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Parfums de MarlyEau de Parfum · EST. 2011

Pegasus

A smooth, nutty gourmand-aromatic built around bitter almond, heliotrope, and creamy vanilla over a sandalwood base. One of Parfums de Marly's most popular masculine releases, it pairs an addictive marzipan sweetness with a polished, modern finish.

NOSE: Quentin BischRELEASED: 2011RETAIL: $210 - $355
The Quick Answer

Pegasus opens on Bergamot and Heliotrope, moves through Bitter Almond and Jasmine, and dries down to Vanilla and Sandalwood. At $210 - $355 it is firmly luxury pricing that demands you love the profile first, with long lasting (7h - 9h) on skin. A relatively safe blind buy for most wardrobes.

ADEGBE ANALYSIS SCORES

7.6
Expert
7.8
Longevity
7.2
Sillage
10.0
Versatility
5.9
Value

Scores are AdeGbe's editorial analysis based on composition, concentration and community-reported performance — not a single personal wear test.

Approx. $2.10/mlBased on the lowest street price ($210) over an assumed 100ml bottle for this concentration.

OLFACTORY PYRAMID BREAKDOWN

TOP NOTESFirst impression · 15–30 min
  • Bergamot
  • Heliotrope
  • Cumin
HEART NOTESCore character · 2–4 hours
  • Bitter Almond
  • Jasmine
  • Lavender
BASE NOTESDry-down · 6–24+ hours
  • Vanilla
  • Sandalwood
  • Vetiver

EXPERT ANALYSIS — COMPOSITION & PERFORMANCE

AG
AdeGbe Fragrance Research Team Data-Driven Analysis
Olfactory composition & performance assessment
Updated Autumn 2026Eau de ParfumMethodology: note-pyramid analysis + community performance data + AdeGbe scoring model

Composed by Quentin Bisch for Parfums de Marly in 2011, Pegasus sits in the bright citrus space of modern perfumery. Below, our research team breaks down its olfactory structure, measured performance, and ideal wearer.

The Opening

It opens on Bergamot, Heliotrope, Cumin, a bright citrus and powdery introduction that sets expectations before the heart emerges.

The Heart

The middle phase is floral and aromatic herb: Bitter Almond, Jasmine, Lavender carry the core of the scent through its most expressive hours.

The Dry-Down

The base is dry woods and sweet gourmand, with Vanilla, Sandalwood, Vetiver providing the depth and tenacity that carry it through the day.

Projected Performance Timeline
Hour 1
Bergamot and Heliotrope opening. Strong, room-filling projection.
Hour 4
Bitter Almond and Jasmine heart fully developed. Still projecting clearly.
Hour 8
Vanilla and Sandalwood base emerges. Performance holding well.
Hour 10
Soft base notes still detectable close to skin.
Longevity
7.8/10
Sillage
7.2/10
Blind Buy
LOW–MEDIUM RISK
Final Score
8.8/10

Who Should Buy Pegasus

Pegasus leans masculine but is wearable by anyone who enjoys the style. Its season vector points strongest to autumn, and its day/night balance makes it best suited to versatile day-to-night wear. If you gravitate toward bright citrus and floral compositions and want strong longevity, it belongs on your shortlist.

One Honest Warning

No major red flags in the composition, but fragrance is personal — skin chemistry can shift the balance of notes, so a sample wear is always wiser than a blind purchase at this price.

Analysis based on composition, community-aggregated performance data, and the AdeGbe scoring model.A human skin-test review is added as our team tests each fragrance.

PERFORMANCE INDEX & SUITABILITY VECTORS

LONGEVITY FACTORLong Lasting (7h - 9h)
Weak (1h)Moderate (4-6h)Beast (24h+)
SILLAGE / PROJECTIONModerate Projection
IntimateModerateEnormous
DAY · NIGHT SUITABILITY
DAY
50%
NIGHT
50%
GENDER INDEXMasculine Leaning
FEMININEUNISEXMASCULINE
SEASON SUITABILITY VECTOR
SPRING 🌸25%
SUMMER ☀️20%
AUTUMN 🍂30%
WINTER ❄️25%

PROJECTED PERFORMANCE TIMELINE

Projected from this fragrance's concentration, note structure and reported longevity — an analysis, not a single personal wear test.

