CITRUS OF 22 | Le Labo BERGAMOTE 22 Impression | Woody Aromatic Perfume

Core Fragrance Details

• purelyBlack Name: CITRUS OF 22
• Inspired By: BERGAMOTE 22 by Le Labo
• Olfactory Family: Woody Aromatic
• Format Available: Roll-On 10ml, Spray 2ml, Spray 10ml

What is the scent profile of CITRUS OF 22?

CITRUS OF 22 opens with an effervescent burst of sparkling bergamot and bitter grapefruit, vibrant and juicy yet never harsh or sour, almost fizzing off the skin like citrus seltzer water. The opening radiates natural brightness, enhanced by the green, slightly bitter character of petitgrain — the distillation of orange tree leaves and twigs — which adds a juniper-like herbal edge to the citrus symphony. Within the first thirty minutes, subtle nutmeg emerges, bringing an unexpected warmth and spicy intrigue that distinguishes this from conventional cologne structures. As the heart develops over one to three hours, delicate orange blossom weaves through the citrus, oscillating between clean white floral and fresh citrus tones, while the fragrance begins its transformation toward an earthy, woody foundation. The dry-down reveals the true sophistication of Le Labo BERGAMOTE 22's architecture: creamy musk, earthy vetiver, and amber combine to create a warm, skin-like base that whispers rather than shouts. This fragrance represents Le Labo's founding philosophy — launched in 2006 when founders Fabrice Penot and Eddie Roschi challenged conventional perfumery with their apothecary aesthetic and material-first approach, rejecting traditional marketing in favour of raw, honest fragrance experiences.

Longevity & Projection

• Longevity: As an Eau de Parfum, the original typically lasts around 6 to 8 hours on the skin. The purelyBlack roll-on format anchors to skin through Fractionated Coconut Oil, extending wear time.
• Projection: Projection is mild for the first 2 hours until it becomes a skin scent, with approximately 3 hours of noticeable performance. Moderate sillage — intimate to moderate throw.
• Best Season: Spring and summer months, though versatile enough for colder seasons where woody notes add warmth.
• Best Occasion: Daytime wear, office environments, casual sophistication, year-round use, formal daytime events

What Makes Le Labo BERGAMOTE 22 a Unique Woody Aromatic Fragrance?

Le Labo BERGAMOTE 22 combines freshness, sweetness, and sensuality with acrobatic talent, originally encompassed in the perfume's initial code name: "Fire Cologne". The unexpected effervescent spiciness of its top notes reveals subtle nutmeg that puts a twist on the classic citrus genre, with tingling spice complementing the fizzy bergamot and grapefruit beautifully. The gauzy citrus notes are grounded by amber, musk and vetiver, giving the fragrance weight and rich texture seldom found in citrus blends.

What Are the Scent Notes in Le Labo BERGAMOTE 22?

• Top Notes: Petitgrain, Bergamot and Grapefruit
• Middle Notes: Nutmeg and Orange Blossom
• Base Notes: Musk, Vetiver, Cedar and Amber

Fragrance Family: Woody Aromatic

What Is the Scent Journey of Le Labo BERGAMOTE 22?

The grapefruit and bergamot in the opening are sharp and sparkling, not harsh at all, just vibrant, smelling very natural and uplifting. The opening is nothing short of amazing with juicy and bitter lime peel, sharp dry woody vetiver, and flowery sweetness from orange blossom that balances everything, creating a combination that seems very natural. The heart unfolds over 1–3 hours, where petitgrain, grapefruit, and vetiver work together to reconstruct bergamot with more density than exists in nature, creating a big bergamot scent. The dry-down transforms into something warm, sweet, and musky, less sharp and warmer than Le Labo ANOTHER 13, yet still just as present. Created by perfumer Daphné Bugey, this fragrance demonstrates mastery over volatile citrus materials, showcasing Le Labo's material-driven philosophy within the niche fragrance movement that emerged in the mid-2000s.

For a complete breakdown of each note and its role, explore our Le Labo BERGAMOTE 22 notes and scent guide.

How Does CITRUS OF 22 Compare to Le Labo BERGAMOTE 22?

CITRUS OF 22 captures the aromatic DNA of the original, sharing the same sparkling bergamot-grapefruit opening amplified by petitgrain's green bitterness, followed by the woody vetiver-amber-musk base. Our impression recreates the signature citrus-to-musk evolution that defines Le Labo BERGAMOTE 22, delivering that clean, sophisticated freshness in both roll-on and spray formats. The Fractionated Coconut Oil roll-on base extends the fragrance's longevity by anchoring the volatile citrus notes to the skin, while our spray format offers projection comparable to the original Eau de Parfum.

