Finding Drakkar Noir's Scent In Modern Colognes

Drakkar Noir by Guy Laroche is an iconic men's cologne that was launched in 1982 and remains popular to this day. Its top notes include basil, rosemary, and lemon, with heart notes of cinnamon and jasmine, and base notes of resins, cedar, and vetiver. Drakkar Noir's masculine scent exudes confidence and boldness, appealing to those who want to make a strong impression. While it has its loyal fans, some may seek alternatives with similar fragrances but distinct personalities. Here are some options:

Drakkar Noir alternatives with a woody scent

If you're looking for an alternative to the iconic Drakkar Noir, there are several options that offer a similar woody scent:

Guerlain Homme Eau de Parfum (2016)

This fragrance is a modern take on the original Drakkar Noir, with green and woody spicy notes. It's a bit warmer, but still reasonably priced and flies under the radar.

Montana Black Edition

Considered by some to be a perfect modern alternative to Drakkar Noir, this fragrance is said to have notes of wood and spice.

Duc de Vervins L'Extreme Houbigant

This fragrance is often mentioned in the same breath as Drakkar Noir. While it may not be a direct clone, it offers a unique take on the woody scent profile.

Lomani Pour Homme

Lomani Pour Homme is a fresh, citrusy, and cleaner version of Drakkar Noir. It has a good blend of lavender, moss, and bright citrus notes, making it a close relative of Drakkar Noir.

Caesars Cologne Spray for Men

Caesars Cologne Spray is an 80s fragrance that overlaps with Drakkar Noir but with a more green and woodsy finish. It has a slightly soapy finish, less spice, and is very inexpensive.

Dakar – Al-Rehab Eau De Natural Perfume Spray

Although it smells different from the current formulations of Drakkar Noir, many consider this fragrance to be the closest thing to recreating the magic of the original 1980s version. It offers a full range of aromas, from woody to soapy to herbal, and is available at a very low price.

Drakkar Noir's popularity

Drakkar Noir by Guy Laroche was a powerhouse and bestseller in the 1980s, and even the best-selling men's "prestige" scent worldwide in 1991. It was a game-changer in the world of men's fragrances and helped cement a trend of fresh fougère scents in the 1980s. Its marketing focused on themes of masculinity, sensuality, decadence, darkness, and lust, with advertisements visually emphasising these themes.

The cologne's name, derived from a type of Viking longship, was chosen to invoke the "virile charm" associated with Viking warriors. The name also has a similar sound to Dracula, and it is believed that themes associated with the fictional vampire become unconsciously associated with the fragrance in consumers' minds.

Drakkar Noir's TV commercials from 1986 to 1993 featured a mysterious young man engaging in masculine activities such as archery, nightclubbing, and flirting. Another ad campaign from 1991 to 1993 featured a boxer and his girlfriend, played by supermodel Stephanie Seymour. The print advertising campaign was photographed by Herb Ritts.

The cologne has also made several appearances in popular culture, including in the TV shows Family Guy, How I Met Your Mother, The Office, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Shameless, Raising Hope, Deadly Class, and Breaking Bad, as well as in the film 10 Things I Hate About You.

Despite its previous popularity, some now consider Drakkar Noir to be an "old fart's fragrance". However, it remains popular with some younger people, and there is a sense that it is making a comeback. One commentator notes that the aromatic fougère genre, of which Drakkar Noir is a part, is gaining strength again as people tire of aquatic and super fruity fragrances.

Drakkar Noir's fragrance notes

Drakkar Noir is an aromatic fragrance for men, launched in 1982. Its top notes include artemisia, basil, verbena, lemon, rosemary, and mint. The middle notes are jasmine, cinnamon, carnation, wormwood, and angelica. The base notes are resins, cedar, vetiver, amber, and patchouli. Drakkar Noir's fragrance notes create a bold, sweet, and classy vibe.

Drakkar Noir has a moderate projection, meaning it is not too overpowering but still noticeable. Its fragrance is nostalgic, manly, and clean, evoking a sense of wisdom and confidence. The cologne has a wise, classy, yet sweet vibe that makes the wearer feel bold and authentic.

