The Perfume Library

Side Effect

8.5

Initio · 2016

Sweet · Gourmand · Spicy

Initio Side Effect is a sweet, spicy and smoky unisex scent built around vanilla, rum and cinnamon. Vanilla and rum give it a creamy, gourmand sweetness, while cinnamon and saffron add a warm spiciness on top of it. Sandalwood lays down a woody base and tobacco carries the smoky side. Hedione softens the whole mix a little. Both longevity and sillage are rated strong. Most voters pick autumn and winter, and evenings or nights out; summer is rarely chosen. It leans masculine, though a good share of voters find it feminine. Niche 4 All Vanilla Rum and French Avenue After Effect have a close profile.

Tony Iommi Monkey Special

8.3

Xerjoff · 2021

Fruity · Sweet · Gourmand

Xerjoff Tony Iommi Monkey Special is a sweet, spicy unisex scent that suits autumn and winter evenings. Its longevity is rated very strong and its sillage strong. Most voters pick autumn and winter, and evenings or nights out; summer and daytime wear are rarely chosen. Nearly half of voters read it as masculine, though it is a unisex scent. It opens with passion fruit, Calabrian bergamot and rum, with Bulgarian geranium adding a cooler edge. The heart brings Singapore patchouli, cinnamon, leather and rose, with a smoky, leathery tone leading. In the base, vanilla, caramel and tonka sweetness is softened by Australian sandalwood and ambergris. The Dua Brand Rockstar and French Avenue Cocoa Morado have a close profile.

Malibù - Party in the Bay

8.3

Simone Andreoli · 2018

Fresh · Citrus · Fruity

Simone Andreoli Malibù - Party in the Bay is a fresh, sweet unisex scent built around lime, coconut and rum, suited to warm weather and easygoing days. It opens with lime, bright and citrusy. In the heart, coconut and sugar turn it creamy and fruity. Sandalwood and rum settle underneath and close it on a warm, soft note. Longevity and sillage are both rated good. Most voters pick summer, then spring, and it is mostly worn for leisure and daily use. Votes for masculine, modern and feminine character sit close together, so it reads as not belonging to one side. Siwa Coconut Colada and Amando Perez Endless Summer have a close profile.

Black Orchid (Eau de Parfum)

7.6

Tom Ford · 2006

Floral · Fruity · Sweet

Eau de Parfum

Tom Ford Black Orchid Eau de Parfum is a dark, dense unisex scent that deepens a floral and fruity core with sweet, gourmand and smoky tones. It opens with bergamot, bitter orange and ylang-ylang for a bright start, while black truffle adds an earthy weight. In the heart, black plum, rum and black orchid sweeten the floral and fruity side. Vanilla and patchouli dry down warm, spicy, woody and oriental. Longevity and sillage are both rated strong. Most voters pick autumn and winter, and it is chosen mostly for evenings and nights out. Voters most often call it feminine, though it is a unisex fragrance. Tom Ford Black Orchid Parfum and Tom Ford Noir de Noir Eau de Parfum have a close profile.

Emporio Armani - Stronger With You Absolutely

8.3

Giorgio Armani · 2021

Sweet · Gourmand · Spicy

Giorgio Armani Emporio Armani - Stronger With You Absolutely is a masculine scent that pushes sweet, gourmand warmth deeper with spice, resin and wood, and suits evenings best. It opens with rum, bergamot and elemi resin, a start that is both fresh and warm. Lavender and davana sit in the heart, but once it settles, marron glacé and Bourbon vanilla take over. Patchouli and cedarwood ground that sweetness in a woody base. Longevity and sillage are both rated strong. Most voters pick winter and fall, and evening and night out are the most chosen occasions. Voters mostly find it masculine and modern, while daily and office wear stay in the background.

Spiritueuse Double Vanille

8.5

Guerlain · 2007

Floral · Sweet · Gourmand

Guerlain Spiritueuse Double Vanille is a sweet, warm unisex fragrance built around vanilla and rum, best suited to autumn and winter evenings. Longevity is rated good and sillage moderate. Most voters pick autumn and winter, while few choose summer. It sits most comfortably in the evening and on nights out, though it also works for leisure. Voters lean towards calling it feminine, but a fair number find it masculine. The notes read as one whole: Bourbon vanilla and rum form a sweet, gourmand base, and benzoin wraps it in a creamy, powdery softness. Rose, jasmine and ylang-ylang add a floral glow, while cedarwood gives the spicy, smoky character a dry, woody edge.

