Herod

I have been sampling 20+ of the all time popular/highest rated men’s fragrances the last month or two. Creed, Tom Ford, Guerlain, Givenchy, Dior, Chanel, Malle, Dolce, Prada, etc etc Then last night I applied my sample of Herod. My eyes widened, jaw dropped. It smells so so so wonderful on me that it is viscerally stunning, almost dizzying. It is so much better than any of the other best of the best fragrances I’ve tried. Herod balances the best of the best dark Rich creamy elements but stays much less sweet than current trends (looking at you Tom Ford). It is dark but not heavy, smoky but not stale or acrid, sweet/fruity/floral but just a touch, edible but not cloying candy dessert, spicy and peppery but not sharp or offensive. Many say this is Tobacco plus Vanilla, but it is not and is much more. I would say it is centrally incense, which is tying together four or five different notes supported by two or three ingredients each. Much more indeed. Tom Ford bashes people over the head with Very Sweet and Very Very Vanilla. Herod is a masterclass of virtuoso perfumery in comparison. All at once it is smoky and spicy and earthy and slightly sweet and oh so creamy in a swirling dance that is unique modern masculine and a best-thing-I-ever-smelled, so delicious that I can’t stop sniffing at it and discerning the different notes. Some say it’s too safe or bland or mainstream but I think it is actually a wonderland of niche-quality smells that are used with restraint and perfectly balanced into a complex gentle harmonious masterpiece. One thing I haven’t seen many discuss: I believe the key element is the incense, the central nag Champa note that is smoky and woody and slightly sweet/floral and earthy and dark and mysterious that ties all the other notes together. A brilliant bridge between The Smoky tobacco, The spicy sweet cinnamon and pepper, the creamy rich vanilla, the earthy vetiver and musks, aromatic woods etc. I smelled a lot of nag champa incense in my university days and Herod’s incense smells spot on. Nag champa is Indian incense that has unique notes similar to sandalwood and jasmine and plum. Mix those in with cinnamon, cedar, vetiver, musky florals, etc, and that’s why I feel this is so much more complex than “tobacco plus vanilla” and actually a masterpiece of layered perfume blending. Unbelievable. I have immediately ordered a 75ml bottle for 120 bucks. Update: My 75ml bottle from eBay is a March 2021 batch and smells exactly the same as my sample, maybe a twinge fruitier up front. That’s from the first spray with no maceration. I’m at 5 hour mark from three sprays and still smell it strongly. Sooo delicious and plenty of performance

Holy wow! I like this one a lot! This is so much more wearable to me than Althaïr, and also just more interesting and less synthetic (I know there ARE synthetics in this, but they come across more well blended and natural feeling). I get a little sweetness, just enough, and a really pleasant tobacco that just smells so good. Nothing cloying or cigarette-ish about it, just pure lovely clean sweet tobacco. The cypriol, cedar, and vetiver are all there in exactly the right dosage, just pleasantly earthy and spicy and tempering the sweetness. It's addictive. I can't stop huffing my wrist. It's absolutely perfect. It definitely has a slight holiday feel to it which would make it perfect for fall and winter, but it's not specifically Christmas-y or anything, so it could work on any night out or cooler day. It would work on a warm day too, but where I live gets hot enough that I tend to prefer a real freshie on hot days. Sillage and longevity seem good, but I have a dabber sample, so it's always hard to tell without that atomization. I really love this. I had avoided trying any PDMs because I figured even if I love it, I probably wouldn't pay so much for it, but I recently tried a couple samples, and I will probably end up grabbing a decant of this one at some point. It's fantastic. Update! I did buy a decant of this from Scent Split, and while it's rapidly become my favorite fragrance in my collection, the performance is sort of abysmal, especially given the cost and the types of notes it contains. ESPECIALLY when compared to the performance of Layton. This has fairly weak sillage, less than an arms length for about the first hour, then it becomes more or less a skin scent. It's one of the worst performers I have. It's at DandG's The One levels of vanishing. I also grabbed Layton and Greenley decants, and both outperform this one by miles. It's a shame, because I adore this so much I was considering full bottling, but at the rate I blew through the decant, it seems like a poor financial choice. Also, to double check I wasn't simply going anosmic, I asked my husband and neighbors and coworkers at various points in the day if they could smell me, from how far, and how strongly, and the reports were consistent with everyone. Lastima.

