London For Men by Burberry is a spicy woody fragrance for men, created by Antoine Maisondieu and was launched in 2006.
As the article title suggests, it’s one of those rare scents that actually remind fragrance enthusiasts of Christmas time.
The warm, spicy notes and hint of pine evoke memories of spending time with family and having a lovely time during the best time of the year.
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In this review, I will take you on a journey through the story of Burberry’s best release, a fragrance that has stood the test of time.
Even after almost two decades since its launch, it continues to captivate with its unique blend of notes. This is evident in the fact that I have repurchased it three times, a testament to its lasting appeal.
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BURBERRY LONDON FOR MEN ESSENTIAL INFORMATION
A NOTE FROM THE BRAND: “A sophisticated scent with top notes of bergamot, lavender and warm cinnamon. Artfully balanced heart notes of mimosa flower and rich leather. Lower tones combine heady tobacco leaves and dense oak moss to complete this distinctive and refined fragrance. “
PERFUME INFO
- PERFUMER: Antoine Maisondieu
- OIL CONCENTRATION: Eau de Toilette
- FRAGRANCE TYPE: Spicy Woody
- RELEASE DATE: 2006
- TARGET AUDIENCE: Men
- MASCULINE/FEMININE: 90% – 10%
- DOMINANT NOTES: Tobacco Leaf, Cinnamon, and Leather
- AGE GROUP: 25+
- SEASONS: Fall and Winter
- OCCASIONS: Leisure and Business
- PERFORMANCE: 6 – 8 hours with moderate projection
- COMPLIMENTS: Moderate
- LIKEABILITY: Moderate
- UNIQUENESS: 4/5
- PRESENTATION: 4/5
- VALUE FOR MONEY: 10/10
- PRICE: $ ($30.00)
- ACCORDS: Tobacco, Spicy, Sweet
- REVIEWED BATCH CODE: 9301 – October 2019
- REFORMULATED: Yes
- HOLY GRAIL RATING: A
- SAMPLE/BUY/PASS: Buy
- TESTING PERIOD: 11 years
- PRODUCTION: Yes
- POSSIBILITY OF DISCONTINUATION: Low
PERFUME PRESENTATION
Visually, Burberry stayed faithful to its heritage with the bottle and packaging for London. The bottle is glass and rectangular, wrapped in a muted version of Burberry’s check fabric — a literal nod to the brand’s visual signature.
The cap and finishing are neat, the atomiser sprays evenly, and the whole product reads as thoughtfully designed without flamboyance.
The fabric cover is more than decorative — it reinforces the narrative of craftsmanship and tradition.
In summary, it stands out as one of the most distinctive and elegant presentations I’ve encountered during my two decades as a perfume enthusiast.
NOTE BREAKDOWN
In this section of my Scent Grail review, I’ll dive into the note breakdown that plays a crucial role in shaping the identity of a fragrance.
Understanding how the top, heart, and base notes interact can provide valuable insight into the scent’s overall character.
Whether you’re considering adding a fragrance to your collection or are simply curious about how the notes unfold, this breakdown will help you appreciate the craftsmanship and both the positive and negative aspects of a particular fragrance.
PERFUME NOTES
- TOP NOTES: Cinnamon, Lavender, Bergamot
- HEART NOTES: Leather, Mimosa
- BASE NOTES: Tobacco Leaf, Guaiac Wood, Opoponax, Oakmoss
TOP NOTES
Three bottles later, and still, I feel like I’ll never get bored with London. I don’t care that it may not be as original as it was back in 2006, and it really doesn’t matter.
If I looked like this, and what’s considered creative now, many of the historically important perfumes would never receive a Holy Grail rating. A prime example is Chanel Allure Homme Sport.
The opening is fresh and aromatic. It took me a while to realise that this freshness is actually coming from bergamot (usually a strange note inclusion in this sort of mix), which gives a crisp edge that keeps the scent from feeling cloying, while lavender lends classic fougère freshness.
Immediately beneath both, a warming thread of cinnamon and a hint of cracked pepper are present — it’s that spicy warmth that signals this is an autumnal composition.
HEART NOTES
When the heart arrives, the perfume feels more textured. Leather shows up as a rounded, slightly sweet kind of leather — the smell of soft gloves or an old book rather than raw hide.
By this stage, the cinnamon’s heat is tempered, woven into the leathery fabric, and marks a pivotal moment in the fragrance’s character: it smells like an evening where the weather is cool, the lights are warm, and every detail matters.
On my skin, this stage carried the scent’s personality in a way that felt both refined and approachable.
BASE NOTES
The dry-down shifts toward tobacco leaf, guaiac wood, opoponax — a blend of subtly smoky, resinous, woody notes.
