No Parfums de Marly Layton review would be complete without an overview of the word “exclusif.” It translates to “exclusive,” which means “limited, unique.” Although no one is limited to purchasing this fragrance, there is no better name to describe the unique and elegant notes of this cologne.
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Who Makes It?
Layton Exclusif by French perfumers Parfums de Marly is the creation of Hamid Merani-Kashani, a master perfumer. Merani-Kashani was raised by a German mother and Iranian father and spent most of his childhood in Iran.
There, he spent a lot of time amongst the rose fields where rose oils were produced. It is here where he first developed a nose for fragrance.
From this nose, the fragrance industry has known some of its finest scents. Merani-Kashani has said of his work, “The customers teach me the roadmap of fragrance.” He is responsible for the creation of Adore by Arabian Oud and Midnight Shimmer by Michael Kors. It is his nose that now brings us Layton Exclusif.
Parfums de Marly Layton Notes
Layton Exclusif is one of the latest scents made by French perfumers of Parfums de Marly. It is a revelation of sophistication, an epitome of the urbane. It manages to marry the woody to the delicate and the spicy to the floral.
This fragrance is brimming with redolent notes and scents. What does Parfums de Marly Layton Exclusif smell like? Below is a complete list of this cologne’s notes.
- Top notes – sandalwood, guaiac wood, amber, vanilla, and coffee
- Middle notes – water lily, rose, and gardenia; these contrast well with the base notes
- Base notes – Mandarin orange, bergamot, almond, citrus, oud, pink pepper, and oakmoss
Parfums de Marly
Parfums de Marly was founded by Julien Sprecher. Its name was inspired by the home of King Louis XV of France, the Châteaux de Marly.
Perfumery was never more popular than it was in the time of King Louis XV’s court in the eighteenth century. In fact, fragrances were so beloved by the king that his court was known as “the perfumed court.”
Today, however, Parfum de Marly carries on that rich tradition with its many fragrant colognes and perfumes made from the finest ingredients. Among the most popular scents, besides Layton Exclusif, are Parfums de Marly Layton, Parfums de Marly Carlisle, and Parfums de Marly Herod.
Parfums de Marly Layton vs. Creed Aventus
It has been said that these two cologne brands are two of the finest on the market. It is no wonder that fragrant enthusiasts often compare them. Most often, you will find comparisons between Parfums de Marly Layton and Creed Aventus.
There are similarities and differences in both fragrances. On the one hand, both scents are complex, very fine colognes made from fine ingredients. They both have fruity top notes, but that is where the similarities seem to end.
The main distinction lies in the endurance levels of the fragrances and what occasions and times of day the scents seem to be for.
Creed Aventus is preferred by those who like a “fresher” scent, and it fades rather quickly. Parfums de Marly Layton, on the other hand, last well into the evening, and are called things like “animalistic” and “sensual” by its enthusiasts.
Layton and Layton Exclusif have many similarities as well. However, there are some noticeable differences. Layton Exclusif is a fun, new take on Layton. It tends to be a darker, smokier version.
Who Would Like It?
Parfums de Marly Layton Exclusif is a fragrance for the kind of man who knows what he wants and how to get it. It’s for the kind of man who comes alive in the evenings, who thrives in the nightlife. This scent is for mature, yet still young, ambitious men who are confident in their pursuits.
Where Should You Wear It?
Parfums de Marly Layton Exclusif is a cologne that is recommended during the colder seasons, such as fall and winter, due to its spicy and woody notes.
The scent has a decent sillage, so best to wear it later in the day or in the evening. It is an excellent choice for a night out at the club, on a date, or for a special occasion.
The staying power of the cologne means that it will last for several hours and that a small spritz or two is usually all that is needed.
Packaging and Presentation
Parfums de Marly Layton Exclusif is housed in a simple, but elegant, glass bottle. On the front of the bottle are two twin horses, which are symbolic of the French King Louis XV’s love of horses. Between the rearing horses is the year 1743, which is the year the king took control of France.
The bottle itself is black and matte, topped with a shiny silver-colored lid, underneath which is the spritzing mechanism. When it is purchased, before it is opened, the bottle is couched in a lovely black box, with simple silver lettering bearing the name of the fragrance. Again, the twin horses and the year 1743 are shown, this time in silver.
Personal Impressions
Parfums de Marly Exclusif is intense and bold. Upon first reaching our nose, we are struck with notes of sandalwood, coffee, and vanilla. It feels smart, sophisticated, yet daring.
Next comes a sense of sweetness, perhaps from the rose or gardenia, which balances the initial boldness nicely. Lastly, a dark, spicy, almost smoky finish. The scent is almost beastly, with a leathery note as it dries.
Performance
Layton Exclusif is no feeble scent; it is a fragrance with a bold and intense performance. Its immediate projection is dauntless, and it has an equally able sillage. This cologne has incredible staying power and will leave the wearer with a delicious scent even hours later.
Where Can You Buy It?
The Aromi offers scents from Parfums De Marly, including Exclusif, as well as many other fine scents. Get a tester at a discount on their website.
Born and raised in Austin, David is a dedicated writer and avid fragrance lover. When he's not trying out perfumes, he enjoys traveling and exploring new restaurants.