Archived

Ermenegildo Zegna Madras Cardamom

Warm spicy, coffee, woody, gourmand, and resinous.

Top Notes: Cardamom, Bergamot, Pink Pepper
Heart Notes: Coffee, Virginia Cedar
Base Notes: Vetiver, Labdanum, Vanilla, Ambrox

Madras Cardamom opens with aromatic cardamom, bergamot, and pink pepper before coffee and Virginia cedar create a warmer roasted center. Vetiver, labdanum, vanilla, and Ambrox deepen the drydown with woody, resinous, and softly gourmand warmth. The result is spicy and polished, with cardamom remaining the defining theme.

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Scent Pyramid

Top: Cardamom, Bergamot, Pink Pepper
Heart: Coffee, Virginia Cedar
Base: Vetiver, Labdanum, Vanilla, Ambrox

Fragrance Details

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About the Fragrance

Released in 2019 and created by Marie Salamagne for Zegna’s Essenze collection, Madras Cardamom combines cardamom, bergamot, pink pepper, coffee, Virginia cedar, vetiver, labdanum, vanilla, and Ambrox.

This fragrance is currently part of the Full Bottle Route fragrance archive.

Quick Facts

Brand: Ermenegildo Zegna
Perfumer: Marie Salamagne
Release year: 2019
Concentration: Eau de Parfum
Fragrance family: Ambery Spicy
Expected wear: Long
Projection: Moderate
Strength: Moderate
Collection: Essenze
Scent profile: Warm Spicy, Coffee, Woody, Gourmand, Resinous
Availability: Archived

Production Status

Production status: Discontinued

Notes & Composition

Top: Cardamom, Bergamot, Pink Pepper
Middle: Coffee, Virginia Cedar
Base: Vetiver, Labdanum, Vanilla, Ambrox

Scent Profile

Primary profile: Warm Spicy, Coffee, Woody, Gourmand, Resinous

The profile leans sweeter and more rounded, with vanilla or gourmand facets contributing warmth and richness.

Your Route Match

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When to Wear It

Best seasons: Fall, Winter
Best for: Work, Evening
Day / night: Day, Night
Mood: Warm, Refined, Focused

Sweeter, richer facets give Ermenegildo Zegna Madras Cardamom a natural place in cooler-weather wear, especially after dark. Moderate projection and a 6–8 hour wear estimate keep the guidance grounded while its warm, refined, focused character suits work, evening.

Route guidance is based on the fragrance profile, stored wear context, and listed notes; performance and preference vary by wearer.

Summary

Madras Cardamom is a warm spicy fragrance that pairs aromatic cardamom with coffee, woods, resin, and restrained gourmand sweetness. Bergamot and pink pepper brighten the opening before coffee and Virginia cedar create a darker roasted center. Vetiver and labdanum add structure while vanilla and Ambrox soften the drydown without turning it dessert-like. The result is polished and focused, suited to shoppers who want cardamom supported by coffee, woods, and warm resin rather than a sugary gourmand treatment.

About the Brand

Ermenegildo Zegna is an Italian luxury house rooted in fine textiles, menswear, craftsmanship, and material quality. Fragrance has appeared in several distinct chapters of the brand’s history, with collections translating the same emphasis on refined materials into scent. Madras Cardamom belongs to the former Essenze fragrance line and represents its warm spicy vocabulary. Cardamom, bergamot, pink pepper, coffee, Virginia cedar, vetiver, labdanum, vanilla, and Ambrox move from aromatic spice into roast, woods, resin, and restrained sweetness. The composition keeps cardamom central while using coffee and woods to give the fragrance a polished, tailored depth.