Parfums de Marly’s history is as fresh as the scents they concoct, managing to carve a niche for itself in the realm of luxury perfumery since 2009, thus leaving me no choice but to narrow down the best Parfums de Marly colognes for you.
When diving into their expansive catalog, the quantity can be intimidating. That said, fans of the brand are in luck because I’m here to help discover which one takes the cake so you don’t have to. Join me as I explore the world of a brand that has redefined the art of fragrance.
Key Takeaways
To pin down the best Parfums de Marly cologne, I browsed through several customer reviews directly from Parfums de Marly’s website, in addition to third-party retailers and Fragnatica. As for any fragrance, the crucial things to consider when buying are its price, versatility, and longevity.
How often can you expect to wear it and have it last? Of course, price is a significant factor here, too, as their options can get pretty expensive. Nonetheless, you’re getting what you pay for, which is why the top spot among the best Parfum de Marly colognes goes to Layton Exclusif for its incredible balance of sweet and woody notes. However, on the more affordable side, you can go with the summer-ready Darley, boasting bright notes of citrus and rosemary.
Why it’s great: Amidst the brand’s boundless catalog, only one contender can be the best Parfums de Marly cologne for him, and that’s Layton Exclusif. Since its conception, it’s been considered to be as much of a statement piece as it is a scent.
How it smells: Blooming with lush notes of bergamot, lavender, and beach water, it unravels into a bouquet of roses and geraniums, adding a touch of refined floral finish. To close, it settles into a base of vanilla, amber, and woody notes for some added sophistication.
Flaws but not Dealbreakers: Longevity could stretch a bit more, as the fragrance starts strong but washes away a bit earlier than you’d expect.
Top Notes: Almond, Mandarin Orange, Water Notes | Middle Notes: Geranium, Rose | Base notes: Vanilla, Sandalwood, Amber | Size: 4.2 oz | Type: Eau de Parfum | Season: Fall/Winter
Why it’s great: This enigmatic scent is blended to perfection, assuring a flawless balance of citrus and florals that is surprisingly perfect for fall and wintertime.
How it smells: Carlisle is a spicy symphony, boasting fresh top notes of green apple with a spicy, nutmeg finish. That’s followed by hints of tonka bean and rose, among other flowers, before ending up traditionally musky and sweet courtesy of patchouli, vanilla, and opoponax.
Flaws but not dealbreakers: A full vile of Carlisle may hurt your wallet a bit, but its longevity is what gives this scent great value.
Top Notes: Nutmeg, Green Apple, Saffron | Middle Notes: Rose, Tonka Bean | Base notes: Patchouli, Vanilla, Opoponax| Size: 4.2 oz | Type: Eau de Parfum | Season: Fall/Winter
Why it’s great: Although virtually nothing can compare to Tom Ford’s Tuscan Leather, this is Parfums de Marly’s take on the matter, making it a fantastic choice for cold, breezier days as well as nights on the town.
How it smells: It starts fruity, intertwined with hints of saffron and cypress, before leading into lighter florals like rose and orris. After a few hours, you’re left with the piece de resistance: a sumptuous, musky scent highlighted by leather and vetiver.
Flaws but not dealbreakers: The only issue with this manly fragrance is that you can easily buy a bottle of the more renowned alternative and call it a day.
Top Notes: Fruity Notes, Saffron, Thyme | Middle Notes: Rose, Orris, Jasmine | Base notes: Leather, Amber, Vetiver | Size: 4.2 oz | Type: Eau de Parfum | Season: Annual
Why it’s great: Much like the menswear brand of the same name,
How it smells: A whiff of this is reminiscent of walking by the mall’s fragrance kiosk, however, it’s much more sophisticated. Its mandarin orange and geranium top notes provide a solid initial zing, then are kindly interrupted by hints of cinnamon, coriander, and amberwood. After all, a little spice never hurts.
Flaws but not dealbreakers: Remember what I said about smelling like the template for men’s fragrances? Well, that’s what an Abercrombie & Fitch smells like… so keep that in mind.
Top Notes: Mandarin Orange, Geranium | Middle Notes: Cinnamon, Coriander, Jasmine | Base notes: Cedarwood, Ambroxan, Amberwood | Size: 2.5 oz | Type: Eau de Parfum | Season: Annual
Why it’s great: It’s fresh, vibrant, and a lot like options you’ve smelled before, except much better and lasts far longer than similar, sub-fifty-dollar options.
