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Michael Malul American Novelist
Michael Malul

American Novelist

aromatic
woody
leather
fresh spicy
green
mossy
soft spicy
unisex

Michael Malul is a niche fragrance house known for distinctive, character-driven compositions that don't follow conventional templates. The brand has built a reputation for creating unconventional scents with literary and artistic references, American Novelist being a prime example of this approach.

American Novelist opens with a bright, herbaceous burst of mint and bergamot tempered by juniper's resinous bite. The heart transitions into a sophisticated leather-forward accord, layered with clary sage and basil for a green, slightly spiced character. The base settles into a woody foundation of moss, pine, and cedar that anchors the composition without overwhelming it. The overall profile is decisively aromatic and woody, with leather and green spice threading throughout, creating something that reads more refined than raw or aggressive.

This is a smart choice for someone wanting a fragrance with genuine complexity and intellectual appeal, something equally suited to a library or a boardroom. It works well year-round but particularly suits cooler months. If you gravitate toward The Sensualist, The Maverick, and The Aristocrat scent profiles, you'll likely find American Novelist worth exploring.

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$130Best · 100ml
$13530d Avg
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Price Comparison2 retailers · updated daily
SizeBottleDecantUpdated 17207m ago
$129.95Save $10 (7% off retail)
at Perfumania
$130 low$140 retail
near the low, great time to buy
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RetailerStockPrice
Perfumania✓ PartnerBestIn Stock$129.95−$10Buy
Michael MalulMSRPIn Stock$140.00retailBuy

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Price History · 100ml
Low
$130
Avg
$135
High
$140
2 days tracked · 2026-04-29 – 2026-04-30
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Main Accordsreported by community
aromatic
100%
woody
75%
leather
75%
fresh spicy
50%
green
50%
mossy
50%
soft spicy
50%
animalic
50%
earthy
50%
Fragrance Notescommunity verified
Top · 0–30 min
Mint
Mint
Cool, sharp, and immediately recognizable, mint adds a clean, almost medicinal freshness that cuts through heavier notes. Spearmint is sweeter; peppermint is sharper. Either way, mint gives fragrances a lively, brisk quality that reads as alert and outdoorsy. Best used as an accent rather than a lead to avoid smelling like toothpaste.
Bergamot
Bergamot
A sun-ripened Italian citrus with a brightness that goes beyond lemon, simultaneously tart, floral, and slightly spicy. It's the defining note of Earl Grey tea and the backbone of countless fresh colognes. Perfumers love it as an opener because it lifts the entire composition without overpowering what follows.
Juniper
Juniper
Heart · 30 min – 3 hrs
Leather
Leather
One of perfumery's most complex accords, smoky, animalic, and slightly woody, evoking tanned hide, polished saddles, or fine gloves depending on the recipe. Leather adds sophistication and edge simultaneously, and is deeply associated with masculinity in Western perfumery (though the best leather fragrances transcend gender entirely).
Clary Sage
Clary Sage
Dry, slightly fruity, and intensely herbal, clary sage has a warm, tea-like quality with faintly floral and nutty facets. It's the more sophisticated sibling of regular sage, used in Eau Sauvage and countless classic masculines for its clean, Mediterranean character. Simultaneously natural and refined.
Basil
Basil
Sweet, spicy, and vividly herbal, basil has a green freshness with slightly anise-like and peppery facets that make it more complex than most culinary herbs. In perfumery it adds a lively, Mediterranean quality and pairs beautifully with citrus and woody notes. An underused note that rewards those who seek it out.
Base · 3–12 hrs
Moss
Moss
Damp, green, and slightly bitter with a cool, shadowy quality, moss is nature's version of depth in perfumery. Oakmoss and tree moss both add a forest-floor complexity that anchors compositions in something real. Essential to classic chypre fragrances and the inspiration for countless green woody accords.
Pine
Pine
Sharp, resinous, and forest-fresh, pine adds a crisp, green-woody quality to fragrances that is immediately associated with mountain air and coniferous forests. Unlike sweeter fir balsam, pine reads as clean and slightly medicinal. Used in sporty, outdoorsy, and classic masculine compositions.
Cedar
Cedar
Who Wears ThisScent DNA matches
🔥
The SensualistBest match84% match
You fill the room without trying.

Warm, smooth, projecting. Leather, tobacco, dry amber, bold woods.

🎲
The Maverick83% match
You do what works for you. That's always been enough.

Fresh, bold, abstract, dry. Metallic notes, experimental musks, architectural woods with presence.

🎩
The Aristocrat81% match
Timeless doesn't try. It simply is.

Cool, clean, commanding. Heritage aromatics, classic citrus, dry fougères, refined woods.

Based on this fragrance's accord profile · Find your Scent DNA →
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Most Popular with this Scent DNA Type?
🔥
The Sensualist
You fill the room without trying.
Warm, smooth, projecting. Leather, tobacco, dry amber, bold woods.
Discover your type →
Scent Profile
aromatic100%
woody75%
leather75%
fresh spicy50%
green50%
Decants Available
1
listings in stock
10ml$3.00/ml

Michael Malul American Novelist— Prices, Coupons & Buying Guide

Best price today: American Novelist is $129.95. Without a coupon the lowest price is $129.95. Gush tracks 47+ retailers updated every 2 hours.

Are grey market retailers authentic?

Yes. Jomashop, FragranceNet, and MaxAroma sell 100% authentic Michael Malul fragrances through unofficial distribution channels. The fragrance is identical to department store stock. Grey market refers to the supply chain, not product quality. The price difference comes entirely from the distribution channel.

Frequently asked questions

Cheapest price for Michael Malul American Novelist? +
$129.95 at Perfumania. Gush compares 47+ retailers updated every 2 hours.
Is $129.95 a good price for American Novelist? +
Yes. The current best price is $129.95 and MSRP is $140.00. At $129.95 you save 7% vs retail.
What does Michael Malul American Novelist smell like? +
Michael Malul is a niche fragrance house known for distinctive, character-driven compositions that don't follow conventional templates. The brand has built a reputation for creating unconventional scents with literary and artistic references, American Novelist being a prime example of this approach. American Novelist opens with a bright, herbaceous burst of mint and bergamot tempered by juniper's resinous bite. The heart transitions into a sophisticated leather-forward accord, layered with clary sage and basil for a green, slightly spiced character. The base settles into a woody foundation of moss, pine, and cedar that anchors the composition without overwhelming it. The overall profile is decisively aromatic and woody, with leather and green spice threading throughout, creating something that reads more refined than raw or aggressive. This is a smart choice for someone wanting a fragrance with genuine complexity and intellectual appeal, something equally suited to a library or a boardroom. It works well year-round but particularly suits cooler months. If you gravitate toward The Sensualist, The Maverick, and The Aristocrat scent profiles, you'll likely find American Novelist worth exploring.
What are the notes in Michael Malul American Novelist? +
Top: Mint, Bergamot, Juniper. Heart: Leather, Clary Sage, Basil. Base: Moss, Pine, Cedar.
What is a grey market fragrance retailer? +
Grey market retailers sell authentic fragrances sourced through unofficial distribution -- typically excess inventory from authorized distributors. The product is real and identical to retail. FragranceNet (est. 1997), Jomashop, and MaxAroma are well-established with millions of verified reviews.

Gush earns a commission on purchases at no cost to you · Prices update every 2 hours · Coupon success rates based on affiliate feed data · Grey market = authentic, unofficial supply chain