Is Maison Alhambra Anchor Black a dupe of Lalique Encre Noire?
Encre Noire EDT
| EDT | Concentration | EDP |
| M | Gender | M |
| 2006 | Year | 2022 |
| £ | Price Tier | £ |
Anchor Black EDP
Encre Noire and Anchor Black both deliver a dark, earthy vetiver experience, but differ in execution. Encre Noire is a bolder, more challenging fragrance, known for its inky, almost gothic presence. Anchor Black softens the edges, offering a smoother, more wearable interpretation. While both are budget-friendly, Encre Noire's distinctiveness comes with a polarizing reputation. Anchor Black provides a safer, more mass-appealing option, sacrificing some of the original's unique character for improved approachability and versatility. Choose based on your tolerance for challenging scents and desired level of uniqueness.
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Where they differ
Biggest gaps first. The bolder side leads.
ScentArt
How it unfolds
Notes
- Encre Noire
- Anchor Black
- in both
Tap a note to light it in both. A+B means both have it
Which Should You Buy?
- You want a deeply unique and challenging vetiver fragrance.
- You appreciate a darker, more 'gothic' vibe.
- You want the original scent profile, regardless of opinions.
- You want a fragrance that makes a bold statement.
- You want a smoother, more wearable vetiver scent.
- You prefer a less challenging and more versatile fragrance.
- You want a similar scent at a lower price point.
- You are sensitive to very strong or unusual openings.
This cult-favourite vetiver bomb is either a gothic masterpiece or a challenging, unwearable mess. It's affordable, distinctive, and certainly not for everyone - prepare for strong opinions, good or bad.
If you're seeking Lalique Encre Noire's mysterious forest vibe for a fraction of the price, Anchor Black is a no-brainer. But don't expect groundbreaking performance or an exact replica - it's a solid, accessible alternative, not a superior clone.
Scent Profile
How They Wear
Mood
Notes
Top Notes
Top Notes
Spicy Notes
100%
Heart Notes
Heart Notes
Vetiver
100%
vs
100%
Cashmeran
54%
vs
60%
Musk
45%
vs
39%
Cypress
100%
Spicy Notes
100%
Cypress
100%
Spicy Notes
100%
Vetiver
100%
vs
100%
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 Brands do not publish formulations.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
Season and Occasion Fit
Seasons
A cold-weather scent - best worn in autumn and winter.
Occasions
While some find it professional, its strong, dark, earthy profile can be too polarising for a typical office environment. It works best casually or on dates, especially in cooler weather, as it evokes a mysterious and intriguing aura rather than mass appeal.
Seasons
An autumn-weather scent at heart - warm leaves and shorter days territory.
Occasions
Its dark, brooding woody-musky character suggests a more intimate or evening setting. While not overtly offensive for office wear, its moderate projection and preference for sophisticated contexts make it better suited for dates or casual outings where subtlety is appreciated.
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.
Shares 3 of its 4 notes, including Cashmeran, Musk, Vetiver
Adds spicy notes, drops cypress
Where to buy
Pick a size. The two cheapest offers, then the rest.
Prices before sales tax, which the shop adds at checkout.
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