Liquorice perfume: buying guide and best perfumes 2026
Liquorice is a fragrance note that is both soft and slightly aniseed, extracted from the root of Glycyrrhiza glabra. In perfumery, it lends a gourmand roundness, a slight bitterness and a woody depth that appeal to women and men alike. This guide presents the best liquorice-note perfumes available at Tendance Parfums, with practical advice to help you choose according to your profile and occasions.
The liquorice note in perfumery: what is it?
The liquorice note in perfumery refers to a bittersweet, slightly aniseed, gourmand facet, inspired by liquorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra). It differs from pure anise through a warmer roundness and a slight bitterness that anchors it in depth rather than in freshness.
Fragrance facets
Liquorice unfolds several registers depending on its context. In an Oriental Vanilla accord, it amplifies the sweet softness of vanilla while adding a touch of slightly medicinal, spellbinding complexity. In a spicy accord, it lifts warm notes such as amber or patchouli. In a floral context, it acts as a connecting thread between delicate flowers and a woody base note.
Position in the fragrance pyramid
Liquorice can sit at different levels of the fragrance pyramid. As a top note, it brings a fresh, slightly sweet aromatic opening. As a heart note, it structures the central accord and gives it body. As a base note, it blends with resins and woods to create a long-lasting warmth. Its versatility explains why perfumers use it both as a connecting thread and as a surprising accent.
Complementary accords
Liquorice pairs particularly well with vanilla, star anise, patchouli, amber, bergamot and gourmand notes such as coffee or pear. It also blends with intense florals — rose, tuberose, gardenia — to soften their green or powdery character. With smoky or balsamic notes, it builds deep, distinctive Oriental accords, much appreciated in contemporary perfumery.
Which are the best liquorice-note perfumes?
Our selection of liquorice-note perfumes has been compiled from verified reviews and actual sales recorded on Tendance Parfums over the past twelve months. Below you will find ten references representative of our catalogue, covering several fragrance families — Oriental Vanilla, Oriental Spicy, Floral, Chypre — and price ranges from 22 EUR to 57 EUR, to suit every profile and every occasion.
Our favourite picks, reviewed
Guerlain La Petite Robe Noire EDP — With 113 sales over twelve months and 315 verified reviews at 4.67/5, this is the most popular liquorice reference in our catalogue. Liquorice and anise blend here with vanilla and patchouli in a gourmand yet never cloying Oriental Vanilla accord. One customer sums it up: "I've used it for years, it suits me very well". A perfume of loyalty.
Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium — 92 sales over twelve months and 248 verified reviews at 4.62/5 make it the best-selling liquorice perfume in the selection. Here, liquorice underlines an intense, addictive coffee-vanilla-pear accord. At 22 EUR, the value for money is remarkable. One customer notes: "lasts well on skin and clothes, just one or two small drops are enough."
Jean Paul Gaultier Scandal EDP — 69 sales over twelve months, 96 reviews at 4.83/5. Here liquorice plays in an unexpected Floral Chypre register, between peach, patchouli and beeswax. The result is sensual and modern, far from classic Orientals. One customer also appreciates the price point: "Cheaper than in perfume shops". A lovely alternative for those seeking originality.
Kenzo Jungle EDP — 66 sales over twelve months and 35 reviews at 4.97/5, the highest rating in the selection. Here liquorice fits into an exotic Oriental Spicy accord, between mango, vanilla and amber. Its warm, generous sillage wins over those around you: "Everyone around me loves it." A characterful perfume to discover or rediscover.
Liquorice for her, for him: how to choose?
Liquorice belongs to no gender in particular: it features in women's, men's and unisex perfumes alike, but its expression changes according to the olfactory context.
For her
In women's perfumes, liquorice often features in Oriental Vanilla or Floral Oriental accords. It reinforces the softness of gourmand notes — vanilla, pear, coffee — and balances intense florals such as tuberose or gardenia. Perfumes such as Guerlain La Petite Robe Noire or Diesel Loverdose illustrate this variation well: rounded, sensual, with a depth that vanilla alone could not create. These compositions are particularly suited to autumn and winter evenings, and to women who appreciate warm, long-lasting sillages.
For him
In men's fragrances, liquorice appears more in aromatic, woody or spicy accords, where it brings a fresh-bitter note that contrasts with wood or amber. Its slightly medicinal edge and depth make it a virile accent without being aggressive. It works very well in mid-season — late spring or early autumn.
Unisex and versatile
Creations such as Jean Paul Gaultier Scandal or Kenzo Jungle illustrate a bolder approach, where liquorice plays a structuring role without dominating. These perfumes suit both women and men depending on the shape of the sillage.
Testing tips
To test a liquorice perfume, apply it to the skin (wrist or inner elbow) and wait at least fifteen minutes before judging: liquorice often expresses itself more in the heart or base phase than at the opening.
Tendance Parfums figures
What our own online perfumery data reveals about the liquorice note — figures you won't find anywhere else:
- 27 perfumes with a liquorice note available in our catalogue, from 16 EUR to 120 EUR (core range 38-57 EUR).
- The best-seller among our customers over the past 12 months: Guerlain La Petite Robe Noire (113 sales).
- Average rating of our selection: 4.7/5 across 1020 verified customer reviews.
- Prices and stock updated continuously; free delivery from 59 EUR of purchases.
Frequently asked questions
What is the liquorice note in perfumery? The liquorice note in perfumery evokes the root of Glycyrrhiza glabra: bittersweet, slightly aniseed and gourmand. It differs from pure anise through its roundness and warmth. In perfumery, it can appear as a top, heart or base note depending on the composition, and is often paired with vanilla, amber or patchouli.
Are liquorice perfumes more for women or for men? Liquorice suits both. In women's perfumes, it reinforces gourmand and Oriental floral accords. In men's, it brings a fresh-bitter touch to woody or spicy accords. Unisex creations such as Kenzo Jungle or Jean Paul Gaultier Scandal show that the note transcends gender depending on the olfactory context.
In which season should you wear a liquorice perfume? Liquorice perfumes are best suited to autumn and winter, thanks to their warmth and depth. In more floral or fruity accords — such as Lanvin Me or Cacharel Yes I Am — they also work well in spring. In summer, choose lighter versions or apply sparingly, as these perfumes can be intense in the heat.
What is the difference between the liquorice note and the anise note? Liquorice and anise share a common aniseed facet, but liquorice is softer, rounder and slightly bitter, while anise is fresher and sharper. In perfumery, liquorice blends easily into warm, gourmand accords, whereas anise tends to bring vibrancy and lightness.
Which liquorice perfume should I choose on a tight budget? Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium is available from 22 EUR at Tendance Parfums: it is one of the best-selling entry-level options in our liquorice selection, with 248 verified reviews at 4.62/5. Cacharel Yes I Am (28 EUR) and Diesel Loverdose (32 EUR) are also good options between 25 and 35 EUR, with much-loved gourmand profiles.