5th Avenue Royale

Well I'm glad I blind-bought this based on favorable reviews and the bargain price! Today is my first day fully wearing it and I really am enjoying it. I'm surprised because when it first arrived, I sprayed it on a test strip and really did not like it on paper. It wasn't total hate but it was very far from a like. So I kind of avoided it for a couple of months figuring I'd made a mistake. But this morning I bit the bullet and went for it, and it feels much more balanced and nuanced on my skin than on paper. I had a similar experience with Mont Blanc Signature - didn't love it at all on the test strip, but once I actually wore it I fell for it. Some scents are lovely on the test strip and some just ... aren't. I wonder if this is a reason 5th Avenue Royale is at such a bargain-basement price? Either way, I'm going to remind myself in the future not to write off a fragrance until I've given it an actual test drive. The notes sounded perfect for me when I ordered it, and it turns out they are! :) Today is Halloween and this scent is fitting the vibe perfectly. (For context, here's me in a nutshell: 51 / kinda new at this, only really ever had one bottle of perfume at a time all my previous life / not really looking at "niche" - would be nice but that's not my budget / don't really care about prestige, but I do enjoy a sense of nostalgia.) One more thing on a separate note - I ordered a tester bottle of this without the cap. It's a pretty bottle but I have to admit it's a bit of a let-down without the cap! I didn't think I would care about it, especially for a blind buy, but it turns out that I do. This one in particular, the cap really compliments the bottle and so I'll try to find a replacement cap. But I might not be so quick to jump on a tester bottle next time - that's just me, but I'm figuring out the visual of the bottles is part of my enjoyment in collecting, maybe more so than I thought.

This is bloody gorgeous! I bought this largely because of cocolover56's review. First burst on spraying is a rich, chocolatey, alcoholic raspberry. There's no cocoa or chocolate listed in the notes, so this is probably coming from patchouli, which often takes on a chocolate nuance to my nose. As 5th Avenue Royale dries down, a lovely smooth suede becomes more prominent - and then, I swear I can smell almost creamy woods. If pressed, I'd say this is sandalwood or... oud. Now, I know that there may be people who won't test this because I've mentioned oud - but I urge you to try it. This isn't a dirty, barnyard or medicinal oud, which is why I have also referred to sandalwood. After writing this, I checked online for other note listings, and on parfumo.net I have found this, which I think is far more accurate: Top: Raspberry liqueur, Italian bergamot, orange blossom Heart: Patchouli, Atlas cedar Orpur®, Cypriol Base: Amber, oud, suede, musk 5th Avenue Royale is an outstanding perfume and incredible value for money. Sillage is moderate as is longevity. ETA: This definitely reminds me of something - I think it may be a 4160 Tuesdays perfume, but it's dancing just out of reach at the moment. I'll edit when (if) it comes to me. Ed. 14/2/18 I'm still struggling to place where I've smelled something similar to this. I have L'Artisan Parfumeur Noir Exquise spritzed on my right and 5th Ave. Royale on my left, and there are similarities (so I've uploaded L'APNE to the list above), but that's still not QUITE right. I hate when this happens, but I'm damned if I'll give up until I work it out!

I’m not the least embarrassed to admit this was a “YouTube Made Me Buy It”-style blind purchase. I’m usually into floral and/or aquatic Spring/Summer scents, so I’ve been looking for safe buys to expand my Fall/Winter collection. I was skeptical about this one because I find the original 5th Avenue to be dated and boring. This one, however, has turned out to be the blind buy success story we all dream about. Although oud is not listed in the notes, scrolling through the “Reminds me of” list, it looks like it’s being compared to a lot of oud fragrances. Either way, this fragrance definitely leans oriental on my skin. The booziness and the leather note work really well together, making a perfect “sexy” fragrance for the colder months. Then, there’s a sweetness I’m guessing is from the raspberry. The patchouli may be what is lending it a woodsy tone, but it’s not an earthy/green patchouli. It’s the warmer variety. I could also swear there’s some amber in here, but what do I know? Anyway, this fragrance is absolutely gorgeous and woefully (thankfully?) underpriced. I think the fact it’s a 5th Avenue flanker is the only reason they aren’t selling it for $150 or higher. This fragrance easily gives Montale, Mancera, Swiss Arabian, and Lataffa a run for their money.

