Is Maison Alhambra Optus VII a dupe of Amouage Memoir Man?

Memoir Man EDP

Amouage by Karine Vinchon-Spehner Original Acquired

Optus VII EDP

Maison Alhambra   Inspired Statement
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Memoir Man Eau de Parfum bottle Memoir Man EDP
EDP Concentration EDP
M Gender M
2010 Year 2022
$$ Price Tier $
Optus VII Eau de Parfum bottle Optus VII EDP
Our Verdict

Memoir Man and Optus VII both explore green and smoky leather territory, but differ in execution and price. Memoir Man, once a performance beast, now suffers from batch variations, potentially delivering a diluted experience. Optus VII, a budget-friendly option, offers a surprisingly refined, bold leather. The key difference lies in the risk-reward: spend more for a potentially weaker Amouage, or gamble on a bolder, more affordable Alhambra. If you prioritize uniqueness and artistic composition, Memoir Man might tempt you. If you want value, Optus VII is the clear winner.

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We have not found it at a shop we track that delivers to you
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Where they differ

Biggest gaps first. The bolder side leads.

ScentArt

Memoir Man Eau de Parfum ScentArt View Liquid → Memoir Man EDP
Optus VII Eau de Parfum ScentArt View Liquid → Optus VII EDP
Explore ScentArt

Which Should You Buy?

Choose Memoir Man if...
  • You want a fragrance with a more artistic composition.
  • You prefer a fragrance from a well-known niche house.
  • You are willing to gamble on batch variations.
  • You appreciate a more subdued leather scent.
Choose Optus VII if...
  • You want a budget-friendly alternative.
  • You prefer a bolder and more challenging fragrance.
  • You want a fragrance with a strong leather presence.
  • You prioritize value for money.
Our Verdict - Memoir Man EDP
Memoir Man is a deeply divisive blend of gothic green and smoky leather, with its once-legendary performance now a mere memory. Expect a unique, artistic scent that's either a mysterious masterpiece or a watery disappointment, depending on the batch and your luck.
Acquired
Our Verdict - Optus VII EDP
A gutsy leather with real refinement: pink pepper, thyme and tarragon up front, galbanum and costus in the heart, leather and patchouli below. Bold, green and mysterious, for people who like their leather challenging.
Statement

Scent Profile

How they compare
Memoir Man EDP A Optus VII EDP B
Where they part company by gap size

How They Wear

Showing: Overall Blend

Mood

Mood Energising
Calming
Character Playful
Serious
Sentiment Uplifting
Brooding
Memoir Man EDP
Optus VII EDP

Notes

Shared Notes
Leather Leather 6% vs 14%
Only in Memoir Man
Wormwood Wormwood 11% Mint Mint 10% Incense Incense 10% Basil Basil 8% Tobacco Tobacco 8% Sandalwood Sandalwood 8% Lavender Lavender 7% Vanilla Vanilla 5% Amber Amber 5% Vetiver Vetiver 5% Musk Musk 5% Guaiac Wood Guaiac Wood 4% Rose Rose 4% Oakmoss Oakmoss 3%
Only in Optus VII
Costus Costus 19% Spicy Notes Spicy Notes 16% Thyme Thyme 12% Patchouli Patchouli 11% Pink Pepper Pink Pepper 9% Galbanum Galbanum 9% Tarragon Tarragon 9%
Only in Memoir Man
Wormwood Wormwood 11% Mint Mint 10% Basil Basil 8%
Only in Optus VII
Spicy Notes Spicy Notes 16% Thyme Thyme 12% Pink Pepper Pink Pepper 9% Tarragon Tarragon 9%
Only in Memoir Man
Incense Incense 10% Lavender Lavender 7% Rose Rose 4%
Only in Optus VII
Costus Costus 19% Galbanum Galbanum 9%
Shared Notes
Leather Leather 6% vs 14%
Only in Memoir Man
Tobacco Tobacco 8% Sandalwood Sandalwood 8% Vanilla Vanilla 5% Amber Amber 5% Vetiver Vetiver 5% Musk Musk 5% Guaiac Wood Guaiac Wood 4% Oakmoss Oakmoss 3%
Only in Optus VII
Patchouli Patchouli 11%

Note weights are our estimate from each note's place in the pyramid, not the share of the formula. Brands do not publish formulations.

Performance

Memoir Man Optus VII
Long (6-10h)
Longevity
Long (6-10h)
Moderate
Projection
Moderate
Strong
Intensity
Moderate

Season and Occasion Fit

Memoir Man

Seasons

Best For:
Spring Autumn Winter

A cold-weather scent - best worn in autumn and winter.

Occasions

Also Works:
Date Casual Formal

Its dark, smoky, and leathery profile leans into more intimate or formal settings. While not overpowering in newer batches, its unique and potent character makes it less suited for a typical office or sporty environment. It excels in cooler weather, making it ideal for evening dates or sophisticated gatherings.

Optus VII

Seasons

Best For:
Autumn Winter
Also Works:
Spring

A cold-weather scent - best worn in autumn and winter.

Occasions

Also Works:
Casual

Given its strong projection and significant longevity, this scent is best suited for evening wear and formal events rather than a typical office setting or sporty activities. Its bold character also lends itself well to date nights where making an impression is key.

Similarity Breakdown

Our estimate of how alike these two fragrances smell, calculated from their published notes. It is a position on our scale, not a measured percentage of shared smell.

Overall scent match
28%
Key Similarities

Shares 1 of its 8 notes, including Leather

Key Differences

Adds costus and galbanum, drops amber and basil

Where to buy

Memoir Man EDP
Optus VII EDP
Wide selection Amazon US Prime delivery often available Check price on →
Wide selection Amazon US Prime delivery often available Check price on →

Pick a size. The two cheapest offers, then the rest.

Memoir Man EDP

Check price on →

No other shop we track that delivers to you has it in stock.

Optus VII EDP

Check price on →

No other shop we track that delivers to you has it in stock.

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