Basic Instinct by Van Gils
Men 2002
Main accords
Description
Basic Instinct by Van Gils is an oriental fragrance for men. Launched in 2002, the nose behind this creation is Pierre Bourdon. The top notes are cucumber, melon, mandarin, lavender, bergamot, pineapple and nutmeg; the heart notes include orange blossom, rose, violet and jasmine; while the base notes consist of musk, rum, woody notes, oakmoss, patchouli, amber and vetiver.
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When to wear it (votes)
Key notes
-
Top
Cucumber
-
Heart
orange blossom
- Base musk
Community
156 votes
- Positive 81%
- Negative 9.0%
- Neutral 10%
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 own it
393 votes
What do you think?
Leading answer Like it
156 votes
Season
Choose severalLeading answer Summer
176 votes
Time of day
Choose severalLeading answer Day
94 votes
Each question has its own vote count. You can choose several seasons.
Fragrance profile
About Basic Instinct
Basic Instinct by Van Gils is an oriental fragrance for men. Launched in 2002, the nose behind this creation is Pierre Bourdon. The top notes are cucumber, melon, mandarin, lavender, bergamot, pineapple and nutmeg; the heart notes include orange blossom, rose, violet and jasmine; while the base notes consist of musk, rum, woody notes, oakmoss, patchouli, amber and vetiver.
Fruits, vegetables and nuts Flowers Spices White flowers Woods and mosses Musk, amber and animalic
It may remind you of
Ranked by what the community voted.
More from Van Gils
More from Pierre Bourdon
How it wears
Compare the results and tap an answer to add your vote.
Longevity
Leading answer Moderate
100 votes
Sillage
Leading answer Moderate
109 votes
Character
Leading answer Traditionally masculine
79 votes
Value perception
Leading answer Excellent value
72 votes
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Community reviews
1 review
Share what you noticed: opening, drydown, sillage and the moments when it works for you.
The opening is super fruity and light, but it fades in a heartbeat. Then comes a strange phase with lots of cucumber and nutmeg that, in my opinion, takes the edge off. After fifteen minutes, the flowers emerge, very subtle, and the rum-infused amber begins to show. Finally, there are sweet wood and Alicante notes, but they cling so close to the skin that you have to lean in to catch them. It lasts about four and a half hours, with a soft trail that’s more noticeable at first before settling on the skin. It smells good, apart from that brief cucumber and nutmeg moment which I find slightly off-putting. Ideal for anyone looking for something fresh and discreet for daytime wear, spring, summer, or working out.