FRAGRANXE
Five O'Clock Au Gingembre by Serge Lutens
3,960COMMUNITY BALANCE425
SERGE LUTENSRANK #23,216 OVERALL

Five O'Clock Au Gingembre

★★★★★★★★★★
4.114,717 votes · 0 reviewsUNISEX

This fragrance focuses on bergamot and candied ginger settling into honeyed woods. It is designed for cold weather wear when you want a quiet, personal scent bubble. The spices feel dry and woody rather than sweet, making it ideal for office wear or reading at home. Christopher Sheldrake created it to capture afternoon tea.

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Performance Metrics

13,255 VOTES
LONGEVITY
64
Long
1,386 votes
SILLAGE
55
Strong
1,673 votes
LOVE / HATE
78
Liked
4,717 votes
PRICE VALUE
49
Fair
762 votes
RR SCORE
41
Building evidence
4,717 votes
Ratings4,717
Reviews0
OVERALL55Building evidence13,255 votes
Open Performance Breakdown 1 TAKE

Longevity is moderate, lasting around four to six hours on skin before fading. Sillage is intimate, projecting about arm's length for the first hour before settling into a quiet skin scent. It performs best in cool, dry autumn weather, where the tea and spice notes can gently warm up without being overwhelmed by humidity.

Notes Pyramid

Search these notes
TOP
Tea Bergamot
MIDDLE
BASE

This fragrance feels dry, woody, and slightly powdery on the skin. It centers on a realistic pairing of black tea and zesty bergamot, which immediately transitions into warming cinnamon and candied ginger. The base provides a soft texture of earthy patchouli, dark cacao, and honey, keeping the spice from feeling dusty.

Main Accords

10 MAPPED
Warm Spicy
Woody
Fresh Spicy
Cinnamon
Green
Citrus
Honey
Sweet
Amber
Cacao

On the skin, the warm spicy accords unfold with a dry, peppery ginger prickle rather than a thick sweetness. The woody and fresh spicy accords follow closely, lending a clean, pencil-shaving cedar quality that drys down alongside the tea. Over time, the honey accord emerges, softening the sharp edges without turning the composition into a heavy dessert.

Community Data

5,841 TOTAL VOTES

COMMUNITY SENTIMENT

OWNERSHIP STATS

GENDER APPEAL

977votes

REVIEW SENTIMENT

0%positive
Positive0
Neutral0
Negative0

When to Wear

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SEASONS · 117 VOTES

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OCCASIONS · TAP TO VOTE

It looks easiest to wear in winter and spring.

Pros & Cons

Quick take before you sample

WHY PEOPLE MAY LIKE IT

+

Captures a authentic Earl Grey tea and ginger vibe.

+

Stays private and close to the skin for comfort.

+

Great daytime companion for cool autumn weather.

+

Spice notes are dry and never sugary or cloying.

+

Christopher Sheldrake delivers a refined spicy blend.

+

Opening bergamot provides a refreshing citrus sparkle.

+

Honey and cacao base notes add a subtle warmth.

+

Blends well with clean citrus or woody fragrances.

+

Natural-smelling materials without harsh aromachemicals.

+

Perfect for cozy reading sessions at home.

WHAT TO WATCH OUT FOR

−

Overall wear time averages under six hours.

−

Sillage remains intimate after the first hour.

−

Decidedly non-gourmand despite the ginger cookie notes.

−

Bright tea opening is short-lived on skin.

−

Fails to project through heavy winter air.

−

High cost per milliliter given the light concentration.

−

Pepper and ginger can feel dusty at first.

−

Patchouli base can turn earthy on some skin.

−

Clashes with hot, humid summer climates.

−

Lacks the rich cacao richness some buyers expect.

Fragranxe Review

EDITORIAL
“Five O'Clock Au Gingembre Review: Cozy Spiced Tea in a Bottle”

Five O'Clock Au Gingembre opens with a crisp splash of bergamot alongside a dry, realistic black tea note. The tea smells like freshly opened Earl Grey leaves, tannic and slightly bitter, rather than a sugary iced beverage. This zesty freshness is brief, lasting only about fifteen minutes before the spices begin to warm on the skin. The citrus sparkles briefly before fading. It feels like stepping into a warm kitchen from the autumn cold.

As the fragrance settles, the heart reveals a dusty cinnamon and a prominent candied ginger note. Christopher Sheldrake balances the ginger so it feels woody and dry, avoiding the sticky sweetness of gingerbread cookies. Woodsy notes begin to anchor the composition, giving the ginger a structured, forest-like backdrop. The transition is smooth, moving from citrusy tea to a spiced, woody warmth.

