Icon Elite

The Story

Launched in 2016 and composed by Carlos Benaim, Icon Elite was the darker, more energizing member of Dunhill’s acclaimed Icon collection. Quintessentially British and quietly refined, it became a cult value pick among enthusiasts. Dunhill has since discontinued it, and original bottles have grown harder to find. Our interpretation keeps this suave woody spicy available.

How It Smells

This is understated masculinity in a bottle. It opens with a bright, slightly bitter lift of bergamot, lime, and bitter orange, warmed immediately by aromatic cardamom. A herbaceous heart of vetiver, blue sage, juniper, and black pepper gives it a dry, sophisticated bite, with vetiver as the quiet star throughout. The drydown is its real charm: smoky ebony wood, creamy sandalwood, and a soft suede, smoothed with a touch of labdanum. Warm, dry, and smoky, it is elegant and composed rather than loud.

The Notes

Top: cardamom, bergamot, lime, bitter orange. Heart: vetiver, black pepper, blue sage, juniper. Base: ebony, sandalwood, suede, labdanum.

How Our Version Compares

Our interpretation rebuilds Icon Elite at 40 percent perfume oil, a far higher concentration than the lighter eau de toilette and eau de parfum sprays most people know, where the actual oil content is often only a small fraction of that. Made in the EU to careful standards, it is formulated to track the character you remember while giving you stronger projection and noticeably longer wear on skin. Because the oil load is so high, a little goes a long way: one or two dabs at the pulse points is usually enough for the day, and the scent unfolds slowly through its top, heart, and base over many hours rather than burning off within the first one. An oil based fragrance also sits closer to the skin and reacts to your own warmth and chemistry, so the way it develops on you will be subtly your own rather than identical to anyone else. If you want to stretch the wear even further, apply it to freshly moisturised skin, which holds the oils far better than dry skin and slows down evaporation. Storing it away from heat and direct light will also keep the blend smelling true for longer. This is an independent interpretation inspired by the original accord, blended in our own workshop, and it is not the branded fragrance itself.

Common Questions

Is the original discontinued? Yes. Icon Elite is no longer in production, so authentic bottles are increasingly scarce. Our version is made fresh and stays available.

Is this the original fragrance? No. It is an independent interpretation of the accord, rebuilt at 40 percent perfume oil.

Is it unisex? It leans masculine, but its dry, woody spice can be worn by anyone who enjoys an elegant, understated scent.

When should I wear it? Its warm, smoky woods suit cooler weather and evenings, though it is refined enough for the office too.

Comparative Advertising Disclaimer

Dunhill and Icon Elite are trademarks of their respective owners, and all rights remain with them. Parfumour is not affiliated with, endorsed by, sponsored by, or connected to Dunhill in any way, and no business relationship of any kind is implied. Our product is an original interpretation created to evoke a similar scent profile, and the trademark names are used purely for honest, descriptive comparison, so that you can quickly identify the style and fragrance family you are looking for. We make no claim to sell the original product, and we do not use the same ingredients or formula. Any similarity lies in the overall impression of the scent as interpreted by our own perfumers, not in the source materials.