Tsar Cologne: Is This Fragrance Still Available?

Van Cleef & Arpels' Tsar cologne has been discontinued. It was a woody, aromatic fragrance for men, launched in 1989.

The cologne is still available to buy online, but at a much higher price than when it was first released.

Is Tsar cologne discontinued?

Yes, Tsar cologne has been discontinued. It was launched in 1989 by Van Cleef & Arpels and was a woody, aromatic fragrance for men.

The fragrance had a wide range of notes, including green notes, lavender, rosemary, bergamot, coriander, cinnamon, neroli, pine tree, juniper berries, carnation, geranium, jasmine, orris root, rose, lily-of-the-valley, oakmoss, leather, cedar, patchouli, sandalwood, vetiver, musk, amber, tonka bean, and coconut.

It is still possible to purchase bottles of Tsar cologne online, although prices vary.

Where can I buy Tsar cologne?

Tsar cologne is available on a variety of online platforms, including Amazon, eBay, and Walmart. You can also find it on fragrance-specific websites such as Fragrantica, Basenotes, and LuckyScent.

However, it is worth noting that Tsar cologne by Van Cleef & Arpels has been discontinued, as mentioned in some sources. Therefore, you may find limited stock or higher prices on certain websites.

What are some alternatives to Tsar cologne?

It seems that Tsar by Van Cleef & Arpels has been discontinued, much to the disappointment of its many fans. However, there are several alternative fragrances with similar notes that you could try. Here are some suggestions:

• Jazz by Yves Saint Laurent: This fragrance has been described as "super similar" to Tsar. It has top notes of lavender, nutmeg, coriander, artemisia, anise, basil, bergamot, cinnamon, and cardamom; middle notes of geranium, carnation, jasmine, and iris; and base notes of oakmoss, tobacco, leather, sandalwood, cedar, musk, amber, and tonka bean. It has excellent performance and longevity.
• North Wind by O Boticário: This fragrance is said to be very close to Tsar, with top notes of bergamot, middle notes of coriander, amber, lavender, and geranium, and base notes of vetiver and patchouli. It offers a similar green scent, wrapped in a floral aroma, and finished with soothing base notes. However, it may lack the woody notes that are prominent in Tsar, and it doesn't last as long.
• Pasha De Cartier by Cartier: Pasha is an aromatic and woody scent for men, with keynotes in common with Tsar, including woody notes, oakmoss, and mint, giving it a dry freshness. It also has added spice and a green outdoorsy depth. It has excellent performance and is ideal for the colder months.
• Safari for Men by Ralph Lauren: Safari is another option for those who enjoy the style of Tsar. It has a pleasant, masculine smell with a sweetness that many other fragrances lack. It has an outdoorsy, green, herbal, and woody theme, tempered by citrus and floral notes. It is complex and unique, and while it is masculine, it is not as green and woodsy as Tsar.
• Aspen by Thera Cosméticos: Aspen is also an aromatic and woody men's fragrance like Tsar and duplicates its scent very well. It has dominant citrus and green notes, creating a similar vibe to Tsar. As it develops, the signature notes of Tsar, such as pine and oakmoss, become very noticeable. The overall green and woody aroma resembles Tsar, and it comes at a fraction of the price.
• Encre Noire by Lalique: For forest floor facets, Encre Noire is a fantastic option and very affordable. If you want a brighter opening, Encre Noire Sport is a great choice.
• Trumper Eucris by Geo F Trumper: For mossy facets, Trumper Eucris is a strong recommendation. It is a fantastic fragrance for the price.
• Bowling Green by Geoffrey Beene: A brilliant citrus and green spiced herb opening and heart set against a pine note. Similar basic fougere structure. It is discontinued but very inexpensive.
• Paco Rabanne Pour Homme: Nothing evergreen is listed as a note, but it’s a reference green fougere and a very clear inspiration for much/most of Tsar’s structure.
• Armani Eau Pour Homme: Gives a similar vibe to Paco Rabanne Pour Homme but technically lacks pine.
• Patrick by Fragrances of Ireland: Like the modern green fougere offspring of the above scents.
• R de Capucci: Lots of shared DNA with Tsar. Also discontinued but accessible.
• Caron Yatagan: A good option if you like pine. Dry pine forest, herbs, and leather.

What are the notes of Tsar cologne?

The top notes of Tsar are green notes, lavender, artemisia, rosemary, bergamot, coriander, cinnamon, and neroli. The middle notes are pine tree, juniper berries, carnation, tarragon, geranium, caraway, jasmine, orris root, rose, and lily-of-the-valley. The base notes are oakmoss, leather, cedar, patchouli, sandalwood, vetiver, musk, amber, tonka bean, and coconut.

What are some reviews of Tsar cologne?

• "I like old elegant perfumes full of history that tell a story this one takes me back in time. It makes you act like an alpha male, confident and slightly arrogant. I love wormwood well used in potions mixed with slightly spiced cloves that softens the oakmoss, it's nice."
• "As a young man I used to wear Escada PH as my signature scent. Loved the comfort it offered, and the quality of the scent utilising so many different notes. When it was discontinued, and became harder to find/ unaffordable Tsar became my go-to as I found it sophisticated in a similar fashion albeit being a much fresher smelling juice. I quickly fell in love with it. It never fails to lift my mood. It’s a classy, green eyed, blonde beauty in a velvet dress. Cat-like and quiet. I don’t love lavender in a perfume but combined with tarragon, lily of the valley et al. and enriched with warmer resinous notes, and bitterness of vetiver, it is taken to a whole new level in this masterpiece."
• "This is a very nice fragrance. It's soapy but in a very good way. It has a reminiscence of YSL JAZZ but when I smell them next to each other they are quite different. JAZZ is much more refined and cohesive fragrance in compare to this. But still I like this."
• "I purchased Tsar by Van Cleef & Arpels, 1st and for most the price was OUTSTANDING, I have purchased same item and size 3.3 oz for a lot, more. This is a high end smell and has been around for a long long time."
• "Tsar came out in 1988. I was given a bottle by my employees as a Christmas gift in 1989. I've worn nothing but Tsar since. 24 years have past and I've always received nothing but compliments. Women always "dig it." even to this day. It's an up close and personal warm, spicy, masculine sent that they swoon over. It's the one sent I will never stray away from and as a result I’ve managed to build a cashe of my own private stock."
• "This is a refined cross between Ralph Lauren Polo (green) and Jazz by YSL. I first bought it in 1990 (very expesive in those days) and treated myself to a bottle recently (very cheap now)... Below average projection and longevity on my skin (I wonder if it has been reformulated... I recall the projection of this perfume was just huuuuge!!) If you love green and spicy you will absolutely love it!!"
• "I bought a 10ml decant of this a year or so again and decided to buy a full bottle, but it’s now discontinued and the prices are ridiculous. Tsar is not unique, but it's the best at what it does: a deep, aromatic mossy fougere that lasts. Cold, wet, verdant green pine forests in old Europe. Unapologetically masculine and naturally classy. The fragrance remains quite monolithic from start to finish, taking on slightly greater shades of leather and oakmoss but retaining that deep emerald character. (I tried a few other fragrances in the hopes I could find something I liked just as much. I didn't, but for the record: Jaguar For Men: shrill fly-spray Jazz: More focused on light spices, not as deep or mossy Eucris: More blackcurrant-focused Polo: Good, similar, an even deeper shade of green if that is possible, but then loses that deep fougere to tobacco in the drydown)"

Frequently asked questions