The Perfume Library

Aromatics Elixir (Perfume)

7.6

Clinique · 1971

Floral · Green · Spicy

Clinique Aromatics Elixir is a green, earthy and spicy chypre, a dense, assertive floral over a resinous, woody base that leans towards evenings and colder seasons. Longevity and sillage are both rated very strong, so a small amount carries for a long time. Most voters pick autumn and winter, and evening and night out lead the occasions. It is written as a women's perfume, though a share of voters read it as masculine. The top opens sharp and green with bergamot, clary sage, coriander and geranium. The heart builds a floral body of tuberose, rose, jasmine and orris root. The base settles into oakmoss, patchouli, vetiver and frankincense, earthy and resinous. Halston Halston (Eau de Toilette) and Jil Sander Woman III have a close profile.

Aramis 900 (Eau de Cologne)

7.9

Aramis · 1973

Fresh · Floral · Green

Eau de Cologne

Aramis 900 Eau de Cologne is a chypre-leaning men's scent that carries a fresh opening of bergamot, lemon and green notes through a jasmine and rose heart into vetiver, sandalwood and oakmoss. It opens bright with bergamot, lemon and coriander, while green notes and rosewood pull it towards a dry, herbal side. The heart adds jasmine, rose, lily of the valley and geranium for a floral layer, and the base of vetiver, oakmoss and patchouli leaves a woody, earthy, faintly animal trail. Longevity and sillage are both rated good. Most voters pick fall, followed by spring, and the occasions are spread fairly evenly across evening, leisure, daily wear and business. Voters mostly call it masculine and classic. It has been discontinued; Animale Animale and Pierre Cardin Choc de Cardin have a close profile.

Devin (Eau de Cologne)

7.8

Aramis · 1977

Fresh · Floral · Green

Eau de Cologne

Aramis Devin Eau de Cologne is a green, spicy chypre, fresh and earthy with a leathery edge, suited to those who want a classic masculine scent; it has been discontinued. Devin's longevity and sillage are both rated good. Most voters pick fall, followed by spring and winter, and it leans towards daily, leisure and business wear. About half of voters read it as masculine, with many calling it classic. It opens with lemon, bergamot, orange and lavender, while mugwort and galbanum add a green bite. The heart brings carnation, cinnamon and caraway spice, softened by jasmine. The base of labdanum, leather, cedar, patchouli and oakmoss is woody and earthy. Nina Ricci Phileas and Ralph Lauren Safari for Men have a close profile.

Cinnabar (1978) (Eau de Parfum)

7.9

Estēe Lauder · 1978

Floral · Sweet · Spicy

Estēe Lauder Cinnabar is a spicy, resinous and sweet women's fragrance that suits autumn and winter evenings; it has been discontinued. Longevity is rated very strong and sillage strong. Most voters pick winter and fall, and evening and night out are the favoured occasions. It reads mostly feminine, with a share calling it classic. It opens with spices, orange, bergamot and peach lifted by aldehydes. The heart sets cinnamon and clove against the floral sweetness of ylang-ylang, jasmine and rose. The base of frankincense, benzoin, vanilla and patchouli leaves a resinous, woody, powdery and smoky warmth.

Halston (Eau de Toilette)

7.8

Halston · 1974

Floral · Green · Spicy

Eau de Toilette

Halston Halston Eau de Toilette is a floral, green chypre with woody and powdery touches, made for women and now discontinued. It opens with peach, bergamot and honeydew melon, a fruity freshness. The heart builds a floral body from rose, jasmine, ylang-ylang and carnation, while cedar and orris root pull it drier and more powdery. The base of vetiver, patchouli, oakmoss and amber leaves an earthy, resinous warmth. Voters rate its longevity and sillage as good. Most pick fall and winter, and evening and night-out wear lead, with daytime and office use also getting votes. Voters mostly call it feminine, then classic. Its profile is close to Niki de Saint Phalle and Clinique Aromatics Elixir.

Antonia's Flowers · 1985

Fresh · Citrus · Floral

Grès · 1999