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The Monarch The Dua Brand 2018

8.3 / 10 119 Ratings

A popular perfume by The Dua Brand for men, released in 2018. The scent is fresh-citrusy. The longevity is above-average. It is still in production. The perfume is vegan according to the manufacturer.
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Main accords

Fresh

Citrus

Green

Spicy

Fruity

Fragrance Notes

Lime

Grass

Musk

Apple

Champaca

Coconut

Juniper

Lemon

Orange blossom

Tonka bean

Blackcurrant Cedar

Cedar

Galbanum

Lavender

Lily

Maté

Oakmoss

Patchouli

Pink pepper Amber

Amber

Ambergris

Aniseed

Bergamot

Birch tar

Grasse jasmine Leather

Leather

Orris butter Thyme

Thyme

Vanilla

Ratings

Scent

8.3119 Ratings

Longevity

8.1117 Ratings

Sillage

7.7117 Ratings

Bottle

5.7114 Ratings

Value for money

7.775 Ratings

Submitted by EvilCat · last update on 12/13/2025.

Source-backed & verified

Interesting Facts

The fragrance is part of the Inspired Expression collection.

Smells similar

What the fragrance is similar to

Oligarch Eau de Parfum

Isola Blu Parfum

Nobility

Basso

Terre d'Hermès Parfum

Terre d'Hermès Eau de Toilette

Reviews

3 in-depth fragrance descriptions

04/30/2024

9Scent 8Longevity 9Sillage

MJMF90
8 Reviews

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MJMF90

The King's New (Imitation) Clothes

As I already described in my review of "Isola Blu (Parfum) / Oligarch (Parfum) | Roja Parfums," I purchased the Dua at the beginning of my journey into the world of niche fragrances instead of the original. Besides the opportunity to get a very similar scent for a bit less money, I was also fascinated by the variety of the Dua offerings.

I understand, of course, that part of the concept at Dua is to spend as little as possible on packaging. However, in direct comparison to other designers or "dupe" brands, the look and feel are still not particularly impressive.

In itself, the Monarch is very similar to the original (citrusy, hairspray (personal association), slightly green, ambered base). However, when you spray the perfume fresh after purchase, it is intense but also noticeably unbalanced. One should dose the scent more cautiously than the Isola Blu, as the sillage was very strong from the start. In contrast, the longevity was good, but expectations were higher. On the other hand, the scent seems to mature significantly, as many Duas do.

In conclusion, the Dua reflects for me the problem of dupe brands: You get a scent that, in the case of Dua, comes very close to the original. However, it takes more than just combining the fragrance notes listed in the fragrance pyramid to create an extraordinary perfume. Due to the cheaply made bottle and the not-so-harmonious composition, the Dua cannot evoke the same feeling when worn as the Isola Blu.

02/09/2023

9.5Scent 10Longevity 9Sillage

Chuchumen
11 Reviews

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Chuchumen

Expressive with Special Refinement

I am thrilled with the perfume. It is a fresh scent that has an incredible projection. The sillage is excellent and the fragrance lasts a long time on me, whether on the skin, in the hair, or on clothing.

I have already received many compliments for this scent and I find it absolutely brilliant. The outstanding longevity is particularly noteworthy, which is rare for a fresh fragrance. For anyone looking for a fresh yet expressive scent, I can highly recommend "The Monarch."

10/09/2018

8.5Scent 7Longevity 7Sillage

Maggy4u
369 Reviews

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Maggy4u

Top Review 27

Viceroy

Dua I have only observed so far. With a certain fascination. Especially when it comes to discontinued or highly limited fragrances, there is a chance to experience and get to know the scent in a similar way again. The pricing is also very fair. For just over €50 for 30ml, I get a whole bottle here, for which I would receive about 10ml as a decant from Roja. The bottles are not overly chic, there is no packaging. But that didn't really bother me. Especially since the black-silver label (on The Monarch) does come across as somewhat elegant. I also find it practical that the bottles are quite robust and with 30ml are essentially a travel size. :)

Now to the scent itself.

The Monarch unabashedly claims to be "inspired by" Roja's Oligarch. So it is a dupe. Period.
If you read Roja's own description of his fragrance, he sees it as the "Essence of Success," an unmistakable, unmissable sign of success that is meant to embody the ethos of the Russian man.

Exactly these lines have so far prevented me from even considering Oligarch for purchase. It simply sounded too much like a mix of snob and proletarian. Loud, intrusive, uncouth. I like edges, but somehow more in and around gentlemanly scents.

Thanks to Dua, the experienced scent impression has now, if you will, rehabilitated Oligarch for me. It is a very successful chypre with a rather enduring citrus start (about 1 hour), which soon becomes structured by a light woodiness and naturally also brings the musky aspects (not just in the dry-down) to round it off. Especially around (and after) the second hour, I liked the green aspects that find their place more and more. Oakmoss, green apple, and mate are given a bitter spritziness by the juniper that plays together very successfully. Cedar and amber also radiate more strongly from the third hour onward and create a warm, almost balsamic base with the iris that provides a perfect stage.

Both The Monarch and Oligarch are poorly chosen and perhaps clumsy names. They do not play with an image, but only with prejudices. They may serve marketing, but hardly create identification with their names. However, The Monarch and Oligarch fit well into the lineup of modern metropolitan fragrances, like Goodman’s, which CubaMike aptly described as "Chypre - New York Style." Keyword: modern man in the urban jungle.

The Monarch is for me the vice-king. Because Oligarch is the role model (or has been).

I can warmly recommend the scent to any fan of modern, fresh, contemporary chypres with well-measured sillage and a longevity of about 7 hours. It goes well with polo and jeans, as well as with a suit. It has an edge without being annoying. It is fresh and wearable all year round. Especially now in autumn, when darker, warmer scents are around us again, it sets a certain marker and contrast.