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Awake 2018

7.6 / 10 311 Ratings
A popular perfume by Akro for women and men, released in 2018. The scent is spicy-gourmand. It is still in production.
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Main accords

Spicy
Gourmand
Sweet
Woody
Creamy

Fragrance Pyramid

Top Notes Top Notes
Brazilian coffeeBrazilian coffee LemonLemon
Heart Notes Heart Notes
Green cardamomGreen cardamom
Base Notes Base Notes
VetiverVetiver

Perfumer

Ratings
Scent
7.6311 Ratings
Longevity
7.5250 Ratings
Sillage
7.1248 Ratings
Bottle
6.8227 Ratings
Value for money
7.1166 Ratings
Submitted by Curacao, last update on 10/03/2025.

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Reviews

22 in-depth fragrance descriptions
7
Bottle
8
Sillage
8
Longevity
8
Scent
Landshark321

737 Reviews
Landshark321
Landshark321
Top Review 4  
Wearable, balanced sweet and spicy coffee fragrance at a great value
Akro Awake is the fragrance from this house that I was most eager to try, as it’s described as a coffee fragrance. Given the note breakdown, which includes coffee, cardamom, lemon, and vetiver, I did not expect it to be sweet, but it’s quite sweet, in addition to having the earthy, spicy, citric undertones provided by the other notes. It’s sweet to the point that it seems like there is chocolate in the mix, frankly, but it’s not over-the-top heavy or sweet or dessert like, and the sweet coffee aspect is significantly tempered by the other trio of notes.

The coffee/lemon pairing in particular is slightly reminiscent of the discontinued Armani Attitude, but Awake is a bit sweeter and more coffee-dominant than Attitude. Comparing it to other coffee fragrances, it does not have the dark and sweet extremes of Kerosene Follow, nor is it as subtle as Legendary Fragrances Barista, nor does it have the particularly intense rum bite of Sebastiane Espresso Royale. Overall, it’s a balanced sweet and spicy coffee fragrance with enough coffee to satisfy lovers of coffee fragrances but not likely enough to scare off the coffee- or sweet-averse. It’s a coffee fragrance that’s fairly easy to wear and versatile, surely more apt for cold weather but not too heavy for mild or warmer weather.

The only point-of-sale in the US is Luckyscent and like the rest of the line, has very reasonable pricing of $160 for 100ml. Particularly at that price, I see a bottle in my future.

8 out of 10
0 Comments
Grizzlyscent

11 Reviews
Grizzlyscent
Grizzlyscent
3  
Coffee perfected!
Anyone who knows me knows that I survive on caffeine. Energy drinks, caffeine pills, I'll take anything and everything to keep myself running.

However, my favorite way to get my buzz has always been coffee. From pour overs, to moka pots, from espresso to the "all frills included" milk based drinks, I really can't get enough. And it's not just the taste either. I can't get enough of the smell of coffee.

I find the wafting aroma of a freshly pulled shot equal parts intoxicating and comforting! It takes me back to my childhood where getting coffee was a treat to be savored, and where the scent of freshly brewed coffee was almost always inextricably linked to that of books (but I digress).

It makes sense, then, that I've been on the hunt for a perfume that is able to elicit the emotions I feel when I enjoy a "cup of joe." My craving led me far and wide and I tried many different fragrances from many different brands, but nothing quite scratched that itch. Some were too sweet, some had no coffee to speak of, and some came very close, but just fell just short. Very picky, I know, but I wanted nothing less than the one to rule them all.

And after ages of fruitless searchu, I'd nearly given up on my quest. That is, until I got my nose on the marvel that is Akro's Awake. It is, in my humble opinion, the best coffee fragrance available, bar none. (And quite by chance, it mimics my own daily coffee routine, which I found to be quite a lovely happy accident!)

Awake opens with a blast of thick, deep, rich, dark roasted espresso, with the lightest spritz of lemon adding some lift to the brew! The coffee is photorealistic, smelling exactly like a perfectly timed shot of espresso would. The dark caramelized nature of the beans, the froth of the crema, the sweet bitterness of the drink itself, all come alive! This beautiful aroma persists to the very end of the olfactory journey, and make no mistake, it IS a journey.

A little later, a nice dose of sweetness begins creeping in as the lemon fades. It also starts gaining an earthy character from this phase on, which I will assume is the Vetiver, because I get none of it otherwise. The coffee in this phase most closely resembles a Cafe Cubano (which for those who don't know, is a drink made with stove top espresso sweetened with demerara sugar), and is utterly delicious!

Towards the middle of the wearing, the earlier sweetness is in full swing, taking on a vanillic character as well. Here, the earlier, robust coffee aroma has mellowed losing some of it's intensity, and none of it's character. In fact, in this phase, I find that the nuttier, chocolatier facets of the coffee reveal themselves, with the slightest hint of spice creeping through as the cardamom makes it's entrance. Here, I find it most similar to a cortado (which is a drink with equal parts espresso and steamed milk, and quite a nice mid afternoon drink to have on any given day!)

And as we approach the drydown, the cardamom and coffee have mixed perfectly with the vanillic sweetness, and mellowed into what I find to be closest to a spiced latte. Which in my opinion is one of the best ways to close out the day. It is warm, with the aroma of coffee taking a milky character now, dancing with the sweetness of the cardamom in a lovely waltz, as the curtains drop and the scent fades to black.