On the skin, the dry-down introduces a subtle honey and a faint dusting of dark cacao. The honey here is not thick or animalic, but rather a dry glaze that sweetens the patchouli and pepper. The accords interact to create a dry, comforting texture that feels like a wool blanket. You do not get a heavy gourmand experience, but rather an atmospheric cedar wood scent with spicy pepper details.

The performance of this fragrance is its most polarizing attribute. It projects gently for the first hour, never extending past arm's length, before settling into a quiet skin scent. You will get four to six hours of longevity, requiring regular reapplication if you want it to last through an entire workday. The quiet sillage means you can wear it close to others without causing any irritation. It is best suited for crisp autumn days, rainy afternoons, or cozy evenings at home.

This scent fits those who value quiet, artistic perfume blends over loud projection. It is unisex, appealing equally to anyone who enjoys tea and dry wood notes without gendered expectations. It works exceptionally well in professional office settings where loud fragrances are inappropriate. It pairs wonderfully with a thick wool sweater and a cup of warm tea. Beginners might find the dry pepper surprising, while collectors will appreciate the refined composition.

Ultimately, Five O'Clock Au Gingembre is a quiet study in spice. It is a mandatory sample for tea lovers, but the low projection means it is not a safe blind buy for everyone. If you need a fragrance that fills a room or lasts twelve hours, skip this one. For those who want a private, comforting scent bubble for cold weather, it is a lovely addition.

FRAGRANXE EDITORIAL

FAQs

What does Five O'Clock Au Gingembre smell like?+

The fragrance smells like a cup of Earl Grey tea served with candied ginger and cinnamon biscuits. The sweetness is kept in check by a dry cedar woodiness and a dash of black pepper, preventing it from smelling like sticky gingerbread.

How does the opening differ from the dry-down?+

The opening bursts with zesty bergamot and a sharp, refreshing black tea note. As it dries down over the hours, the citrus fades, allowing the warm cinnamon, dry ginger, and honeyed patchouli base to settle close to your skin.

How long does this fragrance last on skin?+

It typically lasts between four and six hours on the skin. The bright top notes of bergamot and fresh tea vanish quickly, but the woody ginger and amber base lingers as a quiet skin scent for several hours.

How strong is the projection and sillage?+

This is a moderate to quiet scent. It projects moderately within arm's length during the first hour of wear, then drops to a private skin scent, making it ideal for those who dislike loud, room-filling perfumes.

What is the best season to wear this scent?+

It is built for cool weather, showing its best qualities in the autumn and winter. The warm cinnamon, dry woods, and ginger accords offer a comforting, cozy aura that feels out of place in summer heat.

For what occasions is this fragrance suitable?+

It is perfect for casual daytime activities like visiting a cafe, studying, or working in an office. The polite sillage means it will not offend coworkers, while the warm spices keep you feeling cozy on rainy days.

Does this fragrance lean male or female?+

It is a true unisex composition. The dry woodiness of cedar and pepper balances the sweetness of honey and ginger, ensuring it avoids smelling overly feminine or resembling a traditional masculine cologne, making it perfect for anyone.

Who is the ideal audience for this perfume?+

It suits enthusiasts who appreciate quiet, artistic blends rather than loud clubbing fragrances. If you enjoy tea notes, realistic ginger, and dry woods, this Christopher Sheldrake creation will fit your collection well.

Can you layer this fragrance with other scents?+

Yes, it layers beautifully with clean vanilla or light citrus soliflores. Adding a vanilla base note brings out the sweet honey and cacao elements, while a citrus top note extends the bright bergamot opening.

How does it compare to Tea for Two by L'Artisan Parfumeur?+

While both are excellent tea scents, Tea for Two is much smokier and features a leather accord. This Serge Lutens fragrance is brighter, focusing on candied ginger, zesty bergamot, and a cleaner, woodier finish on the skin.

Rankings

Full rankings
Overall#23,216
Top Rated,
Most Reviewed,
Best Longevity#24,225
Best Sillage#35,304
Price Value#36,720

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For a smokier, more leather-infused tea experience, L'Artisan Parfumeur Tea for Two is the closest relative. If you prefer a fresher, green-tea focused profile with better warm-weather versatility, Bvlgari Pour Homme Extreme is a solid alternative. Gucci Pour Homme II is another option, though it leans more ozonic and violet-heavy.

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Scent of the Day · Sunday, Sep 27

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Five O'Clock Au GingembreSerge Lutens
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