Electimuss Imperium vs Electimuss Puritas

Electimuss sells both fragrances as extraits, so in the densest concentration, and both come in 100 ml bottles. That's where the similarity ends — and the names will probably mislead you. Imperium sounds grander, Puritas purer, but in reality it's the other way round: the incense, resin and patchouli are in Puritas, while Imperium stands on white florals, citrus and vanilla.

Property	Imperium	Puritas
House	Electimuss	Electimuss
Concentration	Extrait	Extrait
Top notes	bergamot, coriander	elemi, absinthe, pink pepper, saffron
Heart notes	jasmine, lily, saffron, neroli, tuberose, rose	incense, indian tuberose, egyptian jasmine, ylang-ylang, geranium, rose
Base notes	vanilla, musk, guaiac wood, patchouli, amber, oud	amber, labdanum, patchouli, guaiac wood, tonka, vetiver
Longevity (community rating)	10–16 hours	8–12 hours
Sillage (community rating)	Moderate to strong	Moderate
Full bottle	€205 / 100 ml	€340 / 100 ml
Price per millilitre	€2.05	€3.40
Decant 5 ml	€23.50	€25
Decant 10 ml	€42	€40

Imperium opens with bergamot and coriander, has jasmine, lily, tuberose and neroli beside rose in the heart, and oud, guaiac and vanilla in the base. Because those two aren't among the leading accords, it comes across softer and more powdery than the description would suggest — the white florals and vanilla stand out most. Puritas goes the opposite way: incense is its first accord, with resin, labdanum and patchouli beside it, so it's more serious and more ceremonial. They're not close in price: Imperium costs €2.05 per millilitre, Puritas €3.40, a good third more. With decants the difference almost disappears — 5 ml is €23.50 against €25, and at 10 ml Puritas is even cheaper (€40 against €42), because decant prices aren't calculated linearly from the bottle price. If you're deciding by scent rather than price, the question is simple: do you want florals or incense.

Which of the two is darker?

Puritas, even though the name says otherwise. Its first accord is incense, followed by resin, earthy notes and smoke. Imperium has white florals, citrus and vanilla at the top of its list — it does have oud and incense in the base, but they're not among the leading accords.

Why is Puritas more expensive if both are 100 ml?

Because it's more expensive per millilitre: €3.40 against €2.05. A full bottle of Puritas costs €340, Imperium €205. Incense, labdanum and saffron are among the pricier materials, but the final price is set by the house, not just the ingredients.

Which is better for the office?

Imperium. It's softer and more powdery, so it stays closer to the body. Puritas, with incense and patchouli, leaves a more noticeable trail, which can be too much in an enclosed space with lots of people.

Are they unisex?

In our database Puritas is listed as unisex and Imperium as masculine. In practice the relationship is reversed again — with florals and vanilla, Imperium is less distinctly masculine than its label says.

Which should I try first if I don't know Electimuss?

Imperium, because it's cheaper and more wearable every day. If the dose of florals is too much for you, you'll know Puritas is the opposite pole of this house — and not the other way round, as the names would suggest.