They say that fragrance is a language that doesn’t speak in words. That might be why, for its first foray into the world of scents, Onitsuka Tiger kept the words to a minimum. This year, the Japanese label is releasing its first set of eaux de parfum, concisely titled Onitsuka Tiger One, Two, Three and Four.
When I first heard about the fragrances, I was immediately intrigued for two reasons. First, what would the bold Onitsuka Tiger world smell in a bottle (or four)? And two, why were they being so non-descript—and surprisingly veiled—with their new olfactive creations?
According to the brand, the collection, aptly titled Wearing Quiet Radiance, plays into the beauty of contrast. Perhaps this means, in stark contrast to the intrepid spirit of the fashion house, Onitsuka Tiger’s fragrances are tapping into the nuanced, the delicate and the unspoken.
Created by perfumer Mark Buxton—whom you might recognise from more contemporary perfumes by Le Labo and Comme des Garçons—each fragrance promises to challenge conventional norms with a spirited audacity, bottled in a bright yellow-tinted bottle. Much like the label’s sartorial ventures, Onitsuka Tiger’s perfumes pride themselves on their refined origins. The materials for the scents are extracted, blended, and bottled from start to finish in Grasse, Provence.
Now, it’s time to get into the actual scents. How do they smell? Are they unique? And which is the best one? While it would be remiss of me to say that one particular eau de parfum from Onitsuka Tiger’s new range is objectively better than the rest, what I can say is that I had a clear favourite (and might even add to my fragrance rotation).
Read on to discover which fragrance from Onitsuka Tiger’s eau de parfum collection is my favourite—while getting to know each scent better.
#1: Onitsuka Tiger One
Notes: peppermint oil, white flowers, jasmine sambac, rosemary oil, vetiver, leather, musk and guaiac wood
Green fragrances have been making waves within the perfumery world for their crisp freshness. I’ve not been exempt from this trend—I’ve found myself trading my feminine peony scents for cleaner, livelier concoctions. And the Onitsuka Tiger One is one such fragrance.
This creation is invigorating and sprightly, yet it’s not without depth or substance. Upon the first spritz, I immediately caught notes of bright peppermint, which dried down soon to reveal the sweet heart of white flowers. But what pushed this scent into must-have territory for me was the layered base notes, made of earthy vetiver and sensual musk—two ingredients loved for their versatile complexity and longevity.
#2: Onitsuka Tiger Four
Notes: lemon essence, cedarwood, bergamot oil, vanilla, nutmeg oil, absinthe oil and musk
Don’t turn your nose up at the Onitsuka Tiger Four—it’s no plain vanilla. It might sound antithetical that for a vanilla scent to be crisp, but the Four is just that nuanced. The first mist opens with a clean, bright note thanks to citrusy lemon, before it settles slightly into the warm heart of cedarwood and bergamot. But ultimately, what remains on the nose and skin is the rounded profile of vanilla and musk.
In my experience, Onituska Tiger Four also has the best sillage and longevity—a factor that becomes especially imperative in humid climates like Singapore.
#3: Onitsuka Tiger Three
Notes: Brazilian orange oil, violet, rose, patchouli oil, almond, sea note, bergamot oil
The sweetest and brightest of the four scents is Onitsuka Tiger Three. Upon first whiff, the Three feels the most feminine and delicate, a quality that could be attributed to the addition of violet and rose notes. But make no mistake, this scent can be worn by just about anybody. If you’re looking for a scent that’s warm, spicy and subtle smokiness, I’d highly recommend this fragrance.
#4: Onitsuka Tiger Two
Notes: green note, lemon oil, bergamot oil, powdery note, geranium oil, sandalwood
Of the four new offerings, the Onitsuka Tiger Two takes last place. But this is not a reflection of the scent’s layers and its blend but rather my personal preferences. According to the brand, the Two opens with notes of lemon oil and ambery woods. What struck me first, though, was the strength and depth of the incense oil, with just a tinge of citrusy brightness.
While I could easily list five of my nearest and dearest who enjoy a smoky, peated perfume like the Two, it simply just isn’t something I would reach for on the daily. After the smoke wafts into the air, what is left is a deep musk complemented with sandalwood and a soft powder. Given these richer accords, it’s not hard to imagine spritzing this on for a sultry night out on the town with your beau. Or for a moody whisky-tasting night, if that’s your cup of tea.
Discover Onitsuka Tiger’s fragrances here.
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