Tsar Van Cleef & Arpels for men

Very mossy and green, but more mossy than green. A green chypre, really. Longevity is very good but sillage is not and it is not strong. The scent is very similar to YSL Y,but Y is much more complex and from my viewpoint better as for any aspect. This one is quite good, though, for who likes this type of scent.

Simply excellent. In the true sense of the word.

My oh so loved Tsar, with your new fancy dress you left part of your charisma behind.
It's like an Eau de Toilette while the old version would be the eau de Parfum: It does have that initial herby, identifiable character so unique and green but those glorious mossy, opaque, leathery base notes are now gone and so its magic. Like listening to your favourite song from your neighbour's house, distant, uneven, but still in a way recognisable.

Tsar is arguably the finest traditional fougère of the last 25 years. As a bigger fan of chypres and modern orientals, the fougère category largely eludes me, but there are some that bear mentioning. Tsar is at the top of the list. Its bergamot and lavender intro is so bright, clean, and realistic that I'm transported to a verdant garden somewhere east of wherever I'm located when I smell it. Rapidly well-blended notes of oakmoss (in a subdued amount), pine, coriander, juniper, cedar, coumarin, sandalwood, and tarragon create a green, soapy aura that stays fairly close to its source, projecting politely and for several hours. Tsar is like finely-cut jade, full of forest green contours and bright facets. There are none of the dark, earthy anchors of near contemporaries like Polo or Drakkar Noir. Everything is conservative, fresh, and elegantly arrayed. Two thumbs way, way up.

one of my all time favorite,works great fall/winter time.

Tsar, a giant with feet of steel that I am in possession of the old-fashioned bottle, I do not know if the new bottle has been reformulated but my essence has a very sweet woody and delicately spiced herbs which enhance its talc and soap notes . it reminds me of Cartier Pasha, Tsar is more intimate almost closed in itself, as some flowers are waiting to hatch the first evening star, the effect of this fragrance is amazing:
sweet, austere, modern and classic at the same time.
Leaning against a window of the Orient Express, out of the tundra snow, wrapped in a coat of Astrakhan awaiting the return of her and I was in the company of Tsar ......
Tsar is now legend.

They absolutely made the point, coloring the box and flacon Dark Green! The perfume itself smells so Dark Green, I have never seen such a thing before!
Very masculine and strong indeed.
(...and are you smoker? You better be with this!!!)

یک عطر نسبتاً قدیمی خشن با بوی سبز تیره! دقیقاً شبیه رنگ شیشه و جعبه‌اش. خیلی مردونه و سنگین. مناسب سن بالای سی سال و واجد خصوصیّات مسکولانی البته
دوام و پخش بوش هم بد نیست

This one is great!

When i first sprayed it on my arm i was dissapointed cause it smelled a lot like cologne or aftershave to me, but that soon faded and evolved to a complexity wich i didn't expect.

I understand why some don't like it, it requires a certain taste, but if your'e looking for a classic scent with a unique character i think most won't dislike it.

I wouldn't call it outdated, lot's of old scents smell just right today, but you can really tell it's a classic scent.It's very warm, dark and pretty smokey but yet there's a very fresh touch to it.It's for mature men, but not necessarilly for old men.To make this one really work a certain mature mindset and dresscode would ad much to it's effectiveness.

I happen to like it a lot.
PS; My bottle is dark green, not like the one portrayed here, i don't know if there's a difference in scent though.

great 80's scent i loved it! Very manly..like the name says.. but i guess its outdated for others if you wear it.So you need to rethink this when buying it.
Big diffrence between the transparant and the dark green bottle, the dark green bottle is the one you should buy this is the original.the transparant is not even close from original.

i think i purchase a 30 ml to get back in the time machine.

TSAR is the one great perfume which I've smelled after a long long time. Rich, dark and powerful. The fragrance is definitely jaw dropping starts with intense tobacco notes and as it evolves the tobacco notes become subtle and then more woody tones come into play which to me is the best part of the EDT and the it dries down into light but dominating woody/aromatic notes. The perfume is perfect for winter and spring and can be worn at any time of the day. More suitable to formal wear and for aged at least above 25.
Simply stunning, Pure maXculinity.
One negative point is the unfortunate below average longevity but projection and silage is great.
I give it 8.8 out of 10.

