Green NotesOpens with
Pine TreeHeart
OakmossDries down to
Philippe BoussetonThe nose · 7 fragrances · also made Cool Water Exotic Summer (2016)Portrait →Will you like it? Mark a few fragrances you own or love and we'll tell you.
Van Cleef & Arpels · Sold as masculine
Tsar
The quiet intensity of an early morning hike through a forest, where crisp greenery and warm earth meet in a harmonious blend.
Smells likea pine forest
Full bottle: Premium tier, typically $100–250. Links open each seller's own page. We may earn a commission; it never changes the order.
TsarPremium · $100–250
62%Similar accords, often for lessSafari for Men · Ralph LaurenMid-range tier, $40–100 · shares 6 of its 21 notes8 matches →How it wears
From community votes · bars are each option's shareComposition & Character
Main Accords
When to Wear
Who Wears It
The story behind the bottle.
Launched in 1989 by Van Cleef & Arpels and crafted by Philippe Bousseton, Tsar is a Woody Aromatic fragrance that blends the freshness of green notes with earthy, mossy undertones. The composition opens with a burst of lavender, artemisia, and rosemary, creating an aromatic and herbaceous top layer. As it evolves, warm spices like cinnamon and coriander mingle with floral accents such as jasmine and rose, adding depth and complexity. The base notes of leather, cedar, patchouli, and sandalwood anchor the fragrance, grounding it in a rich, woody warmth that lingers throughout the day.
One to two sprays are sufficient — the aromatic top notes fade within an hour but the woody base sustains for hours. Best applied close to skin for a more intimate experience rather than projecting across a room.
Fig. 01 — Tsar, Van Cleef & Arpels
Where to buy.
Wear it for a week first
A decant costs a fraction of a bottle and tells you how it lasts on your skin.
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Not sure it's you?
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Philippe Bousseton
Philippe Bousseton, from a family of perfumers, knew at age five that he wanted to become a perfumer; his first creation was Tsar by Van Cleef & Arpels.
The Tsar line
2 fragrances, compared side by side
Designer Van Cleef & Arpels
More from the house · France
You Might Also Like
Chosen from what wearers say it smells like, what its fans also love, and its notes
Love it, not the $100–250 price?
Matched by accords and notes. Sample first, then decide.
The originalTsarVan Cleef & Arpels · Premium · $100–250Ralph Lauren · 1992Safari for MenShares 6 of its 21 notes$40–100★ 4.27 (2,155)60%Match
Ralph Lauren · 1978PoloShares 6 of its 21 notes$40–100★ 3.80 (7,223)60%Match
Aramis · 1988New West for HimShares 6 of its 21 notes$40–100★ 4.19 (599)62%Match
Shiseido · 1993BasalaShares 6 of its 23 notes$40–100★ 4.39 (395)
With Van Cleef & Arpels Santal Blanc Le Parfum
Adds powdery, amber and milky; shares sandalwood and tonka bean and 2 more notes.
Suggested from accords and notes · not yet tried by wearers
What people
are saying.
Well loved by wearers: loved by 46%, disliked or hated by 11%.