Oh wow! 5th Avenue took a quick left turn and I love it! It's dark, leathery, woody capped off with some sweet berries. This is a fragrance I feel slips through the cracks because people who gravitate to 5th Ave may not like these darker woody types, and those that love this genre wouldn't turn to EA or specifically 5th Avenue to find it. Certainly a hidden gem that deserves far more attention. It's a woody leather for beginners, good for those who don't want to dive too deep into these accords. This is for someone who wants to give off bad b$%ch vibes without alienating anyone. For me it's a perfect balance of leather/wood and floral/fruit. A very light white suede certainly is front and centre, cedar is prominent, as is the raspberry and patchouli. But it's the mildest, end user friendly of each note. Cedar is light and airy, patchouli is the warm sweet kind that is almost gourmand, the resins add a warm syrupy feel. Definitely do not get too intimidated by the notes. Projection is moderate which I am fine with, I don't like leaving significant trails. Lasts fairly long on my skin, around 5-6 hours before it becomes a light skin scent.

A complete and utter leather overdose, encspsulated in a beautiful bottle. The design and colour both brilliantly reflect the content. Royale is rather heavy concoction of leather and patchouli. Upon initial application, leather note took my breath away, quite literally :-) Raspberry liqueur is completely dominated by the above mentioned and is barely detectable at the beginning. This stands in opposition to the fragrance pyramid as the head note of raspberry can be mostly enjoyed at the dry down stage, not before. The silage is great and lasting power decent. Royale, to me, is a sister to a long gone and, missed, NEONATURA COCCOON. I have missed this fragrance dearly since it was discontinued and Royale brought its spirit back to me. This gem can make a fabulous signature scent despite its simplistic composition. It follows the good old saying that more often than not, the less is more.

It's a Valentine Day (and a Payday!) and I decided to buy me something nice :) Found this fragrance in local Marshalls. Never heard of it before (Have the original 5th Avenue and love it!). Thanks to Fragrantica all the information about pretty much any perfume is at the finger tips! After reading the notes (couldn't believe - only 5!) I decided that for the price I will buy it and if I don't like it - not a big loss... I think I like it though. It's unique. I have nothing like this in my collection. It's dark and intriguing. I don't smell the raspberry... And the bottle is simply an art! Even if you don't like the fragrance, the bottle will look great on your dresser! Edit 02/17: Nope, too much leather to my taste. Returned... Edit 11/10: Couldn’t stop thinking about this fragrance. Repurchased. Love. Sometimes I think I’m bipolar or something...

This fragrance just may be my most exceptional cheap thrill purchase ever! I discovered it for 19.99 at Rexall drugs and looked up the info on Fragrantica on my phone. After reading a few reviews I knew it was coming with me. I’m so grateful for all the other reviewers comments because this perfume exceeded my expectations- it is stunning! It opens with a deep and dark raspberry note that is supported by the leather accord. The raspberry liqueur note almost comes across a bit rosey on my skin which is just fine with me. It doesn’t change too much as it dries down, I just notice that the patchouli warms it up a bit. In all I can honestly say that I’m loving it and I know it will be worn extensively during the cooler seasons. If you see it I highly recommend that you grab it!

After wondering what a woman at work was wearing for the past week, I finally asked her yesterday. This gorgeous smell wafting from her office was so alluring and I was sick of trying to guess, is it a Narciso Rodriguez? Is it a Lovely flanker? It has that soft warm skinscent that draws me in. Powdery soft, slightly sweet but also a little...oudy? Well, she came in today with a tester spray full of this for me to try! I get (not listed) oud, musk, orange and liquer notes, definitely. Suede, yes but not super leathery to my nose and a soft flower that I can’t place yet. Raspberry is there too but not in an overtly sweet manner. This could so easily be worn by a man, definitely not just for the ladies and its sillage is incredible, soft and lasting.

