No 4. La Vertu
If you enjoy cozy woody scents with a hint of dark fruit and bakery spices, No 4. La Vertu by Les Fumées fits right into your fall and winter rotation. It suits anyone who loves the inviting warmth of clove and cardamom balanced by jammy black currant and velvety rose. Rather than smelling harsh or medicinal, the agarwood base blends with creamy sandalwood to produce a mellow, approachable trail. This fragrance works well for date nights, outdoor strolls in chilly weather, and relaxed evenings with friends around a fire pit. It appeals to men and women seeking an easy-to-wear amber perfume that stays present without overpowering a dinner table.
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Performance Metrics
0 VOTESOpen Performance Breakdown 1 TAKE
Expect 7 to 8 hours of longevity on bare skin and over 14 hours on fabric like wool coats and cotton shirts. It projects roughly 3 to 4 feet during the first 2 hours before settling into an arm-length scent bubble that remains pleasant for conversation.
Notes Pyramid
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The fragrance opens with a sharp burst of black pepper and sweet benzoin before mellowing into juicy black currant, aromatic clove, and creamy sandalwood. It smells like crushed holiday spices and dark berries resting on smooth, polished cedar and amber, giving you a cozy feeling without feeling sugary or cloying.
Main Accords
8 MAPPEDThe warm spicy accord dominates the first hour with aromatic clove and black pepper, delivering a cozy kitchen-spice sensation. As the initial heat calms, the amber and woody accords take over, blending golden resin with dry agarwood and creamy sandalwood for a grounding, velvety dry-down that hugs the skin.
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When to Wear
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OCCASIONS · TAP TO VOTE
It looks easiest to wear in fall and winter. The vote picture leans most toward night. It makes the most sense for date nights and parties.
Pros & Cons
Quick take before you sampleWHY PEOPLE MAY LIKE IT
Warm, peppery opening with smooth benzoin resin
Natural clove and cardamom heart without medicinal harshness
Tart black currant keeps the spices juicy and balanced
Solid 7 to 8 hours of total skin performance
Cozy sandalwood and golden amber anchor the dry-down
Mild, friendly agarwood note that is easy for beginners to enjoy
Truly unisex balance that wears comfortably on anyone
Excellent option for autumn walks and winter date nights
Creates a respectful, arm-length personal scent bubble
Lingers for over 14 hours when sprayed on knitwear and coats
Great choice for relaxed evenings around friends and family
WHAT TO WATCH OUT FOR
Initial black pepper blast may tickle sensitive noses
Subtle agarwood level might disappoint hardcore oud lovers
Not refreshing enough for hot spring and summer days
Prominent clove note can smell too much like bakery spices to some
Lacks massive projection for those wanting beast-mode sillage
Rose petals remain very quiet in the background
Unsuitable for intense workouts or outdoor sports
Skin projection dials back noticeably after the third hour
Drier skin types may experience a faster transition to base woods
Limited store distribution means buying a sample decant online first
Lacks the sticky honey or caramel sweetness of modern gourmands
Fragranxe Review
EDITORIAL“Les Fumées No 4. La Vertu Comprehensive Scent Review”
Spraying No 4. La Vertu on clean skin delivers an immediate rush of freshly cracked black pepper alongside sweet, resinous benzoin. A delicate fresh rose note weaves through the spice right away, preventing the pepper from coming across as harsh or dry. The top notes feel like walking into a warm cabin on a chilly morning, where sweet spices are heating on a stove while fresh flowers sit on the wooden counter. It makes a distinct first impression that grabs your attention without clearing the room.
After about twenty minutes, the initial peppery sharpness softens and reveals a fruity, aromatic heart. A dark, slightly tart black currant note emerges, blending smoothly with crushed green cardamom pods and warm clove buds. This heart phase projects steadily for roughly three hours. The clove here smells natural and culinary, resembling holiday baked goods rather than medicinal dental clove oil, while the black currant keeps the blend pleasantly juicy.
As the scent settles further into the skin, the warm spicy and amber accords take full control. The agarwood base is polite and gentle, offering an earthy, woodsy background rather than an animalic or barnyard funk. Sandalwood brings a smooth, creamy texture that ties the clove and amber together, while golden amber leaves a soft, slightly sweet glow that stays anchored close to your body. On dry skin, the woods emerge faster, while moisturized skin allows the dark fruit to linger longer.
In terms of actual wear time, you will get an honest seven to eight hours of longevity on skin, extending past twelve hours if sprayed on a jacket or sweater. Projection stays within an arm length for the first two hours before drawing into a personal scent bubble that feels intimate yet noticeable to someone standing nearby. Because of its cozy warmth and rich sandalwood base, this fragrance shines during fall and winter evenings, cool autumn walks, and relaxed dinner dates.
