Maison Francis Kurkdjian Baccarat Rouge 540
- Saffron
- Jasmine
- Amberwood
- Ambergris
- Fir resin
- Cedar
Smells like Maison Francis Kurkdjian
Perfumes that smell like Baccarat Rouge 540
The perfumes most often compared with Baccarat Rouge 540 are Armaf Club de Nuit Untold and Zara Red Temptation. Both share its saffron and jasmine opening and its ambery heart; they differ in the base and in how long they last.
- Amber woody
- 3 shared notes
- 2 alternatives named by reviewers
Side by side
The notes, side by side
Shared notes are marked. Notes for Baccarat Rouge 540 come from the note lists in our catalogue, as quoted in our Zara comparison.
Ambergris
Armaf Club de Nuit Untold
- Saffron
- Jasmine
- Amberwood
- Ambergris
- Fir resin
- Cedar
Dupe guides and buyers compare it with Baccarat Rouge 540; one buyer who owns both puts it at 90 to 95 percent of the way there.
The same buyer finds Baccarat Rouge 540 a little sweeter. On paper the two note lists are the same, which shows how little a note list says about proportions.
Notes: Armaf's own description.
Zara Red Temptation
- Saffron
- Bitter orange
- Coriander
- Praline
- Jasmine
- Amber
- Musk
- Oakmoss
- Woods
Bitter orange
Coriander
Praline
Amber
Musk
Oakmoss
WoodsTwo fashion magazines that tested Zara perfumes pair it with Baccarat Rouge 540; one team calls the resemblance uncanny.
Praline and musk where Baccarat Rouge 540 has fir resin and cedar. A reviewer adds that the Zara one does not last as long; our catalogue tags it at six to eight hours against eight or more.
Notes: our catalogue.
In notes
Why they smell alike, and where they differ
Why they smell alike
Baccarat Rouge 540 is built on a bright saffron and jasmine opening over a dry, airy amber heart. Both alternatives repeat that opening and that ambery centre, which is the part most people recognise in a room.
Where they differ
The difference is underneath. Baccarat Rouge 540 settles on fir resin and cedar. Red Temptation goes sweeter, with praline and musk; Untold lists the same base, and one owner of both finds Baccarat a little sweeter. Reviewers of Red Temptation note it does not last as long.
| Tier | Baccarat Rouge 540 | Armaf Club de Nuit Untold | Zara Red Temptation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Top | Saffron, Jasmine | Saffron, Jasmine | Saffron, Bitter orange, Coriander |
| Heart | Amberwood, Ambergris | Amberwood, Ambergris | Praline, Jasmine, Amber |
| Base | Fir resin, Cedar | Fir resin, Cedar | Musk, Oakmoss, Woods |
Before you buy
Similar is not the same
Comparisons are opinions
Smells similar to is a judgement by a person, and noses differ. We report who makes each comparison; we do not rate likeness ourselves.
Notes on paper are not the smell
Two perfumes can list the same notes and still smell different, because amounts and materials differ. Wear both, one on each wrist, for a full day.
What the law says
In the main European case the court recorded that making and selling a smell-alike is lawful; using the famous name to sell it as an imitation was not. Read whether perfume dupes are legal.
Short answers
Baccarat Rouge 540: short answers
Armaf Club de Nuit Untold and Zara Red Temptation are the two perfumes reviewers compare with it most often in the sources we read. Both share its saffron, jasmine and amber character; neither is identical.
A bright saffron and jasmine opening over a dry, airy amber heart, settling on fir resin and cedar. Our article on what Baccarat Rouge 540 smells like explains the materials behind that effect.
In the main European case, L'Oréal v Bellure, the English Court of Appeal recorded that it is lawful to make and sell a smell-alike product. What was unlawful was using the famous brand names in lists that presented the cheaper products as imitations. Our article on whether perfume dupes are legal sets out the rulings. It is not legal advice, and the law differs by country.
Sources
- Fragnatique Journal, Zara perfumes that smell like designer scents (magazine pairings, note table, longevity tags).
- Fragnatique Journal, 10 best Arabian perfume dupes (Armaf's description of Untold; buyer comparison).
Love Baccarat Rouge 540? Find what else you would wear.
The AI perfume finder in Fragnatique can start from a bottle you already own and look for perfumes that share its character without repeating it, with the reason for each written out. Read how matching works.
