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pbg924InsuffBooni – :
Top notes:
Black pepper, Sicilian bergamot and Cardamom
Heart notes:
Black rose, Saffron and Egyptian Jasmine
Base notes:
Tuscan leather, exotic oud wood and tobacco leaves.
ugo2008 – :
Stunningly beautiful fragrance BUT ABSOLUTELY SHOCKING POOR LONGEVITY you’ll be lucky to get 2 hours
anna_a7h – :
Icon Absolute and Varvatos Oud are among my top Oudy fragrances. The notes fragrantica lists are spot on. This is niche scented but maybe not niche quality as the lasting power on this fades rather quickly. The scent turns from a rich dense semi-sweet oud combo into a nice soft/dusty oud. Even as I reduce my collection, I would keep this bottle just for the wonderful scent that it is.
DewyrTopalihog – :
Upon first spray, I fell in love..
Thought “Wow! A cheap alternative to Bond Dubai Jade or maybe Amouage Epic!”…
After about an hour though it changed quite dramatically to be a beautiful spanish cedar (cigar box) scent, which I really enjoyed but was surprised how those lush, juicy, spicy, dank, raspberry, oud and leathery notes I loved disappeared.
The real surprise though came in that in 6hrs it was completely GONE. Virtually nothing left.
Excellent scent and probably one of the best in class for it’s discounted price.. but you get what you pay for, poor longevity and inconsistency.
Worth a purchase at discount. Not at retail. Expect to reapply by lunch time, and again by dinner.
Aziy – :
Excellent scent by dunhill which never failed to satisfy men! Great sexy scent spicy & oriental as well!
Jasonqw3xfs – :
I don’t like this, smells cheap and synthetic. Performance is sub par too. Such a shame cause the bottle is stunning.
Farik1988 – :
Beautiful fragrance!
Personaly i think this performs quite well. I get 6+ hours when applied to clothing.
Something sexy and very modern about this one!
Only for formal occasions in cooler weather in my opinion.
9/10 for me.
lancevich78 – :
یک کار عودی چرمی بسیار شیک و فراتر از حد انتظار
———–
Scent & Qualiy: 8/10
Longevity: 7/10
Sillage: 7/10
Creativity & Uniqueness: 7/10
Affordability: 8/10
———–
Overall: 7.4/10
ipc880speagoessenda – :
Pros:
A really nice looking metallic faux gold-plated bottle.
Can be purchased for under $50 USD.
Cons:
Oud is synthetic and not the greatest – by a long shot.
Longevity is between 3 and 4 hours sprayed on my skin.
It immediately turns into a skin scent.
I feel that Dunhill could have done a LOT better with Icon Absolute, considering that both Icon and Icon Racing have a lot better longevity and sillage. I won’t mention Icon Elite.
Instead of naming this fragrance Icon Absolute, they should have named it Icon Sport, because most fragrances with the word “Sport” in their name have horrible longevity as well. It would have fit right in.
On the bright side, Icon Absolute can be worn anywhere without a problem because you will be the only one who will be able to smell it.
Scent: 5/10
Longevity: 2/10
Sillage: 1/10
Final score: 2.7/10 = Dislike
iershov – :
Smells exactly like the leaves of the Northern White Cedar (Thuja Occidentalis). If you have this type of tree in your garden, then you can try it!
Родион Морев – :
Tried, tested all three Icon/Absolute/Elite multiple times.
All scents have this niche quality to it. A lot of people complain about the performance, but all times I got really good longevity and projection, and on paper strips original Icon and Absolute stayed over a week. Those who bash it, get nose fatigued or bought recent formulation, batches till 2017 perform magically.
AIDEPESEASE – :
Im so sad.. This fragrance is remarkably good, but unfortunately, it doesn’t last more that a half of hour.
The opening is very oudy, and then.. I mean I don’t remember because I sniffed it in Spain… If they did make it last longer, I would have bought it and it could probably be in my top 10 fragrances.
Nouddirubdime – :
Dunhill icon is one of my favourite fragrances,but this icon absolute,it’s awful i don’t like at all.
Hoimbubborp – :
Starts off smelling fantastic. Twenty minutes later … POOF! It’s gone!
Too bad. This could have been world class.
5 of 10
roomaan – :
I’m a fan of Dunhill Icon, and a huge fan of oud, so I eagerly purchased this one on the discount market. If nothing else, the bottle is gorgeous and highly-practical since this hefty bad-boy is serious self-defense during a zombie apocalypse.
