The Merchant of Venice 2020 EDP

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Damascus Desert

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The Merchant of Venice Damascus Desert is an Eau de Parfum launched in 2020. Damascus Desert opens with Bergamot, Lemon, and Ginger, settles into a heart of Iris, Geranium, and Clary Sage, and dries down to a base of Musk, Amber, Cedar, and Vetiver. The Merchant of Venice's Damascus Desert carries a Favourite verdict, a fresh-led wear.

A hidden gem that scratches the citrus itch without breaking the bank, but approach with tempered expectations on performance.
What our verdicts mean →
  • Clean
  • Fresh
  • Sophisticated
  • Elegant
  • Powdery
£124.90 at Amazon UK 100ml Check price on → Check prices ↓
Damascus Desert Eau de Parfum bottle

Scent Profile

Composition

Timeline

Showing: Overall Blend
Topas listed
Lemon44%
Bergamot32%
Ginger24%
Heartas listed
Iris46%
Clary Sage28%
Geranium25%
Baseas listed
Amber30%
Cedar25%
Musk24%
Vetiver21%

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
Moderate (4-6h)
Projection
Moderate
Intensity
Moderate

Mood

Mood Energising
Calming
Character Playful
Serious
Sentiment Uplifting
Brooding

When To Wear

Best Seasons

Best For:
Spring Summer

A warm-weather pick - at its best in spring and summer.

Best Occasions

Best For:
Office Casual Sport
Also Works:
Date Formal

Office wear is strong due to its moderate sillage and clean profile, making it suitable for close encounters. It’s also great for casual outings, while its romantic undertones lend themselves well to dates, albeit with mixed reviews on the performance for formal settings.

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.

In standard patch-test panels

  • Citral Geranial from Lemon

Other declarable allergens

  • Bergamot Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Peel Oil from Bergamot
  • Rose geranium Pelargonium Graveolens Oil from Geranium
  • Synthetic musk Hexamethylindanopyran from Musk

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

Damascus Desert opens with a burst of bright bergamot, lemon, and a spicy kick of ginger, creating a refreshing, zesty atmosphere. As it settles, the heart reveals a powdery softness from orris and clary sage, mingling seamlessly with a hint of floral geranium. The base is an elegant blend of amber, cedar, and vetiver that adds a warm, woody depth, grounding the fragrance in sophistication. It’s an easy, clean scent that works well in warmer months but might leave you wanting in terms of longevity.

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Compare & Pair

Layer

Wear two at once. See what layers well with Damascus Desert Eau de Parfum - the blends worth trying, and how each one scores.

Complement

Round out the rotation. See what complements Damascus Desert Eau de Parfum - fragrances that pair with it, worn side by side.

Where to buy

Prices for the United Kingdom · · checked 23 September

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