine and classic. Zimaya Icon and Amouage Opus VII - Reckless Leather have a close profile.

Amber pour Homme (Eau de Toilette)

Prada · 2006

Fresh · Floral · Sweet

Eau de Toilette

Prada Amber pour Homme Eau de Toilette is a men's fragrance that sets the freshness of bergamot and mandarin orange against a warm, sweet base of labdanum, vanilla and sandalwood. Its longevity and sillage are both rated good. Most voters pick spring and fall, with summer and winter further behind. Daily wear, the office and leisure lead, and it also works for evenings. Most voters read it as masculine. It opens fresh and spicy with bergamot, mandarin orange, neroli and cardamom. The heart brings vetiver, orange blossom and myrrh forward. In the base, labdanum, leather, tonka bean and vanilla add a sweet, powdery, creamy warmth, while sandalwood gives it a woody footing. Amouage Reflection 45 and Rasasi Daarej pour Homme have a close profile.

Beach Hut Man

Amouage · 2017

Fresh · Green · Spicy

Amouage Beach Hut Man is a fresh, green and woody men's fragrance that suits spring and summer days, leisure time and everyday wear. Most voters recommend it for spring and summer, while winter gets very few votes. Both longevity and sillage are rated strong. Voters mostly see it as masculine, with a good share calling it classic, and it sits comfortably in the office as well as in daily life. It opens fresh and green with mint, galbanum and orange blossom. In the heart, ivy, moss and vetiver add an earthy touch. The base of myrrh, patchouli and dry woods settles into a spicy, woody foundation, and the fougère structure stays noticeable throughout.

Interlude Black Iris

8.2

Amouage · 2020

Sweet · Spicy · Woody

Amouage Interlude Black Iris is a sweet, spicy and smoky men's fragrance that sets the powdery softness of iris against smoked leather, oud and resin. It opens with rosemary, violet leaf and bergamot, a light green and fresh start. In the heart, Florentine iris absolute and orris butter lay a powdery base, while amber, frankincense, myrrh and vanilla fill it with sweet, resinous warmth. The base of smoked leather, oud, patchouli, cedarwood and sandalwood leaves a smoky, woody weight. Longevity is rated very strong and sillage strong. Most voters pick winter and fall, and it leans towards evenings and nights out. It reads masculine and classic. Amouage Interlude Man and Amouage Interlude 53 have a close profile.

M7 (2011) / M7 Oud Absolu

Yves Saint Laurent · 2011

Sweet · Spicy · Woody

Yves Saint Laurent M7 / M7 Oud Absolu is a woody, sweet and spicy men's fragrance built on oud, patchouli and vetiver, best suited to autumn and winter evenings. It opens bright, with mineral notes, bergamot, orange and mandarin orange. In the heart, rosemary, patchouli and oud take over, and the scent turns earthy and smoky. The base of vetiver, labdanum, musk, myrrh and amber leaves a resinous, sweet warmth. Most voters pick autumn and winter, and it is chosen mostly for evenings and nights out. Its longevity and sillage are rated good. Most see it as masculine and classic. Tom Ford Oud Wood (Eau de Parfum) and Etro Messe de Minuit (Eau de Toilette) have a close profile.

Psychedelic Love

Initio · 2017

Floral · Sweet · Gourmand

Initio Psychedelic Love is a floral, sweet scent with gourmand, powdery and creamy shades, best suited to fall and winter evenings. Its longevity is rated strong and its sillage good. Most voters pick fall and winter, with spring third. Evenings and nights out lead the occasions, while office and daily wear get fewer votes. It is sold as unisex, though voters read it as mostly feminine. Rose and heliotropin draw a floral, powdery frame; vanilla and almond carry it into a creamy, gourmand sweetness. Patchouli and myrrh add a woody, spicy depth, while bergamot and hedione lift that richness slightly. Its profile is close to The Dua Brand Aphrodisiac and Fragonard Rose Ambre.

