Le Labo Cedrat 37 Berlin Review: The Exclusive Scent You Need to Know
Forget what you know about citrus. Le Labo's Berlin exclusive is a rebellious, gingery masterpiece with shocking longevity.
Listen closely, because what I’m about to share isn’t something you’ll find in a press release. Every September, a quiet frenzy ripples through the fragrance world, a collective holding of breath among those of us who track these things obsessively. This is when Le Labo, for a few precious weeks, unlocks its gilded cage of City Exclusives, making them available worldwide. And darling, the one I’ve been getting the most whispers about, the one my sources in Paris and New York can’t stop talking about, is Berlin’s own Cedrat 37.
Launched in 2021, Cedrat 37 arrived not with a bang, but with the confident, magnetic hum of something that knows it’s special. It was created to embody the spirit of Berlin—a city of freedom, unbridled creativity, and a certain hedonistic joy. Forget the dark, brooding olfactive clichés of European capitals. Le Labo and perfumer Daphne Bugey envisioned sunshine filtering through the leaves in Tiergarten, the electric buzz of a gallery opening, and the easy sensuality of a city that never truly sleeps. It’s positioned as the antithesis of a fleeting, simple citrus cologne. This is citrus with a Ph.D. in longevity and a minor in seduction.
The concept was a direct challenge to the genre. How do you create a citrus-forward scent that doesn’t vanish in an hour? How do you capture effervescence and give it depth and a soul? The answer, I’ve learned from a contact who was there during its development, was to build the fragrance backwards. They started not with the bright, volatile cedrat, but with a robust, almost shockingly persistent base of woods, ambergris, and a proprietary musk accord. The zesty, vibrant top notes were then layered over this unshakeable foundation, creating a fragrance that projects joy but whispers secrets for hours on end.
In the discerning circles of fragrance collectors, Cedrat 37 has become a sort of ''if you know, you know'' holy grail. It doesn’t scream for attention like Santal 33; it earns it. It’s the scent you smell on a stylish architect in Mitte or a gallerist taking a late lunch. It has a cult status because it delivers on an almost impossible promise: a fresh fragrance with the performance of a rich oriental. It’s a paradox in a bottle, and frankly, it’s one of the most exciting things Le Labo has done in years.
The Nose Behind the Scent
Daphne Bugey. A master perfumer at Firmenich, she is the creative force behind numerous iconic fragrances, including Jean Paul Gaultier''s Scandal, Kenzo Amour, and several scents for Mugler and Issey Miyake. She is renowned for her ability to craft scents with both immense popular appeal and artistic integrity.
Accords
Notes Pyramid
Scent Journey
An electrifying and hyper-realistic burst of zesty, juicy cedrat (a citron varietal) paired with a sharp, spicy kick of freshly grated ginger. It''s incredibly bright, vibrant, and uplifting without any synthetic harshness.
The initial citrus sharpness mellows into a warmer, more rounded heart. The ginger transitions from piquant to a sweeter, crystallized form. The clean, slightly fruity Ambrettolide musk begins to emerge, adding a sophisticated, skin-like warmth.
The true magic of the fragrance. A long-lasting, sensual skin scent dominated by a salty ambergris accord and a cocktail of clean musks, with a persistent, addictive whisper of candied ginger. It''s warm, intimate, and incredibly tenacious.
Performance Dashboard
Exceptional for a citrus-based scent. Lasts a solid 8-10+ hours on skin, and will linger on clothing until the next day.
Projects strongly for the first 2-3 hours, creating a noticeable and pleasant scent bubble. It then settles closer to the skin, but remains easily detectable by those near you.
Leaves a moderate, elegant trail that is airy and captivating. It invites compliments without overwhelming a room.
When to Wear
Community Verdict
A very high compliment getter. Its unique and appealing profile often prompts questions and positive comments. People describe it as smelling ''clean,'' ''addictive,'' and ''effortlessly chic''.
Pros & Cons
- ✅ Unique and sophisticated candied ginger-citrus accord
- ✅ Outstanding longevity for a fresh fragrance
- ✅ Made with high-quality, realistic-smelling ingredients
- ✅ Exclusive and prestigious, a true ''if you know, you know'' scent
- ✅ Perfectly unisex and highly versatile for warmer weather
- ❌ Extremely high price point, one of the most expensive in the Le Labo line
- ❌ Limited availability (only in Berlin or globally during September)
- ❌ The sharp ginger note in the opening can be polarizing for some
- ❌ Projection becomes more intimate after the first few hours
Price & Value
“A significant investment. Worth it for collectors and those who fall completely in love with its unique profile and performance, but not a recommended blind buy. The quality is undeniable.”
📜 Reformulation History
As a relatively new release (2021) and with Le Labo''s made-to-order process, there are no known major reformulations or significant batch variations to be concerned about. Minor nuances between batches are possible but generally negligible.
Who It's For
✅ Ideal For
- Unisex, for ages 25-45
- Creative professionals and modern urbanites
- Those seeking a sophisticated, long-lasting citrus scent
- Fans of niche perfumery and exclusive fragrances
⚠️ Not Recommended For
- Budget-conscious buyers due to the very high price
- Individuals who dislike the sharp, spicy note of ginger
- Those who prefer heavy, ''beast mode'' fragrances with enormous projection
The Family
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A highly sought-after City Exclusive that presents vanilla in a smoky, woody, and non-gourmand way.
A modern chypre from the City Exclusive collection, featuring moss and patchouli.
Explore More
🔍 Similar Fragrances
Shares a similar hyper-realistic, high-luxury citrus opening, though it lacks Cedrat 37''s ginger and musky depth.
Another niche fragrance that offers a complex, long-lasting, and high-quality citrus experience with a green, woody base.
Features a prominent sparkling ginger note paired with Australian citrus, offering a similar vibrant energy.
💡 Clone Alternatives
An ''inspired by'' expression aiming to capture the core citrus-ginger-musk DNA at a much lower price point.
A popular alternative among fragrance enthusiasts, noted for its close resemblance to the original''s profile and longevity.
❤️ You May Also Enjoy
Shares a chic, modern, and uplifting vetiver-citrus vibe.
For those who enjoy a bright, musky, and masculine-leaning fresh scent with excellent performance.
A similar profile of bright citrus over a powerful, clean musk base.
More from Le Labo
🧪 Layering Ideas
- Escentric Molecules Molecule 01 (to enhance the woody, musky base and projection)
- Le Labo Another 13 (to create an ambroxan and musk-heavy ''super skin-scent'')
- A simple, linear vanilla scent (to amplify the sweetness of the candied ginger for evening wear)
🏆 Final Verdict
In a market saturated with fleeting citrus scents and overpowering ouds, Cedrat 37 is a breath of fresh, intelligent air. It is a testament to what modern perfumery can achieve: a fragrance that is at once joyful and sophisticated, fresh and enduring, simple in its concept but complex in its execution. It captures a feeling, a specific kind of urban freedom and sunshine that feels both aspirational and deeply comforting.
The exclusivity is part of its charm, but also its biggest barrier. My final word of advice is this: mark your calendar for September. Set a reminder. This is your chance to acquire something truly special, a scent that will set you apart from the crowd in the most elegant way possible. It’s more than a fragrance; it’s a statement that you value quality, artistry, and the kind of freedom that Berlin, and this beautiful scent, so perfectly represent. Don''t miss it.