Smells like Baccarat Rouge 540: Rogue 540 body butter

Baccarat Rouge 540 smells of saffron, jasmine, amberwood, ambergris, fir resin and cedar. Rogue 540 is our take on that profile, with saffron, amber and cedar, in a pheromone-infused body butter at $34 a jar.

What is Baccarat Rouge 540?

Francis Kurkdjian made it for his house, Maison Francis Kurkdjian. It began as a limited crystal edition in 2014 for Baccarat's 250th anniversary and went on wide release in the mid-2010s. The name refers to the temperature at which crystal turns red when it is heated with gold.

The note list explains the appeal. Saffron and jasmine sit with amberwood and ambergris for warmth, and fir resin and cedar bring the wood. Scents in this style are also among the best sellers in the body butter category, which is why we make one.

How does Rogue 540 compare with the original?

The original lists six notes, and the jasmine and fir resin pull it toward floral and resin. Rogue 540 has three: saffron, amber and cedar. That points it at the warm, woody centre of the original, so expect amber with saffron and cedar, and not much floral lift.

Warm notes are the ones a butter holds best. Amber and saffron settle into skin and stay close, and cedar gives them something dry to rest on, so Rogue 540 reads as a glow near you and not a cloud around you. That is our opinion, and your skin will have its say.

It is our own formula in a shea butter and cocoa butter base. It is inspired by the original and not identical to it.

When should you wear it, and who suits it?

In the evening. In our view Rogue 540 is one of the two louder scents in our range, so it belongs at dinner, on a night out, or on a cold day under a coat. It suits a man who likes warmth and does not mind being noticed, and who already leans toward amber or saffron scents.

We would not pick it for a quiet office. That is a job for Bleu Hour, and the two make a sensible pair: Bleu Hour for the day, Rogue 540 once the day is over.

It also works as the evening half of a two-jar order. At $59 for 2, with a free travel tin, you can pair it with a fresh daytime scent and have both the day and the evening covered.

How do you wear it?

Apply it to damp skin after a shower. It lasts 12+ hours on most skin, and longest when the skin is damp. Start with the chest, add the neck only if you want more, and let it settle before you dress.

If you own Baccarat Rouge 540, wear the butter first and spray over it. Layering a butter under a spray is a common tip, and we have no controlled test showing it makes the spray last longer, so treat it as an experiment.

What does it cost next to a bottle?

A bottle of Baccarat Rouge 540 costs about $325. A jar of Rogue 540 is $34, about $291 less. You can also buy 2 for $59 or 3 for $78.99, and every order ships wrapped in a real coffee sack from somewhere in the world, with a card that says where. If the scent is not right for you, there is a free scent swap within 14 days.

Bale is independent and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Maison Francis Kurkdjian or Baccarat.

Quick answers

• Is Rogue 540 identical to Baccarat Rouge 540? No. It follows the profile in our own formula and base, so expect similar and not identical.
• Is Rogue 540 strong? In our view it is one of the two louder scents we make, so start with a small amount.
• Who should skip it? Anyone who wants a quiet scent for a small office. Bleu Hour or Reverie is the better pick.
• Can you wear it in summer? You can, but we think it is at its best in cooler weather and in the evening.

Try Rogue 540 body butter, or take the scent quiz to compare it with the other five.