The Tragedy of Lord George

8.1

Penhaligon's · 2016

Fresh · Sweet · Spicy

Eau de Parfum

Penhaligon's The Tragedy of Lord George is a sweet, powdery masculine fragrance that leans towards autumn and winter evenings. Its longevity and sillage are both rated good. Most voters pick autumn, then winter and spring, while summer comes last. It suits evenings and nights out, and it also gets worn for leisure. Nearly half of voters call it masculine, and some read it as classic. It opens with rum and soap: the rum brings sweetness, the soap a clean freshness. At the heart, tonka bean turns it creamy and powdery. Ambrox in the base leaves a warm, woody finish. The fougère structure and a touch of spice keep the whole in a classic line.

Bvlgari Man In Black

7.9

Bvlgari · 2014

Sweet · Gourmand · Spicy

Bvlgari Man In Black is a masculine scent that opens on rum and tobacco, then sets leather and wood against a smoky sweetness, best suited to fall and winter evenings. Longevity is good and sillage moderate. Most voters pick fall and winter, and evenings or nights out; summer and the office are chosen far less. It mostly reads as masculine and classic. Rum and tobacco lead, and the heart deepens with tuberose, leather and orris absolute. The base of benzoin, gaiac wood and tonka bean leaves a sweet, gourmand, smoky warmth, with spicy, woody and oriental accords carrying the weight.

Triumph of Bacchus (Eau de Parfum)

8.5

Argos · 2019

Fruity · Sweet · Gourmand

Eau de Parfum

Argos Triumph of Bacchus Eau de Parfum is a sweet, gourmand and spicy unisex fragrance with a warm, dense character that suits fall and winter evenings. Its longevity and sillage are both rated strong. Most voters pick fall and winter, and it is rarely chosen for summer heat. Evenings and nights out lead the occasion votes, while few see it as an office scent. It reads mostly masculine, though it is worn as unisex too. The opening pairs white peach, green apple, saffron and rum for a fruity, slightly boozy start. In the heart, vetiver, tonka bean and patchouli add a woody, earthy base. It dries down to vanilla, amber and tobacco with a creamy sweetness, softened by musk and Mysore sandalwood.

Rich/Warm/Addictive (Eau de Toilette)

7.8

Zara · 2016

Sweet · Gourmand · Spicy

Eau de Toilette

Burlington 1819

8.4

Roja Parfums · 2020

Fresh · Citrus · Green

Roja Parfums Burlington 1819 is a unisex scent that pairs a fresh, citrusy brightness with a spicy, woody character. Mandarin orange, grapefruit and lime give it a bright citrus lift, while mint and ginger push that freshness in a green, spicy direction. Cinnamon, saffron and cumin bring the spice forward, and oakmoss and cedarwood set a woody base. Vanilla, benzoin and rum soften the whole. Its longevity and sillage are rated good. Most voters recommend summer and spring, and leisure, daily wear and the office are the most chosen settings. It leans masculine, though some find it classic or modern. The Dua Brand Burlington Gardens and Atkinsons Mint & Tonic have a close profile.

Fan Your Flames

7.8

Nishane · 2016

Sweet · Gourmand · Spicy

Nishane Fan Your Flames is a sweet, smoky, gourmand unisex fragrance that pairs coconut and rum with the warmth of tonka bean and tobacco. It opens with coconut and rum, a sweet and creamy start. Tonka bean and tobacco take over in the heart, bringing out the spicy, oriental side. Oakmoss and Chinese toon in the base give it a woody, smoky footing. Longevity and sillage are both rated strong. Most voters pick fall and winter, and it leans towards evenings and nights out. It reads more masculine than feminine. Nishane Fan Your Flames X and Initio Side Effect have a close profile.

