Epoque Artistique

Bottom Line

Epoque Artistique is a solid budget option. If you crave the Victory Elixir vibe but can't justify the premium price tag, this scratches the itch. It has some rough edges – a slightly synthetic feel overall – but it's a darn good attempt. Is the original ten times better? No. Twice as good? Debatable. If you are very sensitive to synthetic notes, stick with the original. Otherwise, this is a smart purchase for casual wear.

Notes & Nuances

Epoque Artistique swings for the fences, attempting to replicate the rich DNA of Invictus Victory Elixir. The opening hits you with a blast of lemon and pepper. The incense note is present, but noticeably sharper and less rounded compared to the original's smoother, honeyed feel. The heart brings forward a vanilla lavender combo that's generally pleasant, if somewhat synthetic. The dry down is where it differs most. It leans heavily into tonka bean, pushing the patchouli and sandalwood to the background. Think Victory Elixir's younger, less refined brother. I'd peg it at roughly 75% similar.

Longevity & Projection

The projection is respectable . It creates a noticeable scent bubble for the first 2 hours, before settling closer to the skin. Longevity is moderate. I got around 6-7 hours on my skin, which is decent, but significantly less than the beastly performance of the original. Be prepared to reapply if you need it to last all day.