***the review is about the latest formulation released in (2007 according to official website)with dark green bottle in green/black patterned box***

i think reformulation in perfumery is a profit trick, i can't stand with. I prefer not even giving my opinion, because this is the case here...
poorest longevity

If you want masculine and sexy, look no further, Tsar is exactly what you need.But its not for every body...
Its elegant. Not sweet, not overpowering but strong.
Very notable green accords.
Very aromatic!!!
And the dry down its like incense for my nose.
Interesting...
This one defines a man's character and differ than any other ones.A must have for guys above 35 years old.
longevity 10/10
sillage 10/10
scent 15/10
average over +10

یکی از مردانه ترین و کلاسیک ترین کارهای موجود در عالم عطر و ادکلن.بسیار خاص و مجلل
موقر و متین و جنتلمن
اغواگر برجسته بانوان
بسیار سکسی و جذاب
آدمی را بیاد هنرپیشه فقید کلارک گیبل در نقش رت باتلر در فیلم بیاد ماندنی و جاودانه بر باد رفته می اندازد

Moss, musk and woods. The extreme 'green' scent. Very potent, this lasts easily a day on your skin & a week on your clothes.

This fragrance is outstanding. Warm, smooth, rich, and masculine; this is one I'm staying with.

This fragrance is awesome! The first spray will knock you down, but wait on the drydown. I promise you will not be disappointed. I believe that it wears better in cooler/colder weather.

A great "old school" fragrance. Similar to Jazz but I like Tsar a little more. Really fresh, soapy, clean and masculine. You can't go wrong wearing this. Staying power and sillage are up to scratch. I love it and it's just shot into my fragrance top ten.

I smelled this on a man I didn't know and had to ask what it was. It stopped me in my tracks. I want this for myself.

Barely such a powerhouse masterpiece can be found once in ten years! Seems that it was really Tsar's perfume as it's so royal and high level, green, heavy and manly leathery charismatic.
The middle is an absolute power and reminds exactly what Tsars could be. The base is more modern but still stylish and keeps the classical mood. Smells young though its date is passed, smells like a 30 years old man in a wintery or autumnal dress; tall, muscled, with dark brown hair.
Deep and immensely masculine and sexy, this is what women need to be surrendered! Sounds like is made from testosterone!
By the way, from the middle phase it scents like Jacques Bogart One Man Show with bolder woody tone.

Tsar is a decent fresh fougere kind of like Jazz by YSL or Havana by Aramis. Not something I'd wear, but you can get it for cheap. Then again, it smells a little cheap and dated.

No i did not like this one at all..yuck the opening is disgusting...i could not wait to wash it off but it sticks..a nightmare for me

Clasic fragance, long lasting duration, its too hard for certain people but is a really masculine, i love it

I have a special feeling with Tsar as it reminds me of a beloved uncle I really loved. Its structure is very classic and has the same quality / appeal of an handmade walnut chair. Old-fashioned, honest, elegant and very solid. It opens with a delightful bergamot and turns to a drier and smoky tobacco and leather. It's one of those perfume that you can call "familiar", when you smell it for the first time you feel like you know it since ever, and that's comfortating. Be careful as Tsar is quite loud and potent.

I think it could be a bit nostalgic if worn today, but you can try to "decontextualize it" with your personality and clothes if you mind. I don't.

An amazing fougere.

Rating: 7.5/10

bold, loud, and very mature. trully classic. not suitable for man under 40 years old.

There are two different bottles, the original dark green and the clear. the perfume, according to Van cleef and arpels, is exaclty the same and only the packing changes. I ordered one from USA, as soon as I have it, will let you know my comments in comparison with the original. beyond that, it is a very masculine perfume for mature men!

To Ad nauseam, try out direct cosmetics (UK based online). I buy the dark bottle of Tsar for my partner from there. It smells divine on him.

Best of luck

I want to point out there are two different bottles of Tsar both by Van Cleef & Apels.

I didn't know at the time, but looking back, this was my signature fragrance for the 1990's. My Tsar was in a dark green opaque bottle. For me, it was the best scent available for a long time. I tried almost every new fragrance for men during that time, but nothing suited me or my olfactory system any better.

What I see in the stores now is in a CLEAR bottle. It isn't the same. It is a much weaker and a "less than" version of the original Tsar. This one is packaged in a solid dark green box.(The same as the photo Fragrantica uses here.)

It's not clear to me if the reviews here are for the original Tsar or for the new reformulation in the clear bottle. They are NOT the same fragrance!

It looks like it has been re-released in the last few years in the original bottle, although I haven't seen it anywhere. Does anyone know if the scent is the original, the weaker one that is lacking in every way from the original, or something else???

