Manhattan Eau de Parfum

I sifted through all the praise and FUD on YouTube and Fragrantica to eventually blind buy a bottle...my reasoning was that I already have Enigma (Parfum Cologne and a 7.5 mL of the Parfum, both of which I greatly admire, but I can't get around the fact that when I wear it I feel like a bearded man in a suit standing at a bar in a posh cigar and whiskey bar) and was looking for a tobacco fragrance that was more youthful and complex than Parfums de Marly Herod, which always reminds me of an old Professor smoking a pipe. The mixture of notes sounded intriguing and I was prepared to give up a little performance (seems to be what people were suggesting) for something unique and not the usual honey or vanilla tobacco fragrances. Boy was a surprised! I absolutely love it! The juice is so well-blended that it is hard to pick out individual notes, but there is a wet tobacco quality as well as pine and something very clean hovering behind it all. Very unique. If I were to compare it to anything I would say it is like Xerjoff Starlight without the cardamom mixed with Herod, but with pine and something that is white, laconic, musky, and powdery and also very clean. It is very versatile and is best for colder weather, but could also be used as a spring or summer date night scent. It is totallyunisex and has a bright airy feeling like BR 540, which makes it even more youthful than Elysium PC, which is on the youthful end of the house IMHO, but obviously totally different than this blue fragrance. So it checks all the boxes, gives me a tobacco-centred fragrance that is totally unique and most of all does not smell "old". My other "tobacco" frags are Enigma, Kilian Back to Black, Xerjoff Uden Overdose, and John Varvatos Dark Rebel, none of which go overboard on Tobacco. Herod is just "too" Tobacco for me. Manhattan is just right! A few hours later I notice it has become salty and woody very much like Xerfoff 40 Knots and the next morning it was still very present, smelling a lot like the deep dry down of Enigma Parfum. Amazing how it transitions through so many phases. As an update, tonight I compared it on my arms (one spray each) with PDM Herod and Enigma Parfum and followed them through the dry down. Enigma was the strongest at first, with Manhattan 2nd and Herod 3d. Enigma more about cognac and tobacco against a coca cola vibe, while Herod is just that old man bag of pipe tobacco all the way. After about half an hour what became apparent was that Manhattan had changed its scent from a more aromatic opening to a creamy almond and tobacco mid, while Herod and Enigma were the same, just more mellow. 3 hours on, Manhattan (the EDP) smells like pine and tobacco, but Enigma and Herod smell the same, only weaker. At this stage the Manhattan pine and tobacco note is quite strong, Enigma and Herod are still going but weaker than Manhattan. However Manhattan does not project as much as Enigma did at first, although it seems the equal to Herod in this regard. After 4 h all three are skin scents, however Manhattan is the strongest - that pine and tobacco lasts forever, even until the next morning. It also changed scent the most, shifting through many phases while the other two were quite linear. Bottom line is that Manhattan is no less a performer than Herod and several hours in smells stronger than Enigma. The weakness of Manhattan (and all three in fact) is that they don't project so much. I haven't tried Manhattan Parfum, so maybe that is the zenith? But at what price? After all this I think Manhattan EDP is the sweet spot between Enigma (Parfum) and Herod, and also in the middle price wise. Nice buy because so many winter fragrances dry down to amber and vanilla in some way, but Manhattan dries down to a powdery and woody pine and tobacco with hints of clove. Unique!

