Lucius Maximus

First off I'm a huge fan of Lucius and came into this with high expectations but at the same time not expecting much change either. This turned out to be a lot different. For starters its a lot sweeter, not a summer or warm weather fragrance the way the original can be. Upon initial spray you're hit with very strong but pleasant citrus thay for me fades and then quickly the sweet aroma of the tonka and vanilla make their presence. This very much reminds me of Angel Share OTR but better. More citrus but still that similar sweet spicy kick, almost in the way of Rouge Smoking Extrait but obviously no cherry. That very pleasant sweet warm spicy accord makes this easy to love if you are into that type of fragrance. The woody notes are present but to me they are just great support for the citrus, tonka and vanilla. The vetiver isn't dirty or too earthy. I think it helps add to the sweetness while supporting the longevity of the other notes. This is going to be a huge hit this year but I expect it will take off come this fall and winter. Sillage is pretty strong and can be picked up at a distance and I only sprayed two sprays. So far the longevity appears to be long (6hrs+) but I'm sure that becomes even better in the colder weather. I really like this but I wasn't expecting what it is. I was hoping for another great special summer fragrance but this is not that. This will turn heads 100% in the fall/winter. The price is crazy high though and being an exclusive, I don't expect that will change anytime soon but I sure hope so.

This is exactly what I wrote about the original, and people told me I was wrong, that no extrait or follow-up would ever be announced. And yet here we are. The original Lucius always felt like a joker fragrance to me: multifaceted, shifting, and surprisingly versatile, with a scent profile cut from several angles at once, almost like a marquise diamond. It had brightness, structure, and just enough ambiguity to keep changing shape in the air. Lucius Maximus feels, at least on paper, like the inevitable next move. I suspect it will be more focused than the original, but also denser, deeper, and more deliberate in its construction. Not necessarily better, and not as kaleidoscopic, but more concentrated in character. The added coffee, darker woods, and sweeter base suggest a version of Lucius with more gravity and more shadow, as though the original’s many facets have been pulled into a tighter, more muscular form. In that sense, I imagine it may do something similar to what Fragrance Du Bois did with Sirène and Sirène Privée: taking a broad, expressive idea and refining it into something more controlled, more direct, and perhaps more immediately impactful. If Lucius was the chiseled gem, Lucius Maximus may be the same stone under lower light: less sparkling from every angle, but richer, darker, and cut to emphasize depth over shimmer.

Honestly, Lucius Maximus is an absolute masterpiece and easily one of the most intoxicating scents I’ve ever laid my hands on. The way it opens with a vibrant, refreshing burst of citrus and aromatic notes immediately catches your attention, but the real magic happens as it starts to settle. Within an hour, it transforms into this incredibly smooth blend of warm vanilla and rich, earthy woodiness that feels deeply luxurious. What completely blows me away is how beautifully the coffee and subtle oud peek through in the dry-down, giving it a mysterious, dark edge without being overwhelming at all. It balances sweet, warm spicy, and deep earthy elements so perfectly that it feels both powerfully sophisticated and perfectly unisex. The performance is honestly beastly; I sprayed it in the morning, and I was still catching whiffs of that gorgeous white floral and coffee base late into the evening. Every single time I wear this out, people literally stop me to ask what I’m wearing because the scent trail is just mesmerizing. Fragrance Du Bois really outdid themselves with this one, and it is worth every single penny if you want to smell like pure royalty. 9.8/10.

@mattyruns: Yep. Had to do a double take of the sample. Did not expect that at all. But it’s just the opening. The dry down goes deep and spicy woods, and just kicks the hell out of Gris Charnel. Someone mentioned, Haltane but I think it’s similar to a smoother Kalan. Man, that Jordi can cook, can’t he? @mybottledmoods: I can see why you would be hesitant to wear it. I completely disagree with people who say fragrance is genderless and this is definitely considered a masculine fragrance because it’s so spicy and woodsy. But, do it. It’s just straight up seduction in a bottle. I think a woman would find this to be a boxer droppper.

I'm sorry but how anyone could not love this fragrance is mind blowing. I understand fragrance is subjective but what the fudge are people expecting? This checks all the boxes for me. Phenomenal scent profile, great sillage, projection & the longevity is an average 6-8 hours before sitting close to the skin. Before I even knew Jordie Fernandez was behind this, I said to myself, "wow, this reminds me of Brompton immortals Extrait mixed with YSL 6 place saint Sulpice. Sure enough, JORDIE FERNANDEZ MADE THIS & I NEVER KNEW! I'm such a huge fan of his portfolio of work. Man, get your nose on this one ASAP!