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FRAGRANXE
Fragrance comparison

Higher Black vs Eau Maximum

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

Updated 127 ratings analysed
Some overlap
Quick verdict

Which one should you pick?

Higher Black takes 6 of 7 categories.

  • Higher Black

    Choose it for a aromatic and woody character. Wins on ratings & consensus, community sentiment and longevity. Best in spring, daytime wear.

  • Eau Maximum

    Choose it for a citrus and aromatic character. Wins on value for money. Best in spring.

Higher Black6/7
Eau Maximum1/7
Ratings & consensus
Higher Black
Community sentiment
Higher Black
Longevity
Higher Black
Sillage & projection
Higher Black
Value for money
Eau Maximum
Versatility
Higher Black
Note pyramid (duration)
Not scored
Fragranxe ranking
Higher Black

Head-to-head breakdown

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

Fragrance
Higher BlackDior
Eau MaximumNickel
Winner

Ratings & consensus

Average rating and ownership split
4.35/ 5 · 60 votes
Have 20%Had 16%Want 64%
4.04/ 5 · 67 votes
Have 54%Had 24%Want 22%
Category winnerHigher BlackRating weighted by vote count

Community sentiment

How voters split from love to hate
53%Love
37%Like
2%Ok
8%Dislike
0%Hate

60 votes

37%Love
46%Like
1%Ok
13%Dislike
1%Hate

67 votes

Category winnerHigher BlackMost positive mix (25+ votes)

Longevity & sillage

0–100 community performance scores
⏱ Longevity76
〰 Sillage72
♥ Love / hate84
⏱ Longevity68
〰 Sillage65
♥ Love / hate76
Category winners

LongevityHigher Black

SillageHigher Black

Value for money

How fairly priced voters find it
¤ Price value50
¤ Price value63
Category winnerEau MaximumBest value score

Main accords

Strength of each scent family · outlined = shared by both
aromatic100%
woody92%
fruity84%
fresh spicy77%
green69%
sweet61%
citrus100%
aromatic83%
green65%
fresh spicy48%
herbal30%
Scent match41%Some overlap · both aromatic, green and fresh spicy

Note pyramid (duration)

Top, heart and base, with how long each lasts when known · gold = shared
Top
PeachMintPearAmalfi Lemon
Heart
CypressSpicesRosemary
Base
Pear WoodMusk
Top
MintGrapefruitOrange
Heart
TeaThymeAmalfi LemonSageRosemary
Base
MuskPatchouliNutmegCinnamon
InformationalShared notesMint, Amalfi Lemon, Rosemary and Musk. Note durations are not published for these fragrances, so this is not scored.

Seasons & time of day

Relative to each fragrance's best season
Spring100
Summer100
Fall83
Winter38
Day100
Night67
Spring100
Summer0
Fall0
Winter11
Day–
Night–
Category winnerHigher BlackMost year-round

Who wears it

Gender appeal votes
Men85
Unisex15
Women0
Men88
Unisex13
Women0
InformationalProfile onlyAudience is not scored

Ranking & credits

Fragranxe overall rank, nose and launch

Overall rank#11,103

PerfumerOlivier Gillotin, Olivier Pescheux

Launched2002

Reviews7

Overall rank#12,846

PerfumerNot listed

Launched—

Reviews16

Category winnerHigher BlackHigher overall rank

In a nutshell

Description & review snapshot

Dior Higher Black opens with a clean, energizing splash of crisp green pear, chilled mint, and bright Amalfi lemon mixed with juicy peach. As the lively fruit notes settle on skin, earthy cypress and fragrant garden rosemary take over, giving the scent a brisk herbal backbone with a pinch of peppery spice. The drydown…

Reviews →

Eau Maximum by Nickel is an aromatic spicy scent released in 2006. It opens with a crisp, cooling blast of mint and grapefruit, settling into a herbal core of tea, thyme, and rosemary. Designed for the active man, it provides a clean, energetic profile that holds up well during physical activity or hot summer days.

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.

Recent comparisons

Head-to-head activity from live history

Common questions

Straight answers from the data above.

Which is better, Higher Black or Eau Maximum?

Higher Black takes 6 of 7 categories. Higher Black is rated 4.35/5 from 60 votes; Eau Maximum is rated 4.04/5 from 67 votes. Choose Higher Black for a aromatic and woody character. Wins on ratings & consensus, community sentiment and longevity. Best in spring, daytime wear. Choose Eau Maximum for a citrus and aromatic character. Wins on value for money. Best in spring.

Which lasts longer, Higher Black or Eau Maximum?

Higher Black lasts longest (Higher Black 76/100, Eau Maximum 68/100), based on community performance votes.

Which projects more, Higher Black or Eau Maximum?

Higher Black projects furthest (Higher Black 72/100, Eau Maximum 65/100), based on community performance votes.

Do Higher Black and Eau Maximum smell similar?

Some overlap: a 41% scent match on Fragranxe. Both share aromatic, green and fresh spicy accords. Common notes include Mint, Amalfi Lemon, Rosemary and Musk.

Is Higher Black or Eau Maximum better for summer or winter?

For summer, Higher Black is the stronger pick. For winter, Higher Black is the stronger pick. Higher Black suits daytime wear. Based on community season votes.

What are the notes in Higher Black and Eau Maximum?

Higher Black has top notes of Peach, Mint, Pear and Amalfi Lemon, heart notes of Cypress, Spices and Rosemary, a base of Pear Wood and Musk. Eau Maximum has top notes of Mint, Grapefruit and Orange, heart notes of Tea, Thyme, Amalfi Lemon and Sage, a base of Musk, Patchouli, Nutmeg and Cinnamon.

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