Tsar

Tsar, inspired by Van Cleef & Arpels Tsar (1989)

Tsar is herbal through and through. Bergamot gives a brief citrus start before rosemary, thyme and lavender take over, aromatic and slightly medicinal in the way garden herbs are. Geranium and jasmine add a floral layer, and the spices give it bite. The base of vetiver, sandalwood and amber is dry, with a grassy, woody finish.

About the original

Van Cleef & Arpels created Tsar in 1989 as a men's eau de toilette, and it now sits in the house's Les Classiques collection. A reformulation since launch has been reported, with vintage bottles described in a marble-effect finish as mossier and more leathery than the current version. Claims online that Tsar has been discontinued appear to refer to that older formula; the brand still sells it.

Our version

Ours is an independent eau de parfum made to evoke the same character. It is not Van Cleef & Arpels stock, not an official relaunch and not the original formula.

Who it suits

Classic aromatic masculines, the herb-and-wood style of the late 1980s, are where Tsar belongs. Its rosemary and thyme are pronounced, so a wearer after something sweet or fruity will find it austere.

Related scents

• Van Cleef & Arpels Bois Dore

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

Top notes: Bergamot

Heart notes: Rosemary, Thyme, Lavender, Spices, Jasmine, Geranium

Base notes: Amber, Vetiver, Sandalwood

Bergamot opens briefly before the herbs arrive.

The heart is a dense herbal blend of rosemary, thyme and lavender with spices, softened a little by jasmine and geranium.

Amber, vetiver and sandalwood form the base, earthy and dry with a faint resinous sweetness.

Is Van Cleef & Arpels Tsar discontinued?

No. It is still sold in the Les Classiques collection. Reports of it being discontinued usually refer to the older, mossier formula.

Is this the vintage or the current Tsar?

The notes on this page follow the current Tsar as described by Van Cleef & Arpels. Vintage bottles are reported to be mossier and more leathery.

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.

Van Cleef & Arpels and Tsar are trademarks of their respective owners, and all rights remain with them. Parfumour is not affiliated with, endorsed by, sponsored by, or connected to Van Cleef & Arpels 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.