Great and very enjoyable review, Stinky Tinky! Someone mentioned 5th Avenue Royale in a review about a different fragrance and what they said about it (can’t remember) made me look it up. I loved the notes listed for it and with the reviews below, I made a blind buy. There’s no licorice to me, but I do get oud. The woods smell like pencil shavings at first, but settle down soon. Love the leather, really pretty patchouli, and the sweetness. This is very sexy, rich and beautiful - I love it! Edit: Longevity is not very good. I may expect too much, but it’s surprising when a scent with so much character doesn’t last. It’s so lovely and I wish it lingered longer.

This is a 5th Avenue flanker that truly stands out from the rest. The black bottle beautifully reflects the character of the fragrance. It opens with noticeable alcoholic accords, from which a juicy raspberry gradually emerges. As patchouli quickly joins the composition, these notes create an almost chocolate-like impression, somewhat reminiscent of liquor-filled pralines from a box of fine chocolates. The base is an enveloping blend of patchouli and smooth leather—warm and comforting. The fragrance is bold yet balanced, feminine and elegant. It has real potential to be a statement scent. Beautiful. I'm sad that it's discontinued.

This is definitely a unisex fragrance, but that's what I love about it. Every woman should have at least one unisex (masculine) fragrance in their collection. I've reviewed two male fragrances that are in my collection. I said it in those reviews and I'm going to say in this review "there is something sexy about a woman who smells masculine" sometimes. The suede and atlas cedar definitely gives this a masculine feel. I think this is great to just spray on your t-shirt and lounge around or just to run errands. If your body chemistry can pull this off then I say spray away. It will surely make some heads turn.

This is great. I never had any Elizabeth Arden fragrances before because I always thought that the brand was .. well... a bit daggy. This fragrance changed all that. I first smelled it at an airport, either Doha or Dubai and thought it was a Middle East exclusive as it seemed like an oud rose combination (I see others mentioned this as well, although these notes are not listed). I didn't buy it then, then I cursed myself a few weeks later as I couldn't stop thinking about it. Fast forward six months and I actually found it at my local chemist, for only A$39. Of course I bought it then... :-)

I was so glad to finally get hold of a bottle of this, the notes really intrigued me. Very different from the original release, this one is much darker, more intense and slightly woody. I didn't get too much of the leather, but definitely got a burst of dark berries. I'd suggest this is a little more masculine, even down to the bottle. Very much a unisex fragrance. Longevity is average, I wish it lasted longer, sadly I got a maximum of three hours. The price of this one has definitely soared, and I can understand why, it's just more interesting than several of the flankers.

With leather, I learned to be a little more careful. Combined with anything too sweet, like licorice, I get a pork pot or broth, yak. In this scent, the focus of my nose is on dark wood notes and sweet liquor. Suede seems to support and soften the scent and is not too dominant. Overall, the performance is pleasant, not aggressive, sophisticated, close to the skin, but leaves a small trail behind . Some reviewer compared this to Nina Ricci Rose Absolue and I think they have a similar vibe, even though there is no rose here. Great scent. Incredible in its price range!

I will come back to this again and again. The more I have learned about fragrances, the more I appreciate this beautiful scent. The performance of this has been suspected and criticized, but every time I use this gem I just must surprise by it's stylish veil. This is neither heavy nor accressive , but are those scents that remain pleasantly floating in the room as you leave. Here wood and sweetness are in place and this is not a shame alongside even more expensive scents. My strong recommendation.

First try: this is not what I expected!(I don't know what I expected truthfully). But, this is unexpectedly delightful. I have, and love, Agent Provocateur Fatale Intense which is like spicy chilli chocolate with a hint of leather, this is the leather suede base note to the max with all that other frou frou stripped away. I was shocked, and then shocked by how much I like it. The initial spray is a bit of a wild ride, I look forward to having more detailed thoughts as I wear it.

I think this will be one of those really Love or really dislike scents. I am one who really loves this. Smells to me like a cropped leather jacket the morning after it was worn by someone during a romantic evening out. Slightly sweet and so sexy. Yes there’s leather/ suede but not a leather shop. Think of soft leather and deep kisses. I love this scent. I don’t think I have anything like it. And for what it cost me it is beyond my expectations. 10$ for 2.5 !

