Quorum is a classic vintage masculine composition: a bitter-green, resinous opening that moves through pine/woods and dries down to oakmoss, tobacco and leather. If you love Quorum’s old-school, foresty-barbershop vibe, here are five fragrances that either inspired — or sit beside — Quorum on the scent map.
Quick reminder of what makes Quorum itself distinct
Core character: bitter herbals (artemisia), coniferous pine, oakmoss backbone, leathery/tobacco warmth — classic 1970s/80s masculinity.
Noses: Carlos Benaïm, Max Gavarry, Rosendo Mateu.
Typical notes (short): Artemisia, caraway, bergamot, grapefruit; pine, sandalwood, patchouli, carnation, cyclamen, jasmine; oakmoss, tobacco, leather, amber. (Fragrantica)
Five Fragrances that Sit Beside Quorum
1) Polo (Polo Green) — Ralph Lauren (1978)
Why it’s similar: Polo Green is often the first fragrance mentioned when people talk about Quorum-type, foresty, oakmoss-heavy masculine scents. Carlos Benaïm (one of Quorum’s perfumers) is also credited on Polo, which explains the similar green/wood template.
Perfumer: Carlos Benaïm.
Notes (short): Juniper, basil, artemisia, caraway, coriander, bergamot → pine needle/conifer heart → tobacco, oakmoss, patchouli, cedar, vetiver, amber base. (Fragrantica)
How it compares to Quorum: Polo is greener and a touch more aromatic-spicy in the opening (juniper, herbs) and leans into a leathery/tobacco base like Quorum. Polo reads slightly fresher/“outdoorsy” while Quorum emphasizes darker mossy/leather facets.
2) Aramis — Aramis (1966)
Why it’s similar: Aramis is one of the archetypal masculine chypres/leather fragrances — oakmoss + leather + aromatic herbs — so it shares Quorum’s vintage masculinity and that dry, classic backbone.
Perfumer: Bernard Chant (Aramis).
Notes (short): Aldehydes, myrrh, artemisia, thyme, bergamot (top) → patchouli, sage, jasmine, cardamom (heart) → leather, oakmoss, sandalwood, amber, musk (base). (Fragrantica)
How it compares to Quorum: Aramis is more leathery and chypre-leaning (a heavier leather-oakmoss profile). Quorum carries more conifer/pine and a sharper bitter-herbal top; Aramis feels slightly richer in the leather-talc tradition.
3) Paco Rabanne — Pour Homme (1973)
Why it’s similar: A classic aromatic fougère with a vintage green/tonic opening and a woody/oakmoss base — fans of Quorum’s old-school feel typically appreciate Pour Homme for its lavender/tonka/oakmoss warmth and aromatic bite.
Perfumer: Jean Martel (credited historically for Pour Homme).
Notes (short): Rosemary, clary sage, Brazilian rosewood (opening) → lavender, geranium, tonka bean (heart) → oakmoss, honey, musk, amber (base). (Fragrantica)
How it compares to Quorum: Pour Homme is more aromatic-fougere (lavender/tonka) rather than pine-and-resin; it trades Quorum’s pronounced pine/oakmoss leatheriness for a lavender-tonka warmth atop classic oakmoss.
4) Agua Brava — Antonio Puig (1968)
Why it’s similar: From the same house (Puig) and era, Agua Brava is another Mediterranean/woody-chypre with pine, juniper and oakmoss elements — it shares that evergreen, somewhat resinous old-school masculinity.
Perfumer(s): Marcel Carles and Rosendo Mateu (classic formulation).
Notes (short): Lavender, bergamot, lemon, juniper and sage → pine, bay leaf, thyme, clove → oakmoss, vetiver, leather, sandalwood, patchouli, musk (base). (Fragrantica)
How it compares to Quorum: Agua Brava is fresher at first (citrus + lavender) but moves into pine and oakmoss territory similar to Quorum; think Mediterranean/green woods vs Quorum’s darker, tobacco/leather dryness.
5) (Honourable mention) — fragrances in the same vintage “green woody” family
These aren’t clones but share DNA with Quorum and are worth trying if you like that style:
- Fougere classics (e.g., older formulations of many 1970s fougères),
- Some flankers/editions of Polo and vintage reformulations,
- Certain Dunhill / Azzaro / Jacomo crowd-pleasers that lean on oakmoss/leather/spice. (Basenotes)
Practical Notes: Key Ingredients in the "Quorum" Feel
Oakmoss: the glue of vintage chypre/masculine scents — dry, slightly bitter, mossy. (Key identity note for Quorum.) (Fragrantica)
Artemisia & other bitter herbs: give the initial metallic/green bitterness that reads as “rugged” or “masculine.” (Fragrantica)
Pine / Juniper: coniferous, resinous green character — creates the “forest” accord found in Quorum and Polo. (Fragrantica)
Tobacco / Leather / Amber: provide warmth, nostalgia and the classic barbershop/old-school masculinity in the dry-down. (Fragrantica)
How to Sample These if You Love Quorum
- Start with Polo Green — it’s the closest mainstream match for the pine/oakmoss/leather axis (and shares a perfumer). (Fragrantica)
- Try Aramis for a heavier leather-chypre feel. (Fragrantica)
- Test Paco Rabanne Pour Homme if you want the vintage aromatic fougère take on the same era. (Fragrantica)
- Agua Brava is the Puig sibling — similar Mediterranean/woody character and often cheaper/easier to find. (Fragrantica)
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