Asphalt and rubber in perfume is an interesting one. It is one of those scents that has a very specific niche. You either hate it or love it—there is no in-between. It would be put in the same category as gas, matches, freshly cut grass, and other unusual scents that some people love and enjoy the smell of.
Asphalt is a byproduct of crude oil and smells like Diesel/Gasoline/Kerosene/Propane… So, for you weirdoes (I say it in the most loving way possible) who enjoy the smell of asphalt, here is a list of fragrances that smell similar to that.
1. Bvlgari Man In Black EDP
| Highlights | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | Bvlgari |
| Best for | Men |
| Fragrance Family | Amber Floral |
| Notes | Top Notes: Spices, Rum, and Tobacco Middle Notes: Leather, Iris, and Tuberose Base Notes: Tonka Bean, Guaiac Wood, and Benzoin |
| Release year | 2014 |
| Longevity | Over 8 hours |
| Projection | Moderate |
| Perfumer | Alberto Morillas |
While Man in Black by Bvlgari doesn’t have an asphalt note, many who have tried this men’s fragrance have described it to smell like wet asphalt. This could be due to the combination of leather and tobacco in the notes.
If you were to ask me, the smokiness of the tobacco mixed with the leather gives off more of a burnt tire scent. But that is still similar to the smell of asphalt or reminiscent to the smell of tires rubbing against asphalt in the least.
2. Nissan Smell My Dust
| Highlights | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | Nissan |
| Best for | Unisex |
| Fragrance Family | Oriental Floral |
| Main Accords | Leather Floral |
| Release year | 2024 |
| Longevity | Over 8 hours |
| Projection | Moderate |
| Perfumer | Nissan |
In an attempt to appeal to the Chinese public, Nissan took a creative approach by creating Smell My Dust, a fragrance that smells like tires and cherry blossoms.
The creation of this fragrance coincided with the Formula E race in Shanghai, China. The distinct smell of rubber on asphalt pays homage to that. As for the cherry blossoms, they are a symbol of Japanese culture and add a touch of elegance and sophistication to the perfume.
3. Chopard 1000 Miglia EDT
| Highlights | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | Chopard |
| Best for | Men |
| Fragrance Family | Aromatic Fougere |
| Notes | Top Notes: Lavender, Bergamot, and Juniper Berries Middle Notes: Violet, Leather, Green Grass, and Asphalt Base Notes: Woody Notes, Amber and Coffee |
| Release year | 2013 |
| Longevity | Over 6 hours |
| Projection | Moderate |
| Perfumer | Olivier Polge and Bruno Jovanovic |
Unlike the Bvlgari fragrance in this list, 1000 Miglia by Chopard has an asphalt note in its heart. You can’t smell the asphalt at first due to the fruity floral opening, but when the opening notes are gone, you catch a hint of the asphalt in the middle notes.
The asphalt note here is subtle yet distinct. It blends beautifully with the warm and woody notes in the heart and base. This fragrance is an homage to the Mille Miglia’s prestigious race of vintage cars, with which Chopard has been a partner since 1988.
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