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Essence du Sérail 2016

7.2 / 10 32 Ratings
A perfume by slm - sous le manteau for women and men, released in 2016. The scent is floral-spicy. It is still in production.
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Main accords

Floral
Spicy
Fruity
Sweet
Powdery

Fragrance Notes

Ylang-ylangYlang-ylang AmbretteAmbrette HeliotropeHeliotrope Lily of the valleyLily of the valley PlumPlum SandalwoodSandalwood JasmineJasmine

Perfumer

Ratings
Scent
7.232 Ratings
Longevity
7.825 Ratings
Sillage
7.326 Ratings
Bottle
6.328 Ratings
Value for money
7.112 Ratings
Submitted by OPomone · last update on 08/04/2025.
Source-backed & verified

Smells similar

What the fragrance is similar to
Pure Poison by Dior
Pure Poison
Muse by Xerjoff
Muse

Reviews

2 in-depth fragrance descriptions
Scentjunkie

15 Reviews
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Scentjunkie
Scentjunkie
0  
Female Mystical Power
Dark-haired beauty wrapped in a ylang-ylang-heliotrope aura and a little black dress rises with magnetic charisma on a summer night from a mirrored limo. The name means palace, but I don't directly associate it with the Orient.
The scent is not to be overlooked (or over-smelled), and I can understand why some find it aggressive. I would rather call it present; you can't just pass by it. But I find it incredibly fascinating. It doesn’t come with a "bang," but rather subtly, yet intensely.
For me, it's not unisex; I see a woman here, but it could certainly be incredibly charming on a special man.
It's not necessarily heavy; the flowers prevent that. Additionally, it has a bit of a boozy quality, which is why I see it at more upscale festivities. There, one drinks elegant plum schnapps on cedarwood tables. At least at an event where one must make an impression and cannot just have innocent fun. But anyone wearing such a scent lives for exactly that appearance.
0 Comments
Ergoproxy

1130 Reviews
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Ergoproxy
Ergoproxy
Top Review 4  
A Touch of the Far East
The brand slm / sous le manteau draws inspiration for the five fragrances created by Nathalie Feisthauer from a French love elixir of the 19th century. Additionally, one can take a test on the website to see whether they prefer to be the seducer or the seduced in terms of fragrance.
Well, I personally don't think much of such tests, but if it serves as a decision-making aid for someone, then go ahead.

Except for Cuir d'orient, I have tested the fragrances and must admit that I like them all.

Essence du Sérail is classified here as Floral Fruity. Well, that may hold true for the first five minutes, but after that, the fragrance develops more as a Floriental to my nose.

The fragrance opens with a note of orange blossom reminiscent of cologne and something vaguely fruity.

The focal point thereafter is a vanillic floral note. It can be assumed that heliotrope plays a significant role here. Additionally, the fragrance has a medicinal, bitter-powdery, and spicy touch to my nose. I would have guessed saffron here. Furthermore, I find the fragrance pleasantly sultry over long stretches.
This is how I imagine the scent of a flower garden in the afternoon heat of the Far East.
As much as I enjoy this olfactorily, as a travel destination, it would be a bit too warm for me.

The plum mentioned here must have already been processed into compote, giving the whole a nice sweetness. The sandalwood note reminds me quite a bit of Concrete by CdG.

Except for the top note, the fragrance has no further scent progression to my nose. From the heart note onwards, Essence du Sérail remains consistent with its theme and fades out very slowly.

I can't complain about the longevity. The fragrance lasts easily a day on my skin. I would rate the projection as average.

Even though the fragrance is classified as unisex, I do think that a man must have a preference for floral-oriental scents and probably a bit of courage as well.

Finally, a few lines about the bottle.

All bottles are coated with a rubberized finish that somehow feels like skin, thus adding another sensual aspect to the act of applying perfume. I find this very appealing.
19 Comments

Statements

16 short views on the fragrance
15
12
Essentially a well-made floral scent, but unfortunately an unfortunate mix, as Sanifair restrooms in our area smell similar.
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12 Comments
16
9
Muggy flowers with a peculiar medicinal-sweet note, fruit pops up here and there, but it can't be clearly identified as plum.
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9 Comments
4 years ago
9
9
Wood, which I really don't like...synthetic-biting...along with meaty white flowers on fruit compote...not my thing ;-))
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9 Comments
9
4
Heavy floral splendor, sultry in just the right measure, pleasantly sweet, powdery-spicy, a bit medicinal and somehow also oriental. Not simple.
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4 Comments
8
3
A strong white floral statement rests on a synthetic woody-fruity base: It has something, but it's a bit too demanding for me.
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3 Comments
7
6
a beautiful challenge
velvety, sweet, heavy
1 drop of pure sensuality
deep character
wooden spice on an opulent sea of flowers
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6 Comments
6
4
Neroli/Plum Cologne...yes...fabric softener...no Ambrox...plum...leathery nuances...LEATHER!
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4 Comments
5
1
Wow!
Mozart was right! (Abduction from the Seraglio ;)
This is truly the European idea of an Ottoman palace! Amazing!
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1 Comment
3 years ago
4
1
Phew, this one is on the attack! Aggressive flowers clash with rigid, stiff wood. Even my beloved heliotrope bites you in the face!
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1 Comment
3
1
You have to wear it several times to understand it. First uugh, then interesting, then beautiful, and now love. Powdery-floral-spicy!
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1 Comment
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