Yves Saint Laurent Opium (Vintage or EDP)
4.5
Overall
Accords
amber
warm spicy
woody
balsamic
powdery
sweet
Warm Spicy
Amber
Balsamic
Woody
Sweet
Resinous
Notes Pyramid
Top
mandarin orangeplumclovecorianderpepperbay leafMandarin orangeBergamotLily-of-the-valley
Heart
jasmineroselily of the valleycarnationcinnamonpeachorris rootMyrrhJasmineCarnation
Base
sandalwoodcedarwoodmyrrhopopanaxlabdanumbenzoin resincastoreumambermuskpatchoulitolu balsamvetiverOpoponaxAmberPatchouliVanilla
Community Verdict
Pros & Cons
- ✅ Warm, resinous, spicy floral…so musky and sultry and sweet in a way that feels forbidden.
- ✅ Gorgeous spices! Powdery. Amber and musk and sandalwood. Warm and sensual.
- ✅ Exceptional longevity and sillage
- ✅ Rich, complex, and unique composition
- ✅ Iconic and instantly recognizable
- ✅ Excellent value for the price
- ✅ A true classic that has stood the test of time
- ❌ I despise the modern monstrosity that purports to bear its name. Modern “Opium” is a castrato, a disembowelled, emasculated eunuch, and an utter travesty.
- ❌ Can be overwhelming in warm weather or for those sensitive to strong scents
- ❌ The opening can be harsh for some
- ❌ Not versatile for all occasions (e.g., office, daytime)
- ❌ Vintage formulations are significantly different from modern ones, leading to batch variation disappointment
