If you’re into classic citrusy floral fragrances, you must’ve heard of Parfums de Marly Percival. It’s refreshing, sensual, and, at the same time, inoffensive.
The only drawback? It’s pretty expensive and out of reach for many.
Hence, after thorough market research below, I’ve shortlisted the most affordable fragrances in a similar tone to Parfums de Marly Percival.
So, stay put if you’re also looking for such worthy substitutes for Percival.
What Does Parfums de Marly Percival Smell Like?
Percival by Parfums de Marly is an attractive amber woody fragrance with an expressive masculine tone. It is a masterfully blended composition with a striking citrusy opening, spicy floral heart, and warm, musky dry-down.
Altogether, Percival is a mesmerizing scent and perfect for men who like to express their inner elegance.
Now, to understand this classy fragrance better, let’s see what notes are used in its composition:
Top Notes: Lavender, Mandarin Orange, Bergamot, and Geranium
Middle Notes: Hedione, Violet, Coriander, Jasmine, and Cinnamon
Base Notes: Ambroxan, Amberwood, Balsam Fir, Musk, and Clearwood
From the first spray, this fragrance presents a bright and uplifting feel. Prominent lavender fabulously blends with juicy orange and bergamot, creating this luminous opening.
Gradually, the zesty opening transits into a blossoming floral heart. The powdery licorice core aroma with the subtle presence of spices smells just amazing.
In the end, Percival exudes its intense musky-woody base. Here, the combination of balsamic ambroxan with green woody accords makes the dry-down more sensual and attractive.
And to state the most exciting part, this cologne provides a longevity of 10-12 hours with a strong sillage.
This gorgeous cologne can easily make your summer vacation more enjoyable. My husband loves to wear it as his signature scent for summer or spring. And trust me, he smells excellent for the whole day.
What Colognes Smell Similar To Parfums de Marly Percival?
You can now understand how rich and gorgeous Percival smells. And this is the right moment to know about its dupes.
However, you’ll find a bunch of its replicas out there. And after thorough testing, I’ve shortlisted only the best ones among them.
So, keep reading.
Here’s the list of the best 7 smell-alikes of Parfums de Marly Percival:
1. Legend Montblanc
Top Notes: Lavender, Pineapple, Bergamot, and Lemon Verbena
Middle Notes: Red Apple, Dried Fruits, Oak Moss, and Geranium
Base Notes: Tonka Bean and Sandalwood
Legend by Montblanc is the most liked and the closest-smelling substitute of Parfums de Marly Percival. Released in 2011, this fragrance has a similar amber woody tone along with some added fruity twists.
The moment you spray this, you’ll feel its sweet, savory opening with a refreshing lemony undertone. The fruity pineapple adds a cheerful tropical vibe to the starting aroma.
As time goes by, crisp, sweet, fruity accords become apparent along with earthy oakmoss nuances. You’ll also get a subtle spicy floral aroma that balances the sweetness, making the core more likable and pleasant.
Finally, the fragrance settles with a rich and cozy base with spicy tonka and satisfying sandalwood nuances.
Simply put, Legend is much sweeter than Percival but has the same deep, woody-aromatic character in it. Also, this best smelling Montblanc cologne lasts for about 6-8 hours with moderate sillage.
So, its longevity isn’t as good as Percival’s, but considering its extremely low price range, it performs well enough, in my opinion. Plus, its enormous projection will make you noticeable wherever you go.
When To Wear
Although Legend is wearable in all weather, I think it works better in winter or fall. From formal parties to romantic date nights, you can wear this versatile cologne to all types of events.
Why Should You Buy
- Cheaper alternative to Parfums de Marly Percival.
- Classic elegant composition.
- Complement magnet.
2. Fierce Abercrombie & Fitch
Top Notes: Fir, Lemon, Orange, Cardamom, Petitgrain, and Sea Notes
Middle Notes: Rosemary, Lily-of-the-Valley, Jasmine, Rose and Sage
Base Notes: Musk, Vetiver, Oakmoss, Brazilian Rosewood, and Sandalwood
The next Parfums de Marly Percival dupe on my list is Fierce by Abercrombie & Fitch. Although it was released decades ago, its inoffensively seductive aroma makes this fragrance a timeless classic.
