M7

M7, inspired by Yves Saint Laurent M7 Oud Absolu (2011)

Mandarin and a cool mineral note open M7 Oud Absolu, a brief, almost stony brightness before the darker material takes over. Patchouli and an oud accord form the core, dense and woody. Myrrh and labdanum, also called cistus, a resin with a leathery, amber-like depth, come in underneath. The overall effect is rich and balsamic, with amber rounding off the oud.

About the original

The first M7, created by Jacques Cavallier and Alberto Morillas, launched in 2002 and is often cited as the first Western mainstream men's fragrance built on oud. It was reportedly reformulated around 2008 and withdrawn by about 2010. YSL reissued it in 2011 as M7 Oud Absolu, and in 2012 placed it in its Heritage collection for men alongside Pour Homme, Jazz and Rive Gauche pour Homme. YSL calls it its most expressive men's fragrance and the first to use an oud accord.

Our version

Ours is an independent eau de parfum made to evoke the same character. It is not Yves Saint Laurent stock, not an official relaunch and not the original formula.

Who it suits

Its oud is wrapped in amber, myrrh and cistus, which keeps it smoother than the medicinal style some buyers associate with the note. It is still dark and dense, so little freshness remains once the mandarin fades. Collectors of the 2002 original should note that this is the later Oud Absolu.

Related scents

• Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche Pour Homme
• Giorgio Armani Oud Royal

Notes of the original fragrance, as published by the brand.

Top notes: Mandarin, Mineral Notes

Heart notes: Patchouli, Oud

Base notes: Labdanum (cistus), Myrrh, Amber Notes

Mandarin opens, with a mineral note that feels cool and slightly dusty.

Patchouli and oud move to the centre, heavy and woody, with a faint earthiness from the patchouli.

Labdanum, myrrh and amber notes form the base: resinous, balsamic and gently sweet.

Is this the 2002 M7 or M7 Oud Absolu?

M7 Oud Absolu, the 2011 reissue that YSL sells today. The original 2002 M7 had a different note structure and was reportedly withdrawn around 2010.

Is it as medicinal as the original M7?

Oud Absolu is generally described as softer and more amber-led than the 2002 M7, which had a more medicinal, animalic character.

Inside the EU, delivery is free on orders of €49 or more. Below that it is a flat €4.99. Outside the EU, delivery is a flat €4.99 on every order. We send every order in 1 to 2 working days. It arrives in 3 to 7 days across the EU and in 7 to 14 days outside the EU. You have 14 days to return an unopened bottle.

Yves Saint Laurent and M7 Oud Absolu are trademarks of their respective owners, and all rights remain with them. Parfumour is not affiliated with, endorsed by, sponsored by, or connected to Yves Saint Laurent 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.