Opium (1977) (Eau de Toilette) by Yves Saint Laurent

Bottle Design:
Pierre Dinand

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Durchs Bullauge der Zeit betrachtet : ein Hauch florientale Gewürze,dunkle Brokatgewebe - fast zerfallen,aber immer noch erkennbar : Opium. 👁 Anbei ein hilfreicher link um den Opium Dschungel zu lichten. Jäger des verlorenen Duftes: Opium, das Größte. https://share.google/mHOwuqkHEXrHhwPX1 🧜‍♀️ Lieben Dank allen. (by Seejungfrau)

Opium Yves Saint Laurent 1977 Eau de Toilette

Version from 1977

Ranked 335 in Women's Perfume

8.6 / 10 208 Ratings

A popular perfume by Yves Saint Laurent for women, released in 1977. The scent is spicy-oriental. Projection and longevity are above-average. It was last marketed by L'Oréal.
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Main accords

Spicy

Oriental

Resinous

Floral

Woody

Fragrance Pyramid

Top Notes

Clove

Bergamot

Coriander

Laurel

Pepper

Plum

Citrus fruits Jasmine

Jasmine

Mandarin orange

Heart Notes

Carnation

Cinnamon

Orris root

Patchouli

Peach

Sandalwood

Lily of the valley Rose

Rose

Base Notes

Myrrh

Frankincense

Opoponax

Tolu balm

Amber

Benzoin

Cedar

Cistus

Musk

Sandalwood Vanilla

Vanilla

Vetiver

Coconut

Perfumers

Jean-Louis Sieuzac, Jean Amic

Ratings

Scent

8.6208 Ratings

Longevity

8.9181 Ratings

Sillage

8.6178 Ratings

Bottle

7.7171 Ratings

Value for money

7.871 Ratings

Submitted by Sniffer · last update on 01/20/2026.

Source-backed & verified

Variant of the fragrance concentration

This is a variant of the perfume Opium (1977) (Parfum) by Yves Saint Laurent, which differs in concentration.

Smells similar

What the fragrance is similar to

Opium (1977) Parfum

Opium (1977) Eau de Parfum

Opium (2009) Parfum

Opium (2009) Eau de Toilette

Opium Eau d'Été 2002

Roter Mohn

Reviews

23 in-depth fragrance descriptions

05/28/2021

9.5Scent 9Longevity 9Sillage

Rossiniopera
38 Reviews

Rossiniopera

Helpful Review 3

Not only for cooler seasons

There is not much to say about vintage Opium edt, that hasn't already been said. I just want to mention that it wears remarkably well on warm summer days - in small amounts, of course, this is a potent fragrance and you do not want to suffocate yourself or the people around you. But the heat of the sun awakens the floral aspect and allows the carnation to really shine against the spicy background.
A great love, in which I am always comfortable.

02/29/2024

9.5Scent 9Longevity 9Sillage

MrsGuerlain
647 Reviews

MrsGuerlain

5

An everyone’s scent

Opium can be worn by everyone. Not on any occasion or on any day. But it is so complex and so unisex, that I think of it as a modern fragrance to meet the demands of a time when gender is a more fluent and abstract than it was when I grew up. This has it all - in my opinion. Apart from being one of the most delicious mixes of all times it has a warmth and a fullness that makes me shout “bravo!” with enthusiasm and belief.
Beautiful, wonderful and timeless.
233/365

12/28/2012

Krmarich
229 Reviews

Krmarich

4

Legendary...

In 1977 YSL launched Opium. This bottle is the exact same formula as the original with the EDP strength. I was lucky enough to find Legendes de Chine in 2009 after it was discontinued.

I think Opium is the most famous and notorious creations ever to hit the market. It paved the way for the powerhouse and made YSL the mightiest perfume house of all time. There was no in between for Opium. You either loved it or hated it. It was promoted as sexy. I use about 3 drops every year and they fill the room and beyond. Otherwise, just uncapping it is enough.

Looking at the composition, I would say it has over 70 notes. Nothing before or since then can boast that feat. Most of the notes are so well blended that they cannot be defined. Two noses were used. This is so brilliant that it smells differently on everyone-men included. It start off nearly brutal and over the course of the day, becomes soft and cozy like a big down comforter. It takes you everywhere between, on its long journey.

Its spicy, fuity, warming, floral, arousing, creamy, mindboggling, woody and a bit feral. Its never boring or predictable. One can detect lots of jasmine, some lily of the valley amid lot of creamy spice. Its a fantasy made real. Wearing some lets you indulge in that fantasy.

It is a seductress in black fishnets, leather suits, spiked heels, satin gloves, waxy red lipstick and a vieled turban. Is it a man or woman? Does it matter at this point? It can last for days. It developes into something different on day two. Only the brave need apply...

It was produced in small batches with very high pricetags. It was always hard to find since its lauch. This caused perfume counter rushes around the world. That is where it wasnt banned-Asian countries had banned it, fearing addiction. Once you smell it, you never forget it.

It was larger than life for nearly 28 years. Then without warning it was yanked from the market forever. L'Oreal Paris realunched a G rated version that isnt so desired. Now more than ever, vintage bottles go for already astronomical prices on e-bay. I carefully guard my bottle. This is one will go down in history. I am sure within 10 years the originals will go for thousands of dollars.

11/30/2023

8.5Scent 9Longevity 9Sillage

Liviuss
66 Reviews

Liviuss

1

masterpiece

Do you want to have an idea of how trends in the perfumery field have changed? well, compare the original Opium from 1977 with the male counterpart released in 1992 (if I remember correctly) and, between the two, tell me which one seems more feminine to you... the feminine is definitely more masculine than the masculine, yes! absurd huh? true opium is a perfume that today could easily be sold and worn for men, it is dense, resinous and spicy to die for, balsamic but NOT sweet. The resins used, of unquestionable quality, are not the modern chemical ones with a permeating and omnipresent sweetish scent. The scent always remains very warm and enveloping but at the same time very dry and sharp. Beautiful trail and persistence, never cloying, never sweet, but truly narcotic and opulent. It's a resinous spicy woody that's in a league of its own compared to modern filth. The perfume I would like my partner to have.

03/26/2025

10Scent 9Longevity 6Sillage

shengnu
94 Reviews

shengnu

2

the cure for a minimalist scent hangover.

I get a juicy citrus opening with pepperiness. Then a strong, warm drydown of different incenses and resins, myrrh, a fruity note, yes, a distinct rose and cinnamon, warm and inviting. And a final stage of warm, thick, peppery-spicy woods.
Long before the days of Iso E Super- this is an opaque, fusty cloud of spices and woods. The whole thing is a bit sweet, enough to draw you in, but not too sweet at all. What a seductive and enveloping scent.
I don't know how people could have hated this in the 80s. It's probably my favorite Oriental. Richer than Shalimar Eau de Parfum, more wearable than Ambre sultan Eau de Parfum and warmer than № 02 - L'Air du Désert Marocain Eau de Toilette Intense.
It projects an air of decadence and iniquity, and so I think of it as one of the spiritual successors to Habanita (2012) Eau de Parfum and am looking for more great perfumes that fit into this succession.

If, like me, you're tired of clean and minimal scents, come over here and spray on some Opium.

Updated on 04/09/2025

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