Some similar colognes to Drakkar Noir include Rasasi Royale EDP, which has prominent lavender and oakmoss notes, and At the Barber by Maison Margiela, which is spicier with more citrus influence. Lomani Pour Homme by Lommani is another aromatic fragrance for men with top notes of rosemary, lemon, lavender, and bergamot. Caesars Man by Caesars World is a Chypre fragrance with top notes of lemon verbena, bergamot, and rosemary, taking Drakkar Noir's DNA towards the greener side.

Drakkar Noir has maintained its popularity since its launch, with some considering it a "people pleaser" and a classic, confident, and masculine scent. It won a FiFi Award for best men's fragrance in 1985 and continues to be a well-known cologne today.

Drakkar Noir's similar fragrances

Drakkar Noir is an iconic masculine fragrance that exudes boldness, class, and sweetness. If you're looking for similar fragrances that capture the same essence, here are some excellent alternatives:

Rasasi Royale EDP

While this fragrance has its own distinct personality, it shares similarities with Drakkar Noir, particularly with prominent notes of lavender and oakmoss. Rasasi Royale offers a more powerful sillage and extra spice, minus the leather note. As it dries down, you'll detect more patchouli and a fresh cedar note.

At the Barber by Maison Margiela

This fragrance takes a different route from Drakkar Noir but shares some similarities. At the Barber is spicier with more citrus influence, featuring top notes of pepper and basil and a heart of rosemary. While the moss and woods are less impactful, the lavender note is bumped up, and the woodiness of Drakkar is replaced by geranium, giving it a more herbal feel.

Caesars Cologne Spray For Men

Caesars Cologne Spray is another 80s fragrance that overlaps with Drakkar Noir but leans towards a greener, woodsy finish. It has a slightly soapy, less spicy aroma and lacks the leather note. This inexpensive option has a smooth fragrance and a nice fir note.

Dakar – Al-Rehab Eau De Natural Perfume Spray

If you're looking for something reminiscent of the original 1980s Drakkar Noir, Dakar by Al-Rehab is the closest you'll get to recreating its magic. While it does smell different from the current formulations, it offers a full range of aromas, from woody and soapy to herbal, with impressive depth and performance.

Lomani Pour Homme Eau De Toilette Spray

Lomani Pour Homme is a fresh, citrusy, and cleaner version of Drakkar Noir. It lacks the same level of spice and feels less 'dark'. It blends lavender, moss, and bright citrus notes, creating a close relative of Drakkar with its own unique twist.

Ralph Lauren Safari Eau de Toilette Spray

While not an exact clone, Ralph Lauren Safari inhabits a similar niche. It's an outdoorsy blend of green herbal plants and woods, with a complex and unique aroma. It's masculine yet tempered by citrus and floral notes, making it an excellent alternative for those seeking something different.

These fragrances capture the spirit of Drakkar Noir while offering their own unique twists. Whether you're looking for a modern interpretation or a throwback to the 80s, these alternatives will keep you smelling bold and confident.

Drakkar Noir's price

Drakkar Noir is a popular men's cologne that was first introduced in 1982. It has a blend of aromatic spices, including lavender, amber, citrus, spicy berries, and sandalwood. It is described as a powerful, intense, and long-lasting fragrance.

The price of Drakkar Noir varies depending on the retailer and the size of the bottle. Here are some options for purchasing Drakkar Noir:

Amazon

The 3.38 fl oz bottle is priced at $59.78, while the 1.7 fl oz bottle is offered at $34.99. Amazon also provides discounts for subscription orders, with prices as low as $50.81 and $33.24, respectively, for the larger and smaller bottles.

Walmart

Walmart offers the 3.4-ounce Eau de Toilette Spray for $45.80. They also have a 6.7-ounce bottle available, priced at $34.59.

Perfume.com

Perfume.com provides various sizes of Drakkar Noir, including 3.4 oz, 1.7 oz, 1 oz, and 6.7 oz. The prices for these sizes are not explicitly mentioned, but the website offers a 20% discount and free shipping for orders over $35.

Best Men's Colognes

This website mentions a "Classic Match" version of Drakkar Noir, which is a cheaper alternative to the original. It is available for under $10 and is designed to be a close duplicate of the original scent.

Frequently asked questions