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7.4 / 10 148 Ratings
A perfume by Parfums de Marly for men, released in 2015. The scent is floral-woody. The longevity is above-average. The production was apparently discontinued.
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Main accords

Floral
Woody
Oriental
Spicy
Resinous

Fragrance Pyramid

Top Notes Top Notes
Pink pepperPink pepper Sicilian lemonSicilian lemon CypressCypress GeraniumGeranium
Heart Notes Heart Notes
Bulgarian roseBulgarian rose Taif roseTaif rose
Base Notes Base Notes
MuskMusk CardamomCardamom Gaiac woodGaiac wood Laotian oudLaotian oud

Perfumer

Ratings
Scent
7.4148 Ratings
Longevity
8.2135 Ratings
Sillage
7.9135 Ratings
Bottle
8.4166 Ratings
Value for money
6.872 Ratings
Submitted by OPomone, last update on 10/07/2025.

Smells similar

What the fragrance is similar to
Oud Satin Mood (Eau de Parfum) by Maison Francis Kurkdjian
Oud Satin Mood Eau de Parfum
Velvet Rose & Oud (Cologne Intense) by Jo Malone
Velvet Rose & Oud Cologne Intense
Ombre Nomade by Louis Vuitton
Ombre Nomade
Santal Royal (Eau de Parfum) by Guerlain
Santal Royal Eau de Parfum
Easy for Ecstasy / Pure by Philly & Phill
Easy for Ecstasy
Black Aoud by Montale
Black Aoud

Reviews

5 in-depth fragrance descriptions
Kurai

388 Reviews
Kurai
Kurai
3  
Somewhat positive
Like a fellow Parfumo wrote earlier: this brand has kind of a "bro line" image. I guess that is due to its huge fanboy base and the numerous reviews on social media that only seem to ventilate a hype rather than giving a nuanced opinion. That also made me reluctant to consider any of their perfumes so far. But their samples kept piling up in my drawer, so today I decided "what the heck, just give them a try".

Since the market is so saturated, it is easy to qualify all rose/oud scents as generic. After all, they are all somewhat alike. This one does not really stand out in any way. Being obnoxiously loud is not a unique selling point either in this genre. But, admittedly, I can see there are some nuances to Akaster, which kept today's tryout interesting the least.

The note breakdown is relatively straightforward. Rose plus oud obviously, with some freshness to begin with and some warm spice and musk to round it off. The opening is not so much a big bang, but a smooth fade in. Slowly the volume increases to 120%. Little to no development after that.

I am no oud specialist in any way, so no comments on the quality or the species. I can only say it is relatively mild compared to some other ouds I have experienced; nothing medicinal or fecal here.

The rose is prominent. Instead of those deep-red, so called 'jammy' roses, this rose is on the dry potpourri side. It does give off a very floral feel to the composition, without going typically feminine.

There is some mustiness to the scent, which may well be from the combination with musks and cardemom. It is strong and a bit dirty in the first half hour and slowly wears off. This mustiness was actually one of the nicer aspects of the scent. It darkened the mood somehow, without getting itself into overly smoky or greasy territories. Interesting.

In conclusion, it is always good to keep an open mind and try something outside of your comfort zone. Akaster did not convince me to try more rose/ouds nor did it excite me to try the rest of the PdM line. But it was also not as bad as anticipated. I expected a generic alpha male mess and I got a somewhat positive feeling out of today's wear instead.
0 Comments
Wolfman68

12 Reviews
Wolfman68
Wolfman68
2  
A PDM SPECIAL EDITION, CARLISLE'S MATE
One of the best rose-oud scents out there. Very complex indeed.
Cool freshness at the beginning, matures into something deeper quickly.
Remains well balanced throughout the longevity of the scent.
Very modern oud, a trend started by Armani Privé Oud Royal.
A new twist on the oud, scent that dates back to the Ancient Egypt.
Exquisite rose scent is used too, PDM used Bulgarian rose and Taif rose.
One very common type, the other not so common. Convenient choice anyhow.
Premium blend of fine choice ingredients, quite worth it's price.
I believe they are discontinuing it, go get yours now ...
0 Comments
Halykfr

10 Reviews
Halykfr
Halykfr
1  
Very straightforward & Linear
While there is a lemon top note to Akaster, it is very subtle and just a hint of citrus to what is otherwise a very woody and rose-laden fragrance. There is a crisp forest element and a bit of spice, just to change things up somewhat.

However, the two main attractions here are the rose and the oud notes.

