Best Drakkar Intense by Guy Laroche Alternatives & Similar Perfumes

“In rifleing the closet of the ladie, they found a pipe of oyntement, wherewith she greased a staffe, upon which she ambled and galloped through thick and thin, when and in what manner she listed”
– Proceedings Against Dame Alice Kyteler, Prosecuted for Sorcery, 1324

Hexensalbe, also known as witches’ flying ointment, was a hallucinogenic salve used in witchcraft in the middle ages. It was a mixture of extremely poisonous ingredients that produced an ecstatic trance with powerful sensations of flying, images of otherworldly creatures and a primal sexual hunger. 

But where did the witches’ broomstick come in? The ointment was too poisonous to eat, so instead it was applied to other soft membranes, commonly the genitals. Because of the erotic effects of the high, the salve would often be rubbed directly onto a phallic object like the end of a staff or a broomstick. (Now that’s what we call “riding a broomstick”!)

Given which aspects of the history of hexensalbe have been suppressed, it would seem that the one thing more terrifying than witches is female sexuality. This fragrance celebrates the forbidden rituals of personal power, summoning the ancient ways with dark aromatics: wormwood, liquorice, belladonna and black hemlock. Voluptuous tuberose and vibrant patchouli ensure a long and blissful trip.

A timeless, traditional cologne: fresh, versatile and eternally elegant like all true classics. The fragrance expresses all its radiant freshness with the most intoxicating citrus aromas: Bergamot, Lemon and Orange are a perfect contrast to the Lavender and invigorating Mediterranean herbs.

Aragon is an olfactory tribute to the Aragon region of Spain, the birthplace of Mallo. A unique aromatic fougere, the scent showcases local aromatic plant extracts from cypress, basil, thyme, rosemary and artemisia. Added to this busy mix is the pipirigallo flower, exclusive to the region. The scent is rounded off by mossy, resinous elements for a warm, enveloping feel.

The green, relaxing scents of the Tuscan countryside blend with the liveliness of exotic spices. Cypress and Cinnamon, Bay and Pepper, Tomato and Cardamom leaves all dance together to create a rich, fresh, unique fragrance.

Moonlight on wet cobblestones. A bottle of white wine in the pocket of a suede coat. White flowers and kissed skin. Cherries and cigarette smoke linger on warm hair. The punks are in charge.

An enigmatic being, seen by locals in the late 1990s wandering the Swiss woodlands of Maules, dressed in a camouflage cape and a vintage gas mask. No one knew if they were woman or man, or even human, but this 6’3” creature was always observed picking and smelling flowers. When the cryptid disappeared forever after ten years of sightings, Le Matin reported that the mask and the cape were found in the forest, along with a note signed “Fantôme de Maules”. 

This olfactory tribute summons the forest that was the stranger’s haven: green leaves, galbanum, lavender, oakmoss and vetiver. A scent that’s part barbershop, part woodland escape. Who was this “ghost”, anyway? We will never know, because they don’t want us to. The modern world is alight with information and the shadows are shrinking. So here’s one for perfume lovers who don’t feel it necessary to explain themselves.

Perfume: Sidonie Lancesseur

A body mist with refreshing essential oils of mandarin, rosemary and petitgrain. Marie Jeanne created a fairly novel format of a very gentle, pleasant mist which lends a boost of citrus freshness to sooth and delight the senses and mind.

One has a sophisticated charm, confidence and sports impeccable tailoring, need we say more? Debonaire is your go to Plowden & Fallow fragrance for everyday wear be that wondering the streets of Chelsea, attending a mid-summer garden party, or those days spent in the office followed by a post work drink.

For here we have an example of aromatic tailoring of the finest order; a fragrant citrus head has been carefully woven into a delightfully musky floral base from which gentle woody notes ascend forth.

Symbolically, three is a powerful number which represents the wholeness of a completed cycle — the past, the present, the future. We are not defined by our hardships, but by how we confront them: the discipline of optimism, the courage of resolve. Kajal III, with its burst of ginger and citrus anchored by cleansing lavender and enfolding amber, has been created to honor all forms of determination and fortitude.

Perfumer: Kevin Mathis

This fragrance captures the essence of a Chinese summer — the tingling mint and cool eucalyptus of dusky mountain air, the aromatics of shiso, lavender and chamomile as the darkness deepens, the grounding woods and greens of cypress, vetiver and galbanum. A dream of summer rewritten — nostalgic and gently magical.

Perfumer: Jin Yongshan