Icon Absolute opens with a loud blast of pepper and saffron wrapped in a beastly alcohol accord. The opening is not a people-pleaser, but I find it to be interesting, risque, and somewhat familiar in that it reminded me of some niche and Middle Easter pepper bombs I’ve tried in the past.
In less than a minute the oud, leather and tobacco are pushing forward and easily detectable. I know, I know, I know…I should love it, but something is just not clicking at this stage. Other than saffron, I detect no other heart notes. It’s at this stage where it faintly reminds me of Tom Ford Oud Wood…but not quite enough to say that it reminds me of that fragrance. For the records, I never quite clicked with Oud Wood and much rather prefer Tobacco Oud. Just my preference, I suppose.
Anyway, Icon Absolute has only been on my skin for 3-1/2 hours and, although it is a darker scent (oud, pepper and tobacco are the main notes) it is sticking rather closely to my skin. This is merely my initial impression, but I leaning toward like (an interestingly bold designer scent) but not finding it very versatile. I will update accordingly.
atosik7 – :
Smells like Tom Ford Oud Wood…..only better!!!
SootoLizExpot – :
Parfum absolument merveilleux
une fragrance sénior et très classe
un très bon mélange entre oud, tabac, épices et cuir
bonne projection
très beau design de la bouteille
Sivui74 – :
This is just a quick observation. I only smelled the cap of this and it smells so similar to Bond No.9 Signature in the same golden bottle. I don’t know if it lasts as long or it would morph into anything but this is a great scent because I really like the Bond No.9 Signature!
mixa7733 – :
This is a handsome fragrance. Not just by bottle design which is iconic on it’s own (like the others in this lineup), but the scent itself is handsome. The scent is a great office friendly scent. My nose picks up the Oud, Saffron, Leather, and tobacco notes. Rose is listed here but, thankfully I can’t pick it up(I am sick of every oud fragrance having rose behind it), which means it is a supporting character and is well blended. The fragrance appears best applied after lotioning or oiling the skin where it will be applied and on clothes (spray liberally) to get the best performance, otherwise it won’t stay around too long. If you apply as mentioned you will have a nice scent cloud around you which will garner compliments. I rate the performance on this as fair/moderate. It performs well enough that it deserves a place in a collection or on the shelf to be given test drives here and there. It’s too bad that such awesome bottles aren’t refillable. My one criticism is that none of the fragrances in this line up are in the excellent range when it comes to projection and longevity which would have put nicely behaved scents into a better category and made them more of a must have in the fragcom. Happy Sniffing.
PPFMB – :
This one really stood out for me (scent-wise) among the three currently available versions of Dunhill Icon. I find the scent to be rather unique and enjoyable. In fact, more so than every other scent that I’ve described as unique and enjoyable.
Would I wear it? No, because it doesn’t flow with my go. But it’s a superb fragrance, nonetheless.
The ‘original’ (silver bottle) made me smell like I had been waterboarded with purple drank, but at least the scent was interesting. The same cannot be said for the Elite (black bottle), which smells like every other generic muskapalooza on the market.
However, the best part about the Dunhill Icon series is – irrefutably – the bottle design. I would like to meet the person that created this ‘pièce de résistance’, shake their hand, buy them a drink and let them borrow my sister.
No, you know what? Dunhill Icon Absolute gets a 10/10 from me and I WILL wear it based on the bottle alone. I could be spraying myself with greywater and I wouldn’t care.
terror62_89 – :
it´s got everything that i wished … dust, leather, indian monastery incense sticks vibe … .
and my girl says she likes that incense stick vibe a lot … not juvenille, just pretty mature and exceptional ….
it´s not that soft like people here say ….
i spray it on a coat: and it can easily fill the room,
it´s still can be smelled properly after 8-10 hours … (on a winter coat) that´s right usage … it´s made for cold winter days …. i don´t spray it on a skin (i always spray any kind of cologne on sweater, t-shirt, coat … just to make a silage/waft
it´s a solid, more incensy, ashy kind of scent
(if you are into darker, earthier colognes and you have basic collection about 50 colognes and want to experiment, search and try another type of unusual smell of fragrance, try it (doesn´t matter if you just try it or buy it or sample it)
rfsf – :
Not just for men – unless I’m turning into.. Reminds me of the incense used in church. Disappointingly does go away after a couple of hours, but definitely goes into the list of my unisex/everyday fragrances.
