Short answer: Imperial Dawn is D&E's Extrait de Parfum take on Boadicea the Victorious 1907, the violet, spice and tobacco fragrance that costs £540 for 100ml at Boadicea's own shop. Imperial Dawn runs from £14.99 (5ml sample) to £44.95 (50ml). Shop Imperial Dawn →
- Smells like: warm cardamom and cinnamon spice over violet, sage and a smoky tobacco, amber and tonka base.
- Best for: autumn and winter evenings, anyone who likes a rich, slightly vintage, gender-neutral spicy scent.
- Honest note: inspired by, not an exact clone of the original.
Boadicea the Victorious is a British niche house, and 1907 is among its most distinctive releases. The bottle carries the "NM" of Neiman Marcus, the Dallas department store founded in 1907, and the brand describes it as "old-world grandeur reborn in an alchemy of violet, spice and tonka". It is also a serious spend: the brand lists 100ml at £540, with a 10ml travel size at £54, and at the time of writing all sizes show as unavailable on its site.
What does Boadicea the Victorious 1907 actually smell like?
The published notes are:
- Top: Cardamom, Cinnamon, Lemon, Pink Pepper
- Heart: Nutmeg, Sage, Violet, Cashmeran
- Base: Amber, Benzoin, Cedarwood, Moss, Musks, Tobacco, Tonka Beans
It opens green and spicy, with a bright flash of lemon and a hint of cassis, lifted by pink pepper. The heart turns herbal and airy as sage and violet come through, softened by cashmeran. Then it settles into smoky woods, resins, amber and tobacco. It reads like a polished old gentlemen's club: warm, a little powdery and quietly grand rather than loud.
Why people look for a Boadicea the Victorious 1907 dupe
Boadicea the Victorious is a luxury niche house, and 1907 is priced to match; the brand's own site currently shows every size as unavailable. At £540 for a full bottle, many people want to know whether they would enjoy the style before committing. Others love violet-and-tobacco fragrances but only want something for the cooler months. A 5ml sample at £14.99 lets you wear it for a week or two and decide.
Boadicea the Victorious 1907 vs Imperial Dawn at a glance
| Boadicea the Victorious 1907 | D&E Imperial Dawn | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £540 for 100ml (£54 for 10ml) | From £14.99 (5ml) to £44.95 (50ml) |
| Concentration | Niche fragrance (concentration not stated on the brand page) | Extrait de Parfum |
| Style | Spicy, violet, smoky tobacco | Spicy, violet, smoky tobacco-amber |
| Sizes | 2ml, 10ml, 100ml | 5ml sample, 12ml roller, 15ml, 30ml, 50ml |
Introducing Imperial Dawn - Insp by Boadicea The Victorious 1907
Imperial Dawn is our own composition inspired by the spicy, violet-led character of 1907. Its notes lean on lemon, cardamom, cinnamon and pink pepper at the top, violet, nutmeg, cashmeran and sage in the heart, and musk, amber, tonka bean, tobacco, benzoin, cedarwood and moss underneath. It is made as an Extrait de Parfum, which means a higher concentration of fragrance oil than a typical eau de parfum, so a little goes a long way. You can start with a 5ml sample at £14.99, move up to a 12ml or 15ml roller at £19.99, or choose a 30ml at £34.99 or 50ml at £44.95. Try Imperial Dawn from £14.99 →
Being upfront about the comparison
We want to be clear: Imperial Dawn is inspired by Boadicea the Victorious 1907, not an exact clone or replica. Different ingredients, different blending and a different concentration mean the two will not smell identical side by side. What we aim for is the same mood: spice, violet, tobacco and a warm amber base. If you own the original and love it, treat Imperial Dawn as a similar-feeling companion rather than a swap. If you have never smelt the original, test our sample first and judge it for what it is.
Longevity and projection
As an Extrait, Imperial Dawn is built to last. Most people can expect several hours of wear on skin and longer on clothes, with a noticeable but not overwhelming sillage in the first hour or two that then sits closer to the body. Skin type, climate and application all make a difference, so spray on moisturised skin and pulse points for the best result. Rich spice and tobacco scents also tend to feel stronger in cold air, which suits the season.
The verdict
If you are drawn to 1907's spiced violet and tobacco character but not to a £540 price tag, Imperial Dawn is an easy, low-risk way to explore the style. Start with the 5ml sample and see whether it earns a place in your autumn rotation. If you like Boadicea's heritage-meets-spice approach, you may also enjoy our Boadicea the Victorious Hanuman dupe guide. Shop Imperial Dawn →
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Boadicea the Victorious and 1907 are trademarks of their respective owners. D&E Fragrances is not affiliated with or endorsed by them. Imperial Dawn is D&E's own original composition, inspired by the fragrance family.