Also, the bottle and box are very pretty. The bottle is black and gold with embossed flower pattern. This pattern is in the black box in gold and bronze like colours which turn green when the light hits them just right. Pretty gothic ______ Ok, I love this. LOVE this. One spray lasts ages and it smells like the feel of velvet, heavy and enveloping, warm to the touch. I'm very impressed but other people seem weirded out by it, the lack of florals is divisive.

Crikey, the notes for this one have really been updated! This seems more accurate now than before - thank you. Over all, a lovely oooziness of a rum/liqueur poured over fresh and ripe raspberries, patchouli and leather. A grown-up's fragrance, unisex and not a scent which you choose as it chooses its wearers instead. Full of confidence, this is splendidly done, especially considering the bargain price. Highly recommended.

This is a great fragrance! It has niche quality. TheAmandaMarie actually talks about this fragrance awhile back. I thought I try it since it’s price was 12.00. Why not?! The opening is a little harsh but as it dries down it smells really good and the Sillage is decent and the longevity is decent. Even though I buy niche fragrances and love love them. Designer will always be my number #1❤️

Tried this today, very impressed. I likened it to Dior Le perfume and later after a few hours Revlon unforgettable. I haven't liked many from this line in the least and been annoyed by the lack of longevity and strength. This and the purple bottle are nothing like those. Give them a whirl. This was sprayed at 10.30 am it's now 7pm and gone. Warm, spicey, some floral and sweet .. Thumbs up

This is a very special perfume. It really smells unique. And the price for this treasure is without comment. Oriental with character. Very pleasantly surprised. I bought it blind because I love raspberries and patchouli in the last year. A suede always sounds exotic and sexy. I was not wrong in my judgment. This is a perfect choice for ladies with individuality.

This is lovely! I wish it performed better but for the price Oh well. It’s fruity, I got a fresh blast in the beginning with that leather/suede up front. Then it mellowed out to a raspberry and smooth leather skin scent I wore this and it lasted 3 hours on my skin and all day on my clothes with zero sillage sadly.

What an unexpected surprise ! Really like it booziness , the suede aspect , liquor and labdanum . Deep , gothic and mysterious . I can smell some vibes of Tuscan Leather and Widian London had similarities . Good silage and longevity . Unfortunately discontinued . Pm me if you in Europe . Have a sealed bottle .

It's times like these that make me question my campaign against blind buys. I bought because I love leather and (not gonna lie) I really like the bottle. This is such a pleasant surprise! A dark, deep,fruity-sweet leather. It's simplistic and very sophisticated. Whatta gem!!

This scent is so smooth, slightly sweet and fluffy with some deeper notes. Longevity is an issue with this one but it's a huge bottle that I don't mind over spraying and it would last you for a evening out. I don't limit this to night time wear though.

Is there any way to correct the pyramid? It's misleading. According to other websites the notes are Top Notes Raspberry liqueur, Italian bergamot, Orange blossom Heart Notes Patchouli, Atlas cedar Orpur®, Cypriol Base Notes Amber, Oud, Suede, Musk

I am glad I purchased this fragrance. It smells like like oud, Nissean, and Santal Royale, but with a light cream and fruits. Only thing is for as strong as it smells in the opening, it may need to be sprayed a few times throughout the. Pleased!

Very oud like vibe with the patchouli and leather notes. Definitely has the strong notes of liquer in the beginning. The raspberry is very faint. This fragrance can be unisex as the suede and patchouli notes are quite masculine in the dry down.

What a beauty! Strongly resembles my beloved Russkaya Kozha from Parfums Berdoues, but a little bit more feminine and dainty. Alluring, seductive, boozy, a tad sweet, leathery, tiny bit mentholated - hot embrace and wild kisses. Mmm...

Love this! Definitely reminds me of Calvin Klein's Eurphoria especially at first. But it changes into its own character especially with the lingering suede note. Addictive! I woke up wanting to smell it.

Just beautiful and somehow sophisticated ( not loud) but deep ..Love !

The price for this has gone insane I guess it's been discontinued?

Mmmmm... money. It smells like (old) money to me.