I’m usually pretty hesitant with rose colognes, because it’s not my favorite note, and it can be absolutely too much. However, I think that Parfums de Marly really did a great job of blending this cologne.

The oud isn’t too powerful and the rose isn’t too overbearing, there is a firm balance between the two, and it makes this fragrance better than it otherwise would’ve been.

Akaster is a very straightforward, linear, cologne. You are going to get a oud base that is flanked by a fresh and crisp array of other tree notes. Other than the oud, I get a good deal of the cypress. Very green.

This is all surrounded by an air of roses growing in a garden and a squeeze of lemon. Simple, but actually quite effective.
0 Comments
Fenice

25 Reviews
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Fenice
Fenice
3  
Not my Cup of Tea
I have tested Akaster multiple times now and have really desperately searched for a justifiable reason why Akaster is so expensive and was once exclusively available at Harrods, but I simply found and still find no reason!

Scent:
The same problem as with Pegasus: It smells floral and spicy and simply does not develop at all on me! I can't smell the lemon, cardamom, guaiac wood, etc. For me, it smells floral (probably the rose(s) and geranium?), and you can just barely detect the pepper, which always made my nose tingle when sniffing, and I thought I would have to sneeze, and this despite the fact that I am healthy! The spiciness I smell could possibly be the oud? I have no idea how oud smells, as I don't really go for unusual scent notes (oud, castoreum, civet, ...). Everything else listed as fragrance notes I cannot smell at any time, and as I said, Akaster does not develop for me in any way; it simply smells consistently floral-spicy from beginning to end.

Whether it is due to my nose or skin or whatever else, I cannot say; I just don't know. I also find it a bit strange, as Herod and Layton unfold and develop wonderfully on me and smell heavenly, but with Pegasus and Akaster, it is exactly the opposite; nothing happens at all.

Longevity is good; unfortunately, I don't know about the sillage. The bottle looks nice like all Marlys (at least I like the bottles).

However, Akaster is suitable for going out or dining out and possibly also for business, as long as one does not overdo it.
0 Comments
RichardHorn

80 Reviews
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RichardHorn
RichardHorn
4  
Multifaceted and Niche!
It's a shame that I don't hear much about this Akaster - because it is still available for purchase (even though it is written here that it has been discontinued; there are surely still remaining stocks)! And in contrast to many other Parfums de Marly, this one leans more towards the niche direction.

For me, Akaster is a floral, woody scent. Yes, even a rose-oud fragrance!

The top note is floral, spicy, fruity; but the fruity aspect dominates. The heart note is characterized by broad, spicy, pleasant, non-pungent, almost juicy roses. In the base, we have the woodiness, especially with the clearly apparent oud. A fragrance with many facets, an exciting perfume; with a complex character.

I think Akaster is more suited for men. However, assigning this Parfum de Marly a suitable place of use is difficult. In any case, I would use it discreetly - then it is even suitable for the office. Is it an oriental scent? It is definitely balsamic and has something exotic about it. When I am energized and want to experience something, meaning I have a certain sense of adventure, then it is a loyal companion, as it conveys security and curiosity! Therefore: Please, more of such de Marlys!
0 Comments

Statements

37 short views on the fragrance
9
Mainly an earthy-woody-spicy rose, masculine and very wearable, with a nice musky oud-geranium background, good longevity and sillage.
0 Comments
2
Nothing like OSM. Rose-oud open (Mana/Ombre Nomade style), rosier at first & more aromatic-woody in the base. Closer to Kilian's rose ouds.
0 Comments
2
An unapologetically masculine rose-oud fragrance. Traditionally middle-eastern. A floral fragrance for alpha males that screams I'M THE BOSS
0 Comments
1
Rose & oud have a great balance in this blend & I like the additional woody note, like cypress. Not very complex, but still fairly enjoyable
0 Comments
10
2
The Lao Oud mixed with rose-Oud, which feels quite animalistic. Not even that bad (...)
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2 Comments
8
1
Very beautiful, feminine oud-rose scent that stands out slightly from the countless other O/R fragrances with a hint of smoke - price is unreasonable.
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1 Comment
8
1
And another rose-oud scent. While the fragrance isn't bad, I think this theme needs a bit of a break for me.
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1 Comment
7
7
One of many Rose - Oud scents,
but this one is something special, intangible
and truly unique.
Definitely worth trying ;)
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7 Comments
7
For me, it's the little brother of Rojas UAE, without the gasoline note and with a toned-down rose. A well-made alternative and very mature for a PdM.
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0 Comments
7
For those who don't like wearing a heavy jacket, Akaster is a real alternative. Very masculine and perfect for winter.
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