YSL 6 vs III Thriller: Is Maison Asrar's Version Actually Worth It?
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What YSL 6 Place Saint Sulpice Actually Is
A 2017 release from Yves Saint Laurent's exclusive Le Vestiaire des Parfums line, created by master perfumer Carlos Benaïm. Bergamot, lavender and clary sage open it; saffron, coriander and nutmeg carry the heart; labdanum and a leather accord sit underneath. It has a strong reputation in the enthusiast community — regularly named one of the best things YSL makes — and it currently retails at £320 for 125ml.
What III Thriller Actually Is
III Thriller is Maison Asrar's collaboration with Cal Cologne, a UK-based fragrance reviewer with a dedicated enthusiast following. Bergamot, lemon, cardamom, saffron, pepper and elemi open it; leather, incense and tonka carry the heart; vanilla, sandalwood, amber and benzoin sit underneath. £44.99 for 100ml, or £5.99 for a 5ml decant.
Side by Side
| Notes | YSL 6 Place Saint Sulpice | III Thriller |
|---|---|---|
| Top | Bergamot, lavender, clary sage | Bergamot, lemon, cardamom, saffron, pepper, elemi |
| Heart | Saffron, coriander, nutmeg | Leather, incense, tonka |
| Base | Labdanum, leather accord | Vanilla, sandalwood, amber, benzoin |
| Price | £320 / 125ml | £44.99 / 100ml |
How Close Is the Dupe, Honestly
Genuinely closer than most "inspired by" claims. Bergamot, saffron and leather are the backbone of both fragrances, and that overlap isn't a coincidence — it's the shared DNA the brief was built around. But III Thriller's opening runs spicier and sharper (cardamom, pepper, elemi against YSL's softer lavender-clary sage), and the drydown goes warmer and sweeter with vanilla and sandalwood, where YSL stays drier and more austere on labdanum and leather. One reviewer who owns both put it well: fragrance forums describe it as "in the same vein" as the YSL original, while being clear it is "absolutely not a 1:1 dupe."
Dupe confidence: medium-strong. Same core accord family — spiced, leathery, resinous — with its own distinct personality once it's actually on skin.
Who Should Buy Which
- Already own 6 Place Saint Sulpice and love it? III Thriller won't replace it, but it's a legitimate everyday alternative for when you don't want to reach for the £320 bottle.
- Never tried either, and drawn to dark, spiced, leather fragrances? Start with III Thriller — at this price, sampling first costs less than a coffee round.
- Prefer things soft, fresh or citrus-led? Neither of these fragrances is for you. This is a deliberately bold, wintry, evening scent.
The Catch: Not a Safe Blind Buy
III Thriller has the most divisive opening in the entire Maison Asrar range. Fresh out of the bottle, it can read harsh and synthetic for the first 20–30 minutes before it settles. The community is consistent on this: give it time, or better, let a fresh bottle macerate — sitting opened — for two to four weeks before judging it properly. Reviewers who initially disliked it have reversed that verdict after maceration. If you're not sure you have the patience for that, sample first.
Try It Before You Commit
The 5ml decant is poured from the same 100ml stock — enough to get past the opening and properly judge the leather-incense-vanilla drydown this fragrance is actually known for.
Ready to commit to the full bottle?
Add III Thriller 100ml to Cart — £44.99
At Nexara Perfumes, we stock genuine UK-held inventory dispatched via Royal Mail Tracked 24/48 — so your order arrives fast, direct from us. We never dropship. Every bottle is 100% authentic and sealed.
Looking for something more approachable within the Maison Asrar range? Vanilla Voyage is the crowd-pleasing starting point, or explore the full Maison Asrar collection at Nexara Perfumes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is III Thriller a dupe of?
The closest match is YSL's 6 Place Saint Sulpice, from the exclusive Le Vestiaire des Parfums line — the two share bergamot, saffron and a leathery base as their common DNA. It is not a 1:1 clone; III Thriller's cardamom-pepper opening and vanilla-sandalwood drydown give it its own distinct character.
How close is the dupe, really?
Medium-strong. The shared notes are genuine and form the backbone of both fragrances, but III Thriller runs spicier on opening and sweeter on drydown than the YSL original, which stays drier throughout.
Is III Thriller a safe blind buy?
No — it has the most divisive opening in the Maison Asrar range. It can smell harsh for the first 20–30 minutes and improves significantly with maceration. If you're unsure, sample the 5ml decant first.
How long does III Thriller last?
As an extrait de parfum with 20% fragrance oil concentration, expect 8–10 hours on skin and 12+ hours on clothing.
What's the actual price difference?
YSL 6 Place Saint Sulpice retails at £320 for 125ml (roughly £256 per 100ml). III Thriller is £44.99 for 100ml — about 14% of the cost per equivalent volume.
Where can I buy III Thriller in the UK?
Nexara Perfumes stocks III Thriller with UK-held inventory and Royal Mail Tracked 24/48 dispatch. We're a specialist UK Arabian fragrance retailer — every bottle is 100% authentic.