Anyone who enjoys unisex fragrances with a balance of spice, fruit, and wood will appreciate this profile. The rose note is subtle enough that it never turns overly floral or powdery, making it just as easy for men to pull off as women. If you generally prefer clean aquatic colognes or ultra-sweet vanilla bombs, the prominent clove and pepper notes might feel too savory or rich for your tastes. However, fans of nuanced amber perfumes will feel right at home with this blend.
No 4. La Vertu by Les Fumées delivers a satisfying, well-composed fragrance experience that avoids synthetic screechiness. It brings together the warmth of clove, the sweetness of benzoin, and the grounding depth of agarwood in a package that is approachable for everyday wear. While it is wise to order a sample first if you are sensitive to spicy notes, it makes a solid purchase for anyone seeking a dependable cold-weather signature.
FAQs
What does the opening of Les Fumées No 4. La Vertu smell like?+
The fragrance opens with an invigorating burst of freshly crushed black pepper paired with sweet benzoin resin and a light touch of fresh rose petals. This initial blast is spicy, warm, and slightly crisp, giving you an immediate wake-up call that mellows down within twenty minutes into aromatic clove and black currant fruit.
How does No 4. La Vertu transition from opening to dry-down on skin?+
After thirty minutes, the sharp black pepper yields to a juicy heart of black currant, warm clove, and crushed green cardamom. Around the three-hour mark, the fruity spices fade into a smooth base of creamy sandalwood, golden amber, and mild agarwood, giving your skin a soft, comforting woody warmth for hours.
How long does No 4. La Vertu last on skin compared to clothing?+
On clean skin, you will reliably get seven to eight hours of total wear, with the first three hours projecting strongly. On clothing like wool scarves, flannel shirts, or cotton hoodies, the sandalwood, amber, and agarwood base notes easily cling for over fourteen hours, often lingering until laundry day.
What kind of sillage and projection does No 4. La Vertu have?+
Projection extends about three to four feet around you for the first two hours, creating an inviting personal scent bubble. After that, it pulls back to within arm length, and by hour five it becomes a warm, intimate skin scent. It leaves a polite trail without overwhelming indoor spaces.
Which seasons and temperatures work best for No 4. La Vertu?+
This perfume performs best in cooler weather, specifically fall and winter when temperatures drop below 60 degrees Fahrenheit (15 degrees Celsius). Crisp autumn air brings out the brightness of black currant and black pepper, while winter chills allow the rich clove, amber, and sandalwood accords to feel cozy and comforting.
Is No 4. La Vertu suitable for office wear or evening dates?+
It is an exceptional evening scent, making it ideal for dinner dates, cozy drinks, and holiday parties where warm spices feel natural. For the office, it is completely wearable if you limit yourself to two light sprays under your shirt, since the amber and sandalwood dry-down remains discreet and respectful.
Is No 4. La Vertu truly unisex or does it lean more masculine or feminine?+
No 4. La Vertu is genuinely unisex. The initial rose and juicy black currant provide a soft, sweet touch that appeals to women, while the black pepper, clove, agarwood, and sandalwood provide an earthy, woody foundation that men appreciate. Anyone who enjoys warm, spiced amber fragrances can easily pull it off.
How does No 4. La Vertu compare to Tom Ford Noir de Noir?+
While Tom Ford Noir de Noir leans heavily into earthy patchouli, dark chocolate, and damp rose, No 4. La Vertu is brighter and spicier. La Vertu relies on black currant for tart fruitiness and features kitchen spices like clove and cardamom alongside gentle agarwood, making it more casual and easygoing.
Does No 4. La Vertu offer good value for its price?+
Yes, it offers very fair value for a niche fragrance. The blending of black currant, benzoin, and sandalwood smells smooth and high quality, without any synthetic chemical raspiness. Given its seven to eight hour skin performance and excellent longevity on fabrics, a standard bottle will last you through multiple cold seasons.
What note families or scents layer best with No 4. La Vertu?+
No 4. La Vertu layers nicely with straightforward vanilla, clean musk, or smoky cedar fragrances. Adding a simple sweet vanilla spray highlights the benzoin and amber base, making it feel like a rich dessert, while layering with a dry cedarwood cologne amplifies the pepper, agarwood, and sandalwood for a crisp masculine edge.
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Dupes & Alternatives
COMMUNITY DUPESCOREIf you want a similar vibe, consider Tom Ford Noir de Noir for a darker, earthier take on rose and wood, or Maison Margiela Jazz Club for a sweeter boozy vanilla spice. Diptyque Eau Duelle also shares a comparable comforting benzoin and spice dry-down without the oud.
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