No. 416

Notes & Nuances

Louche No. 416 immediately signals its inspiration: Xerjoff's Erba Pura. The opening bursts with a vibrant citrus accord – predominantly orange and bergamot, exhibiting a slightly less nuanced lemon compared to the original. The heart attempts to emulate the juicy peach and pear found in Erba Pura. However, the fruit notes lean noticeably more synthetic here. I get a distinct, almost plasticized, impression. The jasmine is present, but subdued, acting more as a bridge to the base. The drydown is where 416 hews closest to its muse: a vanilla-musk accord, grounded by amber. The musk is strong – perhaps even overpowering initially – and lacks the refined smoothness of the original. Overall, it achieves about 90% similarity. The primary divergence lies in the quality of the fruit notes and the somewhat harsher musk.

How Long Does it Last?

Projection is impressive. 416 fills a room for the first 2-3 hours. After that, it retracts to a personal bubble, yet remains detectable. Longevity is good, registering approximately 8-10 hours on skin. On fabric, it persists even longer.

The Verdict

No. 416 is a competent clone of Erba Pura. The similarities are definitely there. It offers a comparable scent profile . However, be aware of the synthetic quality, particularly in the heart notes. If you're sensitive to these aspects, the original remains the superior choice. But for those seeking an affordable entry point into the Erba Pura DNA, and who aren't overly concerned with the finer details, this is a viable option. It's worth considering if you want to test the waters before committing to Xerjoff's pricier offering.