Dupe review · Alexandria Fragrances
Dark Pleasure
The Tom Ford Café Rose profile, 67% cheaper per 100ml, from Alexandria Fragrances.
- Smells like
- Tom Ford Café Rose
- Price
- $109.99
- Size
- 100ml
- Per 100ml
- $110
- Original per 100ml
- $330
- Made by
- Alexandria Fragrances
The FragDNA review
Dark Pleasure mirrors Café Rose, but the coffee is shy
FragDNA · compiled from 4 reviews and 2 short takes from Parfumo wearers · 22 October 2026
- Opening
- A burst of rose swirls with a fresh, almost citrusy lift, softened by subtle sandalwood.
- Dry-down
- As it settles, the rose deepens amidst amber‑sweetness, with whispering patchouli, pepper and a faint trace of coffee.
- Longevity
- Eight to ten hours on skin, longer on clothing.
- Projection
- Generous sillage that announces itself without overwhelming.
- Best for
- Spring‑summer evenings, romantic dates, lovers of sweet florals.
Alexandria’s Dark Pleasure positions itself as a budget twin of Tom Ford’s Café Rose, offering the same rose‑forward heart for a fraction of the price. At $110 for 100 ml it attracts those who adore the original’s luxurious femininity but balk at the $330 tag. The bottle is marketed as unisex, yet most wearers find the scent decidedly floral and feminine.
The opening delivers a wall of rose that instantly recalls Café Rose’s signature bloom, supported by a crisp, citrus‑like freshness that many attribute to sandalwood rather than any citrus note. While the original leans on coffee and pepper for depth, Dark Pleasure only hints at those spices, and the coffee nuance is barely perceptible. Amber and patchouli emerge in the dry‑down, providing a sweet, earthy base that feels close but not identical.
Performance-wise the dupe holds up well: longevity stretches into the evening and the projection is ample enough for a confident presence. Considering the price gap, it offers excellent value for anyone missing Café Rose’s vibe. It shines on women who enjoy a sweet, rose‑centric perfume, though men may find it overly girlish. If coffee is a must‑have, the original still wins.
The verdictDark Pleasure captures the essence of Café Rose with a strong rose opening and similar sweet‑woody dry‑down, though the coffee facet is faint. For its price it is a commendable stand‑in for fans of the original.
What we read: Parfumo wearers · Parfumo.de wearers
Worth a try
FragDNA score · on paper
On paper
On paper, Dark Pleasure is a reasonable bet if you want Café Rose for less.
Alexandria Fragrances sells it on the name alone — no note list of its own — so the brief is Café Rose's pyramid, and the closeness votes below are the real test.
At $110 per 100ml it costs 67% less than Café Rose — the 4th cheapest of 7 twins we can price.
Reviewed on paper: from the notes and strength Alexandria Fragrances publishes, the price per 100ml, and how firmly the match is claimed. How it really smells on skin is what the votes below are for.
What it's built to smell like
The original opens on saffron, black pepper and pink pepper, turns to rose, may rose and Turkish Rose, and settles into sandalwood, patchouli and amber. That is the brief Dark Pleasure is working from.
Top
- saffron
- black pepper
- pink pepper
Heart
- rose
- may rose
- Turkish Rose
Base
- sandalwood
- patchouli
- amber
Dark roses steeped in coffee and spice for a rich, intoxicating gourmand-floral with real depth.
How it ranks against the other twins
Of the 12 twins of Tom Ford Café Rose we can price, Dark Pleasure is number 4 on price per 100ml.
- 01 The Dupe Spot Cafe Rose #133 $26/100ml
- 02 ALT Fragrances Espresso Petals $82/100ml
- 03 Perfume Parlour Coffee Flower $83/100ml
- 04 Alexandria Fragrances Dark Pleasure $110/100ml
- 05 Alexandria Fragrances Red Rose Cafe $110/100ml
- 06 Perfume Parlour Rosy Cafe For Women 2047 $122/100ml
- 07 Oil Perfumery Café Rose $125/100ml
- 08 Palermo Perfumes Café Rose $22.75
- 09 Maison Alhambra Rose Origami $24.99
- 10 The Dupe Spot PERFUME OIL #133 our duplication of CAFE ROSE $25.97
More from Alexandria Fragrances
Every Alexandria Fragrances fragrance →-
Homme Classiquesmells like Yves Saint Laurent L'Homme $46.99 -
London Destinationsmells like Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium $109.99 -
FAME 15smells like Bond No. 9 Andy Warhol Silver Factory $69.99 -
Medalistsmells like Chanel Allure Homme Sport $109.99 -
White Zestsmells like Chanel Allure Homme Édition Blanche $69.99 -
Serenesmells like Chanel Coco Mademoiselle $46.99 -
Across the Universesmells like Maison Francis Kurkdjian Aqua Universalis $69.99 -
Aphroditesmells like Paco Rabanne Olympéa $69.99
The community
What people say about Dark Pleasure
Rating
—How close to Café Rose
—Would buy again
—Longevity
Projection
Best in
No reviews yet. Be the first to say how it wears.
In the forum
Start a discussion →Questions
What does Alexandria Fragrances Dark Pleasure smell like?
It is built to smell like Tom Ford Café Rose — saffron, black pepper and pink pepper up top, rose, may rose and Turkish Rose in the heart, sandalwood, patchouli and amber in the base.
Is Alexandria Fragrances Dark Pleasure a dupe of Tom Ford Café Rose?
Yes — Alexandria Fragrances sells it as its version of Tom Ford Café Rose.
How much cheaper is Alexandria Fragrances Dark Pleasure than Tom Ford Café Rose?
67% less per 100ml: about $110 per 100ml against $330 for the original.
Where can I buy Alexandria Fragrances Dark Pleasure?
It is in stock at $109.99 for 100ml — the link on this page goes straight to the shop.