Gucci pour Homme II (Eau de Toilette)

Gucci · 2007

Fresh · Floral · Green

Eau de Toilette

Gucci pour Homme II Eau de Toilette is a discontinued men's fragrance that moves from a fresh opening of violet leaf and bergamot through a spiced heart of black tea to a base of myrrh and tobacco. It wears at a moderate strength, with moderate longevity and sillage. Most voters pick spring, fall and summer, with winter chosen less often. Leisure, daily wear and business are the most common settings, and most voters read it as masculine, with some calling it modern. Violet leaf and bergamot give it a green, fresh start. In the heart, black tea, cinnamon and pimento bring a sweet spice, with a floral and powdery side coming through. In the base, myrrh, tobacco, white musk and olive wood settle it onto a soft, woody ground.

Black Gemstone

8.2

Stéphane Humbert Lucas · 2013

Sweet · Spicy · Woody

Stéphane Humbert Lucas Black Gemstone is a woody oriental for men, where myrrh, frankincense and teakwood give a resinous, smoky feel softened by the sweetness of tonka bean. Longevity is rated very strong and sillage strong. Most voters pick winter and fall, and it leans towards evenings and nights out rather than the office or daytime. Nearly half of voters read it as masculine. It opens with Sicilian lemon and cedarwood, the lemon giving a brief freshness before myrrh moves forward. In the base, tonka bean, frankincense and teakwood take over, and the scent settles into a sweet, spicy, earthy and leathery line.

Obsession for Men (Eau de Toilette)

7.4

Calvin Klein · 1986

Sweet · Gourmand · Spicy

Eau de Toilette

Calvin Klein Obsession for Men Eau de Toilette is a sweet, spicy and woody scent with a classic masculine character, best suited to cooler-weather evenings. Most voters pick winter and fall, and evening and night out lead the occasions, though it also works for leisure. Its longevity and sillage are rated good. Most voters call it masculine, and some call it classic. The top opens with lime, bergamot and lavender, while cinnamon and coriander add spice. Clove, nutmeg and sage lead the heart, and vanilla, amber and patchouli settle into a sweet, resinous warmth at the base. It dries down powdery and oriental.

Eau des Missions

Le Couvent · 2011

Sweet · Gourmand · Spicy

Le Couvent Eau des Missions is a sweet, creamy and slightly smoky unisex scent built around benzoin, vanilla and myrrh, and it has been discontinued. Its longevity is rated good, while its sillage stays moderate. Most voters pick autumn and winter, though spring is not far behind. It leans towards leisure and evening wear and can also pass in an office. More voters call it feminine, but a fair share see it as masculine. As a whole it reads sweet and gourmand: benzoin and vanilla give a creamy, powdery warmth, while myrrh and Virginia cedar add a spicy, smoky, woody dryness. Gotu Kola and Chinese camellia soften this dense texture in the background. Molinard Vanille Patchouli and Pierre Guillaume Myrrhiad have a close profile.

Timbuktu

7.8

L'Artisan Parfumeur · 2004

Fresh · Green · Fruity

L'Artisan Parfumeur Timbuktu is a unisex scent that pairs a fresh, spicy opening of pink pepper, cardamom and green mango with an earthy, smoky base of vetiver, patchouli and myrrh. Its longevity is rated good and its sillage moderate. Most voters pick fall and spring, though summer and winter get votes too. It leans towards leisure and daytime wear, and also suits evenings and the office. Most voters read it as masculine, but a fair share call it feminine. Green mango gives the opening a fruity freshness, sharpened by pink pepper and cardamom. In the heart, papyrus and frankincense add a dry, resinous feel, with karo karounde woven through. The base settles on woody, earthy vetiver and patchouli, softened a little by myrrh and benzoin.

Opus XIV - Royal Tobacco

Amouage · 2022

Sweet · Spicy · Woody

Amouage Opus XIV - Royal Tobacco is a sweet, spicy and smoky unisex scent that leans towards fall and winter evenings. The top notes of elemi resin, cardamom and bergamot set up a fresh spiciness, while tobacco absolute, Bulgarian rose and osmanthus absolute give the heart a soft, rounded sweetness. It dries down on benzoin, vanilla and tonka bean, with assam oud and birch tar adding a smoky, woody depth. Longevity is rated very strong and sillage strong. Most voters pick fall and winter, and favour evening and night-out wear. It reads more masculine than feminine. Perfumes with a close profile include Xerjoff Groove Xcape and Creed Oud Zarian.

