Icon by Alfred Dunhill

Unique, vibrant and mature. It hit me right from the start with its originality and vitality; it filled me with joy and I didn’t hesitate to buy it. Although I gifted it and it wasn’t to their taste (which I’m grateful for), it is now my favourite to smell in the bottle, almost addictive. At first, it smelled like grape soda and something juicy, herbal and citrusy, like the lemon verbena from my neighbourhood used for infusions. Over time, ageing changed everything: now I strongly detect pepper, vetiver, lavender and that herb mixed with something like a Vitamin C tablet. It lasts well on skin and clothes, but it’s intimate, not projecting much. I never wear it to work or study because it feels like ‘old man’ to me, and sometimes my girlfriend says it smells good and other times it smells old. That’s why I only wear it at home to relax after a bath. It’s a great perfume I enjoyed, but I doubt I’ll buy it again as I don’t feel comfortable wearing it out, though I do recommend it.

Smells like cheap but clean soap. Lavander dominates and the rest of the notes are very subtle.

Fresh… and warm at the same time. Yes, it conveys both sensations. At some point, it seemed similar to Cartier’s Declaration, but with bergamot and neroli that bring much more freshness, without the cumin note. In terms of performance, it seemed correct; it lasted through a tough day at the office and gave a comforting sensation while it was raining heavily in the city, making my car seem to have a certain touch of hope. (8/10)

Super pleasant fragrance, perfect for warm climates. It has a slight sweetness mixed with a super elegant citrus. I recommend it with semi-formal clothing. From time to time, I pass by my shelf looking for just this one to smell it because it puts me in a good mood immediately. With 10 sprays, I get a trail and moderate longevity (6 hours), which I like. I love how I smell with it and have received compliments from women and men. What more could you ask for?

This Icon has surprised me. At first, it’s sparkling due to the pepper and neroli, which lasts 3-4 hours, and then it evolves into something aromatic, reaching a pleasant wave I don’t know where it comes from, it must be the vetiver or the oakmoss. I liked it and was surprised because it’s not linear. I think it’s one of the best in the Icon saga.

Picked this up in 2021 after reading all the glowing reviews, but the reality is quite different: total disappointment. It’s worth the price (45 dollars), but it’s not that fresh daytime scent I imagined; it smells more like evening, serious and formal. No spark at all; the opening reminds me of Paco Rabanne’s Black XS, though the iris and woods do help once it dries down. I don’t see it as suitable for heat or daytime wear; always test before buying blindly.

New review: sometimes Dunhill disappoints. It smells like a classic, formal cologne without any originality. It is elegant and well-made, yet far too sweet and cloying for me; the sweetness overpowers the freshness. The best part is the dry down: it evolves well, becoming woody with integrated leather and oud, and you can detect the astringent vetiver. It lasts about seven hours, better on clothes than on skin. Ideal for evening, the beach, or spring/autumn. In summer it is cloying and nauseating. Well-constructed but boring, typical ‘gentleman’ section. The dry down is elegant but the overall impression is disappointing.

I like it. It is citrusy, sparkling and elegant for formal occasions (not evening wear). Everything is ruined by mediocre longevity and an almost non-existent sillage from the very start. I don’t know if it has been reformulated, but it lasts nothing. What a pity.

I love it. The opening is beautiful and bright: neroli, black pepper and bergamot with orangey nuances, to which cardamom and lavender are added. In the base, a very balanced vetiver with the dark touch of oud. It’s a spicy woody, fresh, citrus, slightly sweet, clean and elegant scent, with a classic touch. Absolutely masculine. Very good for the office. Very versatile. Moderate performance. Ideal for spring, summer and autumn, both day and night. Longevity is lasting and sillage is moderate.

Solid and heavy bottle. Fresh, bitter, with mentholated lavender, citrus and resinous notes. The dry-down recalls Terre d’Hermès: same woody vetiver base but more toasted and medicinal, similar to Ellena’s Masterpiece. Decent performance, not much projection but lasts over ten hours on the skin. In high heat it projects strongly for the first two hours, risking being too intrusive. Not very versatile: suits a suit and tie, elegant and distinguished; it can appear youthful or very old-school depending on the wearer. For a businessman with money and luxury who doesn’t need compliments, knowing he is a young winner; his success and Icon fragrance prove it.

I’m just an ordinary guy with no pretensions regarding scent. And this fragrance simply didn’t convince me; I found it rather tiresome. I read so many revolutionary things about it that I got excited before trying it, but upon application, the aroma of grape soda or sweet, fizzy citrus felt excessive, especially with that woody base. I didn’t like it, though I understand it has fascinated younger people. In the end, whether something is good or bad is in everyone’s head, so don’t take my opinion as definitive.

A classic bet, very refined and elegant, far from those repetitive modern laboratory proposals. With Dunhill Icon, you won’t smell like the majority. The bottle is a masterpiece and, due to its weight, could even serve as a self-defence weapon. Jokes aside, the idea of style and class is evident in both the ethics and the aesthetics; it’s dignified without being overly novel, yet endearing. The opening tells you everything: a fresh cologne with an Earl Grey-style bergamot, herbal and citrusy, with sparks of spice that give it a dangerous, peppery touch. Carlos Benaim composed it thinking of Jean-Claude Ellena and his clean-earthly puzzles. It evolves slowly towards something more classic, herbal, mossy and woody, without losing its fresh tone. It’s perfect for the office, what Edward Norton would wear in Fight Club. Harmless, safe and pleasant for everyone. Although the longevity exceeds five hours, towards the end it becomes too close to the skin, but it’s not a deal-breaker. It’s a very good proposal for white perfumes, ideal for seduction in daily life and projecting order, cleanliness and responsibility.

The fragrance is excellent, but the issue is that it reminds me of high society, something that has very little to do with me. I’m selling it because I don’t know in what situation I could use it. It is extremely fine and potent.

Very good fragrance, elegant, luxurious and bold. High-quality ingredients and an elegant bottle. Good longevity and trail.

Deluxe, elegant, standout, imposing, clean… these are the adjectives I give to this fragrance, a true phenomenon.