A powdery, balanced, suede Oriental with surprisingly Arabic vibes! I first thought it must be oud in the base notes, but if I read this correctly it could be a cyrpriol/cedar/resin combination. Charming and quality. Royale has a personality that reminds me of a flanker of Imari Seduction, without in any way being a dupe. It also has a healthy resemblance to White Diamonds Night, which is more of a cousin. They are both leather/suede scents with a noticeable nod to vintages. I like both! Diamonds Night is deeper in tone and seems to lack that oud note, going straight for the powdery sweet dry down instead. Royale is higher in pitch with some of the same notes and a less sweet base - woody and unisex compared to the more floral top notes. These fragrances are excellent examples of budget-done-right. The concentration being more of a strong cologne or EDT, spraying on hair or fabric is advisable for best longevity. But in my experience neither performed worse than some of the recent designer releases labeled EDT. To sum up: A not-too-sweet Oriental with real bones. Mature and leaning vintage, without smelling like a dupe of anything from the past or present. Likeable, wearable, enjoyable. Update: I find this masculine on my skin. Possibly my chemistry, but it's certainly unisex.

This one was a blind buy for me, purely based on it being apparently similar to Valentino Donna Noir Absolu, which has now been discontinued *sob* This is in no way a dupe for my beloved, however, it is in the same vein, boozy and dark, and I'd say if you like VDNA, there's a good chance you'll like this! 5th Avenue Royale is sweeter, the raspberry note is the main reason for this, also making it a lot fruitier. Due to it not having the pepper or sandalwood, it is missing the sharp punchiness I love in VDNA, and the suede note makes it smoother and softer than the leather note in VDNA. In my personal opinion, this one is "safer" and will appeal to people that think VDNA is too masculine or "out there" for them to feel comfortable wearing. Elizabeth Arden have done a fantastic job with this fragrance, and I'm happy to have found such an inexpensive gem to add to my collection :)

As Stinky Tinky correctly pointed out below, this frag is not going to bend your brain LoL. It's a nice, warm, smooth suede leathery scent (a mild leather, very wearable) blended with some raspberry juice and a hint of booze. No flowers in sight, no fresh bergamot blending no powderiness. No oud at all, don't be fooled by the black packaging and the dark atmosphere. Just a warm suede with a patchouli-amber base. A nice, feminine winter scent, will not turn heads nor make you the most original scent wearer in the house, but is unpretentious and easy to wear, as it's not a sillage monster. Nothing groundbreaking, however it gets a thumbs up for the bargain price, that is always welcome. P.S: forget the comparison I see mentioned with Santal Royal or Ambre Eternel: those Guerlains are a totally different animal, eons superior in quality.

This was a blind buy, bought coz I got a good deal. Being an ardent lover of the original 5th avenue and watching a few reviews on this, I was fairly confident buying this. I will say I am pleasantly surprised! I expected, as per the notes, a lot of leather, which I am not a fan of; but I don’t get leather, well not until the very dry down, which is great for me. On a whole, I get powdery florals and some pleasant sweetness, not sure what it is, I love it. Only majooorr downside - it doesn’t last at all. I will give it a max 1 hour. Such a pretty fragrance but fades away too quick for my liking. Also, you need a few sprays to get the impact, otherwise it is a skin scent. Worth a try if you like light, non headache inducing fragrances. I will keep it in my collection for layering. Good to spray on Jammy’s for bedtime.

I could swear I smell tonka in the opening, though that impression goes away pretty quickly. Similarly, I smell a general incense accord throughout the life of this on my skin. It seems like this has more going on than what the notes above suggest. I have to say that for a fragrance with such a noticeable patchouli note, I still find it pleasant. It's not a dirty, earthy patch. It's far more woody. I also enjoy the booziness. It's strange, because it's so obvious to others, but I really don't detect suede/leather. As for the raspberry, I can barely pick it out, but it adds the slightest touch of sweetness, almost as if the "alcohol" note is that of Chambord. I actually think this is a well blended fragrance, and while I don't reach for it often, I like it when I do. For the price, you could do much, much worse!