Sartorial

Penhaligon's · 2010

Fresh · Floral · Green

Penhaligon's Sartorial is a fresh, spicy men's fragrance that opens with black pepper, cardamom and violet leaf over a metallic, ozonic edge, then softens into leather, lavender and beeswax. The opening is peppery and bright: ginger and cardamom sit beside aldehydes and metallic notes. The heart turns green and powdery with lavender, leather and beeswax. The base adds sweetness through vanilla, honey and amber, while cedarwood, patchouli and oakmoss give it a woody, earthy floor. Voters rate its longevity as good and its sillage as moderate. Fall comes first, followed by spring and winter, and it leans towards business and daily wear. Most voters find it masculine, and many call it classic. Azzaro pour Homme and Mancera Deep Forest have a close profile.

Vanitas

Profumum Roma · 2008

Floral · Fruity · Sweet

Profumum Roma Vanitas is a sweet, gourmand unisex scent that leans towards fall and winter, and suits evenings and nights out best. Its longevity is rated very strong and its sillage strong. Most voters pick winter and fall, while summer trails well behind, and evening and night out lead the occasion votes. Nearly half of voters read it as feminine, though it is classed as unisex. Vanilla and sandalwood build a creamy, sweet base. Orange blossom adds a soft floral and fruity note, while myrrh brings a spicy, powdery depth. The overall impression is warm and gourmand, with a woody edge.

Néroli Outrenoir (Eau de Parfum)

8.3

Guerlain · 2016

Fresh · Citrus · Floral

Eau de Parfum

Guerlain Néroli Outrenoir Eau de Parfum is a fresh, floral unisex scent that suits spring and summer days, leisure time and the office. Most voters pick spring and summer; longevity is rated good and sillage moderate. It leans towards leisure, daily and business wear, and the votes for feminine and masculine are close, so it sits comfortably in between. Bergamot and petitgrain open it with a citrus freshness. The heart holds orange blossom and neroli, with smoked tea adding a smoky, green edge to the florals. Myrrh, moss and ambrette seed form a creamy, lightly sweet base. Mugler Cologne and Le Couvent Eau Aimable have a close profile.

1 Million Privé

Rabanne · 2016

Fruity · Sweet · Synthetic

Rabanne 1 Million Privé is a sweet, spicy men's fragrance that sets cinnamon and red mandarin orange against shisha tobacco, myrrh, patchouli and tonka bean absolute; it has been discontinued. Longevity and sillage are both rated good. Most voters pick autumn and winter, with spring further behind. It leans towards evenings and nights out, though it also works for leisure. It reads masculine and modern. Rabanne 1 Million (Eau de Toilette) and Montblanc Legend Night have a close profile. It opens with cinnamon and red mandarin orange, spicy and fruity-sweet. In the heart, shisha tobacco and myrrh push it towards gourmand and oriental territory. Patchouli and tonka bean absolute leave a woody, creamy, warm base, with a slightly synthetic sheen running through it.

Alien Essence Absolue

8.3

Mugler · 2012

Floral · Sweet · Gourmand

Mugler Alien Essence Absolue opens on iris, jasmine and heliotrope and settles into vanilla absolute and white amber, a sweet, floral scent that has been discontinued. Longevity is rated very strong and sillage strong. Most voters pick fall and winter, with summer far behind. Evening and night out lead the occasions, while few choose it for the office. Voters mostly read it as feminine. The top notes of iris, jasmine and heliotrope give a floral, powdery start. Moving into the heart, cashmeran and myrrh add a spicy, woody depth. At the base, vanilla absolute and white amber carry it into a gourmand, oriental sweetness. Mugler Alien Le Goût du Parfum and Fragonard Grain de Soleil have a close profile.

Sun Bleached

7.5

Une Nuit Nomade · 2021

Fresh · Floral · Sweet

Eau de Parfum

Une Nuit Nomade Sun Bleached is a fresh, powdery women's scent that pairs bergamot, cardamom and linen with a soft base of white musk and vanilla. It wears at a moderate strength, with moderate longevity and sillage, and most voters pick spring and summer. It sits closest to daily wear, leisure and the office, and is rarely chosen for evenings out. Most voters call it feminine, though a good number find it modern. It opens with bergamot and cardamom, a bright and lightly spicy start with ambrette seed alongside. In the heart, white blossoms and linen give a clean, laundered feel. The base of myrrh, sandalwood, vanilla and white musk settles it into a creamy, gently sweet finish.

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