Hugo (Eau de Toilette)

6.7

Hugo Boss · 1995

Fresh · Citrus · Aquatic

Eau de Toilette

Hugo Boss Hugo Eau de Toilette is a fresh, lightly sweet men's scent built around citrus and green notes. Its longevity and sillage are rated moderate. Most voters pick spring and summer, and daily wear, leisure and business settings lead. Half of the voters call it masculine. It opens with pine needle, mint, grapefruit and green apple, cool and fruity. The heart brings lavender, sage and jasmine, and the base rests on sandalwood, vetiver and moss. As it dries, the scent moves from green to a woody footing.

Il Padrino

8.6

Sospiro · 2025

Fruity · Sweet · Gourmand

Sospiro Il Padrino is a gourmand, spicy unisex scent that sets the sweetness of amaretto, rum and blackcurrant against vanilla and amber. Longevity is rated very strong and sillage strong. Most voters pick winter and fall, and it leans towards evenings and nights out. It reads more masculine than feminine, though a fair share of voters call it feminine. Parfums d'Elmar Zaya and French Avenue Amber Empire have a close profile. It opens with bergamot alongside amaretto and rum, with blackcurrant adding a fruity sweetness. In the heart, amber, sandalwood and patchouli blossom give it a woody body. The base settles into a creamy, warm, oriental sweetness of labdanum, Siam benzoin and vanilla.

Vanilla Diorama

8.1

Dior · 2021

Sweet · Gourmand · Spicy

Dior Vanilla Diorama is a sweet, gourmand unisex scent built around Bourbon vanilla, cocoa and rum, set on a woody base of sandalwood and patchouli. Cardamom and pink pepper give the vanilla a spicy edge, while lemon and orange lighten the dense gourmand structure a little. The creamy texture makes it read warm and oriental. Its longevity and sillage are rated good. Most voters pick fall and winter, and evening and night out lead the occasions. Votes for masculine and feminine are almost even, so it sits comfortably between the two. D'Qar Vanilla Kisses and The Dua Brand First Love have a close profile.

Straight to Heaven, White Cristal (Perfume)

7.8

Kilian · 2007

Sweet · Spicy · Woody

Kilian Straight to Heaven, White Cristal is a sweet, spicy, woody men's perfume that suits autumn and winter evenings. It opens with rum, then moves into dried fruits, vanilla and nutmeg, and the whole turns noticeably sweet. In the base, patchouli and cedarwood settle it onto an earthy, woody and slightly smoky footing. Its resinous, oriental character leaves a warm, dense impression. Most voters pick autumn and winter, and it is favoured for evenings and nights out. Longevity is rated good and sillage moderate. Most voters read it as masculine. Réminiscence Patchouli and Niche 4 All Patchouli Cedar have a close profile.

Yum Pistachio Gelato | 33 (Eau de Parfum)

7.2

Kayali · 2023

Fresh · Floral · Sweet

Eau de Parfum

Kayali Yum Pistachio Gelato | 33 Eau de Parfum is a sweet, creamy gourmand built around pistachio ice cream, cardamom and Italian bergamot. It wears at a moderate strength, with moderate longevity and sillage. Most voters pick spring and summer, and it leans towards leisure and daytime wear. It reads feminine and modern. It opens with cardamom, hazelnut, bergamot, rum and pistachio ice cream. The heart brings jasmine, pear, raspberry and white peach, a fruity floral stretch that lightens the sweetness. The base is dominated by cocoa, lokum, cream, cotton candy and marshmallow, with cedarwood and sandalwood giving it a soft woody footing. Fresh and synthetic facets run through the accords. Paris Corner Khair Pistachio and The Dua Brand Pistachio Dream Gelato 33 have a close profile.

Guerlain Homme (Eau de Parfum)

8.0

Guerlain · 2009

Fresh · Citrus · Floral

Eau de Parfum

Guerlain Homme Eau de Parfum is a fresh, citrusy men's fragrance, balanced by green and woody tones and suited to everyday wear. Longevity is good and sillage moderate. Most voters pick spring and summer, with fall a close next, while winter trails behind. Daily, leisure and business wear lead the occasions. It reads masculine and classic. The top opens with rum, peppermint and lime: cool, bright and lightly sweet. A floral touch in the heart softens it. The base of cedar, vetiver and patchouli settles into a woody, slightly spicy green. Guerlain Homme L'Eau and Goutal Eau du Sud have a close profile.

