Widian London sits in the brand’s Sapphire Collection as a 2018 extrait de parfum, and it plays an unusual game: it takes a classic British gentleman’s leather idea and rebuilds it with an Arabian ingredient list. At around $295 for a 50ml bottle, it is priced like serious niche, so it is worth understanding exactly what you get before committing.
What Does Widian London Smell Like?
The opening is the boldest part. Oud arrives immediately, dark and slightly animalic but not barnyard, flanked by dry cypress and a powdery violet note that softens the edges. If you expect the fresh, clean style of most designer releases, this first ten minutes will feel dense and oriental.
The heart changes the temperature. Raspberry brings a jammy sweetness, and lily of the valley adds a clean white floral lift that keeps the fruit from turning syrupy. Retailer descriptions describe a combination of tea-like sweetness and leather, and that reads accurately on skin: there is a smooth, almost sweetened-tea facet running through the middle.
The drydown is where London earns its reputation. Leather dominates, but it is a supple, vanilla-sweetened suede rather than a harsh birch tar. Amber and musk round it out into a warm, cozy base that clings to fabric for days. The arc goes from dark oud to fruity floral to sweet leather, and each stage is distinct enough to notice.
Performance
As an extrait concentration, London performs well above average. Community reports place longevity at 8 to 12 hours on skin, and many people get a full workday plus evening out of three or four sprays. Projection is moderate rather than room filling: expect a noticeable scent bubble for the first two to three hours, then a closer skin scent that still projects when you move. This is a compliment-getter at conversation distance, not a club blaster.
One honest caveat: because it stays close after the opening, some buyers expecting loud projection are disappointed. Apply to clothing if you want more presence throughout the day.
Best Clone Or Alternative
Perfume Parlour’s Thames - 1703 is the obvious budget route, starting from $3.99. Perfume Parlour markets it directly as belonging to the olfactory notes family similar to London by Widian, and the note pyramid matches the original exactly: oud, cypress, and violet up top, raspberry and lily of the valley in the heart, and musk, amber, vanilla, and leather in the base.
Reviews on the product page are strongly positive. One buyer who wanted the original but could not justify the price called the clone absolutely identical, and another described it as a warm hug that works for dates, nights out, and even the office. The realistic tradeoffs are thinner raw materials, a less opulent oud opening, and shorter wear than the true extrait. For under five dollars you lose maybe fifteen percent of the experience. For most people testing whether this style suits them, Thames - 1703 is the smarter first purchase.
When To Wear It
London is built for fall and winter. Cold air tames the oud and lets the raspberry and vanilla read clearly, while heat can push the opening into heavy territory. It fits evening wear, special occasions, date night, and cold-weather events where something distinctive matters. It is too much for hot summer days and arguably too formal-leaning for gym or errand duty, though the drydown is tame enough for office use in winter if applied sparingly.
Who Should Buy It
Buy Widian London if you love sweet leather fragrances, want an oud scent that will not scare coworkers, and appreciate a niche bottle with genuine extrait depth. Collectors of Middle Eastern perfumery will recognize the DNA immediately, and fans of fruity leathers finally have an oud-forward option that stays polished.
Who Should Skip It
Skip it if you dislike sweet scents, avoid oud entirely, or want a fresh everyday signature. Anyone balking at $295 should try the Perfume Parlour clone first and decide whether the original’s extra refinement justifies the upgrade.
Final Verdict
Widian London is a well-built sweet leather extrait with a distinctive oud-fruity opening and excellent longevity, held back mainly by its price and modest projection. Ratings: longevity 8, projection 7, versatility 7, value 5, overall 8. Sample the clone, then decide if the real thing deserves a place on your shelf.