London for Men Burberry 2006 Eau de Toilette

Despite I highly respect their fashion side, I’ve never really been a fan of Burberry fragrances. London and Touch are basically the only ones I consider worth trying and/or having, and especially London. I am much of a fan of Antoine Maisondieu, and if you like him too, London is surely one not to miss. The notes may seem “conventional”, but the result is well distinctive and peculiar. It opens with a really nice and sophisticated sort of crisp, greenish, herbal tobacco accord rounded by a fantastic and really recognizable note of mimosa (that sort of warm “pollen” feel), and an equally unusual frame of notes ranging from slightly honeyed-fruity, to ambery (“ambroxan-ish”, actually), resinous-sweet and slightly floral, all topped with a sprinkle of spices; quite complex if you ask me, but it works just perfectly. Leather is listed, but you’ll have to dig for it, and it’s the usual sort of contemporary leather – subtle, clean, “polished” leather. Shortly it’s a sort of thin, quite discreet and really clean “contemporary herbal-Oriental” scent revolving around tobacco with a sprinkle of color around it - from greenish, to spicy, to that fruiy-resinous-floral stuff. It has a sort of “niche” vibe, it smells creative and quite different from the usual mainstream paths, and the quality seems really good to my nose. The evolution is funny; the opening is quite bold and intriguing, then it looks like disappearing from your skin for a while, then it “arises” back again with a persistent and cozy drydown mostly comprising tobacco, leather and dusty-incense amber, still with a “manly” floral-honeyed nuance. Worth having for me; it isn’t a masterpiece but it smells good, classy, distinctive, rather “young” (in a positive meaning), much discreet but with a solid sillage, “contemporary” and with that sort of transparent, crisp cleanness that characterizes Maisondieu’s style. Well worth the cheap price.

7,5/10

There are parks near where I live. Every now and then I go there for running or jogging. If it has rained recently, the smells of drizzle, grass, wet earth, leaves, resin, wood and pine needles mix in my nostrils, and what comes out is like this scent. It tastes like wet woods and spices. Well, I don't find it particularly spicy, not like an Indian dish; it focuses on moderately sweet but not cloying raw tobacco. The mimosa note feels good and looks great, especially in the opening, and is entirely faithful, as it is synthetic. Mimosa is one of those hints that are difficult to recognize for those who have never heard it just picked or in the next two hours. I love mimosa, and I like to put my nose in a fresh and fragrant bouquet.

Almost immediately after application, the misty mimosa rises above me. It is the first note to break through and leaves an aggressive impression. There's a hint of subdued lavender and bergamot, quickly set aside by hot cinnamon, hot pepper, and sweet orange. London knows how to add spice to woody and floral scents to help create a different take on the spices. The initial blend, on my nose, blends perfectly and soon turns into something that reveals evergreens and leather. I must say that this unknown perfume took me entirely by surprise. It reminds me of the smell of some studies full of books, the scent in the waiting room when I went to the family doctor as a child, and we had to wait our turn.

Then comes the leather, a tarred birch, I guess, along with the fortified wine. The roaster claims to be port wine, an aromatic liqueur from Portugal, which shares some similarities with Italian Marsala. They are both red wines infused with aromatic herbs. I don't find it dark but pungent. Tobacco, mixed with cinnamon leaves, also reveals its more acrid and less woody nature. The Burberry London aroma improves over time, and this is where it shines. Tobacco is a major player here. It's a pretty sweet tobacco note, an excellent match of leather and cinnamon to give it something unique. Something a little smoky and aged just right, like a whiskey barrel, with port instead of whiskey. As the middle notes develop, the leather continues to hold its own, and a sweet and ever so soft aroma takes over. That beautiful leather accord marks the beginning of the transition to the dry down.

The port-wine present in the heart has almost disappeared, and woody notes emerge from the base. The last phase includes opoponax and honey-like tobacco. This aroma is sweet and narcotic, a cherry and vanilla pipe tobacco. I don't know why the Burberry colony takes this route on me, but it is undoubtedly a pleasant journey into foggy, humid and decadent London. The dark notes, composed of smoked guaiac wood and oak bark, show a dominant presence throughout the fragrance's life and give it a dark, sweet and vigorous depth. The dry, woody and amber accord with a bit of bitterness remains exquisitely on the skin.