UPDATE: Found Tsar in Neiman Marcus today(3/13/11). I stand by my earlier statement. This is NOT the same as it used to be. The best way I can describe it is "Tsar light". I'd have to use several sprays to smell the scent on my skin. Again, this is a watered down version of a former great scent. Tsar has been rendered impotent. This is the current version in the old style dark green bottle packaged in a box that looks like the close up of an emerald. The original box kind of looked like dark green marble.

SURPRISE! I came across a long forgotten 0.24 ounce mini bottle of Tsar this evening(May 1st) while cleaning out the drawers of my bathroom vanity. It was at the very back of the bottom drawer under several small boxed hotel soaps. I don't even remember getting this. It must have been in a gift set I purchased in the late 90's(?). It still smells wonderful. Thick, full, and rich like I remember. FINAL PROOF for me that the current Tsar is definitely still lacking(It's not as deep and rich anymore). Is Tsar a victim of the oak moss ban???

Finding it is almost like an answered prayer. This newly discovered small bottle is more precious than gold.

This one is a very classy perfume by the house of VCaA. Smells like a more refined brother of Jazz by YSL, though the latter is an equally good fragrance in its own right.
It does have that aftershave quality, but in a very sophisticated way. I have to admit that I expected something more flamboyant when buying this blind online. I am not disappointed, however, because a man wearing Tsar would make quite a statement in any situation. It is glamorous, yet restrained. Overall, I would heartily recommend it to any mature guy with a taste for the beautiful.

A classic, after-shave-like fragrance which I find a bit over the top and lacking in subtlety initially. It does settle down but ultimately disappointing!

Happy memories of this fragrance.In the same category as Xeryus by Givenchy.

Does anybody know why there are two different bottles for this fragrance? Thanks

I can't tell you how disappointed I am with this one. Not that I didn't like it, what little I can detect. It's so weak it's hardly anything there.
I bought it blind and that's always risky, however, I found it at a good price so I thought why not. This is not in the same category as Azzaro PH or Rive, actually it reminds me a lot of XS by Paco Rabanne. Green, yes and a bit sharp. This would have been a great fragrance, and maybe it was in its original formulation.

my personal dream scent from 1989,my most wanted fragrance from this time.
i have wonderful memorys when i enjoy this.

i tested today , its very old , smells like after shave ,
lasting ok, but its really not my style.
i don't know how Van Cleef & Arpels made Zanzibar discontinued and still produce this?!?

In a word, this frag is ritzy. Imagine a man, in his 40's, wearing a bespoke Lanvin tuxedo, John Lobb shoes, a $20000 watch and a $200 haircut. On his arm is a beautiful woman in a Chanel Couture gown, exquisite diamonds gracing her ears, fingers and neck. This is the image that Tsar presents to me. I don't have any of those things (other than the $200 haircut), but Tsar makes me feel like a captain of industry. Massive sillage announces your arrival in a room, even if only a couple of squirts have made their way onto your neck. The fade-down to the mossy, amber base is slow and gentle, intoxicating those around you, drawing them into the warm, gentle cloud of luxury that Tsar emits. A fantastic fragrance that screams luxury, which is entirely appropriate give VC&A's main business of flogging incredibly expensive gems. Gorgeous.

Tsar (original formulation) is a rich, distinctive blend,
both robust and refined; yet, never overpowering.
Fresh, invigorating and at the same time classy, this can be worn to the office (lightly) and also to visit the girlfriend later the same night. Have always enjoyed the response from Ladies on this one - Tsar is a winner. Best for men over 30 - not for little boys that wear Ed Hardy.

Tsar (original formulation) is a rich, distinctive blend,
both robust and refined; yet, never overpowering.
Fresh, invigorating and at the same time classy, this can be worn to the office (lightly) and also to visit the girlfriend later the same night. Have always enjoyed the response from Ladies on this one - Tsar is a winner. Best for men over 30 - not for little boys that wear Ed Hardy.

Truly outstanding! Da best!! Indeed, this is the scent that first got me interested in fragrances back in 1989 when I bought it in Paris. Even the aftershave splash was excellent. An absolutely timeless classic - saying this is dated is quite ridiculous IMO. Reeks of masculine refinement and sophistication. I'm so grateful it's back in its old bottle design. My all time favourite green scent; hell, my all time favourite scent - full stop! About the highest praise I can give Tsar is that I love it even more than Azzaro Pour Homme, another unimpeachable classic.