“At night the buildings shimmer vertically, against the dark sky. In the morning the sun rises over Manhattan illuminating the city that never sleeps." This beautiful bottle really shimmers against the darkness. ✨ There is a lot of notes in this perfume and a lot of going on like in New Your city. Happily I still don’t get a hectic or chaotic vibe from this scent - it’s rather calming and relaxing by forgetting all that traffic and hurry and I’m thinking myself watching all that up in the sky in my own peace. That never sleeping Manhattan with a millions of people is under my eyes and I concentrate on my own business. Manhattan is captivating and uplifting scent with ingeniously blended juice and the main notes Heliotrope, Coconut, Patchouli, T***cco, Cedarwood and Vanilla open up brightly together with aromatic Lavender and other floral notes. In my skin this doesn’t change so much during a couple of hours. You don’t have to be worried about overspraying this since after the opening it settles down to a beautiful skin scent, not too weak but just perfect for wearing at the office. I can get easily a little bit sweet Vanilla and Coconut while Patchouli is giving the fresh, earthy take on it, other spices are tuning the sweetness down with Oakmoss, and t***cco gives a unique polished touch to this juice. It’s really sophisticated so you shouldn’t be worried about that note if you are not into that note. It’s not dirty nor literally smoky. Coconut here is beautiful as well, not at all cloying or sun lotion type - what else you can get from Roja Dove than divine, luxurious vibe in notes. Overall this perfume is posh, modern masterpiece from Roja Dove! 💯💎 Thank you for reading, I hope my review was helpful. I would appreciate a lot if you want to follow me on IG and/or YouTube (English subtitles): @ninamariahperfumes It gives me a lot of motivation to write more. 🤗

A beautiful tobacco and vanilla. I’ve not tried the first iteration of Manhattan but I hear they are different. There’s definitely a different experience to what the notes suggest also. The opening has a brightness from the Bergamot but the fades pretty quickly. The heliotrope is very much present adding a sweet, powderiness that comes across on my skin like cherry and tonka bean. These notes are not listed but I definitely experience that with a mild leather note underneath. The patchouli, coconut, benzoin and vanilla create such a creamy base to this fragrance. It feels almost white chocolate like. It doesn’t necessarily smell of white chocolate, more so the feeling that I get. Thankfully the tobacco note is prevalent enough that I can pick it out amongst all the sweetness and earthy touches. My first resemblance was the tobacco that’s used in PDLN 2 more than the Enigma type of tobacco, obviously less intense and less animalic than PDLN 2 as the price difference is vast and it reflects that. Overall it’s a very pretty bottle that’s has a lovely smelling fragrance inside, and considering the price per ml value I would go as far as saying this is probably the best fragrance he has in that category. At least try it before you vote to hate it.

Got mine on deep discount ($185) so I’ll not be reviewing it from a lens of $385 retail. This is a wild scent. It opens very much ambery and vanilla forward with a powdery, classy profile. Tobacco adds a lot of support underneath but this fragrance has a bunch of evolutions. Ultimately you’re left with a spicy, aromatic scent reminiscent of Eau de Baux or 1899 but better than either (IMO). I’d say it’s ultimately more in the vein of Guerlain Heritage or his own Danger than most of the “similar to” scents listed here. Comparisons to TV seem weird as that might be sort of, kind of true for the opening blast for a moment but that quickly disappears. Also this is nowhere near as sweet or loud (and far better blended) and it evolves to more of a gentleman’s scent than the party vibe of TV. I get very good longevity, smelling whiffs of this 8-10 hours later. It’s a more near skin scent but it has some sillage. Not a screamer. An 8.5/10 for me. I’m partial to the aromatic men’s scent profile and this is very good stuff.

I know part of it is the price/marketing but Roja perfumes smell so luxurious. Whenever I put this perfume on, I feel obligated to dress up (not suit & tie, just dress up nice in general). Just a great confidence-booster. In terms of scent profile, this is a relatively linear perfume made up of: coconut, tobacco, vanilla, floral, and woody notes. To me, the coconut and vanilla is very much present, but it is not overwhelmingly sweet due to the mix of tobacco and woody notes. As a result, you get this classy, smoky vanilla with a touch of coconut. It's not a sensual/sexy scent, but more of an upbeat, get-your-shit-done type of scent. I guess that's why it's named Manhattan. Performance-wise, you'll get great longevity and decent silage. I tend to do 2-3 sprays as I feel this creates a decent scent bubble without choking anyone. I'd put this on in the morning and still smell it in the evening. Same scent, just more intimate at the end of the day.

