In 1981, Pierre Bourdon appeared with a bold masculine scent which is nothing but YSL Kouros.
The scent symbolizes such a wild personality that my team member says – it always reminds him of the arrogant character Kratos from God of War.
If you’re crazy about this scent and wanna try out its dupes, then dive into this write-up. Here, I’ll spill the tea on colognes similar to YSL Kouros.
So, let’s start!
What Does Kouros by YSL Smell Like?
The smell of YSL Kouros is strong animalic, musky, earthy & leathery. It has refreshing bergamot & coriander at the top. But Kouros is more oriented to patchouli & vetiver’s earthiness, civet’s intense animalic scent, and the woody tone of oakmoss.
A hint of spiciness is also added to the cologne. Otherwise, there would be a lack in case of presenting Kouros’s beast profile.
Let’s have a glimpse at the exotic ingredients of YSL Kouros:
Top Notes: Aldehydes, Coriander, Clary Sage, Artemisia, Bergamot.
Middle Notes: Patchouli, Carnation, Vetiver, Geranium, Cinnamon, Jasmine & Orris Root.
Base Notes: Civet, Honey, Leather, Musk, Oakmoss, Amber, Tonka Bean & Vanilla.
My thoughts regarding YSL Kouros are:
It’s a pure adult gentleman-type fragrance, which is tough in nature. Hence, I’ll never recommend it to high-school going gents. The deep animalic aroma of this straightforward & best-smelling YSL cologne will make you sure to be remembered by others. Because they will either love or entirely hate the harsh vibe of Kouros.
However, the sophisticated fragrance’s longevity & sillage are top-notch. It exists for 12+ hours with an enormous smell trail. And you can sniff the base notes from your worn clothes even after 2 or 3 days!
What Colognes Smell Like YSL Kouros?
In my view, YSL Kouros is the only capable substitution for itself. Because there’s no clone that has completely identical tones like Yves Saint Laurent Kouros.
However, after thorough research & testing, I’ve noted 9 colognes that smell close to YSL Kouros, but not the perfect twin or totally beast like it.
So, here are the dupes that smell like YSL Kouros:
1. Kouros Eau de Sport Yves Saint Laurent
Top Notes: Coral Amber, Herbal Notes, Artemisia.
Middle Notes: Carnation, Jasmine, Rose, Galbanum.
Base Notes: Musk, Oakmoss, Olibanum, Patchouli, Vetiver, Vanilla.
It’s an excellent replacement for the original Kouros, with coral amber at the top note and a harmonious blend of oakmoss, vetiver, patchouli, and musk.
Remember that you can sniff the animalistic touch & woody-earthy vibe from this edition; however, the aura is relatively refined. Hence, it may seem boring to you compared to the violent YSL Kouros.
But this subtle flanker has turned out as a masterpiece for me with the clean & manly accent. I really like the courteous touch of it. And in my humble opinion, it should be named Eau de Soft instead of Eau de Sport!
When To Wear
It nicely blends during the buoyant days of spring and fall. So you can apply it while walking in the park & enjoying the freshness of spring. Girls will surely turn towards you at least once.
Why Should You Buy
- No pungent aroma of civet.
- Decent charm with almost 10+ hours of longevity.
- Lengthy trail.
2. Kouros Fraicheur Yves Saint Laurent
Top Note: Bergamot.
Middle Notes: Pineapple and Orange Blossom.
Base Notes: Ginger, Patchouli, Vetiver, and Amber.
This dupe is made with a powerful dose of ginger, vetiver, and patchouli. So, you’ll absolutely get the warm spicy, woody, and earthy smell.
Perhaps, you won’t find any similarity with YSL Kouros at the start. But in the dry down, Kouros Fraicheur is strongly related to the original Kouros with its rich woody, and musky zest.
However, the dense animalic shadow is missing in this oriental fragrance. Therefore, it is considered slightly gentle compared to the YSL Kouros and can be used even in the summertime.
When To Wear
Whether it is summer or spring days, you can catch people’s eyes wearing Kouros Fraicheur Yves Saint Laurent.
