A bold oriental fragrance inspired by Jean Paul Gaultier Ultra Male, offering a similar sweet-spicy profile with prominent vanilla and cinnamon. This affordable alternative delivers comparable performance with slightly more emphasis on the gourmand aspects and less of the original's aromatic complexity.
What People Say
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.
Projection in the first two hours is genuinely impressive for the price bracket; the cinnamon and patchouli combo punches well beyond what the bottle suggests it should be capable of.
The gourmand angle — vanilla layered over amber with a cumin-spiced edge — reads as bold and distinctive rather than generic, which earns it repeat compliments in social settings.
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 varies wildly; some report it fading to a skin-close whisper within four hours, which undercuts the value proposition if frequent reapplication is needed.
Great for
Young men who want a sweet, spiced crowd-pleaser for nights out and don't want to spend significantly on a designer bottle will find this hits nearly all the same beats.
Not for
Anyone who dislikes gourmand or overtly sweet fragrances should avoid this entirely — the vanilla-cinnamon combination dominates from open to dry-down and never really retreats.
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.
Projection
Strong beast-mode opening for the first 1-2 hours, settling into moderate projection by mid-wear — noticeable in a room but not overwhelming after the initial blast.
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.
Fragrance Notes
Best Seasons
Best For
How It Compares
vs. Jean Paul GaultierUltra Male
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.
Read the full comparison →