Open
Open is a classic aromatic fougere with a bright citrus and lavender opening, then dries into herbal thyme, sage, tobacco and vetiver. It smells clean, masculine and distinctly old school. Reviews consistently point to a barbershop feel, a smoky soapy drydown and strong value. It suits buyers who enjoy vintage character more than modern sweetness, and it is smarter to sample first.
Similar Suggestions
BETAFragrances with the nearest note and performance profile.
For more in-depth suggestions.
Performance Metrics
3,076 VOTESOpen Performance Breakdown 1 TAKE
Performance usually comes across as solid for the style and price. Community votes lean moderate to long lasting, with projection that most often feels moderate to strong. It can wear bigger than expected for a fresh-leaning fougere, especially early on, so lighter application may suit close settings.
Notes Pyramid
Search these notesChoose where each note belongs.
Open smells aromatic first, then tobacco-led. The opening combines citrus and lavender with a brisk herbal lift, before thyme and sage pull it into classic barbershop territory. In the drydown it turns soapier, smokier and drier, with tobacco, vetiver and patchouli giving it a masculine, slightly rugged finish.
Main Accords
12 MAPPEDThe aromatic accord drives the shape of the scent, but the tobacco accord gives it its identity. Citrus adds brightness rather than juiciness, lavender keeps it clean, and the herbs bring a dry, almost medicinal edge in the opening. As it settles, the blend feels soapier, ashier and earthier, with vetiver and patchouli reinforcing the vintage texture.
Community Data
1,193 TOTAL VOTESCOMMUNITY SENTIMENT
OWNERSHIP STATS
GENDER APPEAL
REVIEW SENTIMENT
When to Wear
TAP TO VOTETIME OF DAY · TAP TO VOTE
OCCASIONS · TAP TO VOTE
It looks easiest to wear in winter and spring.
Pros & Cons
Quick take before you sampleWHY PEOPLE MAY LIKE IT
Classic barbershop fougere character
Distinctive smoky tobacco drydown
Strong value for the money
Better drydown than opening for many wearers
Good longevity for an affordable scent
Projects well without feeling shapeless
Works across office and casual settings
Feels masculine and confident
More characterful than many modern fresh scents
Layers well with amber or vanilla according to some wearers
WHAT TO WATCH OUT FOR
Sharp opening may put some buyers off
Clearly old-school style, not modern
Risky blind buy if you do not like vintage fougeres
Medicinal or antiseptic opening for some noses
Tobacco can read as ashy or cigarette-like
Limited unisex appeal
May feel too heavy in hot weather
Rougher and less polished than newer fresh scents
Smoky herbal profile can be polarizing
Availability can be inconsistent
Fragranxe Review
EDITORIAL“Roger & Gallet Open Review”
Roger & Gallet Open is a fragrance that wears its era clearly. The structure is classic fougere, citrus and lavender up top, aromatic herbs through the middle, then tobacco, vetiver and patchouli in the base. On paper that sounds familiar, but in wear it lands with more smoke, soap and herbal bite than many modern masculine scents. That is exactly why some people love it and why others bounce off it quickly.
The opening is the most divisive part. Several reviews describe it as sharp, medicinal or antiseptic, while others enjoy the brisk burst of lavender and citrus. The lemon and bergamot bring lift, but they are not the whole story for long. Very quickly, thyme and sage start shaping the scent into something greener, drier and more assertive. If you already enjoy older barbershop fragrances, that stage can feel clean, confident and nostalgic. If you prefer smoother blue fragrances or sweet ambers, it may feel abrupt.
Once Open settles, the perfume starts to make more sense. This is where the tobacco accord becomes important. It is usually described less as plush sweetness and more as dry ash, cigar smoke and a slightly rough masculine texture. The soapiness never fully disappears, so the drydown often feels like herbal shaving soap, fresh lavender and smoky tobacco sharing the same space. Reviews also point to a beautiful drydown, and that matches the overall pattern here. It comes across more refined after the first stretch, with a sturdier, more coherent character.