Reasons To Buy
- Radiates up to 6 feet.
- Easily lasts for 7-12 hours.
- Denotes daring personality.
3. El Arquiste
Top Notes: Greek Laurel leaves, Clary sage enriched, Moroccan Rosemary, Egyptian Geranium.
Heart Notes: Cardamom, Cinnamon leaves, Orange Flower water, Black Buckwheat Honey.
Base Notes: Patchouli, Oakmoss, Vetiver, Castoreum, Civet, Fougere accord.
Opens with the green aromatic scent of rosemary and laurel leaves. In the heart, some spiciness will tickle around your nose. Then it settles down in the earthiness of patchouli, vetiver, and oakmoss.
Overall, the EI by Arquiste seems an energetic scent to me. So, whenever I return home after a long tiring day and need to go outside again for friends meetup or grocery, I apply this fragrance.
The combination of fresh mossy notes, civet’s animalic aroma, and earthy touch instantly stimulate my mood.
When To Wear
Wear them in the day and nights of spring or winter, especially when you’re fagged out. Avoid it on warm summer days due to the acute scent.
Why Should You Buy
- Strong sillage.
- Exists up to 7-12 hours.
- Energy booster.
4. Peau de Bete Les Liquides Imaginaires
Top Notes: Cumin, Chamomile, Saffron, Parsley, Black Pepper.
Middle Notes: Juniper, Styrax, Cypriol Oil or Nagarmotha, Guaiac Wood, Patchouli Leaf, Patchouli, Ambrarome, Atlas Cedar, Texas Cedar, Grass, and Amyris.
Base Notes: Civet, Skatole and Castoreum.
Could you guess the meaning of Peau de Bete?
Well, it means Skin of the Beast. And now you must’ve guessed why it‘s a clone of YSL Kouros!
This is a good blast of woody, musky, and animalic aroma. At the opening, it connects you with the spicy flavor of black pepper and cumin. Within a few minutes, you’ll feel like you’ve dived into the world of musk, wood, and animalic tone.
Because it includes powerful guaiac wood, cedarwood, earthy smelling patchouli, and a high dose of civet & skatole, which uplifts the super animal smell. And when this animalic tone gets combined with muskiness, it simulates human sexuality.
When To Wear
Nights of winter and fall. Also, if your partner loves its smell, wear it when you’re with her at the end of the day.
Reasons To Buy
- Long-lasting.
- Animalic fragrance represents the strength of a man.
5. Afrika Olifant Nishane
Top Notes: Ambergris, Myrhh, Olibanum and Labdanum.
Middle Notes: Castoreum, Civet, Leather, Agarwood (Oud).
Base Notes: Synthetic Civet and Musk.
Ambery, musky,animalic, and leathery aroma like Kouros. However, there’s no similarity in the top & heart notes of YSL Kouros & Afrika Olifant Nishane. Because the floral & refreshing fruit accords do not show up here.
The fragrance is rich in an animalic and leathery aroma. That’s why it seems like Kouros without floral notes. Nothing more!
When To Wear
If you’re willing to wear animalistic cologne in the nighttime of winter & fall, this should be your pick.
Reasons To Buy
- 12+ hours longevity.
- A good mixture of oud & leather.
6. Furyo Jacques Bogart
Top Notes: Musk, Castoreum, Amber, Tobacco, Lavender, Fig Leaf, Coriander, Vetiver, Laurels, Juniper Berries, Bergamot.
Middle Notes: Civet, Castoreum, Patchouli, Tobacco, and Vetiver.
Base Notes: Musk and Amber.
Like the YSL Kouros, this fragrance spreads a masculine scent for over 12 hours.
Features a blend of animalic, musky, woody, and leathery vibes at the core. Moreover, a pinch of sugariness is sprinkled through the sweet thick castoreum.
But the strength of the civet and musk has made it an alternative to Kouros. And it’s no doubt that individuals who are passionate about Kouros YSL will surely fall for this overwhelming & beast fragrance.