can't stop thinking about this since i tried it. i tend to like sweeter fragrances more so i don't usually pay much attention to fragrances that aren't marketed as feminine or unisex... plus bottles and names are the main thing that draws me to a perfume, and this is so not eye catching on the outside, i think would've never tried it if i just saw it in a store. the one who suggested i try it was my dad lol because we were talking about fragrance and he got into collecting during quarantine. i was kind of hesitant because he's mostly into woody aromatic headache scents. but when i smelled it from the bottle i was convinced to give it a chance. the opening is really boozy, almost too much for me like i just opened a new bottle of liquor and spilled some trying to pour it. two or three minutes in it starts to really sweeten as the vanilla shows up, with a really nice edge of tobacco and incense. it's like sitting in a room by myself at night with some incense lit in the background, holding a glass of a really sweet bourbon or maybe some kind of liqueur in one hand and a fresh expensive cigar in the other. the liquor and tobacco in this are like gourmands to me. my skin really latches onto vanilla so after the opening it smelled mostly very sweet and warm with a hint of tobacco, felt surprisingly feminine despite the marketing and what i was expecting from the notes. skin chemistry is crazy because on my dad it's a lot more tobacco based, which is what i imagine it smells like on most people. both smell great to me, i would love to try layering this with something sweet too to see what happens too. the scent does get weak pretty fast though but it's good enough for me to not mind that.

Upon the first spray, I'm enveloped in an enchanting blend of sweet incense, beautifully layered with rich tobacco, luscious vanilla, and a hint of warm cinnamon. The opening is nothing short of mesmerizing, making it one of my all-time favorites in my collection. The way the smokiness of the incense alongside the deep, comforting notes of tobacco and vanilla creates a captivating aroma. It evokes memories of a black and mild cigar—those distinct, cheap cigars from the corner gas station—though I assure you, this is anything but off-putting. For anyone familiar with that scent, you know it has a surprisingly alluring quality. As the fragrance develops, around 3-5 minutes in, I start to detect some earthy, woody notes emerging from the iso-e-super, adding depth and enhancing the overall projection of the scent. This delightful blend maintains its character beautifully for the first three hours, radiating elegantly from my skin. After that initial period, it transforms into a cozy skin scent that lingers for over eight hours, showcasing its impressive longevity. If you choose to spritz it on your clothing, be prepared for the scent to stay with you until you wash your clothing. What I particularly appreciate is how consistent the fragrance remains throughout the experience. Herod feels best suited for colder weather and evening occasions. If a scent that embodies the warmth and richness of gourmet pipe tobacco resonates with you, I guarantee that Herod is a full-bottle purchase you won't regret. Its warm, sweet aroma captures a delightful essence that is undeniably reminiscent of those black and mild cigars.

The opening blast smells like a cherry sucret cough drop dipped in cinnamon. Pure cherry medicinal. This last thankfully about 20 seconds. The opening made me think another dud from PDM (I am not a fan from everything ive tried.) Within a minute, a massive hit of tobacco with a sweet leathery accord begins. It was like an on off switch. The moment the perfume dried on the skin, the tobacco hit immediate. That first 30 seconds was the most interesting and jarring experience. Absolute change up! The dry down initially keeps a more subtle medicinal smell. The vanilla, cedar and musk are coming through. The Iso E and amber bring a nice warmth. Ive tried 5 or 6 PDM perfumes and my feelings were either ok to absolute hate. This is the first PDM scent I enjoy AND the first one whose vanilla didnt smell like sweet mothballs(Althair) or disgustingly synthetic(Carlisle). Sillage is good Longevity is moderate. Becomes a noce smokt vanilla musk after a couple hours and disappears on me after anout 8 hours. Im actually, finally, enjoying a PDM fragrance. Herod is amazing. Elegant. Its masculine and gentlemanly. After all the PDM ive tried, finally a clear winner. After several wears, I have to say this is one of my alltime favorite fragrances. It truly is such a magnificent masterpiece. The notes blend so smoothly after the initial spray. The drydown is wonderful, masculine. Its gentlemanly. I absolutely love Herod.

This is a MASTERPIECE by Monsieur Olivier Pescheux for Parfum de Marly! ELEGANT, CLASSY, RICH, CREAMY AND COMPLEX. You can't go wrong with it, If you like Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille or Vanille Havane or Bvlgari Man In Black EDP, You will like this one. It was about two years on my Radar and I bought it blind-buy after reading the positive comments and I watched reviews on YouTube with reasonable price , Nowadays it is very Expensive but It's the best Parfum de Marly in line. Herod opens up with warm spicy, Incense , Osmanthus and Tobacco in the background then dry down is semi sweet Smoky Vanilla and Tobacco. It's sweet but It is not cloying. Herod has a masterful Well-blended composition and The Combination of Cinnamon , Osmanthus , Incense and Tobacco in this perfume is very pleasant that It smells similar to cherry and a little bit apricot vibe undertone along with Tobacco note. I really enjoy it when the weather is Cold and I love it. I'm so happy that I have it in my collection. Rest in peace Monsieur Olivier Pescheux and forever in our hearts. Longevity is good. Highly Recommended. Two Thumbs Up Bravo Parfum de Marly! Rating : 9 / 10

