The Perfume Library

Naxos

8.9

Xerjoff · 2015

Citrus · Sweet · Gourmand

Xerjoff Naxos opens with the fresh lavender, lemon and bergamot, then settles into the sweet, gourmand warmth of honey, tonka bean and vanilla, in a unisex style. Its longevity is rated very strong and its sillage strong. Most voters recommend fall and winter, with spring not far behind, while summer is the least chosen season. It leans towards evenings and nights out, and fewer voters pick it for the office. Most voters read it as masculine, though some find it feminine, so it sits somewhere in between. The top is bright with citrus and lavender. In the heart, jasmine sambac, cinnamon, honey and cashmere add a sweet, spicy softness. The base of tonka bean, tobacco and vanilla dries down creamy and woody. The citrus freshness gives way over time to a gourmand sweetness.

Layton

8.6

Parfums de Marly · 2016

Fresh · Fruity · Sweet

Dior Homme Intense (2011)

8.5

Dior · 2011

Floral · Sweet · Gourmand

Dior Dior Homme Intense is a powdery, floral and sweet men's fragrance built around Florentine iris absolute, Ecuadorian ambrette seed and Virginia cedar. Florentine iris absolute leads the opening, while Ecuadorian ambrette seed in the heart softens it into something creamy. Virginia cedar underneath adds a woody line that balances the sweetness. The overall impression is gourmand and oriental, with a touch of spice. Most voters pick autumn and winter, and lean towards evenings and nights out. Longevity is rated strong and sillage good. Most see it as masculine and classic. Carner Rima XI and Givenchy Gentleman Givenchy Réserve Privée have a close profile.

Erba Pura

7.4

Xerjoff · 2013

Fresh · Citrus · Floral

Xerjoff Erba Pura is a citrusy, sweet unisex scent that leans towards spring and summer days. Its longevity is rated very strong and its sillage strong. Most voters pick spring and summer, and leisure and nights out come up most often. Votes for feminine, masculine and modern sit close together, so it doesn't lean on one gender. Maison Alhambra Pura and Xerjoff Erba Gold have a close profile. It opens with Sicilian lemon, Sicilian orange and Calabrian bergamot, a fresh citrus burst. Fruity notes in the heart add sweetness, and amber, white musk and Bourbon vanilla settle the base into a soft, creamy footing. Floral and synthetic tones stay in the background.

Alexandria II (Parfum)

8.6

Xerjoff · 2012

Floral · Sweet · Spicy

Xerjoff Alexandria II is a sweet, spicy and woody unisex scent that suits autumn and winter evenings. It opens with lavender, apple, cinnamon and rosewood; in the heart, cedarwood and Bulgarian rose lead while lily of the valley softens the floral side. The base of musk, sandalwood, amber, Laotian oud and vanilla settles into a creamy, resinous warmth with a faint animal edge. Longevity and sillage are rated very strong. Most voters pick winter and fall, and favor evenings and nights out over daytime or office wear. It leans masculine and reads classic. Its profile is close to Alexandria III and Alexandria.

Grand Soir (Eau de Parfum)

8.5

Maison Francis Kurkdjian · 2016

Sweet · Gourmand · Spicy

Eau de Parfum

Maison Francis Kurkdjian Grand Soir Eau de Parfum is a sweet, resinous unisex scent that suits cold-season evenings and nights out. The scent reads as a whole, warm and creamy. Vanilla, Siam benzoin and two kinds of tonka bean give it a gourmand softness, while Spanish labdanum adds resinous depth. Ceylonese cinnamon leaf brings a spicy warmth, and Provençal lavender lightly balances the sweetness. Oriental and woody tones run quietly underneath. Both longevity and sillage are rated strong. Most voters pick fall and winter, and evening or a night out; summer is rarely chosen. It is read as more masculine, though a fair number of voters find it feminine.