This iconic cologne has a clean, refreshing, slightly green fir-citrusy combo in the opening. It becomes absolutely sensual when spicy, creamy cardamom comes into play, along with a breezy aquatic undertone.
In the middle, it has a fresh floral aroma, nicely blended with rosemary and sage nuances.
Later, you’ll feel its warm, musky dry-down. Along with lots of earthy woody accords, prominent musk completes the fragrance, creating a deep and intoxicating environment.
Plus, only a few sprays of Fierce will allow you to smell fresh and enticing for 8-10 hours. Also, this playful yet mature aroma offers great projection and sillage.
When To Wear
You can wear this versatile fragrance throughout the year. But it works better in cold weather.
So, to maximize its usability, wear it to any formal or casual gatherings in winter or fall.
Why Should You Buy
- Classic masculine composition.
- Affordable price range.
- Great performance.
- Compliment getter.
3. Legend Eau de Parfum Montblanc
Top Notes: Violet Leaves and Bergamot
Middle Notes: Woodsy Notes, Jasmine, and Magnolia
Base Notes: Oakmoss and Leather
If you’re looking for a fresher yet long-lasting alternative to Parfums de Marly Percival, then Legend Eau de Parfum is the best option for you.
Its fresh-ozonic opening with violet leaf and uplifting lemon nuance will give you a clean and cheering feel.
From a fresh start, it gets a warm, woody turn. In the core, woodsy notes with subtle floral sweetness add a new dimension to the fragrance. The aroma gets warmer and deeper in the dry down when earthy oakmoss mingles with musky leather.
Above all, this rich masculine fragrance has remarkable longevity with arm-length sillage and broad projection.
When To Wear
Legend Eau de Parfum is extremely versatile. With a well-balanced aroma, it will refresh your mood in summer and give you a warm, cozy feel in winter.
Furthermore, it’s more suitable for formal events, but you can use it as your everyday scent as well.
Why Should You Buy
- Clean and fresh aroma with the right amount of seductiveness.
- Extremely versatile and addictive fragrance.
- Long-lasting and affordable.
4. Foconero Tiziana Terenzi
Top Notes: Lime, Juniper, Lavender, Italian Lemon, Bergamot, and Thyme
Middle Notes: Salt, Ozonic Notes, Cardamom, Ylang-Ylang, Hyacinth and Lily-of-the-Valley
Base Notes: Oakmoss, Cedar, Sandalwood and Patchouli
Foconero by Tiziana Terenzi is another fresh, woody fragrance that you can use as a substitute for Parfums de Marly Percival. Although it’s somewhat fresher and more ozonic than Percival, its dry, citrusy DNA will definitely give you a similar experience.
The opening of this cologne is extremely refreshing and upbeat, with lavender, lime, and bergamot. Meanwhile, balsamic juniper nuances balance the overwhelming citrusy aroma.
The core is very fresh, salty, and ozonic, with some premium floral notes. Spicy cardamom stays in the background while making the core more sensual and appealing.
In the end, woody base notes, together with exotic patchouli, will surprise you, creating a classy masculine environment around you.
Furthermore, Foconero lasts for like 10-12 hours. It also comes with a commendable projection and sillage. So, overall, it’s a good Parfums de Marly Percival alternative.
When To Wear
Due to its cool and breezy tone, Foconero is a perfect choice for summer and spring.
To get the most out of it, wear this cologne with light or casual outfits. You can make it your signature summer scent as well.
Why Should You Buy
- Natural and refreshing opening.
- Admirable performance.
- Well-balanced green and aquatic notes.
5. Legend Intense Montblanc
Top Notes: Pineapple and Bergamot
Middle Notes: Red Apple, Cardamom, Pepperwood, and Jasmine
Base Notes: Tonka Bean, Amber, White Cedar Extract, and Oakmoss
The next Parfums de Marly Percival clone on my list is another Montblanc cologne, Legend Intense. Created by Olivier Pescheux, this is a stunning, spicy, woody fragrance for men.
Although this cologne has a juicy, fruitier opening, the prominent citrusy tone is there, which will surely remind you of Percival.
The heart has a similar powdery floral nature. But it also has a strong, crisp apple aroma with a spicy undertone, which makes the composition more unique and pleasant.
The dry-down is the most sensual part of this fragrance. The harmonious blend of amber and woodsy notes with a spicy tonka bean smell gives warmth and depth to the cologne.