Roja Manhattan is an absolute masterpiece fragrance by Roja Dove. It is a light, powdery, sophisticated, spicy, sexy, classy scent. It reminds me of a 1920s Great Gatsby speakeasy with a tan suit and a classy cocktail in hand. Perfect for a classy fall afternoon or crisp summer evening soire. This fragrance is complex and evolves a lot over time. At the top I get a lot of spicy clove, cinnamon, tobacco, and even a bit of the basil. As it dries down it settles into a beautiful musky tangy vanilla. There’s something boozy or rummy in there too throughout. My one complaint is strength given the price. It’s definitely a more intimate scent - this isn’t going to project like Sauvage Elixir or Followed by Kerosene, but the longevity is great as a skin scent for many hours. If you’ll be out for a long day in the heat, maybe bring a travel spray. For the premium price, that’s always a little disappointing. 9/10 and a definite new favorite for me.

Amazing smooth ambery vanilla with herbal notes... rather a random name too... peoples raves about this being representative of Manhattan are laughable and extremely sycophantic to the point of absurdity. Comparisons to TFTV and PDM Herod are also misleading as the tobacco here is purely assisting rather than a key note. Problem is after receiving a VIP sample I went through my collection and found HDP Hemingway 1899 to be almost identical in every aspect bar small evolutionary steps in the drydown which is way cheaper. Also found Divine Vanilla to be similar in a less complicated fashion and indeed the long dry down which turns slightly woody reminded me of Jovoy Remember Me which as expensive as it is it’s still cheaper, so.... In a nutshell if you have the money (which I do) and you want to part with it by all means but reality is it is not worthy of the price IMHO...

I find the opening on this a little too strong on the lavender for my liking, it mixes with the bergamot and the tobacco in a pungent way that is almost medicinal-like. but after a few minutes I love the boozines smell with a lot of cinnamon that gives it a more cozy and refined body to it. I don't feel like the coconut belongs in a fragrance this warm and spicy, but it adds something that makes this perfume unique and catching. the sillage lacks a lot for the price, but the dry down lasts a good 7-9hs on my skin to make up for the lack of it. Still, I fell in love with this aroma since the first time I smelt it and when I finally bought it, I didn't regret it a single bit. not blind buy safe by any means, it's not cloying at all, but still really sweet, a special kind of sweet you don't smell everywhere with a vanilla final dry down that lasts at least 11 hours

Manhattan by ROJA Parfums What a stunner this is! And I’m not just talking about the presentation which is just beautiful. This seems to have been tailor made for me. The opening is characterized by bright citrus notes, leading to a heart of rich florals and spices, including jasmine and cardamom. The base features warm, deep notes like amber and woods, adding depth and sensuality to the fragrance. Overall, ROJA Manhattan is known for its elegance and complexity, making it perfect for both day and evening wear. Its longevity and silage are also commendable, ensuring that you leave a lasting impression. It’s a standout choice for anyone looking to embody the spirit of a bustling urban landscape with a touch of refinement. Scent: 9/10 Silage: 8.5/10 [ 4 Feet radius] Longevity: 8/10 [ Solid 4 Hrs afterwards it becomes skin sent] Bottle: 10/10 Price: 8/10

Roja Manhattan is a striking study in nostalgia and noir. It immediately evokes the memory of my grandfather—specifically the scent of his skin, which carried a permanent, pleasant trace of chewing tobacco, a classic 70s-era woody cologne, and the crispness of a day spent outdoors. While it carries a dark, brooding masculine lean, there is an undeniable undercurrent of a mysterious femme fatale sipping top-shelf brandy in a dim cigar lounge. It avoids the typical gourmand traps; the sweetness is restrained, allowing the tobacco and dry spices to dominate while the florals provide a quiet, structural backdrop. If you find the bright, honeyed edges of Xerjoff Naxos to be too sharp or piercing, Manhattan is a sophisticated, smoother alternative that trades sweetness for depth and atmosphere.