Oud Wood (Eau de Parfum)

8.4

Tom Ford · 2007

Sweet · Spicy · Woody

Eau de Parfum

Tom Ford Oud Wood Eau de Parfum is a sweet, spicy woody-oriental scent that suits fall and winter evenings, offered as a unisex fragrance. Its longevity and sillage are rated good. Most voters pick fall and winter, while summer gets few votes. It leans towards evenings and nights out, though it also fits business and daily wear. Voters mostly call its character masculine, yet it reads as unisex. Oud, sandalwood and rosewood form the woody frame, with vetiver adding an earthy edge. Cardamom and pink pepper carry the spice, while amber and tonka bean bring a resinous sweetness. The overall impression is smoky, warm and smooth. Oud Wood Parfum and Zousz Black Oud have a close profile.

Spicebomb Extreme

8.4

Viktor & Rolf · 2015

Sweet · Gourmand · Spicy

Viktor & Rolf Spicebomb Extreme is a spicy, sweet fragrance for men that suits autumn and winter evenings. Most voters pick winter, then autumn, and it leans towards evenings and nights out, with office wear well behind. Its longevity and sillage are rated strong. Most voters read it as masculine. Black pepper, grapefruit and pimento open with a sharp spice, and cinnamon, cumin and saffron deepen that warmth in the heart. The base turns sweeter with tobacco, cistus, amber and vanilla, settling into a gourmand, woody character. Sweet and spicy lead the accords. Penhaligon's The Blazing Mister Sam and Initio Side Effect have a close profile.

40 Knots

8.5

Xerjoff · 2012

Fresh · Aquatic · Sweet

Tobacco Vanille (Eau de Parfum)

8.3

Tom Ford · 2007

Sweet · Gourmand · Spicy

Eau de Parfum

Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille Eau de Parfum is a sweet, spicy and smoky unisex scent that sets tobacco and vanilla beside cocoa and tonka bean. It has strong longevity and strong sillage. Most voters pick winter and fall, with spring well behind. It leans towards evenings and nights out, and far fewer choose it for the office or daily wear. Though unisex, voters read it as masculine more than anything else. Tobacco and vanilla lead, while cocoa and tonka bean soften them into a gourmand sweetness. Ginger adds spice, and dried fruits and resins bring a woody, oriental warmth. The overall impression is rich, sweet and lightly smoky. Lelas Noir Premier and Zara TOB/03 Tabac-Treasure have a close profile.

Herod

8.5

Parfums de Marly · 2012

Fruity · Sweet · Gourmand

Parfums de Marly Herod is a sweet, smoky and woody unisex scent that softens pepper and cinnamon with tobacco, vanilla and patchouli. Longevity and sillage are both rated good. Most voters pick fall and winter, with spring well behind, and it leans towards evenings and nights out. Voters mostly find it masculine, though it is unisex. It opens with the spice of pepper and cinnamon. In the heart, cistus, incense, tobacco and osmanthus build a smoky, resinous base. In the base, vanilla and musk turn it creamy and gourmand, while patchouli and woody notes keep the sweetness dry. Maison Alhambra Hercules and Initio Side Effect have a close profile.

Ombre Nomade

8.1

Louis Vuitton · 2018

Fruity · Sweet · Spicy

Louis Vuitton Ombre Nomade is a sweet, smoky unisex fragrance built around benzoin, incense, oud and raspberry. Longevity and sillage are both rated very strong, so it lingers for a long time and carries well. Most voters pick autumn and winter and see it as an evening or night-out scent. It is unisex, though it leans masculine. The notes read as one blend. Fruity raspberry sweetness merges with benzoin into a resinous warmth, while incense and oud keep a smoky, woody line running throughout. Spicy, leathery and animal tones deepen that sweetness rather than soften it. The Dua Brand Leather for the Ages and bdk Parfums Nectar Oud have a close profile.

Angels' Share (Eau de Parfum)

8.7

Kilian · 2020

Sweet · Gourmand · Spicy

Eau de Parfum

Kilian Angels' Share Eau de Parfum is a sweet, gourmand and spicy unisex scent led by cognac, cinnamon and vanilla. It opens on cognac, then oak wood absolute, cinnamon and tonka bean absolute turn it warm and spicy. The base of vanilla, praliné and sandalwood leaves a creamy, sweet woodiness. Longevity and sillage are rated strong. Most voters pick winter and fall, and it is favoured for evenings and nights out. It sits between masculine and feminine. Maison Alhambra Kismet Magic and Parfums d'Elmar Zaya have a close profile.