Зема – :
Why? Why? Why does this beautiful scent have to disappear after literally an hour or two??
Bionnoninicky – :
Tried it yesterday in a department store, on paper first, then skin, my impression turning from smiley surprise, to bang my head try to think befuddlement, finally settling on recognition that yes, it smells like Black Afghano from Nasomatto. Does it have oud in it, I ask, the sales assistant checks her book, yes it does and with pepper, rose, tobacco, a spicy sweet dankness blend and now the scent on my wrist is morphing with my sweat addrenaline from close human interaction, take off your Chrismas bobble hat, oh how lovey, that dirty masculine oud now, lovely, rough edge sweet, ninety quid in store, odd flacon choice for such a dark scent, the contrast, deep black waters hiding within seductive bling of heavyweight gold exterior, want to purchase, resist, available online for just over sixty quid, that’s a steal and after my night run in black forest, four hours after small application on my wrist, dirty man oud is still there, have to purchase this one, even cheaper in Jan sales? Will wait, give it a week before inevitable financial commitment.
777alex666 – :
Initial Impression
Starts with a blast of very dry Tom Ford Oud Wood with a dusty pepper, then changes quickly into Versace Oud Noir. A bit screechy and synthetic- feeling, but has its wafting moments of realization- of- concept also. I am having a love hate relationship with this one. It is super dry and astringent and off putting at times. But also, there are nice peppery-leathery-saffron wisps that pull me back in. I feel like the top parts are superior to the base, mainly because the base is so similar to Versace Oud Noir, with a scent I can only describe as “Urinal Cake”.
Whatever the contents, however, it is worth getting just for the bottle. Seriously.
AZIAT – :
scent : 7/10
sillage : 9/10
longevity :7/10
100% night fragrance
good smoky oud scent
Emorryrix – :
smell AMAZING then 10 second gone in air,,,zeroooooooo
sockolove – :
close to TF – OUD WOOD
SiutoTG – :
Got this beautiful heavy bottle today,
the first blast was so georgeous to me,
i love this perfume. Why on earth is it so
weak, this could have been a true gem of a scent
if the projection and logevity was present,
but to bad its not very strong at all, it
turns in to a skin scent almost immediately
after you applied it, what a shame as this one
will never be remembered as more than the
average perfume that just vanished.
макси – :
Finally I’ve found a tester that worked, I was beginning to think I was cursed and doomed to never actually find a properly working tester or samples but luckily I found both.
As I suspected from my first review this is a complex beast, mainly comprised of a warm but synthetic Oud accord which is surrounded by opulent earthy saffron, musk and a fresher peppery accord from the original Icon. I genuinely think it’s clever the way Absolute still has this nod to Icon while being a totally different fragrance in many ways and a new direction for Dunhill a brand I already like.
Lasts okay on me but not great thing is it just smells right up my street in terms of slightly Arabian in flavour with the synthetic vulgarity of Montale then with the modern, western elements of a masculine fragrance.
My only minor criticism is the price and I’m not normally someone to quibble about such things but £90 is a little steep. Having said that I will probably still get it and the factor that pushes me over the edge is the wel crafted bottle. What a fantastic design in either silver or gold.
wishgy – :
a soft spicy oud dominated fragrance, at the beginning i get a peppery/saffron oud and after a while (1h) comes tabacco with hint of soft suede leather. Not very extrordinary, but nice blended. I’m also happy not to smell rose or jasmine here . this combo is making me sick…
On my skin it stays for about 4h with a very, very low projection… but after one day wearing i got 3 compliments … this was a nice suprise because i thought that this fragrance is way too light to get noticed
For me it shares some similarities (soft,spicy,leathery oud)with L’Artisan al oudh (which i adore)
Nice done, so i can forgive the lack of power.
