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What does Obelisk smell like?

Obelisk by MCM is a dense, multi-layered relic of 1985 perfumery that captures the bold "oriental spicy" energy of its decade. The opening is a complex tug-of-war between sharp and soft; the bitter green snap of galbanum and bergamot is immediately rounded out by the fuzzy, velvet sweetness of peach. As it settles on the skin, the fragrance moves into a warm, aromatic heart where thyme provides a distinct herbal bite that contrasts beautifully with a heady floral bouquet of ylang-ylang, jasmine, and rose. Wearing Obelisk feels like wrapped in a heavy, vintage wool coat—it is substantial, warm, and unapologetically present. The dry-down is where the fragrance finds its true character, grounding the initial sweetness in a base of earthy moss, creamy sandalwood, and a lingering trail of vanilla and musk. It projects a sense of sophisticated, old-world elegance that feels more like an accessory for a formal evening than a casual daytime scent.

Details

House: MCM
Concentration: Eau De Parfum
Gender: feminine
Year: 1985
Longevity: 8.5 / 10 · 228 Parfumo ratings
Sillage: 8.0 / 10 · 222 Parfumo ratings
Season votes on Parfumo: Winter (127 votes), Fall (119 votes)
Occasion votes on Parfumo: Evening (125 votes), Night Out (117 votes)
Scent Profile: Spicy, Oriental, Woody, Sweet, Floral

Historical community ratings and votes imported from Parfumo. Values may have changed since import; the observation date is unavailable. Ratings reflect community opinions, not measured wear tests. Categories show up to two leading vote counts; votes are category selections and may overlap.

Community Insights

The fragrance is noted for its exceptional performance, with a reputation for staying power that easily lasts through an entire day and sillage that commands attention in a room.
Modern opinions on the scent are highly polarized; while vintage enthusiasts prize it as a warm, extraordinary classic, some contemporary testers find its dense, spicy-sweet composition challenging or even repulsive compared to modern, lighter trends.
It is overwhelmingly classified as a cold-weather fragrance, with the community favoring it for fall and winter evenings or "nights out" due to its heavy, spicy warmth.
There is significant confusion in the market between this 1985 vintage and the 2021 MCM release in the "backpack" bottle, which is a completely different fruity-floral scent; collectors emphasize that Obelisk is a distinct, discontinued spicy oriental.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Obelisk perform in terms of longevity?+

Obelisk is known for its "beastly" performance. In line with other potent vintage powerhouses, it typically lasts all day on the skin and can often still be detected on clothing even after a wash.

Is this fragrance suitable for office wear?+

Generally, no. Most users find it too potent and "thick" for a professional environment. It is best suited for evening occasions, leisure in cold weather, or formal night-out events where its heavy sillage is more appropriate.

Has the fragrance been reformulated?+

Obelisk has been discontinued for many years. While different batches may exist from its original production run, it never transitioned into the modern era of mass reformulation; instead, it was replaced by entirely different scent profiles under the MCM brand.

Is Obelisk a unisex fragrance?+

While it was originally marketed to women in 1985, its spicy, woody, and herbal profile — particularly the notes of thyme, cedarwood, and moss — gives it a classic complexity that many modern male collectors of vintage oriental fragrances find wearable.

Appears in Collections

Date Night Fragrances1836 Evening Fragrances2333 Winter Fragrances480 Classic Perfumes944 Eau de Parfum Fragrances1394 Feminine Fragrances2169+ 1 more

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No tracked prices yet

We are not tracking a current retailer offer for this fragrance yet.

View price details

No tracked prices yet

We are not tracking a current retailer offer for this fragrance yet.

View price details

What does Obelisk smell like?

Obelisk by MCM is a dense, multi-layered relic of 1985 perfumery that captures the bold "oriental spicy" energy of its decade. The opening is a complex tug-of-war between sharp and soft; the bitter green snap of galbanum and bergamot is immediately rounded out by the fuzzy, velvet sweetness of peach. As it settles on the skin, the fragrance moves into a warm, aromatic heart where thyme provides a distinct herbal bite that contrasts beautifully with a heady floral bouquet of ylang-ylang, jasmine, and rose. Wearing Obelisk feels like wrapped in a heavy, vintage wool coat—it is substantial, warm, and unapologetically present. The dry-down is where the fragrance finds its true character, grounding the initial sweetness in a base of earthy moss, creamy sandalwood, and a lingering trail of vanilla and musk. It projects a sense of sophisticated, old-world elegance that feels more like an accessory for a formal evening than a casual daytime scent.