My body chemistry enhances the woody resinous notes mostly. It feels like standing outside an incense filled church in hot dry desert. It's strong, resinous, woody, dry...very oriental but without any sweetness, any flowers, any zing. I had a similar experience with Agent Provocateur L'Agent which was smoky, more feminine and developing into alluring depth than 5th Avenue Royale's very dry oud/patchouli/cedar/woody smell which stays more or less the same. The longevity is around 5 hours. Not suitable for everyday use, not sexy either. It's more alluring and deep. It makes a presence like a leopard strolling through a party and everybody paying attention with curiosity, anticipation and admiration or detest.

This is gorgeous! I quickly tested this and NYC Lights while at the airport yesterday. Sadly not all of the variations, or Arden in general, are widely available. Online, yes, but not always for test. Smelled from the bottle I first thought of Oud & Rose, seeing the notes I can see that I was fooled or am not trained well enough. Nevertheless I do share the sentiment that is a gorgeous scent: Leathery, musky with a hint of fruit and musk (I still believe that I smelled rose but hey). At least on my skin (quick test on the back of my hand). Will def try to test this again and better :)

I tested this on a strip and it smells expensive and divine! I understand what they mean by "boozy raspberry liquor" and there's something quite chocolatey in this. I get alot of patchouli on my skin, a little bit of the suede note but suede doesn't stand out on my skin anywho. I think on the right person this would smell AMAZING! Lasts maybe 3-5 hours on my skin but I wish the liquor and the raspberry note were more dominant. It smells much more expensive than it actually is! I just wish so badly this smelled how it's supposed to on my skin!! Would buy this as a gift for someone!

This is a very rich suede fragrance but it smells like a very nice suede jacket covered in a lovely musky, sweet, woody, resinous perfume. This opens w/ a crisp bergamot, raspberry, and liquor but while they don't leave they do fade a bit and the patchouli, cedar, resins, musk's and ambers come forward and combine w/ the suede jacket note and create a perfume that very appealing for both men and women. This is a fall and winter perfume, cold weather is where this one will shine.

It’s an autumn night, chilly but not very cold. You pick up your expensive lightweight suede jacket for a night out. As you draw it close to you, you get whiffs of the dry down of the perfume you wore to church last week, sweet and woodsy. It mingles nicely with the lingering church incense (olibanum) and the suede. 5thAR creates a very soft, warm, cozy and enveloping scent bubble that sits close to you but is very enjoyable and classy for the price.

This smell like leather and suede and leaning toward masculine but not very strong. I never had a perfume as unique as this. I love it no matter from top to base note nothing odd at all. For the price, it worth it for a unique perfume. Update! 2024, I notice this smell so close to Tom Ford OUD WOOD EDP version. Is so close so close but quality and performance TF is much better. If you want a TOM Ford OUD WOOD alternative. Get this!

I really like this one. It's quite sweet and sensuous, just really attractive. Something about that suede, the patchouli and woody notes, the sweetness, it makes you feel kind of naughty. Maybe it's not for everyone but I find this gorgeous. Easily unisex and perfect for fall and winter evenings and nights. I swear there has to be vanilla or tonka in this.

Somewhat basic but not really reminding me of anything in particular. I really like it. Rose-raspberry with a spicy, creamy vanilla/praline opening. Just a touch of suede. It's like something Lancome would have as a flanker of La Nuit Tresor, but thankfully this fell under the radar and overstock is plentiful at a cheap price.

This is a very well executed patchouli - it is boozy and fruity. The suede tones it down and makes it grown up and sophisticated. Close up there is also refined spiciness. A splendid fragrance - dark and rich yet not overwhelming. I only sold it as I did not have many chances to wear it, to me it is more for nights out.

At first, I thought I was smelling pine on first spray, but apparently, I'm getting the cedar immediately. After about 10 minutes, it fades and becomes a lovely raspberry, soft, warm, spicy and sexy scent. I find it pairs beautifully with Dark Kiss body cream from Bath & Body Works and often wear it at night.

I reach for this a lot when I’m going to be by myself or at bedtime. I really like it, but it may turn some people off. It does smell like alcohol, patchouli and suede. I get some raspberry as I get more familiar with this. It’s long lasting and strong at first. But I find myself craving it more and more.