Quick answers
History
Herod belongs to the catalogue of Parfums de Marly, the house Julien Sprecher created in 2009. Advent International, its majority shareholder since 2023, describes it as inspired by “the splendour of 18th century France”.
Community databases list 2012; the house gives no year. Premium Beauty News wrote in January 2016 that the brand unveiled its first five scents, Herod among them, in spring 2015, which contradicts that date.
The scent is attributed to Olivier Pescheux, the Givaudan perfumer who died in Paris (France) on 10 July 2023. Cosmetics Business listed it among his creations in its obituary; the house names no perfumer.
Parfumo ties it to an older house line, The Metallics, and an earlier name, Royal Essence Herod. In 2026 the house sells it as a 75 ml and 125 ml eau de parfum.
Fragrance notes
These are the notes Parfums de Marly publishes on its official Herod page.
Parfumo and several retailers list patchouli and woody notes in the base. The house itself lists musks and cedarwood.
Scent profile
The house describes a scent that opens with “the spicy intensity of cinnamon”, moves into a deep heart of tobacco leaves and settles on a warm vanilla base.
Incense and cistus give the tobacco a smoky, resinous edge. Osmanthus, a flower with an apricot facet, adds fruity roundness.
Osmetheca files it as a soft amber: vanilla and cinnamon weigh as much as the tobacco.
“Prestigious, gourmand and opulent.”Parfums de Marly, official Herod page
Key characteristics
When and where to wear
Spicy, vanillic and smoky, Herod suits cold weather and evenings best. As an eau de parfum it has more presence than an eau de toilette. Osmetheca does not publish a longevity figure.
Similar perfumes
Five perfumes help place Herod, through vanilla tobacco, the same house or a drier tobacco.
| Perfume | House | Why related |
|---|---|---|
| Tobacco Vanille | Tom Ford · 2007 | The reference vanilla tobacco, with tonka and cocoa. |
| Layton | Parfums de Marly · 2016 | Another house hit, built on vanilla and spice. |
| Chergui | Serge Lutens · 2001 | Tobacco, honey and incense, in a drier style. |
| Tobacco Oud | Tom Ford · 2013 | Tobacco and cistus without the vanilla, over oud and woods. |
| Fumerie Turque | Serge Lutens · 2003 | A honeyed blond tobacco, more resinous. |
Frequently asked questions
See also
Sources
- Parfums de Marly, official Herod page (notes, description, sizes), accessed 4 November 2026
- Cosmetics Business, “Master Perfumer Olivier Pescheux dies aged 57”, July 2023 (Herod among his creations)
- Premium Beauty News, “Parfums de Marly : une première boutique à Paris”, 7 January 2016 (first five scents unveiled in spring 2015)
- Givaudan, “Givaudan announces the passing of Master Perfumer Olivier Pescheux”, 11 July 2023
- Advent International, release on the partnership with the founder of Parfums de Marly and Initio, 22 June 2023 (founded 2009, 18th century)
- Parfumo, Herod entry (2012, Olivier Pescheux, The Metallics), accessed 4 November 2026
- Osmetheca, Parfums de Marly house entry