Details

House: MCM
Concentration: Eau De Parfum
Gender: feminine
Year: 1985
Longevity: 8.5 / 10 · 228 Parfumo ratings
Sillage: 8.0 / 10 · 222 Parfumo ratings
Season votes on Parfumo: Winter (127 votes), Fall (119 votes)
Occasion votes on Parfumo: Evening (125 votes), Night Out (117 votes)
Scent Profile: Spicy, Oriental, Woody, Sweet, Floral

Historical community ratings and votes imported from Parfumo. Values may have changed since import; the observation date is unavailable. Ratings reflect community opinions, not measured wear tests. Categories show up to two leading vote counts; votes are category selections and may overlap.

Community Insights

The fragrance is noted for its exceptional performance, with a reputation for staying power that easily lasts through an entire day and sillage that commands attention in a room.
Modern opinions on the scent are highly polarized; while vintage enthusiasts prize it as a warm, extraordinary classic, some contemporary testers find its dense, spicy-sweet composition challenging or even repulsive compared to modern, lighter trends.
It is overwhelmingly classified as a cold-weather fragrance, with the community favoring it for fall and winter evenings or "nights out" due to its heavy, spicy warmth.
There is significant confusion in the market between this 1985 vintage and the 2021 MCM release in the "backpack" bottle, which is a completely different fruity-floral scent; collectors emphasize that Obelisk is a distinct, discontinued spicy oriental.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Obelisk perform in terms of longevity?+

Obelisk is known for its "beastly" performance. In line with other potent vintage powerhouses, it typically lasts all day on the skin and can often still be detected on clothing even after a wash.

Is this fragrance suitable for office wear?+

Generally, no. Most users find it too potent and "thick" for a professional environment. It is best suited for evening occasions, leisure in cold weather, or formal night-out events where its heavy sillage is more appropriate.

Has the fragrance been reformulated?+

Obelisk has been discontinued for many years. While different batches may exist from its original production run, it never transitioned into the modern era of mass reformulation; instead, it was replaced by entirely different scent profiles under the MCM brand.

Is Obelisk a unisex fragrance?+

While it was originally marketed to women in 1985, its spicy, woody, and herbal profile — particularly the notes of thyme, cedarwood, and moss — gives it a classic complexity that many modern male collectors of vintage oriental fragrances find wearable.

What are the main differences between Obelisk and the new MCM Eau de Parfum?+

They are entirely unrelated scents. Obelisk is a spicy, mossy, 1980s oriental focused on peach, spices, and sandalwood. The newer 2021 MCM release is a modern fruity-floral featuring raspberry and jasmine.

Can this be worn in the summer?+

High heat and humidity tend to make Obelisk feel overwhelming or cloying due to the vanilla and ambergris base. Most enthusiasts recommend saving it for autumn and winter when the cold air allows the spicy notes to shine without becoming oppressive.

Accords

Notes

TopPeach//Galbanum//Bergamot//Green notes//Citrus fruits

HeartYlang-ylang//Jasmine//Thyme//Rose//Rosewood

BaseMusk//Vanilla//Sandalwood//Ambergris//Cedarwood//Moss

Appears in Collections

Date Night Fragrances1836 Evening Fragrances2333 Winter Fragrances480 Classic Perfumes944 Eau de Parfum Fragrances1394 Feminine Fragrances2169+ 1 more

Similar Fragrances

MCM

Eau De Parfum

M. Micallef

Watch

Parfum

Moschino

M. Micallef

Mon Parfum

Parfum

M. Micallef

Royal Muska

Eau De Parfum

M. Micallef

Shanaan

Parfums d'Elmar

Momona

Guerlain

Mitsouko

Parfum

Where to buy Obelisk

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Fragrance Fragrance is an independent price-comparison service, not a retailer or marketplace. We do not sell, stock, ship, or accept payment for products. Purchases are completed on third-party retailer sites. We are not affiliated with or endorsed by fragrance brands. How buying works.

Prices are collected from third-party retailers and updated periodically. Always verify the price on the retailer's site before purchasing. We may earn a commission on purchases made through our links.