Opium

Opium, inspired by Yves Saint Laurent Opium pour Homme (1995)

Star anise sets the tone immediately, licorice-like and slightly medicinal, cut with tart blackcurrant. Pepper and galangal, a ginger relative with an earthy, peppery bite, carry the heart. Vanilla and tolu balsam, a resin with a sweet, cinnamon-like tone, then make the base smooth and rounded, with cedar adding structure. YSL calls the result a fresh, fruity scent in a spicy amber frame.

About the original

Jacques Cavallier composed Opium pour Homme in 1995 as the men's counterpart to YSL's Opium from 1977. YSL classes it as amber spicy with benzoin. An eau de parfum version also exists; YSL's French site sells the eau de toilette. Vintage bottles are reported to be stronger than current ones.

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

Anise is the deciding factor: if you enjoy licorice notes, the opening is a pleasure, and if not, it may be too medicinal. The vanilla and balsam drydown is powdery and gently sweet rather than sugary.

Related scents

• Yves Saint Laurent Opium
• Yves Saint Laurent Kouros

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

Top notes: Star Anise, Blackcurrant

Heart notes: Pepper, Galangal

Base notes: Vanilla, Tolu Balsam, Cedar

Star anise and blackcurrant open it, licorice-like and tart.

Pepper and galangal give the heart an earthy spice.

Vanilla, tolu balsam and cedar finish it, resinous, powdery and smooth.

Is this the men's or the women's Opium?

This is Opium pour Homme, the 1995 men's scent. The women's Opium (1977) is a different fragrance, which we also make.

Is this based on the eau de toilette or the eau de parfum?

Our reference is YSL's Opium pour Homme Eau de Toilette, not the Opium pour Homme Eau de Parfum. Our own version is an eau de parfum, in 50 or 100 ml.

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 Opium pour Homme 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.