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Icon Absolute Dunhill 2015

7.5 / 10 154 Ratings

A perfume by Dunhill for men, released in 2015. The scent is woody-spicy. It was last marketed by Interparfums.
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Main accords

Woody

Spicy

Oriental

Leathery

Smoky

Fragrance Pyramid

Top Notes

Black pepper

Sicilian bergamot

Heart Notes

Black rose Saffron

Saffron

Egyptian jasmine

Base Notes

Oud

Tuscan leather

Tobacco leaf

Perfumer

Carlos Benaïm

Ratings

Scent

7.5154 Ratings

Longevity

6.9140 Ratings

Sillage

6.7141 Ratings

Bottle

8.5166 Ratings

Value for money

7.981 Ratings

Submitted by OPomone · last update on 12/08/2025.

Source-backed & verified

Smells similar

What the fragrance is similar to

Oud Wood Eau de Parfum

FM 335

Versace pour Homme Oud Noir

Qaa'ed

Carved Oud Extrait de Parfum

Dhanal Oudh Jurrah

Reviews

6 in-depth fragrance descriptions

09/06/2018

8Scent 7Longevity 6Sillage

Darkbeat
386 Reviews

Darkbeat

Helpful Review 5

A western oud very arabesque

I am happy to see that, more and more, western houses dare with fragrances of typical arabesque execution, and in this case, by the way, nothing has gone wrong, but nothing bad.

Icon absolute has a strong output, which can frighten the less experienced with this type of notes. It comes out with a dirty and crude oud, with a very slight citrus and spicy tone, which gives a certain sensation of humidity, like moldy and mossy wood, almost to the limit of rot, I love it, but it is strange and original. Then, that mossy and humid sensation, disappears in seconds, and instead appear floral tones very shy, highlighting the rose and saffron, but nothing exaggerated, mixing with the wood of oud excellently well, recreating a deep, spicy woody fragrance and floral, with nuances tobacco, really pretty, although, this part of the perfume, is the least original, since it looks a lot like other perfumes of oud with roses. The drying I love, is a mixture of oud and leather, with spicy tobacco tones, for which they revolt residual floral nuances, a fragrance of oud-leather semi-sweet and spicy, with a slight, but beautiful, ajazminate floral leave tone.

The performance seems good, but nothing exceptional either, being moderate in both cases, longevity and projection. It has lasted about 6 hours in skin, and it has disappointed me a little.

It is a perfume of cold and temperate climates and nocturnal character. An elegant and masculine scent, perfect for formal events and special occasions that require it, I do not see it for daily use, it would be a waste.

If you are looking for a perfume of oud elegant and beautiful, here you have a highly recommended and with quality, but to be honest, in the Arab perfumery there are perfumes very similar to this and with a much higher performance, and even at a lower cost, Rasasi Dhanal Oudh Ruwah, for example, is very similar, but with extraordinary performance for just over € 20, so each one chooses what suits their wallet and needs, that I, for now, I'm still staying with the Arab perfumery .

Sorry for my bad english.

05/26/2016

7Scent 5Longevity 6Sillage

Leimbacher
2873 Reviews

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Leimbacher

Top Review 20

Icon AbsolOUD

1) Do they have to slap Oud into everything or release an Oud version of every fragrance?
2) Finally, a citrusy-light Oud again!

I find myself wavering between these two positions regarding Icon Absolute, a flanker to perhaps the best men’s release of last year and one of the best Dunhill fragrances of all time. Certainly the best bottle ;)

For a while, Icon Absolute was only available at Harrods in London, but now it’s affordable everywhere in the world. In my opinion, it shouldn’t have been called Icon at all, as the original DNA is only hinted at, if at all. Maybe 10-20% of an Icon, which is extremely little for a flanker, but that doesn’t necessarily have to speak against the fragrance itself.

Icon Absolute is a creamy Oud scent, like many you’ve smelled before. However, it’s one of the lighter, brighter kinds, not a pure evening & dark fragrance, only occasionally musty & actually very well made. If you think of M7, Lui, or Versace’s Oud Noir, or a mix of all, you’re on the right track. It’s frustrating that nowadays every fragrance, even if it has nothing to do with Oud, has to be somehow Oudified. If it can’t be avoided, then in a forced flanker.