I tested Herod at a perfumery and was initially surprised by how clearly the tobacco notes come through at the beginning. It has to be said: this is pure tobacco. But the tobacco didn’t bother me at all — quite the opposite. I found it really interesting and pleasant, and that’s coming from a non-smoker. It gets especially beautiful after about five minutes, when the tobacco moves a little into the background and the other notes start to come through, making the fragrance spicier, more ambery, and overall deeper. The tobacco remains in the background; it simply becomes more ambery, woodier, and warmer. For me, this has full potential to become a signature scent — exactly my kind of scent profile. It feels somehow familiar, yet at the same time mysterious. To me, it would be a favorite winter fragrance with a mature, enigmatic character — real signature-scent potential. I really liked it a lot, and I almost bought it in the store, but I found it cheaper while browsing online. For anyone who finds Althair or Liquid Brun possibly too sweet... Definitely try Herod!

Herod is my favorite winter fragrance of all time and a top 3 in my collection. Its one of the few fragrances ive smelt that genuinely makes me feel warm and cozy inside. It makes me feel like I am bundled up next to a warm campfire sipping hot chocolate. Obviously doesn't smell like that, but thats the feeling it gives me. Some of my favorite notes combined, cinnamon, tobacco, vanilla. I do detect some slight florals and a cherry style vibe, but I mainly get vanilla, tobacco, and cinnamon. I do get noseblind to this as I do many other fragrances. Not a super strong projector but thats fine with me. As for performance, I'm not super sure. I know iso e super makes me super noseblind so I am hoping its noseblindness, but I can detect it for about 4-5 hours. Overall, Herod was an instant love and I am glad to have it. I would recommend it if you have the money for it. If not, montagne parfums makes a great inspired by that lasts 12 hours but comes at the cost of worse blending and a hsavier tobacco: tobacco noir. 10/10

This is one of the most addicting fragrances in my collection. The combination of vanilla, cinnamon and tobacco is done brilliantly to give off a not-overly-sweet yet sophisticated smell. The sweetness is not at all overwhelming, it's the opposite where it keeps lingering over the period it stays on your skin which makes others cannot stop getting a whiff of. This is an excellent choice when I want to stand out in a small gathering or meeting, as the sillage and longevity are on the medium side. However, that's exactly what I like about this fragrance since it lets out a silently hard-working man kind of vibe. Rating: 9/10, I wish it last a bit longer. (Note: I got a sample of Hercules from Maison Alhambra and I can firmly say that it is about 80-90% similar to PDM Herod without having checked the longevity. It is a nice clone with a much more affordable price in case you want to try this fragrance)

Herod is an aura fragrance, and it's one that you wear if you wanna feel like seduction. Think of tobacco vanilla by Tom Ford, but made more mass appealing, and you get this. The tobacco in this is smooth and sweet, paired with the vanilla, creating a broken combo that is made to get people closer to you. This stuff is broken in the winter and autumn time especially at night. Wear this with an all black fit and you have completed the Herod look. This rivals Noir Extreme by Tom Ford in terms of seduction and sexiness because the combo of smooth tobacco, sweet vanilla, and spicy cinnamon is just nuts. While performance is not as good as the gourmand bomb Althair, Althair is made for straight loud compliments in the wintertime, while this is more reserved and sophisticated, where it is suitable for times when you need to smell attractive. Underrated fragrance.

Herod is a refined tobacco–vanilla: more adult, smoother, and far more wearable than Tom Ford’s Tobacco Vanille powerhouse (that I also have). Herod is an excellent take on the tobacco–vanilla theme. The blend opens with warm, slightly spiced tobacco before settling into a smooth, creamy vanilla base that feels sophisticated rather than sweet. It’s very much an adult fragrance — refined, comforting, and assured. Compared to Tom Ford’s Tobacco Vanille, which is excellent as such, Herod is noticeably more tamed: less dense, less overwhelming, and ultimately, far more wearable in daily life. Where TF leans toward an opulent statement, Herod delivers balance and elegance, making it a versatile choice for anyone who loves tobacco scents but wants something smoother and easier to reach for.

Herod is the king of the tobacco world! While everyone else is wearing Layton, the real gentlemen are reaching for this dark, mysterious masterpiece. It opens with a spicy blast of cinnamon and pepper, but then it settles into the most incredible, high-quality tobacco leaf and smoky vanilla you have ever smelled! It’s deep, it’s rich, and it’s miles ahead of those bubblegum designer scents because it’s sophisticated and masculine. But here is the truth, and it’s a total heartbreak! The quality is top, but the performance? It sits close to the skin after a few hours, and you really wish that glorious scent cloud would last all night because it’s so smooth and well-blended. Herod unfortunately doesn't shout, it simply speaks. But the message always rings true.

