Fragrance comparison

Version Black vs Viking

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

Updated 24 Oct 2026 68 ratings analysed

Version Black

Ulric de Varens

3.9537 votes

Rank #18,062 CitrusWoody

Full profile Similar & dupes

44%scent match

Some overlap

5 wins

Viking

Royal Copenhagen

3.7731 votes

Rank #17,682 WoodyFresh Spicy

Full profile Similar & dupes

Quick verdict

Which one should you pick?

Viking takes 5 of 8 categories.

Version Black
Choose it for a citrus and woody character. Wins on ratings & consensus, community sentiment and value for money. Best in spring, daytime wear.
Viking
Choose it for a woody and fresh spicy character. Wins on longevity, sillage & projection and versatility. Best in spring, daytime wear.

Version Black3/8

Viking5/8

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

Head-to-head breakdown

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

Fragrance

Version BlackUlric de Varens

VikingRoyal Copenhagen

Winner

Ratings & consensus

Average rating and ownership split

3.95/ 5 · 37 votes

Have 59%Had 15%Want 26%

3.77/ 5 · 31 votes

Have 27%Had 15%Want 58%

Category winnerVersion BlackRating weighted by vote count

Community sentiment

How voters split from love to hate

19%Love

65%Like

8%Ok

8%Dislike

0%Hate

37 votes

13%Love

68%Like

3%Ok

16%Dislike

0%Hate

31 votes

Category winnerVersion BlackMost positive mix (25+ votes)

Longevity & sillage

0–100 community performance scores

⏱ Longevity55

〰 Sillage52

♥ Love / hate74

⏱ Longevity72

〰 Sillage59

♥ Love / hate69

Category winners

LongevityViking

SillageViking

Value for money

How fairly priced voters find it

¤ Price value93

¤ Price value75

Category winnerVersion BlackBest value score

Main accords

Strength of each scent family · outlined = shared by both

citrus100%

woody92%

warm spicy84%

aromatic77%

lavender69%

floral61%

woody100%

fresh spicy92%

aromatic84%

warm spicy77%

sweet69%

powdery61%

Scent match44%Some overlap · both woody, warm spicy and aromatic

Note pyramid (duration)

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

Top15-30 mins

CitrusesCardamomMandarin OrangePineappleNutmeg

Heart2-3 hrs

LavenderFreesiaViolet

Base4-6 hrs

MuskWoody NotesTonka BeanPalisander Rosewood

Top15-30 mins

Mandarin OrangeCardamomNutmegPepper

Heart2-4 hrs

Juniper BerriesBalsam FirPineappleLavenderAnise

Base6-8+ hrs

SandalwoodCedarPatchouliMuskOakmossJasmineGeraniumAmber

Category winnerVikingLongest dry-down: 6-8+ hrs

Seasons & time of day

Relative to each fragrance's best season

Spring100

Summer100

Fall42

Winter17

Day100

Night32

Spring100

Summer93

Fall57

Winter36

Day100

Night35

Category winnerVikingMost year-round

Who wears it

Gender appeal votes

Men81

Unisex15

Women4

Casual 47%Work 32%Date 12%Party 9%

Men100

Unisex0

Women0

Casual 39%Work 34%Date 17%Party 10%

InformationalProfile onlyAudience is not scored

Ranking & credits

Fragranxe overall rank, nose and launch

Overall rank#18,062

PerfumerNot listed

Launched—

Reviews9

Overall rank#17,682

PerfumerNot listed

Launched—

Reviews7

Category winnerVikingHigher overall rank

In a nutshell

Description & review snapshot

Do not let the dark name fool you. Version Black by Ulric de Varens is not a heavy, brooding night scent. Instead, it bursts open with a bright blast of mandarin orange, tart pineapple, and fresh cardamom. The initial alcohol lift settles quickly on skin, revealing a clean heart of French lavender, delicate violet, an…

Reviews →

Royal Copenhagen Viking brings an invigorating blast of crisp mountain air, opening with zesty mandarin orange, sharp black pepper, warm nutmeg, and cool cardamom. As the brisk opening settles, a distinctly green heart emerges, led by rich balsam fir, crushed juniper berries, clean lavender, and a subtle drop of sweet…

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, Version Black or Viking?

Viking takes 5 of 8 categories. Version Black is rated 3.95/5 from 37 votes; Viking is rated 3.77/5 from 31 votes. Choose Version Black for a citrus and woody character. Wins on ratings & consensus, community sentiment and value for money. Best in spring, daytime wear. Choose Viking for a woody and fresh spicy character. Wins on longevity, sillage & projection and versatility. Best in spring, daytime wear.

Which lasts longer, Version Black or Viking?

Viking lasts longest (Viking 72/100, Version Black 55/100), based on community performance votes.

Which projects more, Version Black or Viking?

Viking projects furthest (Viking 59/100, Version Black 52/100), based on community performance votes.

Do Version Black and Viking smell similar?

Some overlap: a 44% scent match on Fragranxe. Both share woody, warm spicy and aromatic accords. Common notes include Cardamom, Mandarin Orange, Pineapple and Nutmeg.

Is Version Black or Viking better for summer or winter?

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

What are the notes in Version Black and Viking?

Version Black has top notes of Citruses, Cardamom, Mandarin Orange and Pineapple, heart notes of Lavender, Freesia and Violet, a base of Musk, Woody Notes, Tonka Bean and Palisander Rosewood. Viking has top notes of Mandarin Orange, Cardamom, Nutmeg and Pepper, heart notes of Juniper Berries, Balsam Fir, Pineapple and Lavender, a base of Sandalwood, Cedar, Patchouli and Musk.