Got my full bottle now (before it got pulled) after having gone through a few samples. Too bad that a few “reviewers” can’t separate their dislike of the brand from the actual scent.. This is an incredible fragrance. I still cannot understand the comparisons to Enigma at all though. I love Enigma Parfum and wear it often, but Manhattan is nothing like it to my nose. Both are awesome in their own ways. I stand by my initial assessment that Manhattan is closest to TF Tobacco Vanille. More tobacco-forward and less spices than TF TV, but same dryness to the tobacco. Gorgeous. Roja Manhattan works surprisingly well for me in a warm climate (which TF TV doesn’t...) and this is a strong performer (which I can’t say of most Roja’s I’ve tried outside of Enigma Parfum).

I sampled this in Roja's prestige Burlington Arcade store. After an extensive sniff test Manhattan stood out as a clear favourite. It is a warm spicy tobacco fragrance with a gorgeous sweet musky dry down. My husband kept saying how much he felt it was reminiscent of Tom Ford's Tobacco Vanille. But I personally prefer Manhattan. It has less of the synthetic syrupy dried fruit aspect of TF and feels more nuanced and elegantly blended. I think this is a sophisticated fragrance for evening wear during the cooler weather. I am not personally a fan of Roja's blingy bottles, nor his sky high prices, but Manhattan might be the one to persuade me to add one to my collection.

Guys since we are in autumn and I have been exploring my seasonal collection. Manhattan has quietly become one of my favourites. It has tobacco and vanilla yet it never goes down the heavy TF Tobacco Vanille route. Since the tobacco here is much softer and gentle-er. My first bottle is actually signed by Roja himself and sits in my archive, untouched, while I bought a second one simply to enjoy on crisp evenings. It feels warm, smooth and elegant, perfect for this time of year.

Roja Manhattan is a fragrance I truly love, especially during winter and around Christmas time. It has that warm, rich, cozy feeling that fits the season perfectly. I can definitely see the similarity to Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille, but in my opinion, Manhattan feels more rounded, refined, and better blended overall. I own and enjoy both fragrances, but if I had to choose only one, I would go with Manhattan without hesitation.

Anyone massively downvoting this and hating on it must be doing so based on some misdirected dislike of the brand itself. I don’t get the Enigma comparisons at all. To me, the closest comparison is TF Tobacco Vanille, although by no means a dead-ringer. Manhattan seems more tobacco-y and and less spicy than TF TV, but otherwise very much evokes the same associations. Smoother, but not nearly as strong as TV.

Sweet, dry and spicy tobacco. Manhattan Edp was a plesant surprise for me. Its sweet, but still light enough so that it does not get cloying. The standout characteristics is the sweet tobacco opening, followed by a dry-as-driftwood drydown, where spicy, ambery and woody accords dominate. Imagine layering Enigma Parfum Cologne and Balmain Carbone and you will have a pretty good idea of what this smells like.

I get a mainly a powdery vanilla with a soft and smooth tobacco and spiced black tea on the dry down. But that opening... Not sure why but I get hints of banana bread and canjica (brazillian dessert). It takes me back to good times and childhood. For that association alone I'll always have a bottle. In my opinion it's perfectly unisex, perhaps slightly fem. I got it for 200$, worth every penny.

I absolutely love the Manhattan. Honestly, I don’t understand why this masterpiece only has (at the moment) an average score of 4,07. What is it that people don’t like about Manhattan and/or Roja Dove? People keep saying coconut, but I don’t get that much coconut. If you’re looking for coconut I recommend MA|LO Wizard or MA|LO Role Play Extrait.

If you're a gentleman and you want to smell like booze and vanilla, this is the fragrance for you. To me it smells almost identical to an emptied glass of blonde Leffe beer, and that's something that I enjoy. Great for fall and even a mild winter. And the name suits it well, because you would want to wear this in very elegant venues.

I bought it, and after testing it, I love it. Let's paint this picture: I have had TF Tobacco Vanilla. It was beautiful, but there was a harsh note that smelled sour to my nose. However, Manhattan is really a more mature and smooth brother of TF. Performance, still smell it after 8 hours.