Herod A perfume I love. I don’t get it when people compare it with Tobacco Vanille by TomFord or with Spice Bomb. For me Herod is a very refined vanilla fragrance with nuances of tobacco and cherry. Herod is a divine blend, smells very elegant and sophisticated. The longevity is good however the projection is not that great. But I don’t care about that, I have 30% of my bottle left and I don’t wear it. In fact I have kept it safe because whenever I wanna relax and feel good I use a single spray to appreciate how good a fragrance can be. It is that precious to me. I would have been my signature winter scent if it was beast-mode, since I like powerful scents and this one has that only issue otherwise it’s perfect.

As a lover of tobacco fragrances, I’d easily place Herod in my personal top 5 tobacco scents I’ve ever smelled. Within the Parfums de Marly lineup, it’s comfortably in my top 3. To my nose, it’s a smooth pipe tobacco with a subtle cherry nuance resting on a rich vanilla base. It’s warm, elegant, and incredibly comforting without feeling overly sweet. Herod was also one of the very first niche fragrances I experienced nearly a decade ago, so it carries a lot of nostalgia for me. Unfortunately, the performance isn’t what it used to be. Luckily, I managed to get my hands on a 2020 batch, which still performs decently enough. If you’re a tobacco fragrance enthusiast, I can definitely recommend giving Herod a try.

Love it. Beautiful combination of tobacco and vanilla, woods and cinnamon, elegant and sophisticated. Definately a very sexy scent for colder days. I find the longevity to be over 12 hours on my skin. I still smell it after taking a shower. It radiates within arm lenght the first 5-6 hours, and then becomes a skin scent. I personally like that, I dont want the whole room to smell me, I perfer a more intimate scent. Price is ok, worth it based on the performance on my skin. - bought a new bottle this year. Have tested it many times the last 4 years. I find the performance to be identical, even my new bottle with the «new» concentration. This is maybe the best scent I’ve ever had in my collection. 10 /10 👍🏻

My husband calls this his “most expensive smelling cologne” and he’s right in saying that. It’s a creamy tobacco that’s so smooth in the way it’s blended. But I love to buy it for him because 1. I’m clearly the fragrance lover and snob between us two, and 2. I just genuinely love the way this smells on a man. It’s sweet but still masculine leaning. To me, it’s a perfect date night scent because it smells sexy without any associations to club life, it’s alluring and projects enough to detect but is soft enough a woman wants to get closer, and, (don’t hate me for admitting it) it smells expensive. Only downside is that it actually IS expensive.

This is starting to be a common face in fragrance, seen in angels share by Kilian and calle ocho by Fulton & Roark - deep spicy boozy textured tobacco vanilla - I love and own all three. Just bought Herod, excited to test it out on a wear tonight in Aspen. I see that the “reminds me of” angels share has more downvotes than upvotes but it is basically the same face, though arrived through different listed notes. And “divine vanille” has way more upvotes than downvotes although they are completely dissimilar in their face, divine vanille is just a smooth vanilla with no boozy and spicy aspects. Very pleasant!

I’m here to say that this DOES INDEED LAST AND PROJECT. I had a decant of this about a year ago, it smelt amazing but only lasted for 2-4 hours. Ended up pulling the trigger and found a good price on a full bottle this month. I have a 2024 batch code: 4323482A This stuff is nuclear. It lasts 12 hours on skin and projects very very well. I applied 5 sprays when I first got it and it over preformed. Glad to see they might’ve reformulated it again to make it actually last again. I can say it’s maybe 5% less spicy and 5% creamier than the decant I had. But still an absolute favorite of mine.

The best perfume i ever smell in my life!! It has my three favorite notes perfect blended!! Tobacco cinnamon Vanilla!! It smells like a man must smell!! Also huge compliment getter the women love it !! Some people saying that is simple but for me simplicity makes the perfection!! I cant stop smelling it !!Totally worths the price ! Perfect for winter nights!! It will make you feel confident in any occasion!! also the longevity and sillage are beastly i can smell it all day on me!! if you like dark seducing night perfumes like i do than Herod is the best !! go for it!! 11/10

It's truly a masterpiece! It opens a little sweet to my nose, like a warm apple pie, and turns into soft tobacco after it dries. There is no smokiness or fire here, just pleasant fresh tobacco scent. The only drawback is that it doesn't last on me! I get a good 2 hours of scent, then it becomes a skin scent - people comment on it when they hug me. I spray about 5-6 sprays on my neck, and it just doesn't last! I find it truly unisex - I smelled it on my male friends, and it is kind of soft; and it makes me feel strong and confident as a woman!