Labdanum 18
“Labdanum 18 by Le Labo is a Oriental fragrance for women and men”
The Quick Read
Respected, if divisive — a musky, sponsored composition with a amber undertone. Voted best for fall and winter wear — and genuinely unisex.
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Labdanum 18 by Le Labo, launched in 2006 and crafted by Maurice Roucel, is an oriental fragrance that marries the richness of labdanum with warm, powdery notes. The composition opens with a musky, smoky aroma that gradually gives way to a heart of amber and vanilla, creating a deep, enveloping warmth. The base features woody and leather accords, adding a touch of earthy depth and an animalic undertone that keeps the scent intriguingly complex throughout the day.
Composition & Character
Notes Pyramid
How It Wears
Application Tips
Apply Labdanum 18 sparingly — the rich base notes develop slowly on skin. One to two sprays are enough for a full day's wear, allowing the musky warmth to build gradually without overpowering.
Maurice Roucel
Founding perfumer · 73 fragrances · b. 1948 · French
“I compose for the skin, not the blotter. A fragrance only truly exists when it meets warmth.”
Maurice Roucel is a master perfumer at Symrise whose prolific career spans five decades and hundreds of fragrances. Born in Saint-Girons in the French Pyrenees, he is celebrated for his ability to create scents of extraordinary sensuality — compositions that caress the skin and linger in memory. His masterpieces include Guerlain's Insolence, Lancôme's Trésor Midnight, and the landmark 24 Faubourg for Hermès. Roucel works with an almost musical sensibility, building fragrances in waves of tension and release.
Also created
Designer Le Labo
More from Le Labo
Edited by Scentsation Editorial
The story behind the bottle.
The cozy corner of a well-worn library, where aged leather bindings and warm spices blend into an inviting cocoon of comfort.
Fig. 01 — Labdanum 18, Le Labo
Where to buy.
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