9PM vs Ultra Male
Afnan vs Jean Paul Gaultier
These two fragrances share nearly identical DNA, with Afnan 9PM being a direct homage to Jean Paul Gaultier Ultra Male at a fraction of the price.
| 9PM | Ultra Male | |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Afnan | Jean Paul Gaultier |
| Concentration | EDP | EDT |
| Gender | masculine | masculine |
| Top Notes | bergamot, pear, black currant, lemon | pear, bergamot, black currant, lemon |
| Heart Notes | cinnamon, lavender, cumin, sage | cinnamon, cumin, sage, lavender |
| Base Notes | vanilla, amber, cedar, patchouli | vanilla, cedar, amber, patchouli |
| Best Seasons | fall, winter | fall, winter |
Shared Notes (12)
Notes that appear in both fragrances
What People Say
Afnan 9PM
The vanilla-cinnamon core is thick and unapologetically sweet in a way that draws consistent compliments, particularly in cold weather when the warmth of the base really opens up.
For those who find Ultra Male's price point prohibitive, this delivers the same candy-sweet, spiced oriental DNA at a fraction of the cost — the resemblance in the dry-down is close enough that most people can't distinguish the two on skin.
The cumin note reads as distinctly body-odor-adjacent on certain skin chemistries, which is a dealbreaker for wearers who run warm.
Compared to Ultra Male, the aromatic complexity is noticeably flattened — the lavender and sage that give the original its tension are almost invisible here, leaving the sweetness without much counterbalance.
Longevity: Typically 5-7 hours on skin, with projection fading to arm's length after about 3 hours; performs better on clothing where it can stretch toward 10+ hours.
Value: Widely regarded as one of the most cost-efficient entries into the sweet-oriental category — budget-friendly enough to use freely and layer on clothing without hesitation.
Jean Paul Gaultier Ultra Male
The pear-vanilla combination creates an addictive gourmand opening that's instantly recognizable and crave-worthy
Projection is absolutely nuclear - people smell this from across rooms for hours
The sweetness is so intense it can become nauseating, especially in warm weather
Projects so aggressively that it's borderline offensive in close quarters
Longevity: 10-12 hours easily, remains detectable on clothes the next day
Value: Great value considering the performance - a little goes an extremely long way
The Verdict
Ultra Male offers superior longevity and smoother blending, justifying its premium price for special occasions. However, 9PM delivers 85% of the experience at 30% of the cost, making it the smarter daily driver. Choose Ultra Male for authenticity and performance, 9PM for value.
Jean Paul Gaultier Ultra Male