Escentric Molecules Molecule 01 review
Best for: Subtle 'your skin but better' scent · Mid-range
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Pros
- Unique, minimalist concept
- Very office-friendly
- Excellent for layering under other scents
- Reasonably priced for niche
Cons
- Many wearers cannot smell it on themselves
- Too subtle for those who want a statement
- Concentration not published
Full review
Molecule 01 is a fragrance made from a single ingredient: Iso E Super, a synthetic woody material that appears in thousands of perfumes. Escentric Molecules describes it as velvety and wood-tinged and says it almost caramelises with your own skin to create a personal scent.
Up close it smells like clean, soft cedar with a faint warm muskiness. The quirk is that many people find it hard to detect on themselves, yet friends and colleagues notice it. This is why people's experience of it differs so much. It is generally a soft, close-to-the-skin scent.
It is a great choice for someone who dislikes obvious perfume, for offices, or as a base layer to boost and smooth other fragrances. It is also an interesting gift for a fragrance enthusiast. Just be aware that for a minority it may as well be water. Escentric Molecules sells 30, 100 and 200 ml bottles and a 30 ml portable spray that can be refilled.
Full specifications
| Concentration | Not published (single aroma-chemical in alcohol) |
|---|---|
| Fragrance family | Woody, musky |
| What it smells like | Soft, velvety cedar-like wood that blends with your own skin |
| Top notes | Iso E Super only (Escentric Molecules) |
| Heart notes | Iso E Super only |
| Base notes | Iso E Super only |
| Best seasons | All year |
| Best occasions | Everyday, work, layering with other perfumes |
| Suggested sprays | 3-5 |
| Perfumer | Not stated |
| Launch year | Not stated |
| Bottle sizes | 30, 100, 200 ml plus 30 ml refill |
| Refillable | Yes (30 ml portable spray) |
| Stronger / other versions | Escentric 01, Molecule 01 + Ginger, + Black Tea and other blends |
| Main downside | Some people cannot smell it at all |
Spec check note: Escentric Molecules describes the fragrance as 100% Iso E Super but does not publish a concentration (EDT or EDP), a perfumer credit or a launch year on the page we checked.
Specifications checked against: Escentric Molecules product page (Molecule 01)
How it compares with its rivals
| Feature | Escentric Molecules Molecule 01 | Le Labo Santal 33 Eau de Parfum | Maison Francis Kurkdjian Baccarat Rouge 540 Eau de Parfum | Maison Margiela Replica By the Fireplace Eau de Toilette | Jo Malone London Wood Sage & Sea Salt Cologne | Calvin Klein CK One Eau de Toilette |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Subtle 'your skin but better' scent | A shared, signature woody scent | A luxurious, attention-getting gift | Cold-weather comfort | Light, fresh, office-safe scent | Cheap, clean, shareable scent |
| Price band | Mid-range | Premium | Premium | Upper mid-range | Upper mid-range | Budget |
| Concentration | Not published (single aroma-chemical in alcohol) | Eau de Parfum | Eau de Parfum | Eau de Toilette | Cologne (lighter strength) | Eau de Toilette |
| Fragrance family | Woody, musky | Woody, leathery | Floral, ambery, woody (MFK) | Woody ambery (Maison Margiela) | Woody, fresh (Jo Malone London) | Citrus aromatic, fresh |
| What it smells like | Soft, velvety cedar-like wood that blends with your own skin | Dry sandalwood and cedar with a spicy, leathery, slightly powdery edge | Airy saffron and jasmine over a sweet, burnt-sugar amber | Roasted chestnuts, woodsmoke and vanilla | Salty sea air, herbal sage and soft musky ambrette | Zesty citrus and cardamom over clean, soapy musk |
| Top notes | Iso E Super only (Escentric Molecules) | Cardamom (Le Labo) | Jasmine, saffron (MFK) | Pink pepper, orange flower, clove (Maison Margiela) | Ambrette seeds (Jo Malone London) | Bergamot, cardamom, pineapple, papaya (Calvin Klein) |
| Heart notes | Iso E Super only | Iris, violet (Le Labo) | Ambergris accord, Hedione (MFK) | Chestnut accord, guaiac wood, cade oil (Maison Margiela) | Sea salt (Jo Malone London) | Jasmine, violet, rose, nutmeg (Calvin Klein) |
| Base notes | Iso E Super only | Australian sandalwood, cedarwood, leathery and musky notes (Le Labo) | Dry woods, Ambroxan, burnt-sugar note (ethyl maltol) (MFK) | Vanilla accord, Peru balsam, cashmeran (Maison Margiela) | Sage (Jo Malone London) | Musk, amber (Calvin Klein) |
Prices in every region
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