пистолет – :
Goes on quite strong but disappears after 30 minutes. The original Icon was good, but this new Absolute is to be avoided.
wog25 – :
OK there is always mixed opinions and comparisons, but I do own both Gucci pour home and YSL M7 the new one, and this is nothing like those at all sorry but not. I haven’t smelled the silver icon so I can’t compare them but against the other oud colognes I own this stays at the very end of the line; as my friend here ‘originaldeftom’ posted below “no everything that shines is golden”, but it may go better the other way, not everything that is golden, shines… The bottled finish is beautiful no doubt, and I admit sometimes I want to buy the colognes for its packing, and this one I probably will keep and I will give it another chance, but I am not sold on the very first wear. I noticed musk on in kinda strong during the first half an hour but is not listed, an now after 6 hours is just very close to the skin and the oud is hard to find. I may update this in my second wear.
Well at last I am one of the only 23 in the community of fragrantica that owns it, and 1 of the 3 that are wearing today. 🙂
Unlitoillerce – :
Smells like a mixture of Tom Ford Private Blends. It is a very nice fragrance but the longevity is not that great. Quickly becomes a skin scent on myself, which is a disappointment. Was hoping for a long lasting scent considering the Absolute title and price.
Bayramhacker – :
Not everything that shines is golden!
I absolutely adore and love the original debut fragrance of ICON that truly deserves the title. However this one is a complete and utter miss. Misleading in every way. I have already posted a review on the original release page review section, given this section was added long after the launch in London.
A peppery, dry rose oud combo, that just doesn’t cut it in this competitive market for it is just not good enough, nor original enough, nor long lasting enough to warrant a golden beautiful flacon like this.
In German we have a term called “Etikettenschwindel” which means the label lies about what’s within.
It is such a shame for the original release is so ICONIC.
pavpav777 – :
Totally different from the first Icon. Reminds me of Gucci PH and YSL M7. It’s the first new fragrance that I bought since Cartier Roadster. Dark, but not heavy.
Like the first Icon is not very long lasting on my skin, but definitely better.
buzzer – :
Exactly the Copy of Versace Oud oriental for man 🙂
Sophisticated winter fragrance but nothing special 🙂
I love Icon original more then this one
7/10
nastia.32 – :
This is really nice for those who appreciate oriental oud/saffron blends. Close to Saudi Arabian classical oud blends, but not in the traditional perfumery oil form, and not as loud. This one is EXTREMELYsoft.
For those not familiar with oud, the opening could smell like tires, but no, this is oud mixed with leather. Give it ten minutes to settle, and begin smelling it every now and then, until it grows on you gradually if wanting to follow the oud trend.
For me, this oud blend is attractive, and made by a profound professional. It won’t be an easy choice to many but that doesn’t mean the perfume is wrong or something.
Icon EDP will still be my signature, because I love its radiating citrus-y and herbal mix, and because it smells more versatile for daily use.
grealigelurne – :
Scent-wise it’s beautiful, no doubt about it. Performance-wise it’s a skin scent on me. If you are looking for a powerhouse look elsewhere but if you are looking for a beautiful and subtle scent this might be your cup of tea. Unfortunately I do prefer coffee…Ristretto.
sisoev777 – :
Spicy delicate Oud, Oud used here is very distinctive and delicate at same time, with first splash it exudes spiciness, but these spices of highest quality, something you would find in an Amouage, spices subtles downs and beauty of Oud & Saffron stays persistent, at this time it Reminds me of Gucci Intense Oud, and Boss Damask Oud, but there’s something in Dunhill Icon Smells so reach, I wanted to Buy a full bottle of Jubilation as it smells so royal, but after smelling Dunhill Icon Absolute first time, I had to order right away and Jubilation became redundant from my list.
What makes it so special is, Bergamotto used here is of higest quality of Sicilian Bergamot, Black rose doesn’t make it too much of rosy, but an elegant masculine floral touch, Saffron and Oud stays persistent , and so delicate all the way, if oud can ever be sexy, nothing gets sexier than Dunhill Icon Absolute, Such a beaut!!
Performance is where it FAILS, it is still acceptable in some extent however beauty of this gorgeous perfume stays super close to skin literally after an hour, and longevity is as bad. So I can see a masterpiece in fact one of the best cologne I ever smelled, is just another failure!
Alexandra_fromAD – :
Unfortunately the tester I managed to locate a few weeks back had been broken the previous day according to the SA. Frustratingly although the bottle was full I only managed to eek out a minuscule amount of fragrance.
I can’t base a review on it unfortunately but what I deduced was a complex scent which definitely has elements of the original. The main thing I got was a spicy, white floral thing with a woody base, kind of interesting in the way Icon was.
I will update when I get a proper sniff and some samples to wear.