Old Spice

Old Spice, inspired by Old Spice Original (1937)

Old Spice opens on orange and aniseed with grated nutmeg, a mix that has been likened to mulled wine. Carnation and cinnamon then take over, giving it a clove-like, slightly peppery spice. Underneath sits a resinous base of amber, vanilla and cedar that keeps the whole thing rounded and familiar. It reads as an old-fashioned barbershop scent, and that is a large part of its appeal.

About the original

William Lightfoot Schultz founded Shulton in 1937 and first launched Early American Old Spice for women, with the men's after shave and shaving soap following around Christmas 1937 to 1938 in sailing-ship packaging. Procter & Gamble bought the brand in 1990. In the US the scent was repackaged as Classic Scent in plastic bottles in 2008, while Europe kept the glass-bottled Original. Enthusiasts report that the US Classic smells somewhat different from the European Original and from vintage Shulton bottles, and a change to the US Classic after shave in 2016 has been reported.

Our version

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

Who it suits

Spice, vanilla and resin in an unfussy form make it easy company for anyone who knows this smell from home. It is plainly retro, and the anise and cinnamon may seem dated to a buyer used to modern fresh scents.

Related scents

• Fabergé Brut

Notes of the original fragrance, as listed in fragrance references.

Top notes: Blood Orange, Anise, Nutmeg

Heart notes: Carnation, Jasmine, Cinnamon

Base notes: Cedarwood, Vanilla, Amber Resin

The top is citrus and spice at once: blood orange, anise and nutmeg, cheerful rather than sharp.

Carnation brings a clove-like floral note, jasmine smooths it, and cinnamon adds a sweet heat.

It settles on cedarwood, vanilla and amber resin, a rounded, slightly sweet base with a woody frame.

Is this based on the European Original or the US Classic Scent?

This page describes the classic Old Spice scent as sold in Europe under the name Original. The US Classic Scent is reported to smell somewhat different.

Is this one of the Old Spice deodorant or body wash scents?

No. It is the original after shave and cologne scent, not later Old Spice scents such as Swagger or Fiji.

Does Old Spice smell sweet?

Moderately. The vanilla and amber base gives it sweetness, but the anise, nutmeg and cinnamon keep it spicy rather than sugary.

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.

Old Spice and Old Spice are trademarks of their respective owners, and all rights remain with them. Parfumour is not affiliated with, endorsed by, sponsored by, or connected to Old Spice 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.