FRAGRANXE
London Funk by Vilhelm Parfumerie
251COMMUNITY BALANCE127
VILHELM PARFUMERIERANK #12,605 OVERALL

London Funk

★★★★★★★★★★
3.42448 votes · 34 reviewsUNISEX

Vilhelm Parfumerie's London Funk is a bold, woody aromatic blend that captures a retro, green aesthetic. Built around top notes of juniper and basil, it settles into a dry heart of cassis and driftwood. The base of vetiver and yerba mate leaves a lingering, earthy trail that is perfect for warm spring days.

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Performance Metrics

1,447 VOTES
LONGEVITY
69
Long
187 votes
SILLAGE
56
Strong
184 votes
LOVE / HATE
60
Neutral
448 votes
PRICE VALUE
41
Fair
180 votes
RR SCORE
66
Well supported
448 votes
Ratings448
Reviews34
OVERALL61Well regarded1,447 votes
Open Performance Breakdown 1 TAKE

Lasts six to eight hours on skin with moderate projection that keeps within arm's length for two hours. It performs best in warm, humid weather, which highlights the salty driftwood.

Notes Pyramid

Search these notes
TOP
MIDDLE
Cassis Driftwood
BASE

A bitter, dry, and green woody aromatic scent. It features texture that feels like crushed dandelion stems and dry tea leaves, driven by key notes of basil, juniper, cassis, and smoky vetiver.

Main Accords

6 MAPPED
Aromatic
Woody
Fresh Spicy
Green
Citrus
Earthy

The aromatic and green accords dominate the opening with a sharp, herbal bite. Over time, the woody and earthy accords take over, shifting the scent from a bright garden to a dry, smoky forest floor.

Community Data

962 TOTAL VOTES

COMMUNITY SENTIMENT

OWNERSHIP STATS

GENDER APPEAL

253votes

REVIEW SENTIMENT

35%positive
Positive12
Neutral20
Negative2

When to Wear

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SEASONS · 236 VOTES

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OCCASIONS · TAP TO VOTE

It looks easiest to wear in spring and summer.

Pros & Cons

Quick take before you sample

WHY PEOPLE MAY LIKE IT

+

Sparkling opening of juniper and fresh basil

+

Unique earthy profile that stands out from typical summer scents

+

Decent six to eight hour longevity on warm skin

+

Dry vetiver and cedarwood provide a solid, woody structure

+

Great for casual spring daywear in outdoor settings

+

Unisex appeal for those who prefer dry, non-sweet profiles

+

Natural, botanical smell that avoids synthetic chemical vibes

+

Intriguing retro feel that recalls classic green chypres

+

Moderate projection that does not overwhelm enclosed spaces

+

High-quality glass bottle and heavy magnetic cap

WHAT TO WATCH OUT FOR

−

Polarizing cassis note can smell sour or urinous on some skin

−

Strong herbal bitterness may turn off beginners

−

May smell like sweat or stale weed to people around you

−

Not suitable for cold winter days which flatten the citrus

−

Too eccentric for formal dinners or conservative workspaces

−

Expensive price point for a highly casual, niche scent

−

Fails to project well after the third hour of wear

−

Very little sweetness to balance the dry yerba mate base

−

Sandalwood note is almost undetectable on most skin types

−

Not a safe gift due to the polarizing green profile

Fragranxe Review

EDITORIAL
“Vilhelm Parfumerie London Funk Review: Green, Bitter, and Retro”

London Funk opens with a sharp, bracing flash of bergamot and piney juniper. The top notes are intensely aromatic, immediately supported by a highly realistic basil note that smells like crushed leaves between your fingers. This is not a sweet, gentle herb garden. Instead, it feels bitter and wild, cutting through warm air with a cold, metallic fizz.

As the citrus recedes, the fragrance transitions into its woody heart. A dry driftwood accord emerges, pairing with cassis buds to create a complex, slightly sour undertone. On my skin, this phase reveals a distinct herbal oiliness that many compare to cannabis. It is earthy, damp, and slightly sweaty, though the woody structure keeps it from becoming completely unwashed.

In the dry-down, the green elements settle into a classic woody base. The vetiver here is dry and smoky, stripped of any clean, soapy facets. Yerba mate adds a dry, tea-like leafiness that reinforces the bitter theme, while cedarwood provides a steady, pencil-shaving structure. Sandalwood is listed but remains faint, doing little to soften the overall dry, grassy texture.

