Javanese Patchouli
Ermenegildo Zegna · Eau de Toilette (EDT) · 2012
≈ $195 · 125ml · approx. retail
Part of the Essenze collection, this woody-spicy composition pairs a leathery, cypriol-laced heart with a dense patchouli-and-moss base, all anchored by Zegna's own Calabrian bergamot in the opening. Four perfumers — Pierre Negrin, Frank Voelkl, Harry Fremont, and Jacques Cavallier — collaborated on the five-fragrance Essenze line.
The scent
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Perfumer
French · 39 in collection
Harry Fremont is a French master perfumer at Firmenich, born in Cannes and trained at ISIPCA, who received The Fragrance Foundation's Lifetime Achievement Award in 2017. With hundreds of fragrances to his name, he co-created Calvin Klein's genre-defining CK One and composed the bestselling Ralph Lauren Romance.
See their fragrances →German · 16 in collection
Frank Voelkl is a German-born, New York-based senior perfumer at Firmenich (now dsm-firmenich) who trained at ISIPCA in France. He is best known for his long collaboration with Le Labo, most famously composing the cult unisex woody musk Santal 33.
See their fragrances →French · 16 in collection
IFF perfumer known for bold, modern compositions.
See their fragrances →Dupes & cheaper alternatives
Cheaper clones and alternatives that share the same notes and accords — savings are flagged.
Missoni Uomo (1983)
Missoni · Woody
Shares Basil, Bergamot, Vetiver
Oscar de la Renta Pour Lui
Oscar de la Renta · Woody
Shares Basil, Bergamot, Patchouli
Vetyver (1964)
Lanvin · Woody
Shares Bergamot, Vetiver, Patchouli
Nomad The Wanderer
Armaf · Woody
Shares Bergamot, Patchouli, Labdanum
Polo
Ralph Lauren · Woody
Shares Basil, Bergamot, Leather
Catalyst for Men
Halston · Fresh
Shares Bergamot, Basil, Leather