This warm and cozy Legend Intense aroma has a longevity of more than 12 hours. So, you should give this classy fragrance a try for sure.
When To Wear
Legend Intense has both refreshing and coziness in it, which makes this cologne wearable in all kinds of weather. But I personally think it develops better and lasts longer in spring or fall time.
However, you can wear it both as your daily fragrance or for a professional get-together.
Why Should You Buy
- Draws lots of compliments.
- Intense and sensual fragrance.
- Versatile and engaging.
- Perfectly layered fruity and woody notes.
6. Vodka on the Rocks By Kilian
Top Notes: Coriander, Aldehydes, and Cardamon
Middle Notes: Rhubarb, Lily-of-the-Valley, and Pink Rose
Base Notes: Ambroxan, Oak Moss, and Sandalwood
Vodka on the Rocks By Kilian also comes with a fabulous amber spicy aroma, very similar to Parfums de Marly Percival. This creation by Sidonie Lancesseur was released in 2014.
Its opening aroma is very spicy, airy, and sensual, with a blend of coriander, cardamom, and aldehydes.
As the fragrance develops, its fresh, aromatic core with mouthwatering rhubarb and rich floral accords will instantly light up your mood. At this stage, you’ll still feel the spices, but they mostly stay in the background.
Soon, the sweet aquatic core turns into a warm, earthy base after a few hours.
The dry-down is soft and woody with a subtle musky undertone. Balsamic ambroxan, sandalwood, and oakmoss blend in harmony, building a sensual and masculine aroma that lingers around for a long time.
Overall, it’s a clean and relaxing aroma along with a unique, warm-boozy vibe that’s very hard to ignore. The notes are perfectly balanced and more expressive in this cologne, as you can detect them individually throughout the scent. Hence, to my nose, this one’s actually better than Percival.
However, apart from a 12-plus hour of longevity, you’ll also get a broad projection and sillage from this fragrance.
So, you can just grab this cologne while in need of a fresher and more sophisticated alternative to Parfums de Marly Percival.
When To Wear
Vodka on the Rocks’ fresh and uplifting aroma goes brilliantly with a warm and clear day. So, wear this cologne to any formal or informal gatherings in summer or spring.
It works great as a signature fragrance for early fall as well.
Why Should You Buy
- Elegant and premium quality fragrance.
- Fresh and expressive aldehyde notes.
- Versatile aroma.
- Super lasting power.
7. Walaa Swiss Arabian
Top Notes: Bergamot, Lavender, Mandarin Orange, and Geranium
Middle Notes: Coriander, Jasmine, Hedione, Violet, and Cinnamon
Base Notes: Amberwood, Musk, Ambroxan, Cedar, and Balsam Fir
Walaa by Swiss Arabian is another gorgeous perfume that smells very similar to Parfums de Marly Percival. The notes used in this one are so identical that it can be referred to as a perfect Percival clone.
The opening notes of this fragrance are practically the same as Percival, but the citrusy bergamot smell is much stronger in this one. Classic lavender beautifully mixes with this sharp bergamot aroma, giving the scent a bright and refreshing start.
As it develops, coriander takes over the core along with some fresh, airy floral accords. I love its dry-down, which has an intense, musky, woody amber-like aroma. You’ll pick a strong amberwood smell that adds a warm, masculine feature to the composition.
Overall, it’s a good-quality fragrance with impressive longevity and projection. So, if you want the Parfums de Marly Percival aroma at an affordable price range, go with this cologne.
When To Wear
This fragrance is best suited for summer, spring, or fall when the temperature is a bit warmer and clean.
Also, you can wear it to work, formal parties, friendly brunch, or as your signature scent. Wherever you go, this cologne will give you a clean and refreshing feel along with a touch of sophistication.
Why Should You Buy
- Classy masculine fragrance.
- Well-balanced citrusy and floral accords.
- Good value for money.
- Easy-to-wear.
Wrap Up
You’ll find a lot of classic summer colognes in the market. But Parfums de Marly Percival surely stands out among them. It has an elegant and perfectly layered composition that’s very hard to recreate.
However, quite a few brands have done the job gracefully, recreating a very similar Percival aroma. And to ease your work, in this write-up, I’ve presented only the best ones to you.
So, without further ado, pick your favorite one from the list.
