7 Best Le Labo Scents for Men (2023) Full Review
Le Labo.
The creator of some of the best artisanal fragrances.
In this review, I’ll describe the seven best Le Labo scents for men’s smell and performance and anything else you need to know.
Table of Contents
#7 – Santal 33
Upon the first spray, your hit with a dill pickle-type note. Yuck! A dill pickle. It is better than it sounds; it is a unique take on green and fresh. If it still sounds terrible, it should be good to know that it is fleeting, gone within a few minutes.
As the scent progresses, you’ll be pleased that Santal 33 EDP is still on your skin. A heavy dose of sandalwood and cedar fills the void of vanishing dill. I found this combination to be particularly memorable as well as complex. Cedar is common among sandalwood colognes, but Le Labo has done something unique here.
Sandalwood and cedar remain the star of the show for the rest of the wear. Leather adds in equal parts to this combination in the base. This trio emphasizes a dry and masculine nature. But it is not an amazing scent without balance.
Nuances of green dill linger, and spicy cardamom makes an appearance. With the dominant base notes, they add a diverse dynamic.
The entire wear is never too loud and aggressive. On the skin, it lasts 8 hours with above-average but consistent projection. Pushing out multiple feet for hours. This is all-season and occasion versatile, but spray less in the summer and heavier in the winter.
Santal 33 Performance
- Longevity: 8 hours
- Projection and Sillage: Above Average
- Versatility: All seasons and occasions
- Most Prominent Notes: Papyrus, Cedar, Sandalwood, Leather, and Cardamom
#6 – Another 13
One of the biggest challenges of this scent is describing it. The blend is so well mixed that it is difficult. My nose smells everything and nothing at the same time. The opening has a few accords. A warm woodiness in the background with a powdery light floral sweetness.
Neither is layered on the other but rather a well-blended mix. As the opening and mid mix and mingle, there’s a smell reminiscent of newspaper and/or manila folders.
Into the dry down, it settles into a more profound and cleaner mix. The floral sweetness has turned ambery. And a subtle but delicate musk has become prominent. It projects an ultra-clean dryer sheet smell. Fleeting doses of musk were present throughout.
Yet, they don’t settle down and become prominent until later in the wear.
Another 13 lasts eight hours on the skin with light to moderate projection that pushes out two feet consistently for multiple hours. This is all-season and occasions versatile, but apply one more spray in the winter. This is one of the most complimented fragrances on this list.
Another 13 Performance
- Longevity: 8 hours
- Projection and Sillage: Moderate
- Versatility: All seasons and occasions
- Most Prominent Notes: Musk, Florals, and Woods
#5 – Labdanum 18
The opening is all about labdanum amber and sharp, clean white musk. In the background are warm spices but muted by the intensity of the musk note. The only spice note I can perceive is cinnamon which takes a few minutes to give a fleeting hit. The first couple of hours the overarching emphasis is ambery and musky.
After three to four hours, slightly sweet vanilla creeps in with a warm and balsamic resin. They pair well with cinnamon spice, amplifying the warmth this fragrance is all about. The musk intensity fades but remains a dominant note with labdanum amber.
At this point, the fragrance doesn’t change much. The vanilla is enveloped by Labdanum. Its sweeter and lighter accents help temper the darkness and intensity of Labdanum’s leathery and balsamic faucets. There are weakened hints of musk in the background with a creamy wood base.
This is what you’ll smell for the rest of the wear.
This lasts six to seven hours on the skin with light projection. The first three hours, it pushes out a foot. After this period, it recedes and becomes a skin scent. This is exclusively fall and winter wear but for all occasions.
Labdanum 18 Performance
- Longevity: 6 – 7 hours
- Projection and Sillage: Intimate
- Versatility: Fall and Winter for all occasions
- Most Prominent Notes: Amber, Musk, Vanilla, Cinnamon, and Woods
#4 – The Matcha 26
The opening is all about creamy and milky fig. It’s fruity and slightly sweet. One of the highest-quality fig notes in perfumery. There are bitter orange nuances in the background that give the opening enough citric nuances to counteract the fruitiness without taking away from it.
A faint green tea accord comes through in the mid. Despite the fragrance’s name, the tea note will never become the most prominent.
