Fragrance comparison

Black Gold vs Ambre Topkapi

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

Updated 14 Nov 2026 2,208 ratings analysed

7 wins

Black Gold

Mancera · 2017

4.101,679 votes

Rank #1,411 LavenderFresh Spicy

Full profile Similar & dupes

43%scent match

Some overlap

Ambre Topkapi

MDCI Parfums

3.84529 votes

Rank #4,628 Fresh SpicyAromatic

Full profile Similar & dupes

Quick verdict

Which one should you pick?

Black Gold takes 7 of 7 categories.

Black Gold
Choose it for a lavender and fresh spicy character. Wins on ratings & consensus, community sentiment and longevity. Best in fall, day or night wear.
Ambre Topkapi
Choose it for a fresh spicy and aromatic character. Best in spring.

Black Gold7/7

Ambre Topkapi0/7

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

Head-to-head breakdown

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

Fragrance

Black GoldMancera

Ambre TopkapiMDCI Parfums

Winner

Ratings & consensus

Average rating and ownership split

4.10/ 5 · 1,679 votes

Have 44%Had 13%Want 42%

3.84/ 5 · 529 votes

Have 64%Had 36%Want 0%

Category winnerBlack GoldRating weighted by vote count

Community sentiment

How voters split from love to hate

46%Love

31%Like

12%Ok

9%Dislike

2%Hate

1,679 votes

34%Love

44%Like

10%Ok

12%Dislike

1%Hate

340 votes

Category winnerBlack GoldMost positive mix (25+ votes)

Longevity & sillage

0–100 community performance scores

⏱ Longevity76

〰 Sillage67

♥ Love / hate77

⏱ Longevity71

〰 Sillage59

♥ Love / hate75

Category winners

LongevityBlack Gold

SillageBlack Gold

Value for money

How fairly priced voters find it

¤ Price value59

¤ Price value37

Category winnerBlack GoldBest value score

Main accords

Strength of each scent family · outlined = shared by both

lavender100%

fresh spicy99%

woody97%

aromatic88%

powdery85%

violet79%

fresh spicy100%

aromatic92%

sweet84%

lavender77%

fruity69%

fresh61%

Scent match43%Some overlap · both fresh spicy, aromatic and lavender

Note pyramid (duration)

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

Top30 to 45 minutes

LavenderCinnamonNutmegCitrusesAgarwood (Oud)

Heart3 to 4 hours

VioletJasminePatchouli LeafSea NotesRose

Base6 to 8 hours

LeatherWoody NotesWhite MuskAmberVetiver

Top

LavenderPineappleGrapefruitBergamotWormwoodMelonNutmegGinger

Heart

Lily-of-the-ValleyVioletJasmineThyme

Base

MuskAmberOakmossTeaBrazilian RosewoodLeatherPatchouliRaspberry

InformationalShared notesLavender, Nutmeg, Violet and Jasmine. Durations are only published for Black Gold, so this is not scored.

Seasons & time of day

Relative to each fragrance's best season

Spring88

Summer44

Fall100

Winter87

Day100

Night99

Spring100

Summer68

Fall0

Winter52

Day–

Night–

Category winnerBlack GoldMost year-round

Who wears it

Gender appeal votes

Men69

Unisex24

Women8

Men61

Unisex37

Women2

InformationalProfile onlyAudience is not scored

Ranking & credits

Fragranxe overall rank, nose and launch

Overall rank#1,411

PerfumerPierre Montale

Launched2017

Reviews203

Overall rank#4,628

PerfumerPierre Bourdon

Launched—

Reviews76

Category winnerBlack GoldHigher overall rank

In a nutshell

Description & review snapshot

Black Gold by Mancera is a leather fragrance for men that blends classic aromatic grooming with rich warmth. Released in 2017 and composed by Pierre Montale, it leads with sharp citruses, fresh lavender, nutmeg, and warm cinnamon over a hint of agarwood. As it develops, powdery violet, rose, and patchouli leaf add a c…

Reviews →

Ambre Topkapi is fresher, greener and more aromatic than its name suggests. Wearers often describe a clean lavender and grapefruit opening, with pineapple folded in smoothly rather than pushed forward, then a spicy woody base that feels polished and quietly masculine. It suits someone who likes refined fougere style f…

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.

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Common questions

Straight answers from the data above.

Which is better, Black Gold or Ambre Topkapi?

Black Gold takes 7 of 7 categories. Black Gold is rated 4.10/5 from 1,679 votes; Ambre Topkapi is rated 3.84/5 from 529 votes. Choose Black Gold for a lavender and fresh spicy character. Wins on ratings & consensus, community sentiment and longevity. Best in fall, day or night wear. Choose Ambre Topkapi for a fresh spicy and aromatic character. Best in spring.

Which lasts longer, Black Gold or Ambre Topkapi?

Black Gold lasts longest (Black Gold 76/100, Ambre Topkapi 71/100), based on community performance votes.

Which projects more, Black Gold or Ambre Topkapi?

Black Gold projects furthest (Black Gold 67/100, Ambre Topkapi 59/100), based on community performance votes.

Do Black Gold and Ambre Topkapi smell similar?

Some overlap: a 43% scent match on Fragranxe. Both share fresh spicy, aromatic and lavender accords. Common notes include Lavender, Nutmeg, Violet and Jasmine.

Is Black Gold or Ambre Topkapi better for summer or winter?

For summer, Ambre Topkapi is the stronger pick. For winter, Black Gold is the stronger pick. Black Gold suits day or night wear. Based on community season votes.

What are the notes in Black Gold and Ambre Topkapi?

Black Gold has top notes of Lavender, Cinnamon, Nutmeg and Citruses, heart notes of Violet, Jasmine, Patchouli Leaf and Sea Notes, a base of Leather, Woody Notes, White Musk and Amber. Ambre Topkapi has top notes of Lavender, Pineapple, Grapefruit and Bergamot, heart notes of Lily-of-the-Valley, Violet, Jasmine and Thyme, a base of Musk, Amber, Oakmoss and Tea.