Carlisle Clones

"### First Impressions & Dry Down Wafa comes on strong with that nutmeg and apple. It's trying its best to be Carlisle, but the opening has a slightly sharper, more synthetic edge. Think Carlisle's boozy apple pie, but made with slightly cheaper ingredients. The heart leans heavily into the tonka and a whisper of rose. It warms up nicely, gets a bit powdery, but still lacks the depth of the OG. The drydown is where Wafa shines. You get a comforting vanilla-patchouli blend, pretty close to Carlisle's base. I'd say it's about 80% similar overall, especially after the first hour. ### Projection Power This stuff projects! For the first two hours, you'll definitely be noticed. After that, it settles into a pleasant skin scent. Longevity is decent – I get a solid 6-7 hours on my skin. On clothes, it lasts even longer. Not beast mode, but respectable . ### To Buy or Not to Buy? If you're a Carlisle fanatic on a budget, Wafa is a no-brainer. It's a solid daily driver, especially for fall and winter. That said, the synthetic opening might bother some. If you want that smoother, higher-quality experience, Carlisle is worth the splurge. But if you need something for work or running errands and don't want to deplete your Carlisle, Wafa is a great alternative."

"### First Impressions & Dry Down Alright, let's talk about this Red Tobacco clone aiming for Carlisle. The opening hits you with a spiced apple – nutmeg definitely there, but the green apple feels a bit sharper, less juicy than Carlisle's pear. The heart is where it tries to get close: tonka, a hint of rose, trying for that warm, inviting feel. Honestly, it's maybe 80% there. The drydown brings the patchouli and vanilla, and this is where the clone struggles slightly. It's a bit more synthetic, a touch rougher around the edges compared to Carlisle's smooth, almost luxurious finish. ### Performance Reality Check Performance is decent, I'll give it that. I get a solid 6-7 hours on skin, projecting moderately for the first 2-3. It's noticeable without being a room filler. Clothes? You'll smell it the next day. Not bad point. ### Final Thoughts it's a worthwhile option It's not a 1:1 dupe; it has a slightly synthetic edge, particularly in the drydown. But if you want the *impression* of Carlisle, for everyday wear, this does the trick. Is Carlisle ten times better? Probably, but is it ten times *necessary*? That depends on your budget. This Red Tobacco clone is a great daily driver, perfect for cool weather, casual evenings, or when you just want to smell good without breaking the bank. Someone starting their fragrance journey? Absolutely buy this."

"### Scent Breakdown ÉCLAT 805 VIP aims for Parfums de Marly's Carlisle, and gets reasonably close. The opening hits you with a spiced apple, thanks to the nutmeg and green apple notes. It's a bit sharper and more synthetic than Carlisle’s smoother blend. The heart shifts to a tonka bean and rose combo, but the rose feels a little dialed back here. The base of patchouli and vanilla is where it lands closest to the inspiration. It's warm and comforting. Overall, I'd say it's about 91% similar to Carlisle. ### The Performance Stats Performance is respectable . I get around 6-7 hours on my skin with moderate projection for the first two hours before it settles closer. It's definitely not a beast mode fragrance. Re-application might be needed if you want it to last through a full workday. ### Final Thoughts ÉCLAT 805 VIP is a solid choice if you like Carlisle but don't want to drop serious cash. It's not a perfect replica; there are some synthetic edges. But, it's a very wearable fragrance. This is perfect for cooler weather, date nights, or evenings out. If you're obsessed with ultra-realistic niche quality, stick with Carlisle. But for a tenth of the price, this is a worthwhile daily driver. A great budget option that scratches the itch."

"### The Scent Profile Cassius opens with a blast of nutmeg and a surprisingly tart green apple. It’s recognizable as a Carlisle imitation, hitting maybe 89% of the mark. The rose in the heart is dialed back compared to Carlisle; it's less floral, more spiced apple pie. The drydown is where the biggest difference appears. Cassius leans heavily into a slightly synthetic vanilla and patchouli mix. Carlisle's base is richer, smoother. This has a rougher, cheaper feel, but that’s expected. ### To Buy or Not to Buy? Cassius offers a decent approximation of Carlisle . Is it a 1:1 dupe? Absolutely not. The synthetic edge is noticeable, especially in the base. However, for those unwilling to shell out big bucks for Parfums de Marly, this is a viable alternative. If you're happy with an 89% similar scent profile and aren't a total snob about ingredients, it’s worth considering. For pure scent enjoyment? Not necessarily. ### Projection Power Longevity is acceptable. I get a solid 6 hours on skin, projecting moderately for the first 2. It becomes a skin scent after about 4 hours. On clothing, it lasts longer, pushing closer to 8 hours. Don't expect beast mode projection. It performs respectably ."

"### Olfactory Experience Borouj by Perlador is clearly trying to be Carlisle. The opening hits you with that spiced apple – nutmeg doing the heavy lifting, the apple note is more "Granny Smith" than the original's richer cooked apple. The heart is where it gets interesting. The tonka bean is present, lending that sweet, almond-like warmth, but the rose is dialed down, losing some of Carlisle's floral complexity. The base is a familiar patchouli-vanilla combo, fairly standard and maybe a touch more synthetic-smelling than Carlisle's blend. Overall, it's about 90% there. The biggest difference is in the quality of ingredients; Carlisle has a smoother, more rounded feel. ### Longevity & Projection Longevity is surprisingly good. I get a solid 6-7 hours on my skin. Projection is moderate for the first two hours, then it settles into a skin scent. Not a beast, but respectable . I sprayed at 7 am and could still catch whiffs at my desk at 2 pm. ### The Verdict If you like the idea of Carlisle but can't justify the price tag, Borouj is a viable option. It's not a perfect replica, lacking some of the nuances and smooth edges, but it captures the essence well enough. I'd say this is perfect for cooler weather - a good date night or office scent, if applied with a light hand. If you're chasing that last 90% of refinement, then maybe. But for a daily driver, Borouj by Perlador does a decent job."

"### Is it Worth It? Tafakhar is a steal. It's a great everyday scent. Think fall days, cozy evenings, or a dressed-up casual occasion. The slight synthetic edge is noticeable up close, but in the air, it smells fantastic. For me? Tafakhar is a solid daily driver. ### Scent Breakdown Tafakhar nails the Carlisle vibe, hitting maybe 80% of the original's DNA. The opening is a blast of spiced apple – that nutmeg and green apple combo works. But you can detect a slightly sharper, more synthetic edge compared to Carlisle’s smoother delivery. The heart is where it shines; that tonka bean and rose blend is rich and inviting. As it dries down, the patchouli and vanilla create a warm, slightly gourmand base. Carlisle has a deeper, richer vanilla, but Tafakhar gets you pretty close. ### Wear time & Sillage Okay, let's be real. It’s not going to perform like a Parfums de Marly. Expect around 6-7 hours of longevity. Projection is moderate for the first two hours, then it sits closer to the skin. It's not a beast, but it's respectable point. I got about arms length projection for those first 2 hours."