The Golden Secret

The Golden Secret, composed by Christophe Raynaud for Antonio Banderas in 2011, is a spicy masculine scent with a fresh, minty start and a leathery finish. Spice is what everyone picks up; a third also find it sweet, woody, musky, aromatic and leathery.

Mint, apple and green notes open it, cool, crisp and slightly sweet. The heart is where the character lives: pepper adds a sharp heat, nutmeg a warm, woody spice, and cumin a distinctive, earthy, slightly sweaty warmth that gives the scent its edge. The base is cedar, musk and leather, dry, clean and smooth, with the leather adding a faint smokiness that lingers.

Most wearers report moderate longevity, with a quarter finding it weak, and a moderate to intimate trail, so it stays close despite the strong spices. It is voted mainly for winter and autumn and leans towards evening. It suits someone who likes spicy, slightly animalic masculines and wants one that does not take over the room.

The Golden Secret — for men fragrance by Antonio Banderas (released 2011). Top notes: Apple, Mint, Green Notes. Heart notes: Nutmeg, Pepper, Cumin. Base notes: Leather, Cedar, Musk. — Parfica open fragrance database