Dupe review · Alexandria Fragrances
Prickly Rose
Built to smell like Tom Ford Rose Prick, for 88% less per 100ml.
- Smells like
- Tom Ford Rose Prick
- Price
- $55.99
- Size
- 60ml
- Per 100ml
- $93
- Original per 100ml
- $810
- Made by
- Alexandria Fragrances
The FragDNA review
Pepper‑packed dupe steals the show – but no rose
FragDNA · compiled from 5 reviews and 6 short takes from Parfumo wearers · 22 October 2026
- Opening
- A sharp burst of pepper – black, white and pink – dominates the first impression.
- Dry-down
- The pepper fades into a warm, resin‑kissed wood core of cedar, benzoin and earthy patchouli with a whisper of vetiver.
- Longevity
- Long lasting; persists well into the evening.
- Projection
- Strong projection; noticeable to those nearby.
- Best for
- Fans of bold peppery accords, night‑time or formal wear.
- Most compared to
- Marc Jacobs Bang
Alexandria Fragrances’ Prickly Rose arrives at a fraction of the cost of its claimed counterpart, Tom Ford’s Rose Prick, making it an attractive option for budget‑conscious collectors. Instead of a floral bouquet, the bottle releases an aggressive pepper storm that immediately grabs attention. The striking, metallic‑sharp opening – described as a blend of black, white and pink peppercorns – sets the tone for a scent that feels more like a spice‑forward experiment than a classic rose.
Those who have tried both Prickly Rose and Marc Jacobs Bang note a strong resemblance in the opening pepper burst and the subsequent shift to a woody, resin‑laden dry‑down. The heart leans into cedar, benzoin and a subtle patchouli earthiness, echoing Bang’s warm core. By contrast, the promised rose facet is virtually absent, leaving the scent far from Tom Ford’s floral‑rich Rose Prick, which centres on Turkish and Bulgarian rose with a softer spice backdrop.
In practice Prickly Rose delivers impressive longevity, lasting well beyond a typical workday, and projects strongly enough to be noticed without overwhelming the space. At roughly $93 for 100 ml it undercuts the $800‑plus price tag of the Tom Ford original while offering a character that will satisfy pepper enthusiasts and those who enjoy a bold, masculine wood trail. It is less suitable for anyone seeking a true rose‑centric fragrance.
The verdictPrickly Rose offers a compelling pepper‑forward experience at a fraction of the price, though it bears little resemblance to the rose‑laden Tom Ford original. For those who value spice and wood over florals, it delivers impressive performance and value.
What we read: Parfumo wearers · Parfumo.de wearers
Strong contender
FragDNA score · on paper
On paper
Prickly Rose scores 7.1 out of 10 on paper — strong contender territory for anyone chasing Rose Prick.
Alexandria Fragrances sells it on the name alone — no note list of its own — so the brief is Rose Prick's pyramid, and the closeness votes below are the real test.
At $93 per 100ml it costs 88% less than Rose Prick — the 11th cheapest of 14 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
Tom Ford Rose Prick is Turkish Rose, Bulgarian Rose and may rose at first, rose, tarragon and turmeric at its heart and patchouli, sandalwood and vetiver at the end. Alexandria Fragrances set out to put that same arc in a cheaper bottle.
Top
- Turkish Rose
- Bulgarian Rose
- may rose
Heart
- rose
- tarragon
- turmeric
Base
- patchouli
- sandalwood
- vetiver
A living rose garden with green, spicy, earthy thorns; lush yet unexpectedly wearable and modern.
How it ranks against the other twins
Of the 20 twins of Tom Ford Rose Prick we can price, Prickly Rose is number 11 on price per 100ml.
- 01 Maison Alhambra Pink Velvet $24/100ml
- 02 The Essence Vault Rose Prick $32/100ml
- 03 The Essence Vault The Essence Vault $32/100ml
- 04 The Essence Vault Rose Prick $32/100ml
- 05 Noted Aromas Porto $33/100ml
- 06 Blossom Perfumery 508 $34/100ml
- 07 The Dupe Spot Rose Prick #377 $36/100ml
- 08 Match Perfumes Rose Prick $41/100ml
- 09 HK Perfumes May Rose $64/100ml
- 10 ALT Fragrances Thorned Rose $82/100ml
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 Prickly Rose
Rating
—How close to Rose Prick
—Would buy again
—Longevity
Projection
Best in
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In the forum
Start a discussion →Questions
What does Alexandria Fragrances Prickly Rose smell like?
It is built to smell like Tom Ford Rose Prick — Turkish Rose, Bulgarian Rose and may rose up top, rose, tarragon and turmeric in the heart, patchouli, sandalwood and vetiver in the base.
Is Alexandria Fragrances Prickly Rose a dupe of Tom Ford Rose Prick?
Yes — Alexandria Fragrances sells it as its version of Tom Ford Rose Prick.
How much cheaper is Alexandria Fragrances Prickly Rose than Tom Ford Rose Prick?
88% less per 100ml: about $93 per 100ml against $810 for the original.
Where can I buy Alexandria Fragrances Prickly Rose?
It is in stock at $55.99 for 60ml — the link on this page goes straight to the shop.