Zanzibar by Van Cleef & Arpels
Men 2001
Main accords
Description
Zanzibar by Van Cleef & Arpels is a woody-spicy fragrance for men. Launched in 2001, this composition was created by Jacques Cavallier Belletrud and Alberto Morillas. The top notes unfold with cardamom, citrus, and coriander; the heart reveals ginger, pepper, and cloves; while the base notes settle on vetiver, sandalwood, and ambrette musk.
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The olfactory pyramid
A guide to the opening, heart and lasting trail of the fragrance.
The community speaks
Compare the results and tap an answer to add your vote.
In the collection
Leading answer I want it
860 votes
What do you think?
Leading answer Love it
266 votes
Season
Choose severalLeading answer Spring
202 votes
Time of day
Choose severalLeading answer Day
130 votes
Each question has its own vote count. You can choose several seasons.
Fragrance profile
About Zanzibar
Zanzibar by Van Cleef & Arpels is a woody-spicy fragrance for men. Launched in 2001, this composition was created by Jacques Cavallier Belletrud and Alberto Morillas. The top notes unfold with cardamom, citrus, and coriander; the heart reveals ginger, pepper, and cloves; while the base notes settle on vetiver, sandalwood, and ambrette musk.
Spices Green, herbal and fougère Woods and mosses Musk, amber and animalic
It may remind you of
Ranked by what the community voted.
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How it wears
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Longevity
Leading answer Moderate
109 votes
Sillage
Leading answer Moderate
124 votes
Character
Tied for the lead Leans masculine / Traditionally masculine
38 votes
Value perception
Leading answer Fair price
29 votes
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Community reviews
8 reviews
Share what you noticed: opening, drydown, sillage and the moments when it works for you.
I bought a tester and it caught me off guard: far from the outrageous prices asked on eBay, it smells delicious and has earned compliments. At first it’s fresh and spicy, then it warms up and becomes spiced. A pleasant surprise that doesn’t justify paying a fortune.
I bought a tester and at first I thought it was a cheap cologne, far from the outrageous prices asked on eBay. But it surprised me: people have complimented me both times I’ve worn it. It has a special aura and evolves over time, starting fresh and spicy to finish warm and spiced. It’s been a pleasant surprise, but it’s not worth paying a fortune.
Spectacular and exotic scent. What a pity it’s no longer available.
Zanzibar is fresh and invigorating: citrus at the start, creamy and woody afterwards. It’s an honest and comforting proposal, though a bit light and fleeting for my taste. It’s not worth the exorbitant price online as it smells similar to other fragrances. If you’re looking for longevity and projection, look elsewhere. Ideally, try it before spending.
On a pleasant day I tried Zanzibar, which I bought without knowing much in a large store. Sometimes I pay to see, and this was one of those times. It’s a much sought-after aroma among collectors and users. Although described as woody and spicy, its opening is fresh, citrusy and pristine, like a sweet lime (lime-ginger accord). It then slowly evolves into a dry, transparent amber with vetiver, cardamom and a touch of white sandalwood. It’s clean, minimal, cheerful and confident. Ideal for three seasons, daytime, relaxed settings or the office. It’s safe and shares similarities with Voyage by Hermès or Declaration by Cartier, but stands out for that dry, transparent amber, making it unique. It generates wellbeing through its complex simplicity. Excellent performance with medium-low projection but good bursts of a sweet amber that create an immediate warm aura. At 14 hours it still lingers on the skin. Zanzibar by Van Cleef & Arpels.
With fresh weather, Zanzibar shines on its own. I bought it without knowing anything, just to see, and it was one of those purchases worth it. This classic from V&A is a myth among collectors and users. It’s a spicy woody scent that starts with a pristine citrus opening, like a sweet lime at its peak, a lime-ginger accord that awakens the nose. Then it descends into a dry, transparent amber, with vetiver, cardamom and a hint of white sandalwood. It’s clean, minimal, cheerful and safe, ideal for daytime or the office. It resembles Voyage by Hermès or Declaration by Cartier, but its dry amber makes it unique and honours its name. It generates ethereal wellbeing; its performance is excellent with medium projection, but with magical bursts that create a warm aura. At 14 hours it still lingers on the skin: a well-deserved love for this little-known gem.
I managed to find this miracle gem, 50ml sealed in box and cellophane. Upon opening, the scent sounded familiar; a few minutes later I understood why: Terre d’Hermès and Guerlain Boisé, launched years later, seem like inspired copies of this masterpiece by Cavallier and Morillas. It surely didn’t move much because it was Van Cleef, so it probably cost a euro. Longevity and projection are typical of 15 years ago, ideal if you love spicy and woody notes. The difficult part is finding it.
I managed to find this miracle gem, 50ml sealed in box and cellophane. Within minutes I knew what it smelled like: Terre d’Hermès and Guerlain Boisée, launched years later, seem like copies of this masterpiece by Cavallier and Morillas. It surely didn’t sell much because it was Van Cleef and cost a euro, with longevity fitting its era from 15 years ago. If you’re dying for spicy and woody notes, you’ll love it, but finding it is almost impossible.