Altair

Altair follows Parfums de Marly Althair's warm-spice-and-vanilla template: bergamot, cinnamon and cardamom open it, bourbon vanilla and guaiac wood build the heart, then amber, musk and praline settle into the base. The spiced opening is a strong match for the original's cosy, compliment-getting character, and the vanilla comes through clearly. Where the gap shows is in the heart's complexity - Althair's elemi and guaiac wood add a resinous, slightly smoky counterweight that keeps the sweetness in check, while this dupe's version is softer there, letting the amber-praline base push the composition toward straightforward sweet-gourmand territory sooner. Longevity is solid and the spice-vanilla combination projects well in the first couple of hours. A dependable, cosy option for cold-weather wear at a fraction of the original's price.