The base is a complete transition. I smell a warm and comforting combination of cedar and vetiver. They are both woody with fruity, green, and citric nuances from the opening. This is what you’ll get for the rest of the wear.
This lasts six to seven hours on the skin with light projection. It pushes out a foot for the first two to three hours. After this period, it becomes a skin scent. This is all-season wear, but you’ll have to spray heavier in the depths of winter. As for occasions, it is all.
The Matcha 26 Performance
- Longevity: 6 – 7 hours
- Projection and Sillage: Intimate
- Versatility: All seasons and occasions
- Most Prominent Notes: Fig, Cedar, Vetiver, and Green Tea
#3 – Bergamote 22
It’s all about citrus from the beginning. Bergamot leads the way with dry spices and orange blossom, not following too far behind. The bergamot is your typical citrus smell but also has a sparkling nature. This quality is fleeting but enjoyable while it lasts.
The orange blossom and spices only support – orange blossom being the most prominent. It amplifies the citrus accord and creates balance with its white floral accent.
As the dry-down develops, light citrus is retained. While a semi-woody and musky base is gained. The woodiness has an earthy accent from the vetiver but nothing that comes off as off-putting. At this point, the scent is more dry than sweet. The rest of the wear is woody musk and lingering top notes.
Bergamote 22 lasts five to six hours on the skin with light projection. It’s the performance of a typical authentic citrus fragrance. The projection is moderate for the first two to three hours; after this, it recedes close to the skin. This is exclusively spring and summer wear but can be worn for all occasions.
Bergamote 22 Performance
- Longevity: 5 – 6 hours
- Projection and Sillage: Light
- Versatility: Spring and Summer for all occasions
- Most Prominent Notes: Citrus, Dry Spices, Woods, and Musk
#2 – Noir 29
The opening is a trio of bergamot, fig, and pepper. I catch a prominent sweet fruitiness from the fig, but it’s not as creamy as The Matcha 26. Within a few minutes comes an intense rose note. It’s never too floral or feminine but dry, fresh, and nearly overwhelming.
Luckily, the bergamot makes quick work of this intensity. It pairs with rose, tempering its strength and adding an herbal spice quality in the process. I’m assuming this is from the bay leaves, but I don’t smell them specifically.
The mid attempts to turn greener while the fig is still the star with its milky and fruity quality. Bergamot and rose are a prominent duo, while light cedar and vetiver add woodiness in the background.
Vetiver and rose to jump to the forefront for the rest of the wear. However, the rose will come to overpower the woodiness of the fragrance.
This lasts eight to ten hours on the skin with decent projection. The first three hours, it pushes out a two-foot ambiance. After this period, it recedes and eventually becomes a skin scent. This is spring, fall, and winter wear. It works for all occasions.
Noir 29 Performance
- Longevity: 8 – 10 hours
- Projection and Sillage: Moderate
- Versatility: Spring, Fall & Winter for all occasions
- Most Prominent Notes: Bergamot, Fig, Pepper, Rose, and Vetiver
#1 – Vanille 44
The opening starts with an intense mandarin orange and vanilla combination. The orange is a unique way to break up the density of the fragrance and grab attention. The depth of the opening comes from a mild peppery and woody edge of Guaiac wood.
The mid develops quickly with slightly resinous myrrh, giving the dry and soft vanilla depth. The citruses, pepperiness, and woody edge are fading. Leaving Vanille 44 to become warmer into the dry down.
The base is clean but not fresh; it’s much sweeter vanilla with some smoky incense. This is what you’ll get for the rest of the wear.
This lasts five to six hours on the skin. However, the projection is horrid. It pushes out a foot for the first two hours, then becomes a skin scent. This is fall and winter wear for all occasions. It shines on dates and formal occasions as it is a unique take on vanilla.
Vanille 44 Performance
- Longevity: 5 – 6 hours
- Projection and Sillage: Intimate
- Versatility: Fall & Winter for all occasions
- Most Prominent Notes: Orange, Vanilla, Guaiac Wood, and Incense
Final Words
Le Labo is one of the best niche fragrance houses, consistently producing high-quality fragrances. However, the brand’s biggest downfall is its lack of performance in almost all of its fragrances.
I enjoy the best Le Labo scents for men. What do you think of them? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.