Quattro Pizzi

7.9

Casamorati · 2024

Fresh · Floral · Sweet

Casamorati Quattro Pizzi is a unisex scent that carries a spicy opening of coriander and pink pepper into creamy tuberose and coconut, sweetened by tonka bean. The top notes of coriander, davana, rum and pink pepper give a spicy, fresh start. In the heart, tuberose and coconut lead and the scent turns floral and creamy. The base of tonka bean, blond tobacco and hay settles into a sweet, powdery finish. Longevity is rated strong and sillage good. Most voters pick spring and summer, and it suits leisure and daily wear as well as evenings and nights out. The largest share of voters finds it feminine, though it reads as unisex too. Stéphane Humbert Lucas Panthea and Harry Lehmann Hyazinthe have a close profile.

Il Capriccio del Maestro

8.7

Nobile 1942 · 2018

Sweet · Gourmand · Spicy

Nobile 1942 Il Capriccio del Maestro is a sweet, gourmand and spicy unisex scent with a warm, woody vanilla core, suited to cooler-season evenings. Longevity and sillage are both rated strong. Most voters pick winter and fall, and evening and night out lead the occasions. It is unisex, though more votes lean masculine. It opens with cinnamon, rum and spicy notes, softened by orchid. The heart turns sweeter with tobacco, honey and tonka bean, and the base settles into a creamy, woody ground of vanilla, labdanum and patchouli. Soma Parfums Halcyon and Parfums de Marly Oajan have a close profile.

Apple Brandy on the Rocks

8.0

Kilian · 2021

Fresh · Fruity · Sweet

Kilian Apple Brandy on the Rocks is a fresh, fruity and sweet unisex scent built around apple, rum and vanilla. Most voters pick autumn, followed by spring and winter, and it leans towards evenings and nights out, with leisure wear close behind. Its longevity and sillage are both rated good. Most voters read it as masculine, though a fair share see it as feminine. Apple and pineapple give it a bright, juicy feel, while bergamot and cardamom add a light touch of spice. Rum and vanilla bring a gourmand sweetness, and cedarwood, moss and ambroxan give it a woody base.

Apex (Eau de Parfum)

7.6

Roja Parfums · 2022

Fresh · Citrus · Green

Eau de Parfum

Roja Parfums Apex Eau de Parfum is a masculine fragrance that sets fresh citrus against a green, spicy woodiness, with a classic fougère and chypre feel. Its longevity and sillage are rated good. Most voters pick spring and fall, and it leans towards leisure, business and daily wear. Voters mostly call its character masculine and classic. It opens with mandarin orange, lemon and bergamot, then softens through pineapple, jasmine and cistus. In the dry-down patchouli, tobacco, juniper berry and labdanum take over, while frankincense and oakmoss add a resinous, green depth. The Dua Brand Predator and Nicolaï New York Intense have a close profile.

Andalusian Soul

8.1

The Merchant Of Venice · 2018

Sweet · Gourmand · Spicy

The Merchant Of Venice Andalusian Soul is a sweet, smoky and resinous unisex scent led by rum, labdanum and vanilla. It opens with acacia, rum and amber, then gathers balsamic notes, smoky notes, cistus and labdanum in the heart. Clary sage, vanilla and amber form the base; a creamy, gourmand sweetness meets a spicy warmth, and the oriental character holds throughout. Longevity is rated strong and sillage good. Most voters pick fall and winter, and it is chosen mainly for evenings and nights out. More voters read it as feminine, though it is unisex.

Gourmand Coquin

8.4

Guerlain · 2008

Floral · Sweet · Gourmand

Guerlain Gourmand Coquin is a floral gourmand for women, sweet and spicy with a light smoky edge; it has been discontinued. Its longevity is rated strong and its sillage good. Most voters pick fall and winter, and it leans towards evenings and nights out, though it also works for leisure time. Most voters read it as feminine. It opens with black pepper for spice, then rose and smoked tea form a powdery, smoky floral heart. In the base, rum and chocolate turn it creamy and sweet. Guerlain Fève Gourmande and Guerlain Spiritueuse Double Vanille have a close profile.