IA is an extremely woody perfume, with slightly citrus-spicy notes. Bergamot, Oud & saffron play the leading roles, certainly not winning any innovation awards. Icon, a European office & everyday scent, has been Arabized & simply had a hefty dose of Oud poured over it - well-intentioned, but not much achieved. Still, lighter, more wearable Oud fragrances are always rare & it’s nice that the line is being expanded with Royal Oud or Excellent Man!

Bottle: even more beautiful in gold
Sillage: darker & slightly stronger than the original.
Longevity: 6 hours is low for an Oud-heavy scent.

Conclusion: a nice, darker & yet light Oud interpretation of Icon, which I wouldn’t prefer over the original. Making a massive woody accent isn’t quite enough & Icon will never be a true evening scent, no matter what dark tricks are applied ;)

09/01/2021

9Scent 8Longevity 7Sillage

Carpintero
57 Reviews

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Carpintero

Top Review 37

Please turn around!

With an endless patience, the lady from the navigation system regularly tells me that I have missed the exit - and then follows the polite instruction to please turn around at the next opportunity. However, she has no idea that I might just be avoiding a traffic jam.
In the process, I often pass by places that I would never have seen from the highway: wonderful, idyllic villages, top-notch village pubs with hearty food, and remote lakes inviting for relaxation.

It must have been similar with Dunhill's Icon Absolute.
Because the driver seems to have a clear destination in mind: Oud Wood. This is the direction we are heading, which can be sensed from the very beginning.

After the ignition key (flacon cap) has been turned and the engine started, a massive load of Strong-I-Don't-Know hits the nose first. Terrible! As if one had pressed their mouth and nose tightly against the exhaust just to get the full blast of exhaust fumes. This, however, is only a comparison - IT DOES NOT SMELL LIKE EXHAUST.
But it does smell strong at first. Very strong. Once the first 30 seconds have passed, one begins to sense where it is going: Oud Wood.
The heart note of Oud Wood is the top note of Icon Absolute.
"Follow the road for a long time," says the lady in the navigation system. And I already have Oud Wood in mind as my destination.

But after half an hour on the straight highway towards Oud Wood, the traffic jam warning echoes around me. Oh, I was just enjoying the modern remixes of old 80s music on my Spotify playlist - I really could have done without the traffic jam now. My navigation system says nothing about it.

So I take the exit towards "Forest." While I have been driving for a few minutes on the deserted country road towards the forest, the lady from the navigation system suddenly speaks up again, "Please turn around if possible!" She monotonously repeats this instruction over and over. Until it becomes too silly for me, and I end the navigation.
The road is idyllic, empty, and winding. I roll down the windows because the scent of the leather seats in my new car occasionally gives me a headache. Wonderful country air - no cow or pigsty, but freshly mowed GRASS, alpine HERBS, and the forest far away. I also keep catching whiffs of Oud Wood.

Finally arriving in the forest, I am horrified to find that it has been cleared, and a fallen tree trunk makes it impossible for me to continue on the now single-lane gravel road.
"Please turn around," I curse sarcastically to myself. Thank goodness my girlfriend is not with me. She seems to have conspired with the lady from the navigation system against me. At least, that's what I believe. From time to time, I also accuse her of cereal terror, especially when she tries to replace my beloved white sausage breakfast with healthy bowls. "Think of your cholesterol levels," she almost monotonously chimes every morning from the bathroom.

So I turn around. It smells intense, woody, and beautiful. But Oud Wood was my destination. That's where I wanted to go, right?
So I drive back down the road, get lost in the next roundabout, and suddenly discover a sign: "Oud." I wonder if it leads in the direction of Oud Wood?

I follow the sign. With the windows closed, the intense scent of freshly chopped wood and the leather seats of my new car accompanies me, underscored by a hint of saffron and spices.

Finally, the town sign: OUD.
Yes, and you can smell it too. Intense, very intense.
The wood, leather, and saffron are still perceptible, but Oud now takes center stage. So authentic and captivating. As if I were in a mall in Dubai or Abu Dhabi. You can almost smell the wealth of the village.

