Ermenegildo Zegna 2019 EDP

M £££££ Statement

Madras Cardamom

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Ermenegildo Zegna Madras Cardamom is an Eau de Parfum launched in 2019. Madras Cardamom opens with Bergamot, Pink Pepper, and Cardamom, settles into a heart of Virginia Cedarwood and Coffee, and dries down to a base of Vetiver, Vanilla, Ambroxan, and Labdanum. Ermenegildo Zegna's Madras Cardamom carries a Statement verdict, a woody-led wear.

This is a gorgeous, refined cardamom and coffee scent, but it's a divisive one. Many adore its rich, nuanced aroma, while others lament its underwhelming performance for the price. Not a safe blind buy.
What our verdicts mean →
  • Sophisticated
  • Warm
  • Cozy
  • Subtle
  • Woody
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Madras Cardamom Eau de Parfum bottle

Scent Profile

Composition

Timeline

Showing: Overall Blend

Top, heart and base are the brand's own listing, not a timing claim - the industry classifies a note by its character as much as by how fast it fades. Each curve here is modelled from that material's own volatility, so groups can overlap when a house lists long-lasting materials in its heart.

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Performance & Mood

Performance

Longevity
Long (6-10h)
Projection
Moderate
Intensity
Strong

Mood

Mood Energising
Calming
Character Playful
Serious
Sentiment Uplifting
Brooding

When To Wear

Best Seasons

Best For:
Spring Fall Winter

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

Best Occasions

Best For:
Date Formal
Also Works:
Office Casual

Its moderate sillage and refined profile make it suitable for office and formal settings, avoiding overwhelm. The warmth and subtle sensuality of the notes, combined with its long-lasting nature, lend itself perfectly to date nights, especially in cooler weather.

Declarable allergens

We derive these from the materials behind this fragrance's notes, not from the bottle. Each one is likely, not confirmed. The list is partial - the box can name others.

Declarable under EU Annex III

  • Bergamot Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Peel Oil from Bergamot
  • Bergamot Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Peel Oil from Bergamot
  • Bergamot Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Peel Oil from Bergamot
  • Vanillin from Vanilla
  • Virginian cedarwood Juniperus Virginiana Oil from Virginia Cedarwood
  • Virginian cedarwood Juniperus Virginiana Oil from Virginia Cedarwood

The large name is the everyday one. The small name is the INCI form on the box, so you can compare the two. Reactions differ between people. A patch-test panel is not a ranking of risk. How we derive this

About

Madras Cardamom opens with a fresh, spicy pop of bergamot and pink pepper, quickly enveloped by a distinctly green, almost bitter cardamom. This vibrant spice melts into a heart of rich, roasted coffee and dry Virginia cedarwood, creating a sophisticated depth. The dry down is a warm, velvety embrace of creamy vanilla, earthy vetiver, and the subtle, modern hum of ambroxan, leaving a luxurious, lingering trail.

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Complement

Two people, two scents: what sits well beside it when you each wear your own See what pairs well

Where to buy

Prices for the United States ·

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Drawn from community reviews and editor-reviewed before publishing on . See our methodology and disclosure policy.