Parfums De Marly Carlisle

Carlisle is a warmly spiced, gourmand-inflected oriental from Parfums de Marly, launched in 2015 and created by Givaudan perfumer Quentin Bisch. Named after a majestic 17th-century English steed, Carlisle was originally created as an exclusive for Harrods and has since become one of the house's most talked-about releases.

The opening hits with a burst of juicy, tart green apple spiked with fiery saffron and earthy nutmeg — an unexpected combination that immediately sets Carlisle apart from typical gourmands. The heart unfolds into warm tonka bean, creamy osmanthus, rose, and davana — gently bitter davana balancing the richness before the scent settles into its signature dry-down. Once it dries down, it transforms into deep, creamy patchouli with a slightly dirty, almost chocolate-like richness alongside vanilla and opoponax resinoid.

Performance is typically great for the house — 8 to 10+ hours longevity with projection that lasts for hours, and reviewers consistently warn not to spray more than one or two sprays for work, as it is a projection beast. Projection and longevity are above-average, making Carlisle one of the most long-lasting in the PdM lineup.

Community comparisons most frequently land on Parfums de Marly Layton and Herod — it's as if Layton and Oajan had a kid, with Carlisle leaning darker, richer, and more patchouli-forward than either. If you're curious about the darker, more opulent side of Parfums de Marly's catalog and love rich, spiced gourmands built around patchouli and vanilla, Carlisle is essential sampling — and a decant lets you experience its legendary performance without the full-bottle commitment.

Scent Notes

• Top: Green Apple, Nutmeg, Saffron
• Middle: Tonka Bean, Osmanthus, Rose, Davana
• Base: Patchouli, Vanilla, Opoponax

Best For
Fall and winter. Evening wear, date nights, special occasions. A dark, spicy gourmand with powerful projection and exceptional longevity for those who love complex, masculine patchouli-vanilla compositions.