"Excuse me, where does one go to Oud Wood?" I ask an elegant gentleman by the roadside.
"Do you not like it in Oud?" he responds to my question.
"Well, yes, but I really need to get to Oud Wood..." I reply with an embarrassed smile.
"Do you have to?" he asks provocatively.
"No, I don't have to," I answer firmly.

It doesn't always have to be the pompous Oud Wood. Sometimes, a down-to-earth Oud is enough - especially when you have the right company with you.

01/31/2016

7.5Scent 7Longevity 6Sillage

DaveGahan101
535 Reviews

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DaveGahan101

Top Review 12

Icon Wood

Well, with an Icon, there’s really nothing great to change or improve. It was and still is one of the best (high-end, price-wise) mainstream fragrances with excellent longevity. All the more was I surprised that there would be an Absolute version, which is now available. Without any special expectations or ideas, I signed up for the sharing and tested the fragrance.
One thing right off the bat, Icon Absolute has nothing in common with its predecessor for me. It is a completely different and independent fragrance (within the Dunhill line). Within the vast and wide fragrance world, it is not so unique, as the first comparison hits you right in the face...Oud Wood...and quite clearly. While Tom Ford's handsome fragrance consists specifically in the top note of delicious and sweet cardamom, here it’s more of a mix of oud, leather, and tobacco...at least that’s my suspicion. I wouldn’t necessarily call it a twin, but it’s closer than Versace's Oud Noir, and a bit further away than FFM 35. It’s certainly well made, smells valuable...but for someone who would love to douse themselves in Oud Wood by the liter, this doesn’t really knock you off your feet.
Moreover, there’s occasionally a musty note that appears, best described as reminiscent of old socks...that’s very unpleasant. In its defense, I must note that this note comes and goes and comes back again.
I often equate Absolute with being intense or longer-lasting...this principle does not apply here, as its endurance has decreased quite a bit compared to its predecessor. For those who detect the musty note, it’s a blessing...for everyone else, more of a curse. I also rate the sillage as a whole notch lower.
All in all, a fragrance that several brands now have in their lineup, it seems to be the curse of Tom Ford fragrances that they are often and willingly copied; I mainly think of Tuscan Leather and Tobacco Vanille. From the perspective of the regular Icon, it’s a moderate disappointment when considering where Dunhill has come from in recent years, a great fragrance. When viewed from the perspective of innovative perfumery art...a lackluster copy combined with a lot of unoriginality.

09/13/2025

9Scent 8Longevity 8Sillage

Custom
31 Reviews

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Custom

4

Square Hammer?

Are you on the square? Are you on the level? Are you ready to swear right here, right now, before the Devil?

(Ghost, Meliora, 2016)

Yes, those who know Ghost know they like to play with fire and intentionally provoke. No, they are not Satanists. They are entertainers.

Just like this fragrance. It fits perfectly with this song.
An entertainer. A very good one.
Okay, it’s not a sledgehammer.
But the song still fits. The polemic. It would like to be harsh, but it is not.
One probably shouldn’t say this, but I don’t know Oud Wood. I’m not interested either. Mainstream perfume for €350? No.
It cost €28 in the souk. Supposedly similar. I don’t know.

I find it quite magnificent. NOT sweet. Always the most important thing.

Very pleasant. Never fresh, but still fresh-spicy. It can’t be evil and doesn’t want to be.

I don’t understand some reviews. What exactly is harsh here? What exactly is Oud here?
Super-fluffy, spicy everyday scent. No harshness, no stable in any form. Very friendly.
A bit of pepper, saffron, flower (rose? Maybe.). Very pleasant and very smooth… very beautifully composed. A bit of spicy wood. Nice. Total mainstream at a very high level. It seems almost oily for a moment, but it’s just a blender effect.
Yes, a bit of tobacco, just a bit of leather. Always very pleasing, never abrasive. Really well composed…
The base is almost too sweet. But still very particularly good.
Okay, not a Square Hammer. That’s more like He Is by Ghost.
Very magnificent, of course underrated and discontinued. As always.
Personally, I find the bottle kitschy and ugly. It is at least extremely heavy, so don’t drop it, or the tiles will break. But who cares? The content is quite magnificent…

Oh. S & M (Metallica reference) is relatively impressive.

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