Herod eau de parfum parfums de marly

This one is special to me. Flew home for a funeral a few months ago and forgot to throw a fragrance in my toiletry bag before I left, so I headed to Bloomingdales after hopping off the plane. I normally cycle through a lot of Tom Ford so I initially headed to the TF counter and told the saleswoman there that I was looking for something appropriate for a formal event. She asked what type of event, so I told her it was a funeral and that I was hoping for something that could be formal but wouldn't feel too sad or stuffy. She said she knew just the thing and instead of pulling out a Tobacco Vanille or Cafe Rose like I expected, she left the TF counter and brought me straight over to Herod.

I instantly *really* disliked it upon first spray; the cherry/vanilla opening didn't work with my skin at all and felt way too plasticky/cheap, but she just said "trust me" and told me to look around and let it settle. By the time I circled back around, the plasticky opening had dissipated without a trace, and the tobacco was starting to peak through to blend everything together perfectly.

Gorgeous cherry/almond/vanilla/tobacco, with hints of warm spicy cinnamon that never becomes overbearing (fortunately I don't get any of the leather or incense notes that others have mentioned, which I imagine would have really taken away from the magic for me and brought it to a place of trying too hard). In a short time it had transformed into something luxurious, but still warm and inviting. Upscale and expensive, yet simultaneously still completely approachable. Feels safe for the office, but completely at home for a night out. One to two sprays keeps people noticing without being overpowering, and lasts me the entire day.

Not something I would have gravitated towards on my own, but I'm so grateful I was introduced to this fragrance. Now one of my absolute favorites and will always hold a special place in my heart.

I have been sampling 20+ of the all time popular/highest rated men’s fragrances the last month or two. Creed, Tom Ford, Guerlain, Givenchy, Dior, Chanel, Malle, Dolce, Prada, etc etc

Then last night I applied my sample of Herod.

My eyes widened, jaw dropped. It smells so so so wonderful on me that it is viscerally stunning, almost dizzying. It is so much better than any of the other best of the best fragrances I’ve tried.

Herod balances the best of the best dark Rich creamy elements but stays much less sweet than current trends (looking at you Tom Ford). It is dark but not heavy, smoky but not stale or acrid, sweet/fruity/floral but just a touch, edible but not cloying candy dessert, spicy and peppery but not sharp or offensive.

Many say this is Tobacco plus Vanilla, but it is not and is much more. I would say it is centrally incense, which is tying together four or five different notes supported by two or three ingredients each. Much more indeed. Tom Ford bashes people over the head with Very Sweet and Very Very Vanilla. Herod is a masterclass of virtuoso perfumery in comparison.

All at once it is smoky and spicy and earthy and slightly sweet and oh so creamy in a swirling dance that is unique modern masculine and a best-thing-I-ever-smelled, so delicious that I can’t stop sniffing at it and discerning the different notes.

Some say it’s too safe or bland or mainstream but I think it is actually a wonderland of niche-quality smells that are used with restraint and perfectly balanced into a complex gentle harmonious masterpiece.

One thing I haven’t seen many discuss: I believe the key element is the incense, the central nag Champa note that is smoky and woody and slightly sweet/floral and earthy and dark and mysterious that ties all the other notes together. A brilliant bridge between The Smoky tobacco, The spicy sweet cinnamon and pepper, the creamy rich vanilla, the earthy vetiver and musks, aromatic woods etc.

I smelled a lot of nag champa incense in my university days and Herod’s incense smells spot on. Nag champa is Indian incense that has unique notes similar to sandalwood and jasmine and plum. Mix those in with cinnamon, cedar, vetiver, musky florals, etc, and that’s why I feel this is so much more complex than “tobacco plus vanilla” and actually a masterpiece of layered perfume blending.

Unbelievable. I have immediately ordered a 75ml bottle for 120 bucks.

Update: My 75ml bottle from eBay is a March 2021 batch and smells exactly the same as my sample, maybe a twinge fruitier up front. That’s from the first spray with no maceration. I’m at 5 hour mark from three sprays and still smell it strongly. Sooo delicious and plenty of performance

Chances are when you smell Herod from the bottle sprayer you will automatically close your eyes and go into a state of zen for few seconds then wonder.. why cant oxygen smell like Herod.

The best perfume i ever smell in my life!! It has my three favorite notes perfect blended!! Tobacco cinnamon Vanilla!!
It smells like a man must smell!! Also huge compliment getter the women love it !! Some people saying that is simple but for me simplicity makes the perfection!! I cant stop smelling it !!Totally worths the price ! Perfect for winter nights!! It will make you feel confident in any occasion!! also the longevity and sillage are beastly i can smell it all day on me!! if you like dark seducing night perfumes like i do than Herod is the best !! go for it!!

If you liked Tobacco Vanille but thought the tobacco was too realistic and strong to be wearable, get Herod.

If you liked Back to Black but thought the honeyed cherry note was way too sweet and sticky, get Herod.

If you liked Pure Havane but thought it could use better quality ingredients and better performance, get Herod.

If you liked Layton but thought it was a tad too spicy for your taste and you'd prefer something darker and sweeter, get Herod.

Edit: I just give this it's first full wearing and I got complimented twice, with both people asking me to write down what I was wearing. Full bottle's already on the way.

Don't listen to anyone saying this is weak. People ignore things like the temperature, skin moisture, nose fatigue etc. And blame it on "reformulation". This lasts 12 hours easily and projects strong for a very impressive 4 hours