Le Labo: Eucalyptus 20
Before I delve into this one I confess to being a Le Labo fan. I know they seem to polarise the online fragrance community so I feel like declaring this upfront is important. As a result I was excited for this new release, Eucalyptus 20. I have great fondness for Le Labo’s Hinoki body line, which this scent feels like a close relative of.
To me this isn’t a standard eucalyptus experience. If you’re expecting a bracing, Vicks-vaporub assault on your sinuses, you’ll be waiting a long time. Instead, Eucalyptus 20 is warm and woody scent where the namesake note acts as a solid background player. It’s there, for me, it is present from the opening through to the final dry-down, but it behaves itself, cooling the composition rather than dominating it.
The Notes
Olibanum
Gurjan balsam
Cedarwood
Eucalyptus
Labdanum
Hyssop
Red Thyme
Musk
The Scent
★★★★★ (4.5/5)
On opening, Eucalyptus 20 gives a familiar camphor-led warmth, but before getting too cozy, the eucalyptus steps in. It’s crisp, slightly herbal, and works like a splash of cold water against the woody-spice backdrop. The first ten minutes are a balancing act between warmth and freshness, setting up the rest of the scent’s development.
Once it settles, cypress (hinoki) and cedar take over with spices to round it out, and the eucalyptus hangs in the background like a breeze cooling the whole thing down. This middle phase is where I found myself fully appreciating how natural and seamless the blend is. It is very refined woody, and quietly confident.
As the hours go by, the eucalyptus fades, but never fully disappears. The warm woods deepen, and the scent becomes more grounded. The final stretch is all about the dry, resinous cypress and cedar, with the occasional whisper of fresh air cutting through. It’s smooth, meditative, and lingers in a way that makes you keep bringing your wrist to your nose.
Performance
★★★★☆ (3.5/5)
This is no beast mode fragrance, but it doesn’t just vanish into either. Expect two to three hours of noticeable projection before it settles into a close but steady skin scent that lasts a solid six hours or more. You won’t be leaving a trail, but those close to you will catch whiffs, and that’s the kind of scent this is subtle, confident, and quietly compelling.
Price
★★★☆☆ (3/5)
Le Labo is known for its premium positioning, and Eucalyptus 20 is no exception. The quality is evident, from the carefully blended notes to its refined wear, but it comes at a cost. If you’re already a Le Labo devotee, this likely won’t be a deal-breaker—you’ll know what to expect. If not, this is a fragrance worth experiencing first-hand to decide if it justifies the investment. It’s undeniably a luxury goods purchase and 100ml retails at £234 in the UK, €295 in Europe and $335 in the USA.
Who is this for?
Eucalyptus 20 is for those who appreciate woody, spiced fragrances with a natural, meditative quality. If you love the scent of pine forests, cypress wood, or the dry elegance of cedar, this will be right up your alley. Unlike typical eucalyptus-heavy scents that lean medicinal or overly fresh, this one is grounded, warm, and sophisticated.
It’s perfectly unisex, sitting in that middle ground between fresh and resinous, warm and cool. It could work as a day or night time scent, though I can see it shining best in the cooler months where its depth and subtle evolution can be fully appreciated.
If you’re already a fan of Le Labo’s Hinoki body line, Aesop’s woody compositions, or fragrances that balance dryness with an airy lift, you may like this one. But if you’re expecting a bold, dominant eucalyptus experience, you may be left searching for it it’s present, but never overpowering.
Ultimately, this is for those who prefer their fragrances to be refined, atmospheric, and quietly confident rather than loud and attention-seeking. If you appreciate a fragrance that feels like stepping into a warm, wood-lined sanctuary with the faintest crisp breeze rolling through, this is worth a test.
Final Thoughts
Eucalyptus 20 is one of those fragrances that just makes sense to me. It’s smooth, warm, cool, and dry all at once, and the eucalyptus gives it just enough of a twist to keep it interesting. While it’s not revolutionary, it is well executed, wears effortlessly, and feels like understated luxury.
Yes, it is expensive, and that shouldn’t be an afterthought when it comes to fragrance. You may get what you pay for here, a beautifully crafted, effortlessly refined scent, but it deserves serious consideration and a testing session before you commit. Some scents are love at first sniff; this one is a slow burn, meant to be lived in before deciding if it’s worth the splurge.
Overall Star Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
Review disclosure
Review from based on a full day’s wear + paper tests from two 1.5ml samples bought from Le Labo.
