Fragrances inspired by Le Male Essence de Parfum Parfum
The original
Le Male Essence de Parfum
Jean Paul Gaultier
The two side by side
Our verdict
Editor reviewedWhat they share
Every one of its 13 notes is in the original, including Leather, Musk, Cinnamon
The main difference
Near-identical note list, differs in proportion
What they share
Shares 6 of its 13 notes, including Cinnamon, Bergamot, Cardamom
The main difference
Adds amber and caraway, drops amberwood and costus
What they share
Shares 2 of its 13 notes, including Lavender, Vanilla
The main difference
Adds amberwood and artemisia, drops amber and grapefruit
What they share
Every one of its 12 notes is in the original, including Leather, Musk, Cinnamon
The main difference
Without costus
What they share
Shares 5 of its 10 notes, including Musk, Cinnamon, Cardamom
The main difference
Adds amber and basil, drops amberwood and artemisia
What they share
Shares 7 of its 11 notes, including Leather, Musk, Cinnamon
The main difference
Adds amber and cypress, drops amberwood and costus
What they share
Shares 5 of its 9 notes, including Leather, Lavender, Pepper
The main difference
Adds absinth and geranium, drops artemisia and bergamot
What they share
Shares 4 of its 13 notes, including Leather, Vanilla, Sage
The main difference
Adds amberwood and artemisia, drops chestnut and elemi
Scent profile
How we judge a match
We score each pairing on the two fragrance profiles: shared accords, overlapping notes, longevity and projection, and the occasions each suits. A good inspired-by scent captures the original's character rather than copying it molecule for molecule.
The full method, and what to look for in a dupe. Prices are UK retail and change often. Check before buying.
Inspired-by fragrances. Not affiliated with, endorsed by or produced by Jean Paul Gaultier. Match scores are our estimate of how alike two perfumes smell, calculated from their published notes, not a measurement. How we score similarity.