GingerOpens with
gunpowderHeart
SeaweedDries down to
Antoine LieThe nose · 74 fragrances · also made Vanille Havane (2020)Portrait →Will you like it? Mark a few fragrances you own or love and we'll tell you.
Zoologist Perfumes · Sold as unisex
Portuguese Man O' War
The briny air at the edge of a cliff, where sea spray mixes with the earthy aroma of coastal vegetation and the distant smell of gunpowder.
Full bottle: Premium tier, typically $100–250. Links open each seller's own page. We may earn a commission; it never changes the order.
Portuguese Man O' WarPremium · $100–250
33%Similar accords, often for lessScandal Pour Homme Le Parfum · Jean Paul GaultierMid-range tier, $40–100 · shares geranium and sandalwood8 matches →How it wears
From community votes · bars are each option's shareComposition & Character
Notes Pyramid
TopOpening
HeartThe Soul
BaseFoundation
Main Accords
When to Wear
Who Wears It
The story behind the bottle.
Launched in 2025 by Zoologist Perfumes, Portuguese Man O' War is an aromatic aquatic fragrance crafted by Antoine Lie. The composition opens with the fresh spiciness of ginger and immortelle, followed by a smoky gunpowder note that introduces an unexpected tension. This contrast is further emphasized by the marine elements of seaweed and jasmine sambac, which blend seamlessly into a warm base of sandalwood and tonka. Portuguese Man O' War captures the essence of its namesake creature — both alluring and dangerous.
This fragrance projects well due to its marine and spiciness notes. Apply lightly — two sprays are enough for a full day's wear. The smoky and warm base notes will continue to develop close to your skin, so layering is not necessary.
Fig. 01 — Portuguese Man O' War, Zoologist Perfumes
Where to buy.
Wear it for a week first
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Antoine Lie
The renegade of niche perfumeryAntoine Lie is a French perfumer born in Strasbourg who studied chemistry before training in Grasse under Jean Carles and completing an apprenticeship with Jean Guichard.
Designer Zoologist Perfumes
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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 originalPortuguese Man O' WarZoologist Perfumes · Premium · $100–250Jean Paul Gaultier · 2022Scandal Pour Homme Le ParfumShares Geranium and Sandalwood$40–100★ 4.41 (4,100)37%Match
Marc Jacobs · 2011Cocktail Splash GingerShares Ginger, Geranium and Sandalwood$40–100★ 3.88 (108)35%Match
Zara · 2018Gardens In The Desert SandShares Geranium and Sandalwoodunder $40★ 3.80 (30)
With Zoologist Perfumes Harvest Mouse
Adds vanilla, amber and balsamic; shares sandalwood.
Suggested from accords and notes · not yet tried by wearers
What people
are saying.
Respected, if divisive: loved by 37%, disliked or hated by 15%.