Le Mâle Le Parfum

8.4

Jean Paul Gaultier · 2020

Sweet · Gourmand · Spicy

Jean Paul Gaultier Le Mâle Le Parfum is a sweet, gourmand and spicy fragrance for men, leaning towards autumn and winter evenings. Longevity is rated strong and sillage good. Most voters pick autumn and winter, with summer the least chosen season. It is favoured most for evenings and nights out, and half of the voters find it masculine. It opens with cardamom, which gives a spicy first impression. In the heart, iris adds a powdery softness while lavender brings a clean thread alongside it. The base is dominated by oriental woods and vanilla, and the scent settles into something creamy, sweet and woody. Mugler A*Men Pure Tonka and Mercedes-Benz Select Night have a close profile.

Baccarat Rouge 540 (Eau de Parfum)

7.7

Maison Francis Kurkdjian · 2016

Floral · Sweet · Synthetic

Eau de Parfum

Maison Francis Kurkdjian Baccarat Rouge 540 Eau de Parfum is a sweet, floral and woody unisex scent that leans towards autumn and winter evenings and nights out. The scent is built on saffron, Virginia cedar, Hedione and Ambroxan. Sweet, gourmand tones meet a floral base, while the spicy and woody side is softened by a creamy feel. It has a clearly synthetic, airy quality without feeling heavy. Its longevity and sillage are both rated strong. Most voters pick autumn and winter, and evening and night-out wear stand out. It reads slightly more feminine, yet sits comfortably on men and women alike. Asabi № 2 Intense and Zara Red Temptation Men have a close profile.

La Nuit de L'Homme (Eau de Toilette)

8.4

Yves Saint Laurent · 2009

Fresh · Sweet · Spicy

Eau de Toilette

Yves Saint Laurent La Nuit de L'Homme Eau de Toilette is a fresh, spicy and woody men's fragrance that suits fall and winter evenings and nights out. Bergamot and cardamom open it clean and lightly spiced. In the heart, cedarwood, black pepper and lavender come forward, with the woody and spicy side leading. In the base, vetiver and tonka bean pull it towards both dryness and sweetness, leaving a warm, powdery oriental finish. Longevity and sillage are moderate. Most voters pick fall and winter, then spring, and evening and night out lead the occasions, though leisure and daily wear also get votes. Its character is mostly described as masculine, modern and classic. Sober Bangkok and Korres Vetiver Root have a close profile.

Althaïr

8.4

Parfums de Marly · 2023

Sweet · Gourmand · Spicy

Parfums de Marly Althaïr is a sweet, spicy, gourmand men's fragrance that suits autumn and winter evenings. It opens with cinnamon, bergamot and orange blossom: the cinnamon brings the spice, while the bergamot lightens it a little. In the heart, elemi resin and Bourbon vanilla soften things into a creamy sweetness. The base of praliné, gaiac wood, musk and Ambrox dries down powdery, woody and warmly oriental. Its longevity and sillage are both rated strong. Most voters recommend winter and fall, and lean towards evenings and nights out. Most read it as masculine, though some find it modern and others feminine. French Avenue Liquid Brun and Scentiments Altar have a close profile.

Le Mâle (Eau de Toilette)

7.6

Jean Paul Gaultier · 1995

Fresh · Floral · Sweet

Eau de Toilette

Jean Paul Gaultier Le Mâle Eau de Toilette is a men's fragrance that sets a fresh, sweet character on a spicy, woody base. Longevity and sillage are both rated good. Most voters pick fall and spring, with winter close behind and summer further back. It leans towards nights out, leisure time and evenings, and it also suits business and daily wear. Voters mostly read it as masculine and modern. It opens fresh and slightly herbal with cardamom, mint, bergamot, lavender and tarragon. In the heart, caraway, cinnamon and neroli balance the spice with a soft floral note. The base of vanilla, tonka bean, cedarwood, sandalwood and amber sweetens it and closes powdery and woody. Jean Paul Gaultier Le Mâle Armure Collector and Le Mâle Cologne Tonique 1999 have a close profile.