Performance is respectable for a green fragrance, carrying through a typical six-hour afternoon before fading. It projects moderately, making it a safe choice for outdoor events where you want to be noticed without overwhelming your companions. The scent thrives in humid summer heat, which coaxes out the salty facets of the driftwood and the warmth of the ambergris.

This is a fragrance with a specific retro identity, channeling a dusty, grassy vintage vibe. It will not appeal to fans of clean, modern laundry musks or sweet gourmands. It is designed for those who appreciate the bitter chypres of the past but want a modern, eccentric twist. If you wear vintage leather jackets and prefer dry, herbaceous scents, you will find it intriguing.

My verdict is that London Funk is a compelling, odd creation that demands a test drive. Its bitter, grassy profile is unique, but the sour cassis and sweaty undertones mean it can react poorly with some skin chemistry. Buy a sample first, wear it on a warm afternoon, and see how the herbal green notes behave on your skin before committing to a full bottle.

FRAGRANXE EDITORIAL

FAQs

What does London Funk smell like?+

This fragrance opens with a sharp, bright burst of green basil and piney juniper. As it settles on your skin, the initial herbal freshness shifts toward a dry, earthy core of vetiver and smoky yerba mate. It smells less like a traditional department store cologne and more like crushed green leaves, bitter citrus zest, and dry cedarwood.

Does this fragrance smell like cannabis?+

Many wearers report a distinct cannabis or hashish note in the dry-down, even though it is not officially listed. The combination of bitter basil, cassis, and earthy vetiver creates a smoky, green funk. It feels raw and resinous on the skin, mimicking the aroma of a joint passed in a cool, damp alley.

How long does London Funk last on skin?+

You can expect this Eau de Parfum to last between six and eight hours on skin. The bright top notes of bergamot and basil fade within the first hour. After that, the heavy base notes of dry vetiver, mate, and cedarwood linger close to the body, holding on well during warm spring afternoons.

What is the sillage and projection like?+

The projection is moderate, extending about an arm's length for the first two hours. It does not fill a whole room, which is helpful given its polarizing nature. It eventually settles into a private skin scent that hugs the body, occasionally wafting woody notes when you move around.

What season is best for wearing London Funk?+

This green scent shines best during the warm days of spring and summer. The bitter herbal qualities of basil and juniper feel crisp and refreshing in hot weather. Cold winter air tends to flatten the sparkling citrus and cassis, leaving only a dry, cold cedarwood behind.

For what occasions should I wear this perfume?+

Wear this for casual daytime outings, outdoor weekend festivals, or relaxed walks in the park. The earthy, herbal aroma makes it a poor fit for formal offices or quiet dinner dates. It fits a relaxed outfit like a linen shirt or a light denim jacket best.

Does London Funk lean masculine or feminine?+

While marketed as unisex, the heavy aromatic and woody accords give it a slight masculine lean. The dry-down recalls classic herbal aftershaves due to the strong presence of vetiver and cedar. However, anyone who enjoys dry, green, non-sweet fragrances can pull this off.

Who is the ideal audience for this scent?+

This is designed for fragrance enthusiasts who prefer earthy, botanical scents over sweet vanillas or clean florals. It appeals to people who want to smell unusual, green, and slightly dirty. If you enjoy grassy, bitter, or cannabis-leaning notes, this will fit your style.

Can I layer London Funk with other fragrances?+

Yes, you can layer it to soften its bitter edges. Try spraying it over a simple, sweet citrus or a creamy sandalwood perfume to round out the sharp basil. Avoid layering it with other heavy chypres or earthy patchouli scents, as they will make the overall aroma muddy.

How does London Funk compare to typical summer citrus scents?+

Most summer scents rely on clean lemons and light musks. This one is different, using a bitter bergamot and juniper top that quickly moves into dark cassis buds and salty driftwood. It feels much woodier and more herbal on the skin than a standard fresh cologne.

Rankings

Full rankings
Overall#12,605
Top Rated#21,100
Most Reviewed#6,142
Best Longevity#8,497
Best Sillage#33,157
Price Value#51,305

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Reviews

34 TOTAL
3.4
★★★★★★★★★★
From 34 reviews

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Dupes & Alternatives

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Look at Vilhelm's own Basilico & Fellini for a sweeter, fig-accented green, or Chanel's Sycomore for a cleaner, high-end vetiver.

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Scent of the Day · Sunday, Sep 27

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London FunkVilhelm Parfumerie
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