UPDATE: I'm talking here about the "classic" Tsar that was available in a sturdy dark green marbled bottle with a black top; not the current version in a similar dark green bottle but with a green top (and sadly which I suspect also seems to have been debased), let alone the one in the silly stripy light green and gold bottle.

This fragrance is not very common where I live and you'll only find it every now and then - usually in chemist chainstores during special promotions (such as Fathers' Day and the like).

The first time I applied it the Artemisia was very obvious. Artemisia is my favourite note, it is in so many great colognes and perfumes. In Tsar it is accompanied by lavender and spices - a great combination!

Tsar avoids being overly sharp and is much more subdued at the start than Quorum, Bowling Green or Polo (three other fragrances containing similar notes).

I do not find that it 'blows me away' as others have said it does to them. It is the soapiest of the four fragrances mentioned and as such shares something with Paco Rabanne.

I think perhaps the floral notes tone down the green/sharp elements to make this a very well-balanced aromatic/green woody fragrance.

I compared this side by side with Polo by Ralph Lauren and the Polo is much stronger to start. The Polo is also richer and deeper. After a couple of hours the Polo's intensity had dipped noticably, but the Tsar had faded only a small amount, meaning that they were similar in intensity.

Tsar is a classy fragrance.

EDIT - 14 hours after applying it I could still smell the Tsar, the Polo however had totally gone.

A very mature, fresh woody cologne. This one defines a man's character and differ than any other ones. Definetely suitable in a tropical countries. A must have for guys above 30 years old. Score 8.5/10

This is a wonderful classic, belongs to the top mens´cologne of all time IMO. Still have oakmoss in the basenotes.

Phhhhh, this one is a very good perfume. It's well built, spicy, balanced, powerful, classic and full of personality. However, mind the lavender. It's way too strong for me and this gives the perfume the air of an outdated scent. And that is because the lavender became a main component in all sort of detergents, grandma cologne, climatisers etc.
It would be better to try it first, to see if you like it. It's very qualitative, not dull, but mysterious, it has different levels and the scent develops gradually. But it's a question of taste. I would rather smell this perfume on a 50-60 classic traditionalist man.

If you want masculine and sexy, look no further, Tsar is exactly what you need.

I'll admit that when I first sprayed this, I was almost blown over backwards by its boldness and strength. The opening was extremely overwhelming, a little too strong some would say.

However, giving it a few minutes to settle I found myself falling in love. Tsar is rich, masculine, spicy and complex. I couldn't help noticing a chocolatey like note which doesn't seem to be listed here. I'm not talking light and sweet milk chocolate, I'm talking strong, bitter and rich dark chocolate, liquefied and oozing.

Don't be afraid of the floral notes listed here, because I can assure you that they are very subtle. The coriander, green notes, lavender, juniper berries, caraway, leather, patchouli and amber dominate this fragrance.

Yes, the scent is a little soapy, especially in the drydown, but I don't find that a turn off at all. In fact I would definitely consider buying this for a man of great confidence and strength. Everything about Tsar screams masculinity and there's really nothing like it. It's a one of kind type scent.

An excellent spicy aromatic fougere that fortunately is very reasonably priced, having been around for so long. Unlike other aromatic fougeres like Azzaro, Paco Rabanne and YSL Rive Gauche, Tsar focuses on being very spicy and green. Go easy on the application because it's pretty loud and can cause others to choke if sprayed on too liberally. Tsar is truly a classic, which probably explains why it's been a consistent seller for so long. Excellent.

A beautiful green, almost opaque, one of a kind!

My first expensive perfume. I had it 15 years ago, and I love it, but my girl-friend (now my wife) think it is "too green". I dont think so. It is very open, definitely green. It is complex, but not depressing. It is airy and has "expensive sound". For office and also for the night.

Its not for every body...
Its masculine, elegant. Not sweet, not overpowering but strong.
Very notable green accords... with a crispy note of lavender.
Very aromatic!!!
And the dry down its like incense for my nose.
Interesting...
This have something tender :) and something relaxing :)

One of my fiance's best friends wears Tsar and women love it on him- I don't know if it's the lavender, the caraway, the coconut. Maybe because he's also a Warren Beatty lookalike :). Anyway, Tsar is a nice smell.

I had it and I love it. <3
I am a woman but I used Tsar. It could be a good fragrance for the modern women in the office.

And on the skin of the man, it smells mmmhhhh....