Opium Yves Saint Laurent 1977 Eau de Toilette

Version from 1977

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

Bottle Design:
Pierre Dinand

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8.6 / 10 198 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.
Pronunciation

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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

Opoponax

Frankincense

Tolu balm

Amber

Benzoin

Cedar

Cistus

Musk

Sandalwood Vanilla

Vanilla

Vetiver

Coconut

Perfumers

Jean-Louis Sieuzac, Jean Amic

Ratings

Scent

8.6198 Ratings

Longevity

8.9172 Ratings

Sillage

8.6168 Ratings

Bottle

7.7163 Ratings

Value for money

7.763 Ratings

Submitted by Sniffer, last update on 08/10/2025.

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

13 in-depth fragrance descriptions

05/28/2021

9
Bottle 9
Sillage 9
Longevity 9.5
Scent

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
Pricing 6
Bottle 9
Sillage 9
Longevity 9.5
Scent

MrsGuerlain
463 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

11/30/2023

9
Pricing 9
Bottle 9
Sillage 9
Longevity 8.5
Scent

Liviuss
50 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

6
Pricing 8
Bottle 6
Sillage 9
Longevity 10
Scent

Noturfave
91 Reviews

Noturfave

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.

12/07/2024

9
Pricing 8
Bottle 9
Sillage 9
Longevity 10
Scent

Elijahrb67
110 Reviews

Elijahrb67

1

Opium, the greatest

Yves Saint Laurent himself once stated that Opium was to be his greatest creation, his magnum opus. I could not agree with this statement more, as Opium in it's original state is likely one of the greatest fragrances ever produced. It's popularity upon release is proof enough of this, but it's enduring legacy and cult following has cemented this opinion into fact. Opium opens with a gorgeous blend up deep fruity notes interlaced with some light incense-smoke. There is a heaping handful of spice thrown into the opening that carries throughout the fragrance that gives this scent it's well known warmth. The dry down is where the magic really happens though, as the most intense notes come into play the longer Opium is worn. The dry down revolves around the resin notes, mostly myrrh and opoponax, with intense incense smokage and a bit of leathery animalic notes thrown in for good measure. The result is one of the most intense and dramatic, yet masterfully perfumed and profoundly sensual spicy oriental fragrances ever produced.

My praises for Opium are many, and despite the fact that it is no longer readily available in it's original form, it's legacy will endure so long as we are able to savor our vintage bottles. I will always love and adore Opium, and it will remain a top 5 fragrance for me as long as I live. I highly, highly recommend that everyone smell the original (not the current) Opium if ever possible. It's lifechanging.

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