YSL Opium Pour Homme EDT

One of the first colognes that I ever bought for myself was Opium Pour Homme eau de toilette by Yves Saint Laurent. I remember that I had read positive reviews on the fragrance, but I think what swung me to buying it, was the name. Yes, as stupid as that sounds I simply liked the name, Opium.

It made the cologne sound exotic and addictive to me, which were two qualities that I thought would work well in a fragrance. Opium was introduced by YSL in 1995. In this post, I want to cover how it smells, what the notes are, how long it lasts, and whether or not it is worth a try.

What does Opium Pour Homme Smell Like?

Notes in Opium Pour Homme: Vanilla, ginger, pepper, cedar, black currant, star anise, and balsam

Click here to try: Opium for Men Eau De Toilette by Yves Saint Laurent 3.4 oz

Full Review of Opium EDT

Note: I am reviewing a bottle that I bought in the mid-2000s, on this page. I did recently purchase one of the last batches that was produced. I don’t recommend getting one of these newer bottles, as it just feels weak and watered down. Unfortunately, it is absolutely gutted in comparison to its vintage formula and not very good.

Opium Pour Homme EDT opens up with a blast of warm spice and a sharp but mellowed black currant. The black currant note is fruity and juicy but is really only noticeable at the top, quickly fading into the background.

Immediately, one is going to notice the presence of balsam, and how its thick warmth envelops the entire composition of Opium. To me, that’s what gives this cologne its whole, ethereal and exotic feel.

It can sometimes seem too concentrated when fresh out of the bottle but it quickly settles and exposes the underlying notes which give it its intoxicating power. This happens when the black currant fades and the spices take hold over more of the scent.

Star anise, pepper, and I also believe that ginger is in the mix as well; this trio provides an Oriental spice and freshness to what otherwise could become a warm almost medicinal mess.

As it dries down further, Opium takes on a sweeter aroma, thanks to the classic vanilla. Vanilla wrapped in that same balsamic note and sitting on top of a cedar base.

It feels somewhat woody, but it is mostly all about that vanilla/balsam combo and the spice (mostly anise, at this point). The cedar does provide more substance here and allows the other notes to do their thing.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise, the sillage of the mid-2000s bottle that I have, was really quite heavy at first before settling down to a more moderate wear. Upon first applying it is going to be pretty loud and somewhat harsh, with a rather large radius off fragrance surrounding you.

The longevity was always really good too. I’m not sure if the newer bottles have been reformulated (it might even be discontinued?), but I could get 10+ hours of wear out of the EDT, without any problem. Beast.

I like to wear Opium mostly in the daytime as I feel it is a perfect complement to casual environments. It is still a captivating fragrance however and routinely draws complements from others including perfect strangers.

Yes, it is bold enough to go into the nightlife, also. Seasonally, it is a cold weather cologne, all the way. Don’t bother wearing this in the heat, as it can get messy. However, in the cold, it is utterly great.

There are certain fragrances on the market that cater to the sensibilities of the younger man, though, I don’t believe this is one of them. That’s not to say it is an old man’s fragrance, it just has a certain sophistication that many of the more fruity based colognes lack.

This cologne has an elegant spice to it, that almost demands it be worn by a man with a certain gravitas. Opium is seductive and always has worked well around women in my experience.

Overall Impressions of Opium Pour Homme

Opium Pour Homme is a fantastic fragrance for those who have the right style and sensibility. I don’t think it will mesh well with the stylistic presentation of some guys but I do know that it is a damn good smelling cologne.

I don’t have much left of my more vintage bottle and I’m pretty sure it got degraded from heat exposure, but I really do love this scent. Definitely more niche than many other colognes, but Opium EDT, just has a charm and essence that you don’t find too often.

The vanilla, the spices, and the resinous quality are all great to experience. There aren’t too many mainstream designer releases that smell quite like Opium. The ginger and the star anise help to bring it all together for me.

Performance is good, not amazing, but I always felt as though I had gotten my money’s worth. It’s a cologne that seems to come and go from YSL’s collection, but for sure worth a try for those who want something different.

Best Men's Colognes

Best Men’s Colognes started back in 2013, as a way to share my learning experiences with different fragrances, as I dove head first into the hobby. Since then, I have written hundreds of reviews and other pages about perfumes and colognes.