Tobacco here is not sweet pipe tobacco; it’s drier, closer to leaf and the residual warmth of a wine-bar aromatic haze. Guaiac wood provides a creamy, woody backbone that prevents the scent from becoming overly resinous or flat.
This base is the glue that preserves the scent’s memory. On fabric, it can be noticeable for many hours and gives the perfume its signature heartlike warmth.
And this is why once you try London, it can never fade from your memory.
PERFORMANCE & APPEAL
Burberry’s London has never been a longevity of projection “monster” nor has it ever been a fragrance for occasions which require a powerful fragrance.
What I get is a noticeable projection for the first two hours, a steady skin-scent stage for several more, and a lingering trace on clothing beyond that.
This fragrance caters to individuals who favour traditional, somewhat formal compositions—men who dress purposefully and lean towards subtlety rather than showiness.
The compliments I received were understated and sincere: comments about a sophisticated, adult scent rather than enthusiastic “what are you wearing?” reactions.
OCCASIONS & VALUE
The most favorable seasons for this fragrance are autumn and winter, as its warm notes of cinnamon, leather, and tobacco can feel comforting and natural during these times, rather than overwhelming.
The best moments to wear it are in the evening or on cooler days; it truly enhances those times when you want to feel composed and put together.
Almost twenty years ago, I would probably have given it a perfect score regarding the uniqueness, but now, I feel that it has lost just a touch of its magic.
This is not a scent that reinvents the wheel. Its strength is refinement rather than novelty.
Thus, its value for the money is, without a doubt, excellent, and there aren’t many perfumes in its price range, or even those more expensive, that offer such a great value. Especially if you are shopping via fragrance discounters.
PROS AND CONS
Each composition brings charm, complexities, and shortcomings to the diverse perfume landscape.
Exploring the pros and cons provides a comprehensive view, aiding fragrance enthusiasts in their quest for the perfect olfactory experience.
Understanding these nuances allows you to make a more well-informed choice, ensuring a tailored match for individual tastes.
Pros
- Superb tobacco fragrance
- Punches way above its price bracket
- Great presentation
Cons
- May be dated to those chasing ultra-modern compositions
- The performance is so-so for some users
COLLECTION & SIMILAR PERFUMES
For such a great fragrance, it is still strange to see that besides the ladies’ version of London, Burberry has never released a single flanker of this scent.
Yes, there have been two men’s and two women’s “Special Editions”, but those were time-limited releases, and in this case, I’m not counting those as the real flankers. Good luck finding any of them now.
COLLECTION
SIMILAR PERFUMES AND ALTERNATIVES
EDITOR’S CHOICE
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Welcome to the FAQ corner on Scent Grail, where I’ve curated answers to the most common questions about this perfume.
Whether you’re a fragrance enthusiast seeking to explore the world of niche perfumes or simply looking for additional information to complement your style, this FAQ section will provide valuable insights.
What does Burberry London For Men smell like?
Burberry London for Men smells like a warm blend of cinnamon, leather, and tobacco wrapped in soft lavender and woody resins — evoking the comfort of a wool coat on a crisp autumn evening. It’s elegant, spicy, and distinctly British, balancing refined sophistication with cosy, smoky warmth.
Is Burberry London For Men long-lasting?
Burberry London For Men has very good longevity, typically lasting around 6–8 hours on skin with a soft, lingering trail on clothes. As an Eau de Toilette, it performs best in cooler weather, where its warm tobacco and spice notes remain more noticeable and well-balanced.
Which Burberry Men’s cologne is the best?
If you’re looking for a versatile, sophisticated option with a refined woody-spicy profile, Burberry London For Men stands out as a strong choice thanks to its leather, cinnamon and tobacco leanings—ideal for autumn/winter evenings.
FINAL WORDS
As we reach the end of this review, I’m sure that some younger generations might not agree with me in categorising London as a Holy Grail scent, and I understand why.
A considerable amount of time has passed since 2006, and trends have changed. For me, this fragrance has stood the test of time, and nothing really captures its magic that still makes people smile when they wear it.
One of the best releases from the early days of the new millennium, back in the time when fragrance houses took significant risks to give us something new and interesting.
I highly recommend giving London a try, as I doubt you’ll find a more pleasing winter fragrance at this price today.
Last but not least, please keep in mind that although I acquired this bottle in 2025, the formulation dates back to 2019, and I haven’t sampled the latest clear bottle “silver cap” London.
What do you think about this article covering Burberry London For Men? Let’s start a conversation, and let me know in the comments section below.
If you are unsure whether to buy a fragrance, looking at Scent Grail’s S.P.A. Signature Factor Guide is always a good decision.
It is easy to use and the most relevant perfume-buying guide on the web. This way, you can determine whether a particular fragrance is worth checking out and potentially find your signature perfume.
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Until next time, stay humble and keep smelling great!
Best, Marin!
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