How it smells: Think of Greenley as an elevated take on those green-bottled Polo fragrances in department store aisles. It’s woody and fruity, operating great in any sunny setting. With bright green apple top notes that lead into more masculine scents like cedar and oakmoss, there’s no room for error here.
Flaws but not dealbreakers: Some reviews suggest its green apple scent is a bit artificial, akin to Jolly Ranchers and children’s shampoo.
Top Notes: Green Apple, Calabrian Bergamot | Middle Notes: Petitgrain, Cedar, Violet | Base notes: Musk, Amberwood | Size: 2.5 oz | Type: Eau de Parfum | Season: Spring/Summer
Why it’s great: Herod evokes stormy weather as much as anything else. In fact, it’s reminiscent of all the scents you’d probably first think of when a rainy day comes to mind, allowing you to transport that feeling anywhere.
How it smells: Think of all the pepper and cinnamon used to season dinners and desserts through the holiday season — that’s how Herod starts off. This leads to the brooding scent of tobacco leaf and incense, even replicating the cousin who goes for a smoke between courses. Then, it’s finished off with the sweet scent of vanilla.
Flaws but not dealbreakers: This stuff is strong, and I mean strong. Not needing much application to last through the evening isn’t something to complain about, but just be aware of how much you’re using at a time.
Top Notes: Cinnamon, Pepper | Middle Notes: Tobacco Leaf, Incense, Labdanum | Base notes: Vanilla, Vetiver, Cedar | Size: 4.2 oz | Type: Eau de Parfum | Season: Fall/Winter
Why it’s great: Parfums de Marly’s Darley proves that you don’t need to spend top dollar to smell good — although it doesn’t necessarily come cheap. This spicy scent is a standout choice considering the price, especially during summertime. A great starter cologne!
How it smells: Bringing mint, bergamot, and lemon together, Darley delivers an instant burst of freshness best suited for sunny days. This is followed by a blend of rose, rosemary, and cinnamon, adding a contrast of florals and spices, right before finishing with the fierce scent of sandalwood and amber.
Flaws but not dealbreakers: While it is about $40 less than the next most expensive option, the price tag is still pretty hefty for people trying to find something legitimately affordable.
Top Notes: Mint, Bergamot, Lemon | Middle Notes: Lavender, Cinnamon, Rose | Base notes: Tonka Bean, Sandalwood, Amber | Size: 4.2 oz | Type: Eau de Parfum | Season: Spring/Summer/Fall
Buying Considerations for The Best Parfums de Marly Colognes
Price
Parfums de Marly colognes are not cheap, as my guide’s most inexpensive option is just around $220. As a result, you should be prepared to spend top dollar, but you’ll be getting a high-quality product. Like any good, long-lasting fragrance, you can bank on a hefty price tag, but that shouldn’t stop you from treating yourself to a new scent.
Is it long-lasting?
One could argue that this even comes before price, but the two typically go hand-in-hand. Luckily for anyone who picks up a bottle of Parfums de Marly can rest assured that it’s made to last, as several options here, like Herod, may even last too long.
Is it seasonal?
It’s important to consider whether you’re looking for an everyday scent for work or something a little more out there to attract some attention? A handful of the best Parfums de Marly cologne offerings are suitable for annual wearing, and that only helps justify their price tag. While options like
Why you should trust us
I’m a fashion and grooming writer at FashionBeans. In my time here, I’ve compared, tested, and researched several niches across men’s space, with fragrances being one of them. I’m an expert on anything from barber shop colognes to solid colognes and everything in between.
For this review, I referred to each fragrance’s blend of notes, several customer reviews, and a handful of trusted sources that swear by the Parisian perfumers. Having narrowed things down from all the best Parfums de Marly cologne options, these are all the premium choices for several budgets and scenarios.
Final Verdict
Not to sound like a broken record, but the three crucial things to consider every time you buy a perfume (that never change), those being price, longevity, and versatility. But, when it comes down to Parfums de Marly, the best you can pick is Layton Exclusif, which boasts an air of sophistication and a unique blend of notes you can only expect to find with a premium fragrance.
FAQ
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Nestled in the heart of the fashion world, Parfums de Marly was born in Paris, France. While it’s hard for many brands to make it out of the woodwork in such a chic city, the fragrance house pulled it off seamlessly.
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While this varies based on what you buy, the typical longevity is impressive, serving as a testament to their craftsmanship. Some notes will appear throughout the day while others will remain faint, but they should usually last anywhere between 4 and 8 hours.
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De Marly is not a fragrance, it is simply the brand name. Throughout their catalog, you can find something for every occasion.
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