Jean Paul Gaultier Le Male Range Explained
Le Male, Ultra Male, Le Parfum, Elixir and Elixir Absolu: how each version differs and which one suits you.
In this article
Jean Paul Gaultier's Le Male has been a signature men's fragrance for three decades, and its sailor-torso bottle is instantly recognisable. Since the original launched in 1995, the line has grown into a whole family. The names sound alike, so it's easy to mix them up. This guide explains how each version differs, so you can choose the one that suits you.
The Le Male family at a glance
| Fragrance | Type | Launched | Key notes | Best for | Strength |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Le Male | Eau de Toilette | 1995 | Lavender, mint, vanilla | Every day, day or night | ●●●●● |
| Ultra Male | Eau de Toilette Intense | 2015 | Pear, lavender, black vanilla | Parties and nights out | ●●●●● |
| Le Parfum | Eau de Parfum Intense | 2020 | Cardamom, iris, vanilla | Office, dinners, formal evenings | ●●●●● |
| Elixir | Parfum | 2023 | Lavender, honey, tobacco | Winter evenings, special occasions | ●●●●● |
| Elixir Absolu | Parfum Intense | 2024 | Plum, lavender, tonka bean | The richest, spiciest option | ●●●●● |
Strength follows the concentration, from Eau de Toilette to Parfum Intense.
Le Male
Eau de ToiletteSince 1995Mint · Lavender · Vanilla
The one that started it all. Created by perfumer Francis Kurkdjian, Le Male opens with mint, lavender and bergamot, warms up with cinnamon and orange blossom, and settles on a soft vanilla, tonka and sandalwood base. It feels clean and comforting at the same time, the "barbershop lavender meets vanilla" profile the line is known for. It's the most versatile of the family and easy to wear day or night.
Ultra Male
Eau de Toilette IntenseSince 2015Pear · Lavender · Black vanilla
Ultra Male keeps the lavender and mint but adds juicy pear and lemon on top and a darker black vanilla and amber base. It is noticeably sweeter and more playful than the original, a good fit for parties and nights out.
Le Male Le Parfum
Eau de Parfum IntenseSince 2020Cardamom · Iris · Vanilla
Le Parfum swaps the sailor stripes for a more formal "captain" look, and the scent follows suit. Cardamom opens onto lavender and powdery iris, finishing on vanilla and woods. It's the most polished member of the family and suits the office, dinners and formal evenings.
Le Male Elixir
ParfumSince 2023Lavender · Honey · Tobacco
Launched in a golden bottle, Elixir takes the lavender and mint opening into much warmer territory: vanilla and benzoin in the heart, honey, tonka bean and tobacco in the base. It's dense and sweet, made for cold-weather evenings. A little goes a long way.
Look out for the Le Male Elixir Collector edition, which presents Elixir in a special collector bottle.
Le Male Elixir Absolu
Parfum IntenseSince 2024Plum · Lavender · Tonka bean
The most intense chapter so far. Jean Paul Gaultier describes it as a spicy aromatic amber built on three key notes: plum, lavender and tonka bean. Juicy plum, cinnamon and cardamom open the scent, lavender with davana and artemisia sits at the heart, and a base of tonka bean, benzoin and labdanum gives it a rich, golden finish. Compared with Elixir it is spicier and fruitier rather than honeyed.
Which Le Male should you choose?
Prefer something fresher? Meet Le Beau
Le Beau is Le Male's sunnier sibling, launched in 2019. Instead of lavender and vanilla, it centres on bergamot, coconut and tonka bean, a breezy, beachy profile that suits warmer days. The line includes Le Beau (Eau de Toilette), the richer Le Beau Le Parfum, and the green, salty Le Beau Paradise Garden.
Gifting Le Male
The Jean Paul Gaultier Le Male Gift Set pairs the original Eau de Toilette with a travel-size spray, a simple holiday gift. You'll find the whole range in our Jean Paul Gaultier collection. For more ideas, see our holiday gift guide for him.
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Every scent mentioned in this article.
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Le Male Elixir Absolu Parfum Intense
Vendor:Jean Paul GaultierParfumForMan2 Sizes availableRegular price $116.49 - $145.99Regular price -
Le Male Elixir Collector
Vendor:Jean Paul GaultierParfumForMan1 Size availableRegular price $147.49Regular price -
JPG Le Male Gift Set
Vendor:Jean Paul GaultierEau de ToiletteForMan4 Sizes availableRegular price $94.49 - $118.99Regular price -
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Sold outUltra Male Intense
Vendor:Jean Paul GaultierEau de ToiletteForMan4 Sizes availableSold out -
Sold outLe Male Le Parfum
Vendor:Jean Paul GaultierEau de ParfumForMan4 Sizes availableSold out -
Sold out
FAQs
What is the difference between Le Male and Le Male Elixir?
Le Male is a fresh-sweet Eau de Toilette built on lavender, mint and vanilla. Le Male Elixir is a Parfum that keeps the lavender but adds honey, benzoin and tobacco, so it is much warmer, sweeter and denser.
What is the difference between Le Male Elixir and Le Male Elixir Absolu?
Both are part of the Elixir line. Elixir is a Parfum centred on honey and tobacco; Elixir Absolu is a Parfum Intense with a spicier amber profile built on plum, lavender and tonka bean.
Which Le Male lasts the longest?
The Parfum versions, Le Male Elixir and Le Male Elixir Absolu, are the most concentrated, so they usually last the longest. Performance always depends on skin type and climate.
Which Le Male suits the office?
Le Male Le Parfum is the most refined and least sweet, which makes it a popular office choice. The original Le Male also works well with one or two sprays.
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