Fragrance Review: Upper Class by Royal Crown

A very wise, very stylish man once said, "It takes 500 small details to add up to one favourable impression." A well thought-out, dashing outfit can consist of many small details, with the right fragrance being one of the last. The fragrance you choose is like the olfactory cherry on top.

You should choose a fragrance that represents the ensemble you thoughtfully put together and the message you want to send. If your message happens to be one of exquisite allure and captivating appeal, look no further than Upper Class by Royal Crown.

Who Is Behind It? 

Upper Class was created by Italian perfumer Antonio Visconti. Not only is he a master perfumer with 46 fragrances to his name at the time of this article being published, but he also founded Royal Crown in 2008.

Royal Crown's fragrances are not just olfactory sensations, but they also tell a story. Antonio encourages the wearer to connect with his fragrances on a deeper level, to let their emotions, feelings, and memories harmonize with what they're experiencing as they smell Royal Crown.

The Royal Crown brand has always been about exclusivity. You won't find them stocked in many retail stores, and most online retailers are either sold out or carry only a select few offerings from the brand. You can, however, purchase fragrances directly from the RC website.

Note Breakdown: 

Top notes: Black pepper, coriander, leather, pink pepper, raspberry

Middle notes: Burmese oud, cedar, Omani incense, Tuscan iris

Base notes: Ambergris, labdanum, musk, myrrh, oakmoss, vanilla absolute

Packaging: 

Royal Crown wants you to experience luxury before you even lay eyes on the bottle.

The box itself goes beyond the typical light cardboard box you'd find with many department store fragrances. Instead, you get a weighty, sturdy white box with the name of the house printed on the top and the name of the fragrance displayed inside a decorative plaque with a golden trim border.

The top of the box is made from a leather-like material and has a slight cushiony feel, giving it an added level of luxury. The box is covered with the same leather-like material as the top, but it isn't cushiony.

Once you cut the gold seal stamp and open the hinged box, you are greeted by the fragrance sitting inside a mold that looks like silk sheets. This alone gives the fragrance an added level of luxury; the bottle appears like it was tossed into the sheet as though Royal Crown were filming a commercial for the softest fabric softener on earth.

Upper Class, like most other Royal Crown fragrances apart from the Black Bay line, come in a tall, thick 8-sided glass bottle adorned with a decorative jeweled crown cap. The hefty weight of the bottle makes it feel luxurious, but I'm personally not a fan of the cap style.

Opening: 

Upon first spray, you're greeted with a blend of tart raspberry, smooth leather, and a hint of soft cedar. The leather is reminiscent of the sort of full grain leather found in luxury car seats. It isn't overpowering or heavy like leathers in fragrances often tend to be.

Although there are some spices listed in the top notes, I don't get any of them in the opening. Instead, I get a faint lipsticky iris note that dissipates after about 15 minutes. Some may find the opening to be too sweet, but it calms down after a few minutes.

Development: 

Once Upper Class begins to settle, the iris fades almost completely, and a subtle warm spice begins to appear in the background. The tart raspberry and smooth leather still dominate but with less intensity.

The warm spices are likely from the resins, oud, and woodsy notes. The oud isn't animalic or rough as you would expect. Rather, it's a slightly woody, nutty scent that adds richness to the warm spices.

Drydown: 

Vanilla begins to appear after about half an hour, but it isn't a sweet vanilla. It has an almost milky/lactonic characteristic, like what you would find in a high-quality vanilla bean ice cream. The raspberry still lingers, but it has turned from tart to sweet, like a raspberry jam or syrup. 

The resins, oud, and woods still have that warm spice characteristic. You would think a fragrance with multiple resins would be a heavy blanket of potpourri, but these notes play nicely with everyone else, making the transitions soft and subtle.

Performance: 

I applied three sprays directly to my chest in the morning. For about the first 15 minutes, it emanated beyond arm's length then settled down. It stayed as an arm's length scent for roughly two hours, an elbow's-length scent for the next 4-5 hours, and then a skin scent.

I could still smell the fragrance on my skin hours later, but when I asked people around me if they could, they had to get close to get a whiff of it. I could still detect it faintly on my shirt when I took it off in the evening, almost 14 hours later.

When To Wear Upper Class: 

Upper Class by Royal Crown is a versatile fragrance through and through. Nothing in the composition really makes it summer- or winter-specific or even day/night-specific. It could be worn all year round, day or night, except on the hottest summer days where the resin notes may be stifling compared to an oceanic or citrus-forward fresh fragrance.

It would be best suited (pun intended) for more formal occasions like a gala, an invitational horse race, or a date at a fancy restaurant. It doesn't project much, so it's better suited for intimate occasions where someone may be close to you. That being said, it has a playfulness to it, so black- and white-tie events would be too formal to pull it off.

Who Is This Fragrance For? 

Upper Class sits right on the unisex fence, not leaning strongly feminine or masculine. Some men may find it too sweet and fruity, while some women may find the resins and spices too masculine for their tastes. 

This fragrance would be best worn by someone middle aged or older. The sweet/tart opening may come across as youthful, but as the fragrance develops, it becomes more complex and robust. 

Regardless, Upper Class by Royal Crown is a fragrance inspired by a modern-day Cary Grant; it has debonair charm, a splash of sophistication, and a hint of playfulness. This combination makes it great for someone who can confidently pull off a three-piece suit but also loosen their tie and have some fun once the workday is done.

Overall Thoughts On Upper Class by Royal Crown: 

Upper Class is a fragrance that doesn't need to be loud to get attention. Its unique composition makes it stand out amongst the sea of designer fragrances without even trying. While it won't leave a huge scent trail behind you, those who do encounter it want to get closer to you. There's an almost 100% guarantee no one else in the room will be wearing it.

The rarity of Upper Class is partially due to its high price point. While exclusivity and high-quality ingredients play a factor, the price is higher than most people would be willing to pay, especially when designer brands can offer their top sellers at half or even a third of the price and have it readily available for you to purchase at your leisure in person or online at discounters.

That being said, if you can find a 2-15ml decanter, give it a try. It's a lovely fragrance that will get you compliments and doesn't smell like most fragrances on the market right now.

Interested In Other Fragrance Reviews? Check Out:

No. 89 by Floris - The original James Bond fragrance. A timeless classic perfect for any gentleman.

Liqueur BPM by L'Orchestre Parfum - Imagine walking into a fine cigar humidor with a cognac based cocktail in hand.

Fan Your Flames by Nishane - Spiced rum, sweet pipe tobacco, and deep vanilla. A classy boozy fragrance perfect for many occasions.

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