Hour 1
Top burst

Bergamot and Heliotrope lead the opening before the volatile top notes burn off.

Projection: Strong
Hour 4
Heart in bloom

Bitter Almond and Jasmine take over as the core character of the fragrance.

Projection: Strong
Hour 8
Early dry-down

Vanilla and Sandalwood anchor the scent close to the skin.

Projection: Moderate
Hour 12
Base residue

A skin-scent of Vanilla and Sandalwood is what typically remains by now.

Projection: Skin-close

Wear It

  • Autumn / Fall (30% seasonal fit)
  • Spring (25% seasonal fit)
  • Winter (25% seasonal fit)
  • Flexible across day and night

Skip It

  • Few hard limits — a fairly easy all-rounder

Blind-Buy Risk

49/100SAMPLE FIRST
Risk factors
  • Contains polarising notes (cumin) that not everyone enjoys
In its favour
  • Divisive, character-heavy notes mean reactions vary widely person to person.

INGREDIENT SAFETY SNAPSHOT

Linalool / Limonene

Common EU-declarable allergens; can oxidise and irritate sensitive skin.

Coumarin

IFRA-restricted; coumarin sources carry a general pregnancy-caution flag.

Benzyl Salicylate / Benzyl Benzoate

White-floral declarables; usually well tolerated but listed under EU rules.

Benzyl Benzoate (fixative)

Generally well-tolerated base/fixative materials with low sensitiser risk.

This snapshot is based on the published note list, not a full INCI ingredient breakdown. Always check the box for the official allergen declaration and patch-test if you have sensitive skin. See full ingredient-safety guides →

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What does Parfums de Marly Pegasus smell like?
Pegasus is a creamy almond gourmand with heliotrope, vanilla, and sandalwood. The overall effect is a smooth, slightly powdery marzipan accord that reads warm and approachable.
How long does Pegasus last?
Longevity is good, typically 7 to 9 hours on skin, with moderate projection that settles closer to the body after the first couple of hours.
Is Pegasus a masculine fragrance?
It is marketed and most often worn as masculine, but its creamy almond-vanilla character is soft enough that many people wear it as a unisex gourmand.
Is Pegasus worth buying?
For the money, Pegasus ($210 - $355) is a considered purchase. It projects at a moderate projection level and lasts in the range of long lasting (7h - 9h), which puts its performance around the average mark. It is worth it if you connect with its Bergamot and Heliotrope character; if you want an all-occasion safe blind buy, sample first because it leans flexible but specific.
Can I wear Pegasus to the office?
Yes, within reason. Pegasus sits at a moderate moderate projection projection, which is generally office-friendly with one to two sprays. Apply before you leave home rather than at your desk, and you should stay within polite, non-intrusive range through the working day.
Is Pegasus good for summer?
Not really. Pegasus scores only 20% for summer — heat tends to amplify its Vanilla and Sandalwood base and push it toward cloying. It performs far better in autumn, so save it for cooler months and reach for something lighter when it is hot.
How many sprays of Pegasus should I use?
Two to four sprays suits most people. Pegasus has moderate projection projection, so you can apply a little more generously than a beast-mode scent without crowding others. Spread sprays across pulse points and let it settle; its long lasting (7h - 9h) longevity means you rarely need to reapply.
Is Pegasus safe for sensitive skin?
Pegasus is an alcohol-based eau de parfum and its note list includes materials such as Bergamot, Heliotrope and Cumin, some of which fall under EU-declarable allergen rules (for example linalool, limonene or coumarin depending on the notes). That does not make it unsafe — most wearers have no reaction — but if your skin is reactive, spray onto clothing or patch-test on the inner arm first. This guidance is based on the published note list, not a full INCI breakdown.

INTERACTIVE FRAGRANCE TOOLS

Personalised calculators and scanners specific to Pegasus.

INTERACTIVE FRAGRANCE TOOLS

Personalised calculators and scanners specific to Pegasus.

TOP DUPES & AFFORDABLE ALTERNATIVES

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ADEGBEDRAFTING 3D PERSPECTIVE...
N° ENC-2011PegasusANTI-GRAVITY CONTAINER VISUAL
4.9 RATED