Opium
Yves Saint Laurent · Eau de Toilette (EDT) · 1977
≈ $110 · 90ml · approx. retail
The iconic and controversial 1977 spicy oriental, opening on mandarin, plum and clove over a richly floral heart. Its deep balsamic base of myrrh, opoponax, labdanum and resins made it one of perfumery's most influential ambers.
The scent
Heart notes
The core · the next few hours
Base notes
The dry-down · what lingers
Best for
Perfumer
French · 2 in collection
Perfumer behind bold modern classics for Dior and YSL.
See their fragrances →French · 2 in collection
Born in Nice in 1935, Raymond Chaillan is a veteran French perfumer who worked at houses including Roure Bertrand Dupont, Firmenich and Dragoco and served as president of the Société Française des Parfumeurs; he co-created several enduring classics of the 1970s.
See their fragrances →Smells similar
Based on shared notes and accords — cheaper picks are flagged.
Poison
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Coco
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Must de Cartier
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Allure Sensuelle
Chanel · Amber
Shares Mandarin, Peach, Iris / Orris