Fragrance comparison

Irae vs Retrospection

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

Updated 15 Nov 2026 397 ratings analysed

Irae

V Canto

4.05363 votes

Rank #8,710 Fresh SpicyAromatic

Full profile Similar & dupes

41%scent match

Some overlap

5 wins

Retrospection

JMP Artisan Perfumes

3.5934 votes

Rank #19,721 AromaticWoody

Full profile Similar & dupes

Quick verdict

Which one should you pick?

Retrospection takes 5 of 8 categories.

Irae
Choose it for a fresh spicy and aromatic character. Wins on ratings & consensus, community sentiment and fragranxe ranking. Best in fall, daytime wear.
Retrospection
Choose it for a aromatic and woody character. Wins on longevity, sillage & projection and value for money. Best in fall, evening wear.

Irae3/8

Retrospection5/8

Ratings & consensus: Irae
Community sentiment: Irae
Longevity: Retrospection
Sillage & projection: Retrospection
Value for money: Retrospection
Versatility: Retrospection
Note pyramid (duration): Retrospection
Fragranxe ranking: Irae

Head-to-head breakdown

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

Fragrance

IraeV Canto

RetrospectionJMP Artisan Perfumes

Winner

Ratings & consensus

Average rating and ownership split

4.05/ 5 · 363 votes

Have 38%Had 15%Want 47%

3.59/ 5 · 34 votes

Have 30%Had 12%Want 57%

Category winnerIraeRating weighted by vote count

Community sentiment

How voters split from love to hate

37%Love

44%Like

5%Ok

13%Dislike

1%Hate

363 votes

24%Love

35%Like

24%Ok

12%Dislike

6%Hate

34 votes

Category winnerIraeMost positive mix (25+ votes)

Longevity & sillage

0–100 community performance scores

⏱ Longevity69

〰 Sillage65

♥ Love / hate76

⏱ Longevity80

〰 Sillage71

♥ Love / hate65

Category winners

LongevityRetrospection

SillageRetrospection

Value for money

How fairly priced voters find it

¤ Price value49

¤ Price value61

Category winnerRetrospectionBest value score

Main accords

Strength of each scent family · outlined = shared by both

fresh spicy100%

aromatic92%

woody84%

citrus77%

cacao69%

amber61%

aromatic100%

woody92%

animalic84%

fresh spicy77%

white floral69%

green61%

Scent match41%Some overlap · both aromatic, fresh spicy and woody

Note pyramid (duration)

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

Top30 to 45 minutes

Cacao PodTonka BeanBergamot

Heart2 to 4 hours

Sichuan PepperWormwoodCorianderHot iron

Base6 to 8 hours

OakPalisander RosewoodCrystal Amber

Top15-30 mins

GalbanumAldehydesBergamotWormwoodLavenderRosemaryPetitgrain

Heart2-4 hrs

Orange BlossomLily-of-the-ValleyJasmineGeraniumCorianderRoseClary SageCloves

Base8-10+ hrs

OakmossCivetLeatherBeeswaxMuskOrris RootVetiverSandalwood

Category winnerRetrospectionLongest dry-down: 8-10+ hrs

Seasons & time of day

Relative to each fragrance's best season

Spring40

Summer22

Fall100

Winter74

Day100

Night92

Spring86

Summer21

Fall100

Winter71

Day83

Night100

Category winnerRetrospectionMost year-round

Who wears it

Gender appeal votes

Men42

Unisex49

Women9

Men65

Unisex23

Women12

InformationalProfile onlyAudience is not scored

Ranking & credits

Fragranxe overall rank, nose and launch

Overall rank#8,710

PerfumerPaolo Terenzi

Launched—

Reviews29

Overall rank#19,721

PerfumerJakub Pietrynka

Launched—

Reviews6

Category winnerIraeHigher overall rank

In a nutshell

Description & review snapshot

Irae by V Canto offers an unconventional contrast of bitter cacao pod, bright bergamot, and striking hot iron. Created by perfumer Paolo Terenzi, this unisex fragrance steps away from standard gourmand sweetness. The opening pairs dry cocoa and citrus against a sharp kick of Sichuan pepper and bitter wormwood. As the …

Reviews →

Retrospection by JMP Artisan Perfumes resurrects the bold, unapologetic swagger of traditional masculine perfumery from the late twentieth century. Created by Polish independent perfumer Jakub Pietrynka, this composition opens with a sharp burst of bitter galbanum, soapy aldehydes, and zesty bergamot. Within minutes, …

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

Fancy NightsJessica SimpsonRUNNER-UP vs

Nino Cerruti Pour FemmeCerrutiWINNER

3 people compared this today

Sweet DreamsHouse Of SillageWINNER vs

Safari ElixirAthoor Al AlamRUNNER-UP

1 person compared this today

PrometheuNecalliWINNER vs

Bruno ImperialAnfar LondonRUNNER-UP

1 person compared this today

Super CedarByredoRUNNER-UP vs

NorthMendittorosaWINNER

1 person compared this today

Common questions

Straight answers from the data above.

Which is better, Irae or Retrospection?

Retrospection takes 5 of 8 categories. Irae is rated 4.05/5 from 363 votes; Retrospection is rated 3.59/5 from 34 votes. Choose Irae for a fresh spicy and aromatic character. Wins on ratings & consensus, community sentiment and fragranxe ranking. Best in fall, daytime wear. Choose Retrospection for a aromatic and woody character. Wins on longevity, sillage & projection and value for money. Best in fall, evening wear.

Which lasts longer, Irae or Retrospection?

Retrospection lasts longest (Retrospection 80/100, Irae 69/100), based on community performance votes.

Which projects more, Irae or Retrospection?

Retrospection projects furthest (Retrospection 71/100, Irae 65/100), based on community performance votes.

Do Irae and Retrospection smell similar?

Some overlap: a 41% scent match on Fragranxe. Both share aromatic, fresh spicy and woody accords. Common notes include Bergamot, Wormwood and Coriander.

Is Irae or Retrospection better for summer or winter?

For summer, Irae is the stronger pick. For winter, Irae is the stronger pick. Irae suits daytime wear; Retrospection suits evening wear. Based on community season votes.

What are the notes in Irae and Retrospection?

Irae has top notes of Cacao Pod, Tonka Bean and Bergamot, heart notes of Sichuan Pepper, Wormwood, Coriander and Hot iron, a base of Oak, Palisander Rosewood and Crystal Amber. Retrospection has top notes of Galbanum, Aldehydes, Bergamot and Wormwood, heart notes of Orange Blossom, Lily-of-the-Valley, Jasmine and Geranium, a base of Oakmoss, Civet, Leather and Beeswax.