Awake is a beautifully cozy fragrance, easy to wear and enjoy, yet lacking none of the nuance that makes coffee and perfumery such an interesting indulgence. It is likeable enough for everyone to pick up and spray, and has enough for the fragrance junkie to keep coming back for more. And it's something that I'm happy to have on my shelf.

Bravo Olivier Cresp. What an absolute masterpiece!
0 Comments
7
Pricing
8
Bottle
7
Sillage
7
Longevity
9
Scent
BamBamNYC

33 Reviews
BamBamNYC
BamBamNYC
2  
Lemony coffee residue
This smells like coffee candy or the dried residue in a coffee cup rather than a freshly brewed cup of coffee, which is impossible to capture in perfumery (at least, if you want longevity). I wear this as a pick-me-up when I feel tired in the morning.

The cardamom reminds me of Turkish coffee. The lemon weirded me out at first (who drinks coffee with lemon?), but after multiple wearings I now appreciate the brightness that’s retained as the coffee note fades away.
0 Comments
7
Pricing
7
Bottle
6
Sillage
7
Longevity
9
Scent
Marizelag4l

4 Reviews
Marizelag4l
Marizelag4l
3  
Coffee Addiction
I got the discovery kit from this house, it came with 6 samples. As it said in the description, six provocative fragrances. Addictions turned into perfume.

Awake represents caffeine (coffee).

The fragrance Awake by Akro is a one-of-a-kind scent that offers a unique olfactory experience that captures the essence of coffee in a concentrated form. This fragrance is a result of blending bitter coffee notes with other aromatic ingredients, resulting in a complex and multifaceted scent. When you first experience the scent of Awake, you'll immediately recognize the potent and heady aroma of coffee. However, upon closer inspection, you'll notice that this fragrance is more complex than a simple coffee scent.

Awake begins with a burst of aroma that reminds you of a cappuccino or a chilled coffee beverage, rather than a freshly brewed cup of coffee. The scent is rounded out with a hint of sweetness, giving it a creamy and smooth quality that is both alluring and comforting. This fragrance is perfect for those who love the invigorating aroma of coffee but want something that is more sophisticated and complex. As you wear the fragrance you'll notice that the coffee notes begin to blend with the other aromatic ingredients, creating a complex and multifaceted scent that develops over time. As the fragrance settles on your skin, the initial bitterness of the coffee notes begins to mellow out, making way for the sweetness to become more pronounced. This sweetness gives the fragrance a warm and comforting quality that is both pleasant and addictive.

Overall, Awake is a journey that begins with the intense energy and wild spirit of coffee and ends with a warm and comforting aroma that lingers on the skin. The fragrance has a moderate longevity of around 5 hours, making it a great option for a daytime scent or a refreshing pick-me-up during the workday. It is perfect for those who want to make a statement without being too overpowering, as the scent is both complex and subtle.
2 Comments
Chlooek

19 Reviews
Chlooek
Chlooek
1  
Less than realistic
I get the coffee note but it's not as realistic as I expected. I hoped it would be like smelling coffee beans straight from the bag but it's more like black coffee with a dominant dose of hazelnut or caramel syrup. In the drydown, it becomes a little more reminiscent of coffee ice cream but still not quite.

There's a muskiness in the base that makes it less of a gourmand to me, maybe that's also what is throwing me off and making it seem less realistic.
0 Comments
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Statements

21 short views on the fragrance
StaciaStacia 2 years ago
10
Scent
Makes my mouth water because it is so realistic. Bitter dark fresh roasted coffee.
0 Comments
ZamedaZameda 2 months ago
On my skin it is more of a dark roast coffee. Nice but not the best coffee scent out there at that price point
0 Comments
OmnipotatoOmnipotato 3 years ago
7
Sillage
8
Longevity
8.5
Scent
Exactly what I want from a coffee fragrance. Gourmand but not too sweet, bitter coffee and smooth cardamom on a dark vetiver base
0 Comments
ItchynoseItchynose 6 years ago
8
Bottle
7
Sillage
7
Longevity
8
Scent
Realistic freshly ground coffee. The lemon and vetiver in the background give it a summery iced coffee vibe. Bittersweet and beautiful.
0 Comments
Topfpflanze3Topfpflanze3 10 months ago
7
Bottle
8
Sillage
8
Longevity
8
Scent
freshly roasted coffee with cardamom clearly in the foreground. Not too sweet, a little tart and therefore on the masculine side. Authentic
0 Comments
BamBamNYCBamBamNYC 2 years ago
8
Bottle
7
Sillage
7
Longevity
9
Scent
Kopiko wrapped in lemon peel
0 Comments
xsuamyxsuamy 2 months ago
Sweet coffee with prominent cardamom, cozy hazelnut macchiato vibe. More brewed coffee with caramel than raw beans. Drydown reveals a creamy
0 Comments
bouffantbouffant 3 months ago
8
Scent
I can't believe how much I like this. Really cardamom forward, realistic coffee scent. Cozy. No lemon for me.
0 Comments
BaobabaBaobaba 4 months ago
7
Sillage
8
Longevity
7.5
Scent
Coffee with musky vanilla syrup. Coolbrew brand hazelnut concentrate with uric tinge. DD chocolate. Memories of hangovers in NOLA.
0 Comments
RagasRagas 7 months ago
I get creamy hazelnut coffee, do not get any lemon. Nice smooth coffee smell but cant think of occasion to wear it.
0 Comments
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