A few hours after spraying it, there is only a very close smell to the skin, which no one feels. I hope it marries your skin better because it's worth it. Like other Burberry perfumes, this one is moderate in the way it projects and moderates its longevity. I love it when the masculine fragrance successfully balances warmth, masculinity and sweetness, and Burberry London does. It is one of my favourite scents on the scarf and sweaters, as it seems to bloom under the wool lining as my body heat amplifies it. If you are looking for a great perfume that ripens in the crisp autumn air, Burberry London should be on your list. I've always liked wearing it in the evening, but it's also good during the day. It is an opulent and magnetic perfume that evokes autumn in all its splendour. Just wait for the temperature to drop enough to call for a thick jacket or sweater. I would recommend this product to anyone who loves the outdoors or loves to smell like the outdoors. Ultimately, in the same baseball field as Bogart, but not quite similar apart from the opening. Bogart becomes powdery vanilla, where London remains piney resinous.

And you, did you already know this fragrance? What do you think?

I base the review on a 100ml bottle I have owned since February 2016.

-Elysium

Burberry London unfolds like a seafarer's story: a bold opening of tobacco leaves steeped in rum and molasses, cut with black pepper and cinnamon. The scent evokes the intimacy of a well-aged navy cut tobacco, dry yet intoxicating, drawing you into its spicy warmth and port wine undertones.

Then, like waves calming after a storm, it transitions—soft mimosa glows beneath supple leather, reminiscent of old taverns and worn jackets. Resinous opoponax and guaiac wood add depth, mellowing the spice into whispers. Finally, it lingers with an ambered glow, not shouting but quietly enveloping, like fading sunlight over the ocean.

Elegantly composed yet accessibly priced, this fragrance offers a timeless dance of sweetness, spice, and nostalgia—a modern ode to age-old adventures.

9/10

I was eager to test Burberry London for Men as a potential purchase for my then-boyfriend, who was a rather heavy smoker. Unfortunately this fragrance didn't suit him, however I am quite captivated by the scent.

Burberry London smells like the ideal man to me. Masculine, strong, fierce and sophisticated.

This fragrance is certainly spicy, but not in a nose-burning, Indian cuisine type sense. It's more peppery and herbaceous.

In the opening, the violet leaf, lavendar and bergamot create a somewhat soothing and aromatic quality, however the pepper note insists on making this fragrance masculine and strong.

The introduction of mimose in the heart is actually really unique in the way that it adds a little sweetness along with the smooth yet sexual scent of leather. Despite the sweetness, Burberry London has rugged appeal.

Although I am not a smoker myself, the scent of tobacco puts me at ease. I love the way my ex-boyfriend smelt; like smokey tobacco, mint-flavoured chewing gum, musty clothes and fruit-scented hair gel. The drydown in a way reminds me of him. It has a very smokey, musty and woodsy quality that I wouldn't mind wearing myself.

With that being said, although Burberry London is essentially a very masculine fragrance, a woman could perhaps succeed in wearing it. It would take the right kind of woman however.

Let me start with saying that this is an excellent autumn/winter fragrance.
It has a very masculine and sophisticated scent.
It opens fresh, spicy with notes of lavender, pine and a strong cinnamon presence.
As it dries down, it transforms into a sweet, tobacco-like scent with a subtle leathery touch and a hint of smokiness.
Many people describe it as "Christmas in a bottle," and I would agree.
Longevity is average, around 4 hours, but those 4 hours are absolutely wonderful.
I wouldn't recommend over-spraying it; instead, reapply it to avoid overwhelming others.
It is inoffensive and doesn't have a big scent cloud so this makes it a safe office scent.
I got a 100ml bottle for under 30€, which is a great deal.
I blind bought London for Men Eau de Toilette , and it’s definitely one of my best blind buys.
I highly recommend it—it's a fantastic choice for cold days, especially for the chilly December holidays.