EDP
Women
Yves Saint Laurent
Fragrance Note
Cedar
Cedar is a classic woody note in perfumery, valued for its clean, dry and slightly smoky aroma. It comes from the wood of different coniferous trees, including Atlas cedar (*Cedrus atlantica*), Himalayan cedar (*Cedrus deodara*) and Virginia cedar (*Juniperus virginiana*), which is botanically a juniper. These trees grow in regions of North Africa, the Himalayas and North America. Their wood is processed to obtain aromatic materials used in the creation of many fragrances.
The scent of cedar is warm, dry and woody, with earthy, resinous and sometimes pencil-shaving-like qualities. Depending on the species and the material used, it may smell smooth and refined, slightly smoky, or fresh with a subtle green character. Unlike sweeter notes such as vanilla or fruity accords, cedar provides a drier, more grounded impression that can bring balance and structure to a perfume.
In perfumery, cedar is commonly used in the heart or base of a fragrance, where it helps create depth and a lasting woody character. It blends well with citrus notes such as bergamot and lemon, aromatic ingredients such as lavender and rosemary, spices such as black pepper, and other woods including sandalwood and vetiver. It also works beautifully with amber, musk, patchouli and leather accords, helping produce fragrances that feel warm, sophisticated and well balanced.
Cedar appears in many fragrance styles, including woody, aromatic, fresh, spicy, oriental and unisex compositions. In a fresh perfume, it can add a clean, crisp wooden quality. In a darker composition, it can strengthen the dry, earthy character and complement richer notes. Its versatility makes it suitable for both everyday fragrances and more formal or evening scents.
For fragrance lovers, cedar represents natural elegance and understated strength. It gives a perfume a woody foundation without necessarily making it heavy or overpowering, making it a valuable ingredient in both modern and traditional perfumery.
4 perfumes feature this note
EDT
Unisex
Bvlgari
Bvlgari Eau Parfumée Thé Vert Green Tea Eau de Toilette Perfume
EDP
Unisex
Maison Francis Kurkdjian
Maison Francis Kurkdjian Grand Soir Eau de Parfum
EDP
Unisex
Copaci
24K Pour Homme
About Perfumes with Cedar
Cedar is a dry, clean, slightly smoky wood note that feels crisp and structured. Perfume World lists 4 fragrances in this collection. Each one comes with its notes, performance scores and places to buy.
You will meet it mostly in amber, floral and vanilla perfumes. cedar turns up most often alongside amber, jasmine, vanilla and orange blossom. Prices here run from $90 to $300. Across the fragrances we have scored, perfumes with cedar average 8.1 out of 10 overall. Most of the bottles come from Bvlgari, Copaci and Maison Francis Kurkdjian. Releases range from 1992 to 2016.
It is dependable in every season and a favourite for work and daily wear. It pairs with citrus, lavender, spice, amber and musk.
- Perfumes
- 4
- Average rating
- 8.1/10
- Price range
- From $90 to $300
- Average longevity
- 6.8/10
- Top house
- Bvlgari
- Released
- 1992 to 2016
Top rated perfumes with cedar
How to choose perfumes with cedar
Read the notes pyramid on each page before you buy perfumes with cedar. The opening tells you how it smells in the first minutes, while the base notes tell you what is left after a few hours.
Start from what you already own and enjoy. If a favourite bottle shares notes with one of the perfumes with cedar here, that is usually a safe next purchase.
How perfumes with cedar perform
In our wear tests, perfumes with cedar score 6.8 out of 10 for longevity on average, which means solid staying power that comfortably covers a work day.
Sillage, the trail a perfume leaves behind you, averages 6.3 out of 10, which points to moderate projection that stays fairly close.
In hot and humid conditions, the same perfumes average 5.8 out of 10 for longevity. Heat speeds up evaporation, so expect scents to feel stronger at first and fade sooner than in cool, dry air.
If staying power is your priority, start with Maison Francis Kurkdjian Grand Soir Eau de Parfum (9/10), Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium (8.2/10) and Copaci 24K Pour Homme (7/10).
Standout perfumes with cedar
Bvlgari Eau Parfumée Thé Vert Green Tea Eau de Toilette Perfume gets noticed the most, with a compliments score of 8.9 out of 10. Copaci 24K Pour Homme is the one to try for value, with a value score of 8.2 out of 10. The newest release here is Maison Francis Kurkdjian Grand Soir Eau de Parfum, from 2016. On a tight budget, Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium is the most affordable, starting around $90. Maison Francis Kurkdjian Grand Soir Eau de Parfum has the best overall rating here at 8.9 out of 10, and it comes as EDP. For staying power, look at Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium, which scores 8.2 out of 10 for longevity. At the top end, Maison Francis Kurkdjian Grand Soir Eau de Parfum is the priciest, reaching about $300.
Buying tips for perfumes with cedar
Moisturise before you spray. Perfume holds far better on hydrated skin, and an unscented lotion can add hours to a scent that otherwise fades quickly.
Set a budget before you browse. Perfumes with cedar here run from $90 to $300, so decide your ceiling early and compare the value score as well as the price tag.
Check the concentration. Most of the perfumes here are EDP and EDT. Eau de parfum and parfum usually last longer and cost more than eau de toilette, and each perfume page lists the exact concentration.
Frequently asked questions
What does Cedar smell like in perfume?
Cedar is a dry, clean, slightly smoky wood note that feels crisp and structured.
What goes well with Cedar in a fragrance?
It pairs with citrus, lavender, spice, amber and musk.
When is Cedar best worn?
It is dependable in every season and a favourite for work and daily wear.
Which fragrance families use Cedar most?
Perfumes with cedar most often sit in the amber, floral and vanilla families.
How long do perfumes with cedar last?
Based on our longevity scores, the longest lasting are Maison Francis Kurkdjian Grand Soir Eau de Parfum (9/10), Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium (8.2/10) and Copaci 24K Pour Homme (7/10). Longevity also depends on skin type, weather and how you apply, so use these as a guide.
Are perfumes with cedar good for hot and humid weather?
It depends on the perfume, but on average perfumes with cedar score 5.8 out of 10 for longevity in hot and humid conditions. Check the hot and humid score on each page, and use a lighter hand with sweet or heavy styles.
Which brands make the best perfumes with cedar?
The houses with the most perfumes with cedar here are Bvlgari, Copaci, Maison Francis Kurkdjian and Yves Saint Laurent. Browse each one to compare styles and prices.
What is the price range for perfumes with cedar?
Prices for perfumes with cedar on our list run from $90 to $300. The final price depends on bottle size, concentration and the retailer, so compare the sellers listed on each perfume page.
What are the best perfumes with cedar?
Going by our overall ratings, the top perfumes with cedar are Maison Francis Kurkdjian Grand Soir Eau de Parfum (8.9/10), Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium (8.3/10) and Bvlgari Eau Parfumée Thé Vert Green Tea Eau de Toilette Perfume (7.8/10). Ratings come from hands on wear tests, so they reflect real performance and not just marketing.
Which perfumes with cedar get the most compliments?
Our compliments score points to Bvlgari Eau Parfumée Thé Vert Green Tea Eau de Toilette Perfume (8.9/10), Maison Francis Kurkdjian Grand Soir Eau de Parfum (8.5/10) and Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium (8.5/10). Compliments depend on setting and company, but these are the ones people notice most often.
How can I make perfumes with cedar last longer?
Start with an unscented lotion, then spray the inside of your elbows, the base of your throat and a little on your clothes. Fabric holds scent longer than skin, and rubbing your wrists only breaks the top notes down faster.
Not sure which one fits you? Answer a few questions and get matched, or browse our buying guides.