Dunhill
A unique visual signature based on accords, character, and seasonality
Kaffir lime bursts forth with almost aggressive brightness, immediately complicated by cardamom's spiced warmth and bergamot's bitter edge. The citrus feels sharp, almost green, before woody whispers begin threading beneath.
Black pepper and juniper ignite the composition into something herbaceous and peppery, whilst vetiver absolute adds earthy restraint. The leather accords emerge here—subtle, suede-like—creating an impression of expensive restraint and measured sophistication that dominates the next two hours.
Sandalwood and labdanum create a warm, woody base that becomes increasingly creamy, whilst the black suede notes deepen into something almost velvety. The pepper fades significantly, leaving behind a predominantly woody, leather-tinged whisper that clings softly to the skin—intimate rather than projecting.
Icon Elite presents itself as a composition of deliberate contradictions—a fragrance that bristles with citrus vitality whilst anchoring itself in masculine woodiness. The opening assault of kaffir lime and Sicilian bitter orange refuses to feel summery or bright; instead, these citruses are immediately tempered by cardamom's resinous warmth and bergamot's slightly austere character, creating an impression of refinement rather than effervescence.
The true character emerges in the heart, where Jean-Claude Delville orchestrates a masterclass in spice-and-wood interplay. Black pepper crackles against the earthy coolness of vetiver absolute, whilst sage lends an almost herbal dryness that prevents the composition from becoming sweet or soft. Juniper arrives to sharpen everything further, introducing a gin-like botanicality that transforms the fragrance into something decidedly sophisticated—less grooming product, more considered wardrobe piece.
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3.9/5 (88)