LE LABO
EUCALYPTUS 20

2025

eucalyptus
cedarwood
red thyme
frankincense
labdanum
gurjum balsam
hyssop
musk

‘Imagine a place so vast and remote that you can travel for weeks without meeting another soul. Endless miles of red sand, endless miles of sky. In the relentless heat, a lone white tree on the nearest horizon can feel like an illusion. But the eucalyptus is the oasis, a way station where tumbleweed and rusty dust settle in the sacred shade of silver leaves. This is the inspiration for EUCALYPTUS 20, the unmistakable scent of the wide open, where the freshness of eucalyptus and cedarwood is rounded out by the leathery warmth of labdanum and grounded on a bed of musky notes and incense. And that’s why with this fragrance comes an invitation: set yourself free. Go for a walk.’ – Breuninger (Translated)

I haven’t been wowed by Le Labo’s latest couple of releases, especially the City Exclusive Coriandre 39. And frankly, I feel exactly the same about Eucalyptus 20, but at least, this time around it’s not in the higher priced collection.

Initial impression from the opening minute was that it smelled overly familiar; green, almost watery, like a green tea scent. This changes quickly however, as this Eucalyptus 20 is a lot smokier, earthier and woodier than I anticipated. It keeps the mentholated freshness, but I find it more nutty and earthy, than green. It’s not grassy, nor leaf-like, but much more roots and woods. There’s a subtle sweetness and I’m reminded of a rooty, dusty, earthy vetiver.

For most of the wear I get vetiver-esque qualities, but it has a cleaner, more watery cedarwood-like polish to it. And I’ve smelled this exact scent multiple times before for sure, but haven’t been able to pinpoint which fragrances it reminds me of most (I know, very useful commentary). Le Labo has their own vetiver in Vetiver 46, which if I remember correctly, I would prefer over Eucalyptus 20.

This greenish, spicy, fresh aromatic woody scent profile is never really up my alley, so I don’t want to be too harsh. There’s absolutely nothing inherently wrong with this fragrance, but it’s yet another Le Labo release that doesn’t excite me even in the slightest. Which is fine; they don’t make fragrances tailored to me specifically and I guess it fits in their clean, ‘hipster’-esque aesthetic that feels more functional, utilitarian when it comes to the perfumes.