The Perfume Library

48 perfumes

Auster

Electimuss · 2019

Fresh · Citrus · Floral

Electimuss Auster is a unisex scent that opens with star anise and lemon, moves through geranium and clove, and settles on sandalwood and cedar. The citrus and green accords give a fresh first impression, while the sweetish spice of star anise softens the lemon's sharpness. In the heart, geranium and clove add a floral, spicy turn. The base of sandalwood, cedar, musk and patchouli is woody and earthy, and ambergris keeps it sweet and warm. Its longevity is rated strong and its sillage good. Most voters pick autumn and spring, followed by winter and then summer. Leisure, evening and night out draw the most votes, and it also works for the office. It reads more masculine than feminine, yet remains unisex.

Cuba (Cologne)

7.0

Czech & Speake · 2002

Fresh · Citrus · Green

Czech & Speake Cuba (Cologne) opens with lime, bergamot and rum in a fresh, spicy rush, then settles on a smoky, earthy base of vetiver and tobacco. The first impression is bright and green: lime, bergamot, rum and peppermint. Bay rum and clove bring spice to the heart, softened by tonka bean and rose. The base of vetiver, tobacco and cedarwood leaves a woody, slightly leathery trail. Longevity is rated good and sillage moderate. Voters lean towards fall, though the other seasons are close behind. It suits leisure time and evenings. Most voters read it as masculine, with a classic feel. Sammarco Vitrum and Chopard Noble Vetiver have a close profile.

Oxford & Cambridge (Cologne)

7.6

Czech & Speake · 1994

Fresh · Citrus · Floral

Czech & Speake Oxford & Cambridge (Cologne) opens with rosemary, peppermint and bergamot before moving into lavender, a fresh, green unisex cologne. Its longevity and sillage are both rated moderate. Most voters pick spring, fall and summer, with winter a distant fourth. Leisure, daily wear and the office get the most votes. Most voters call it masculine, though a good number find it classic. The top is cool and citrusy, with rosemary, peppermint and bergamot. True lavender and French lavender form the heart, where the fougère structure settles in. Oakmoss at the base leaves a green, woody floor, with a spicy edge alongside. Rabanne Paco Rabanne pour Homme and Façonnable L'Original have a close profile.

Gravitas

8.1

Naughton & Wilson · 2020

Fresh · Citrus · Floral

Naughton & Wilson Gravitas is a fougère for men that opens with the fresh trio of mandarin orange, bergamot and lavender, then turns to pepper and cardamom. The opening is led by the citrus of mandarin orange and bergamot, with lavender adding a green, floral touch. In the heart, pepper, coriander and cardamom bring a dry spiciness. The base sweetens with vanilla, while patchouli, oakmoss and ambergris give it a woody, earthy footing. Longevity is rated good and sillage moderate. Most voters pick spring and autumn, though winter has a fair following too. Use is spread evenly across daily wear, business and evenings out. Most voters read it as masculine and classic.

Neroli (Cologne)

6.8

Czech & Speake · 1981

Fresh · Citrus · Floral

Czech & Speake Neroli is a fresh, citrusy cologne whose floral side is balanced by green and lightly sweet tones, and it suits both men and women. It opens with neroli and orange; African orange blossom adds a soft floral heart, and ylang-ylang leaves a faintly sweet base underneath. Fruity and spicy touches stay in the background. Longevity is moderate and sillage weak, so it stays close to the skin. Most voters pick spring and summer, and it is chosen mainly for leisure, daily wear and the office. Votes split almost evenly between masculine and feminine. Hermès Eau de Néroli Doré and Penhaligon's Eau de Cologne have a close profile.

Complex 2020 (Perfume)

7.2

Boadicea the Victorious · 2017

Floral · Green · Spicy

Boadicea the Victorious Complex 2020 is a unisex perfume that ties a floral, green opening to a smoky, leathery, resinous base. Sage and basil open on a green, spicy note. In the heart, frankincense and violet add a floral, resinous softness. Musk, oud and leather in the base leave a woody, smoky, leathery character. Voters rate its longevity as very strong and its sillage as strong. Most pick it for evenings, leisure time and nights out, while daytime and office wear sit well behind. Boadicea the Victorious Elaborate and Montale Oud Edition have a close profile.

Bon Viveur

7.9

Naughton & Wilson · 2021

Fresh · Citrus · Floral

Naughton & Wilson Bon Viveur is a fresh, citrusy and green men's fragrance built around lemon, laurel and basil. The top is a bright citrus opening of lemon, lime, mandarin orange and orange, with basil and lemon grass adding a green edge. In the heart, clove and pepper bring spice, while gin and watermelon soften it with a fruity coolness. The base of oakmoss, cedar, Haitian vetiver and patchouli is woody and lightly powdery, which gives the fougère character. Longevity is rated good and sillage moderate. Voters see it as a men's fragrance, and its fresh, green profile sits close to everyday wear. Penhaligon's Douro Eau de Portugal and Clive Christian 1872 for Men have a close profile.

Chypre Fulminare

7.8

Naughton & Wilson · 2022

Spicy · Woody · Resinous

Naughton & Wilson Chypre Fulminare is a spicy, smoky men's fragrance in which leather, pepper and frankincense sit on a dry, mossy chypre base. It opens with orange, lemon, lime and ylang-ylang, a bright citrus entrance. In the heart, leather, pepper and frankincense take over, and the scent turns leathery, spicy and resinous. The base of vetiver, labdanum, castoreum, ambergris and oakmoss builds a woody, smoky chypre frame. The overall impression is not sweet but dry and characterful. Roja Parfums Fetish pour Homme and Chanel Antaeus share a close profile.

Alkout

5.9

Electimuss · 2020

Floral · Spicy · Woody

Electimuss Alkout is a unisex scent built around civet, labdanum and oud, with an animalic, smoky character. In Alkout, civet and musk lay down a warm, animalic base, while labdanum and ambergris wrap it in a resinous, creamy softness. Oud adds woody, earthy and smoky depth. Violet carries the floral side quietly in the background and takes the edge off the spicy, leathery feel. The scent reads dark and dense from start to finish.