Who Is Le Labo BERGAMOTE 22 For?

This is an excellent fragrance for those who have explored complex niche perfumery but want to settle down for something that is not overpowering and can be enjoyed year-round, with satisfying longevity and sillage. The beauty of Le Labo BERGAMOTE 22 lies in its neutrality and predictability, comfortable in every way, offering a state of tranquility and quiet joy like visiting an old friend. It suits professionals seeking an intelligent, understated signature, those who appreciate citrus fragrances with substance, and anyone drawn to clean, unisex scents that project confidence without demanding attention.

What Fragrances Is Le Labo BERGAMOTE 22 Frequently Compared To?

Reviewers compare it to layering a good citrus cologne like Eau d'Hadrien with Guerlain Vetiver, describing it as the best of the extremely citrus-heavy vetivers. Some find similarities to Dior Homme Cologne, describing Le Labo BERGAMOTE 22 as a more "amped" up version. Others note it shares characteristics with Versace Man Eau Fraiche but with a more natural and deeper scent. Within the purelyBlack collection, explore our Le Labo ANOTHER 13 impression, 13TH TONE for that signature musky base that appears in the dry-down.

How to Wear CITRUS OF 22

• Pulse Points: Apply the roll-on to inner wrists, behind the ears, the base of the throat, and the inside of elbows. These warm spots activate and project the fragrance throughout the day.
• Layering Tip: Layer CITRUS OF 22 with WOOD-CITRUS MURMUR to amplify the woody vetiver base and extend the citrus brightness, creating a longer-lasting aromatic citrus experience with greater depth.
• Seasonal Wear: Ideal for spring and summer months when refreshing citrus notes beautifully blend with warm weather, yet versatile enough for cooler seasons where its woody base adds warmth. Best for summer with pleasant wear in all climates, offering projection slightly above average and longevity in the 6 hour range.
• Longevity Tip: Apply to moisturised skin for maximum longevity. The Fractionated Coconut Oil base adheres to hydrated skin significantly better than dry skin.
• Customise Your Scent: Add 1–2 drops of a purelyBlack essential oil to personalise the fragrance. Try sweet orange essential oil to enhance the citrus brightness, or add a drop of cedarwood to deepen the woody dry-down and create a more resinous, grounding effect.

Curious how it compares to the original? Read our Le Labo BERGAMOTE 22 dupe review Australia.

You May Also Love

• our Le Labo ANOTHER 13 impression, 13TH TONE — shares the same warm musky base with ambroxan that emerges in the dry-down
• WOOD-CITRUS MURMUR, an Aesop Breathless alternative — another bright citrus-vetiver pairing for woody aromatic lovers
• Diptyque L'Ombre Dans L'Eau dupe, GARDEN SHADOW — for those drawn to the delicate floral petitgrain and green freshness

Our Perfumery Philosophy

purelyBlack creates high-quality impressions of designer and niche fragrances, formulated at Eau de Parfum concentration with a 20–30% perfume oil ratio. We are an Australian-owned perfumery dedicated to delivering accessible luxury through vegan and cruelty-free formulations that rival their designer inspirations.

Choose Your Format

• Roll-On (Long-Lasting Anchor): Suspended in 100% alcohol-free Fractionated Coconut Oil. Apply 2–3 swipes directly to pulse points — behind the ears, temples, or wrists — to anchor the fragrance to your body heat. Shake well before use.
• Spray (High Projection): Formulated with a natural alcohol base (produced via sugar fermentation). Designed for use on both skin and clothing for broader projection.

Quality & Purity

• 100% Vegan & Cruelty-Free: No animal-derived ingredients. Never tested on animals.
• Australian Owned: Proudly Australian-owned and operated perfumery.
• EDP Concentration: Formulated at 20–30% perfume oil ratio for Eau de Parfum longevity.
• Alcohol-Free Roll-On Base: Fractionated Coconut Oil ensures long-lasting skin adhesion.

Brand Disclaimer

• purelyBlack creates high-quality impressions and alternatives to designer and niche fragrances. purelyBlack is an independent Australian entity with no affiliation, association, or connection to the original brand, its manufacturers, or its products. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners. We operate in strict compliance with comparative advertising policies.

Free Shipping & Returns

• Free shipping Australia wide. Return within 30 days for a full refund or replacement — no questions asked.