Eros (Eau de Toilette)

7.5

Versace · 2012

Fresh · Citrus · Fruity

Eau de Toilette

Versace Eros Eau de Toilette is a fresh, citrusy and sweet men's fragrance that leans towards evenings and nights out, and sits comfortably in spring too. Voters rate both its longevity and its sillage as good. Season votes are spread fairly evenly across spring, fall and summer, with winter a little behind. Night out and evening are the most chosen occasions, and it is worn for leisure as well. Most voters find it masculine and modern. It opens cool with Italian lemon, green apple and mint. The heart brings ambroxan, Venezuelan tonka bean and geranium forward. Vetiver, cedar, Bourbon vanilla and oakmoss leave a sweet, woody, spicy trail in the base.

Emporio Armani - Stronger with You Intensely

8.3

Giorgio Armani · 2018

Sweet · Gourmand · Spicy

Giorgio Armani Emporio Armani - Stronger with You Intensely is a sweet, spicy and masculine scent that suits autumn and winter evenings best. The top opens with chestnut and pink pepper: the chestnut brings sweetness, the pepper adds spice. In the heart, sage and lavender give a light aromatic freshness. The base is dominated by amberwood and vanilla, settling into a gourmand, creamy and woody warmth. Longevity and sillage are both rated strong. Most voters recommend winter and fall, and evening and night out are the occasions it leans towards. Most people read it as masculine. Giorgio Armani Emporio Armani - Stronger With You and Jean Paul Gaultier Le Mâle Le Parfum have a close profile.

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.

The One for Men (Eau de Parfum) (2015)

8.4

Dolce & Gabbana · 2015

Fruity · Sweet · Spicy

Eau de Parfum

Dolce & Gabbana The One for Men Eau de Parfum is a fruity, sweet and woody men's fragrance that sets bright bergamot and Tarocco orange against the warmth of sandalwood and amber. It opens with bergamot, Tarocco orange and basil, then moves into French clary sage, orange blossom and French lavender. The base holds Australian sandalwood, amber and cedarwood. The fruity, sweet side leads, while spicy and oriental touches stay in the background. Longevity and sillage are moderate. Most voters pick fall and winter, and it is chosen mostly for evenings and nights out, with summer a distant last. About half of voters call it masculine. Dolce & Gabbana The One for Men (Eau de Toilette) and Armaf Rugir have a close profile.

Noir Extreme (Eau de Parfum)

8.4

Tom Ford · 2015

Sweet · Gourmand · Spicy

Eau de Parfum

Tom Ford Noir Extreme Eau de Parfum is a sweet, spicy men's fragrance that suits fall and winter evenings best. Cardamom, neroli and nutmeg open with a spicy, lightly citrusy start. In the heart, orange blossom, jasmine and rose add a soft floral touch. The base of vanilla, sandalwood and amber settles into a creamy, woody, gourmand sweetness. Longevity and sillage are rated good. Most voters pick winter and fall, and evenings and nights out lead the occasions. It reads mostly masculine, though some voters find a feminine side. Tom Ford Noir pour Femme and Armaf Odyssey Homme have a close profile.

Khamrah / خمرة

8.0

Lattafa · 2022

Sweet · Gourmand · Spicy

Lattafa Khamrah / خمرة is a sweet, gourmand and spicy unisex fragrance, warm, creamy and woody, that suits cold weather and evenings best. Most voters pick winter and fall, and wear it in the evening or on a night out. Its longevity and sillage are both rated strong. Votes on character are split closely between masculine and feminine, so it sits somewhere in between. It opens with bergamot, nutmeg and cinnamon for a spicy start. Tuberose, praliné and date bring sweetness in the heart. Vanilla, roasted tonka bean, Siam benzoin and amberwood leave a creamy, woody warmth at the base. Ard Al Zaafaran Riqqa / رقة and Ayat Oud Khamrah / عود خمرة have a close profile.