Performance is one of the stronger selling points. Community votes lean toward moderate to long lasting longevity, and sillage usually sits in the moderate to strong range. Wearers regularly call it potent for the price, which fits its reputation as a budget-friendly classic with real presence. This is not one of those fresh scents that vanishes before lunch. It can feel fuller and more forceful than the note list first suggests, especially if you spray heavily.
Who should wear it? Open is best for someone who likes traditional masculine perfumery, aromatic fougeres and a slightly rugged tobacco edge. It can work in the office, for casual evenings, or as an everyday scent if that old-school profile feels natural to you. It is less convincing as a blind buy for younger shoppers chasing something clean, sweet and current. Reviews comparing it to classic barbershop territory, including Drakkar Noir, make sense, but Open seems smokier and a little less polished.
The appeal of Open is not trendiness. It is character. It smells like a fragrance with elbows, not a soft-focus crowd pleaser. For the right wearer, that is the whole point. If you want an affordable vintage-style fougere with a strong lavender, herbal and tobacco identity, it is worth sampling. If medicinal openings or retro masculines tend to go wrong on your skin, sample before buying a full bottle.
FAQs
What does Roger & Gallet Open smell like?+
It opens with citrus and lavender, moves into aromatic herbs like thyme and sage, then settles into tobacco, vetiver and patchouli. On skin, many wearers describe it as soapy, smoky, herbal and distinctly barbershop-like.
Is Open by Roger & Gallet very old-fashioned?+
Yes, that is one of its clearest traits. Reviews repeatedly describe it as retro, classic and strongly masculine, with an unmistakable 1980s fougere style.
Is Open a safe blind buy?+
Usually not. Several positive reviewers still say the vintage profile and sharp opening make it a risky blind buy, especially if you prefer smoother modern fresh scents.
Does Open smell like tobacco?+
Yes, but not in a sweet pipe-tobacco way. The tobacco note often comes across as dry, ashy and slightly smoky, paired with herbs and soapier fougere facets.
How long does Roger & Gallet Open last?+
Community performance votes lean from moderate to long lasting, and many wearers call it potent for the price. On skin, it usually reads stronger than a light fresh scent.
How strong is the projection?+
Projection is usually moderate to strong. It is not commonly described as a soft skin scent, especially in the earlier stages of wear.
Is Open good for hot weather?+
It can work in warm weather if you enjoy sharp aromatic fougeres, but some buyers may find the herbal tobacco character too heavy or too assertive in heat. It is generally easier in mild weather.
When should you wear Open?+
It fits everyday wear, office use, evenings out and casual dressed-up settings. Its clean but rugged style also suits people who like classic masculine grooming scents.
Who is Open best for?+
It suits wearers who enjoy vintage fougeres, barbershop scents, lavender-heavy aromatics and dry tobacco notes. If you want something trendy, sweet or highly unisex, it may feel too traditional.
Does Open smell similar to Drakkar Noir?+
Some reviewers compare its overall style to classic barbershop fragrances like Drakkar Noir. Open is often described as smokier, ashier and rougher around the edges.
Rankings
Full rankingsWear Diary
0 COMMUNITY WEAR LOGSKeep sprays, longevity, weather, and compliments in one practical log.
Sign in to keep private wear notes.
Compliment Signal
FROM WEAR LOGSReviews
No owner review yet. You can be the first.
Dupes & Alternatives
COMMUNITY DUPESCOREOpen is often discussed in the same broad space as classic barbershop fougeres, especially Drakkar Noir. That comparison is useful for style, but not as a direct dupe claim. Open usually reads smokier, ashier and more tobacco-leaning. If that rougher vintage edge is what you want, it makes sense. If you want a cleaner, smoother fougere, look elsewhere.
No User submitted dupes yet. The first useful DupeScore can come from your community.
Live questions about Open
Ask one quick question and let the community weigh in while it is live.
No live pulse yet.
Trusted Sellers
Community-submitted stores that regular buyers trust, by country.
No trusted sellers added for this fragrance yet.
Where to Sample
Discovery sets, official samples, and trusted decants.
No sample or decant options shared for this fragrance yet.