Fragrance comparison

Background vs Pyrgos

Notes, accords, longevity, sillage, seasons and community ratings, side by side.

Updated 10 Oct 2026 228 ratings analysed

3 wins

Background

Jil Sander

4.52181 votes

Rank #4,075 AnisVanilla

Full profile Similar & dupes

37%scent match

Some overlap

Pyrgos

Sigilli

3.8747 votes

Rank #11,600 Fresh SpicyAnis

Full profile Similar & dupes

Quick verdict

Which one should you pick?

Background takes 3 of 5 categories.

Background
Choose it for a anis and vanilla character. Wins on ratings & consensus, sillage & projection and fragranxe ranking. Best in winter.
Pyrgos
Choose it for a fresh spicy and anis character. Wins on value for money. Best in fall, daytime wear.

Background3/5

Pyrgos1/5

Ratings & consensus: Background
Community sentiment: Not scored
Longevity: Tie
Sillage & projection: Background
Value for money: Pyrgos
Versatility: Not scored
Note pyramid (duration): Not scored
Fragranxe ranking: Background

Head-to-head breakdown

Every category side by side, with the winner called out.

Fragrance

BackgroundJil Sander

PyrgosSigilli

Winner

Ratings & consensus

Average rating and ownership split

4.52/ 5 · 181 votes

Have 30%Had 25%Want 45%

3.87/ 5 · 47 votes

Have 28%Had 6%Want 66%

Category winnerBackgroundRating weighted by vote count

Community sentiment

How voters split from love to hate

61%Love

33%Like

2%Ok

4%Dislike

0%Hate

181 votes

41%Love

35%Like

0%Ok

24%Dislike

0%Hate

17 votes · too few to score

Category winnerNot enough dataMost positive mix (25+ votes)

Longevity & sillage

0–100 community performance scores

⏱ Longevity77

〰 Sillage68

♥ Love / hate88

⏱ Longevity77

〰 Sillage63

♥ Love / hate76

Category winners

LongevityTie

SillageBackground

Value for money

How fairly priced voters find it

¤ Price value54

¤ Price value100

Category winnerPyrgosBest value score

Main accords

Strength of each scent family · outlined = shared by both

anis100%

vanilla92%

amber84%

warm spicy77%

aromatic69%

sweet61%

fresh spicy100%

anis92%

soft spicy84%

aromatic77%

warm spicy69%

cinnamon61%

Scent match37%Some overlap · both anis, warm spicy and aromatic

Note pyramid (duration)

Top, heart and base, with how long each lasts when known · gold = shared

Top

AniseRaspberryTarragonLavenderBergamotLemon

Heart

CinnamonCarnationJasmineLily-of-the-ValleyHeliotropeRose

Base

BenzoinVanillaCedarTonka BeanAmberSandalwoodMusk

Top

WatercressBergamotLavender

Heart

AniseOreganoCinnamon

Base

Spices

InformationalShared notesAnise, Lavender, Bergamot and Cinnamon. Note durations are not published for these fragrances, so this is not scored.

Seasons & time of day

Relative to each fragrance's best season

Spring92

Summer0

Fall0

Winter100

Day–

Night–

Spring80

Summer80

Fall100

Winter20

Day100

Night–

Category winnerNot enough dataMost year-round

Who wears it

Gender appeal votes

Men75

Unisex22

Women3

Men67

Unisex33

Women0

InformationalProfile onlyAudience is not scored

Ranking & credits

Fragranxe overall rank, nose and launch

Overall rank#4,075

PerfumerNot listed

Launched—

Reviews16

Overall rank#11,600

PerfumerEnrico Buccella

Launched—

Reviews19

Category winnerBackgroundHigher overall rank

In a nutshell

Description & review snapshot

Background by Jil Sander is a distinctive oriental fougere that opens with a brisk combination of sweet anise, tart raspberry, and herbal lavender. As the initial freshness settles on the skin, a warm core of cinnamon, carnation, and powdery heliotrope emerges, adding a cozy spicy sweetness. The base grounds the fragr…

Reviews →

Pyrgos is an unusual aromatic spice scent built around hot anise, cinnamon and herbs. It opens brisk and green with bergamot, lavender and watercress, then quickly turns red-hot, sweet, peppery and slightly medicinal, with oregano giving it a camphorous bite. It suits wearers who enjoy character more than softness. De…

Reviews →

InformationalRead bothTaste is personal

How we score: ratings blend public fragrance ratings with Fragranxe member votes; longevity, sillage, value and sentiment are community vote scores, and season bars are relative to each fragrance's strongest season. Categories with too little data are shown but not scored. The scent match weighs accord overlap (60%) and shared notes (40%). More in the FAQ.

Common questions

Straight answers from the data above.

Which is better, Background or Pyrgos?

Background takes 3 of 5 categories. Background is rated 4.52/5 from 181 votes; Pyrgos is rated 3.87/5 from 47 votes. Choose Background for a anis and vanilla character. Wins on ratings & consensus, sillage & projection and fragranxe ranking. Best in winter. Choose Pyrgos for a fresh spicy and anis character. Wins on value for money. Best in fall, daytime wear.

Which lasts longer, Background or Pyrgos?

They last about the same: Background 77/100, Pyrgos 77/100 for longevity in community votes.

Which projects more, Background or Pyrgos?

Background projects furthest (Background 68/100, Pyrgos 63/100), based on community performance votes.

Do Background and Pyrgos smell similar?

Some overlap: a 37% scent match on Fragranxe. Both share anis, warm spicy and aromatic accords. Common notes include Anise, Lavender, Bergamot and Cinnamon.

Is Background or Pyrgos better for summer or winter?

Pyrgos suits daytime wear. Based on community season votes.

What are the notes in Background and Pyrgos?

Background has top notes of Anise, Raspberry, Tarragon and Lavender, heart notes of Cinnamon, Carnation, Jasmine and Lily-of-the-Valley, a base of Benzoin, Vanilla, Cedar and Tonka Bean. Pyrgos has top notes of Watercress, Bergamot and Lavender, heart notes of Anise, Oregano and Cinnamon, a base of Spices.