Note Pyramid
Eros Flame
Buying for a man who already wears something warm and bitter is easier than it sounds, and the Versace Eros Flame Eau de Parfum Gift Set is a reliable answer.
The fragrance is a flanker to one of the house's best known men's lines, and it goes somewhere noticeably darker. Chinotto opens it, the bitter Italian citrus used in amaro and in bitter sodas, sour and resinous with no sweetness in it, and black pepper adds a dry burn on top. Rosemary carries the middle alone, green and resinous and faintly medicinal, which keeps everything austere for a good deal longer than most men's fragrances would dare to.
The end of it is warm. Vanilla brings the sweetness, patchouli the earth, and vetiver a dry rooty smoke, and the three of them together produce a finish that is comforting without ever becoming sugary. Six materials, composed by Olivier Pescheux, and the contrast between the bitter start and the warm close is the point of the whole thing.
As a present it works best for somebody who already takes an interest in fragrance and wears it in the evening rather than out of habit. It is not a safe neutral choice; it has a strong and distinct character, which is exactly why it is worth giving to the right person and a mistake to give to the wrong one. Cold weather and nights out suit it, offices a good deal less so, and a light hand suits it best of all. The set is boxed and needs nothing doing to it before it is handed over.
Versace has been in Milan since 1978 and in Donatella Versace's hands since her brother Gianni, who founded it, died. The Eros line is the best known of the men's fragrances it puts its name to.
Please note: images are a guide only. Packaging and bottle design may occasionally differ from those shown due to manufacturer updates or promotions.
Similar Notes
The Scent Vault
Join thousands earning on every order
Earn points as you shop, redeem for money off, and unlock member perks.
Find out more
The Scent Vault Gift Cards
Give the gift of choice
One card, every scent. Let them pick the fragrance that is truly them. Send it instantly by email, or schedule it for a future date with a message of your own.
Shop gift cards