When To Wear
Due to the pungency, wearing Furyo Jacques Bogart during winter’s night is preferable.
Why Should You Buy
- Impressive longevity, almost a day.
- Rich scent with animalic sweetness.
7. Windsor Pour Homme English Laundry
Top Notes: Apple, Aldehydes, Citruses, Bergamot, Grapefruit.
Middle Notes: Cinnamon, Cloves, Lavender, Cardamom, Rose, Pepper, Saffron, Violet, Herbal Notes, Jasmine, Geranium.
Base Notes: Tobacco, Agarwood (Oud), Vanilla, Vetiver, Leather, Tonka Bean, Oakmoss, Amber, Musk, Cedar.
Don’t get perplexed seeing tons of ingredients on each layer of accords. Because it’s not so complex.
Starts off fresh with hesperidic fruits. Then represents a daring character with pepper, cinnamon, and cloves spiciness. Eventually, the praiseworthy masculine tone appears, which originates from the oud, vetiver, oakmoss, and musk.
Sometimes, you’ll sniff the spicy and warm smell of tonka bean from this fragrance.
So, what makes it an alternative to YSL Kouros?
Indeed, the intense muskiness, woodiness & spiciness makes Windsor Pour Homme English Laundry in the same vein as Kouros. However, if you can’t bear the acute musky aroma, skip this one. Because it may smell stinky to you in that case.
When To Wear
The cologne has a strong odor with 7-8 hours of longevity. So you better wear it in the fall and winter at night.
Why Should You Buy
- Inexpensive.
- Perfect for a grown man.
8. Lapidus Pour Homme Ted Lapidus
Top Notes: Pineapple, Lavender, Artemisia, Juniper Berries, Lemon, Basil, and Bergamot.
Middle Notes: Honey, Incense, Pine Tree, Rose, Brazilian Rosewood, Jasmine, Caraway, Orris Root, Lily-of-the-Valley, and Petitgrain.
Base Notes: Tobacco, Patchouli, Oakmoss, Musk, Amber, Sandalwood, Tonka Bean, and Cedar.
Lapidus Pour Homme Ted Lapidus has a freshly opening and musky-woody dry down like YSL Kouros. But the animalic accords aren’t reigning here.
Hence, it can be considered a woody & musky version of YSL Kouros. And so, I have put it at the second last on the list.
Due to the lack of animalic flavor, it won’t offer a beast-like performance, but you’ll surely gain the manly and sensual aura from its floral-fruity-musky aroma.
When To Wear
You can wear a few drops of it in the daytime in winter and fall. However, nighttime is the best to wear this dupe.
Reasons To Buy
- Lasts for 6-8 hours.
- Good sillage.
9. Mahogany for Men Mahogany
Top Notes: Aldehydes, Cumin, Bergamot, Lemon.
Middle Notes: Rose, Orange Blossom, Pineapple, Jasmine.
Base Notes: Oakmoss, Musk, Patchouli, Vetiver, Amber, and Sandalwood.
As soon as I open the bottle of Mahogany for Men, somewhat sweet zest along with a musky scent delights me.
During the whole time of its longevity, that sweet tone stays to attract your loved ones. The light scent of aldehyde, lemon’s freshness, floral sweetness, and prominent musky vibe make me realize that this cologne is a damn sexy creation by Mahogany.
Though it has a sensual muskiness like YSL Kouros, it doesn’t hold the beast mood of Kouros.
When To Wear
Looking for a mature masculine fragrance to use on spring and summer nights? Choose this one without any doubt.
Why Should You Buy
- A perfect balance of alluring notes.
- Heart-soothing dry-down.
- Marvelous smell stays for 12 hours.
Wrap Up
Don’t get confused seeing so many options instead of YSL Kouros. If you wanna stay close to Kouros fragrance even after changing the cologne, go for any of the first five dupes.
However, if you desire to skip the animalic tone but love the woody-musky flavor, opt for the rest of the colognes.
Any more queries or wanna hear about some other fragrances? In that case, comment below!
