Parfums de Marly Herod (2023) Full Review
Herod.
Parfums de Marly’s cold weather bomb.
Three words: masculine, warm, and wintry. Parfums de Marly Herod is one of the most popular Parfums de Marly fragrances. It focuses heavily on tobacco, vanilla, and spice accords.
This review will detail its smell and performance and if it’s the right choice for you. Let’s jump in if you’re excited to discover Parfums de Marly Herod.
Table of Contents
Quick Summary
- Herod is tobacco, vanilla, and cinnamon dominant.
- The performance is slightly above-average.
- This is exclusively a fall and winter wear.
- The smell is outstanding, but there are better Parfums de Marly perfumes.
- This is a unisex fragrance that leans more masculine.
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What Does Parfums de marly Herod Smell Like?
Tobacco and vanilla are no doubt the focal point in the opening. Layered atop both is a duo of cinnamon and pepper spice.
The cinnamon is most noticeable. It amplifies the warmth of tobacco and vanilla. Pepper in the first few minutes makes my nose tinge. It is “nose-assaulting” and then recedes to the background.
Once its initial burst fades, the overall scent heads in a darker direction. Tobacco jumps to the forefront, bringing smoky resins with it. The smoke is hard to describe. It’s not like a campfire, more of a comforting ambiance to spark curiosity.
Tobacco will not lead into the dry down. 15-20 minutes into the wear, its strength is waning. A sea of vanilla comes back in full force.
It leads the opening with tobacco playing second fiddle. Wafts of cinnamon remain in the background. This trio and exceptional warmth is what you’ll smell for the rest of the wear.
Parfums de Marly Herod notes:
TOP NOTES
- Cinnamon
- Pepper
HEART NOTES
- Tobacco Leaf
- Incense
- Ciste
- Osmanthus
BASE NOTES
- Vanilla Pods
- Musk
- Woody Accord
- Patchouli
Performance
So, now you know the most important part of the fragrance. Let’s talk about the second.
Herod lasts 9 hours on the skin but has light to average projection. The first few hours, it pushes out a couple of feet. After this period, it recedes closer to the skin as an intimate scent.
It is a heavy fragrance, so it sticks in the air well. However, it still won’t leave a long trail behind you. Just enough that others in your general vicinity will smell you.
This lends to its great versatility. There are better office fragrances than this one, but it can still be worn.
The only problem is that it gets too heavy at times. Herod is best worn for casual get-togethers with friends, dates, and running errands. As for seasonality, it is exclusively fall and winter wear.
Even in the early spring, it would be too intense, let alone the heat of the summer.
It’s niche, but does that make it automatically unique? Herod is above average when it comes to uniqueness. Like all Parfums de Marly perfumes, it is high-quality and well-blended. However, the notes are nothing game-changing.
You can think about how this could be similar to Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille. Different scents, however, the point is that Herod is not a 1:1.
Finally, let’s talk about the elephant in the room for some. Is it likable, and does it garner compliments?
I have it listed as one of the sexiest colognes for men, as the scent is very alluring and attractive. However, what others believe to be “complimentable” is subject to their preferences.
Yet, this will undoubtedly leave a great first impression.
Is PDM Herod Worth It?
Herod has decent performance, smells attractive and unique, and is well-balanced and high-quality. On the downside, it has limited wearability and could be too intense/decisive for some.
So, with all that said, is a 125mL bottle worth $350? This will definitely always be a good buy. However, there are better choices if you only purchase one Parfums de Marly fragrance.
How Do People Rate Parfums de Marly Herod?
Don’t just trust me; what do the masses think? This information is pulled from fragrantica.com. Providing a general estimate of what others think.
At the time of writing, Herod has 5,974 votes with a rating of 4.47 stars out of 5. Based on the cost-for-value metric, this is rated as neutral to overpriced, which I agree with.
Here are the top three pros and cons:
PROS
- Blend of Tobacco, Cinnamon, and Vanilla is perfect
- Perfect for winter nights
- Balances the best of dark, rich, and creamy elements
CONS
- Weak projection and performance for the price
- Subjective fragrance that may not work for everyone
- New bottles are not worth the price
Presentation
The current sample I am reviewing was bought from Parfums de Marly’s website. It is one of seven in their men’s discovery set. These are seven 1.5mL bottles of their most popular colognes.
Shown below are the box and the bottle of Parfums de Marly Herod. The bottle is matte black with the same colored cap; it clicks into place. So you won’t have to worry about it spilling.
The box is black with silver lines and the logo on the front. The batch code will be on the bottom of both the bottle and box. The fragrance ingredients will be listed on the back of the box.
History
Parfums de Marly’s brand was founded in 1743 in France. You can say they have experience, to say the least.
From Parfums de Marly, “Each fragrance has its own olfactory signature, developed from a palette of noble ingredients. The splendor of the 18th century through a prism of modern vision.”
Herod itself was released in 2012, created by perfumer Olivier Pascheux. It has grown to mass popularity for all the reasons mentioned above. It is one of a kind for the brand and, currently, does not have any flankers.
FAQs
Where Should I Buy Parfums de Marly Herod?
How Many Sprays Should I Apply?
3 Sprays. This is a difficult fragrance. You’d think more sprays would give it better projection. Yet, it only gets more intense.
Is Herod a Gourmand?
Yes and no, it has prominent notes of sweet vanilla and cinnamon. However, it’s not ultra-gourmand as if it smells like you could “eat it.”
What is a Similar Fragrance to PDM Herod?
Divine Vanilla Essential Parfums.
Conclusion
The real question is whether it’s a good choice for you. I know from personal experience that I thoroughly enjoy the scent. However, I wouldn’t be too upset if it got taken out of my collection. Carlisle is a better PDM choice that has a similar effect.
In all reality, it’s a Parfums de Marly fragrance, so it’s always a good choice. It just comes down to how much you want to spend. This review included everything you need to know to objectively make that decision.
Herod is an excellent cologne and an alluring one. Yet, don’t just limit yourself to Herod. Check out the sexiest colognes for men.