Atkinsons The Big Bad Cedar

for women and men

Atkinsons The Big Bad Cedar is a woody unisex scent with crisp spice, green lift, and soft musky woods that feels relaxed, clean, and put-together.

Atkinsons The Big Bad Cedar

Atkinsons The Big Bad Cedar

3.3 oz EDP Spray
$127.00 USD
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Atkinsons The Big Bad Cedar
$127.00 USD

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Genuine branded fragrance, new and sealed. Securely shipped from the US.

Ships from the US

Free tracked delivery, typically 3–7 business days.

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Genuine & sealed

100% genuine branded fragrance, new, sealed and in original packaging.

Easy returns

Unopened items may be returned under our returns policy.

Scent Dossier

Atkinsons The Big Bad Cedar is a woody unisex fragrance built around dry cedar, aromatic sage, and a fresh cardamom kick. It wears clean, lightly spicy, and gently musky rather than heavy or sweet, making it a smart pick for daytime use. Best in Spring and Fall, it fits work, casual days, and travel especially well. If you want a woody scent that stays calm and comfortable instead of loud, this is a strong choice.

Accords

Woody
Aromatic
Fresh Spicy
Green
Musky
See the Closest Scents to This Profile

A Scent For

This suits someone who likes woody scents but wants them cleaner, lighter, and easier to live with day to day. It makes sense for a shopper who wants one fragrance for office hours, errands, and low-key weekends without smelling too dressed up. Many wearers describe it as a comfortable cedar that feels effortless rather than flashy. Not the right pick if you want sweetness, strong projection, or a dramatic evening signature.

Occasions

Casual
Casual
Everyday
Everyday
Travel
Travel
Work / Office
Work / Office

Seasons

Fall
Fall
Spring
Spring

Time

Day
Day

Sillage

Sillage
2/4
Moderate

Longevity

Longevity
3/5
Moderate

When and Where

Spring and Fall are where this feels most natural, especially during the day. It fits office settings, casual meetups, travel, and any situation where you want to smell neat and composed without taking over the room. The lower-key trail helps in close spaces, which is useful for work and transit. It is less convincing for nightlife or cold-weather occasions that call for something denser, warmer, or more attention-seeking.

Fragrance Pyramid

Top Notes

Cardamom
Cardamom
Sage
Sage

Middle Notes

Cedar
Cedar
Virginia cedar
Virginia cedar

Base Notes

Cashmeran
Cashmeran
Oakmoss
Oakmoss

Deeper Detail

How it Opens

You get a crisp, dry wood impression right away, sharpened by cardamom’s cool spice and sage’s herbal freshness. Instead of feeling dense or smoky, it comes across clean, green, and quietly confident. Cedar is the star, but not in a rough pencil-shaving way; it feels smoother and more wearable. The overall effect is put-together and relaxed, with enough character to keep it from reading plain or overly safe.

How it develops

As it settles, the sharper herbal edge softens and the cedar becomes creamier and more lived-in. Cashmeran adds a gentle warm wood feel, while oakmoss brings an earthy, slightly green depth that keeps the scent grounded rather than sweet. On skin, it stays fairly close and steady, with a clean musky finish. This does not turn rich or syrupy later on, so the mood remains easygoing and daytime-friendly throughout wear.

History

Released in 2016, The Big Bad Cedar is part of Atkinsons' Contemporary Collection and sits in the brand’s more casual, wearable side. Rather than aiming for a heavy statement wood scent, it takes cedar in a cleaner, more approachable direction. That makes it a practical option for shoppers who want something modern, unisex, and rooted in straightforward woody freshness instead of ornate complexity.

Perfumier

Country of Origin

United Kingdom

Year Created

2016

Our Verdict

Buy this if you want a cedar-forward woody scent that stays clean, fresh-spicy, and easy to wear in everyday settings. Skip it if you are after big presence, noticeable sweetness, or a richer after-dark style.

The Closest Scents to Atkinsons The Big Bad Cedar

The Big Bad Cedar is a woody aromatic scent with fresh spicy and green accents, built around cedar and cardamom. This edit explores the same woody aromatic foundation, offering picks that range from fresh citrus woods to deeper amber blends. Each recommendation shares that core woody character but varies in spice, sweetness, or earthiness, giving you options that feel connected yet distinct.

1 Million Royal shares the woody aromatic character of The Big Bad Cedar, anchored by cedar and patchouli. It opens with bergamot and cardamom, echoing the source's fresh spicy top. The difference lies in its sweeter benzoin and mandarin orange, plus a vibrant citrus accord that makes it more energetic and party ready, whereas The Big Bad Cedar stays greener and more subdued.

Read the Full Profile →
Woody
Aromatic
Fresh Spicy
Amber
Citrus
Casual
Casual
Date Night
Date Night
Evening Out
Evening Out
Party
Party

Scholar's Mate aligns with The Big Bad Cedar through its woody aromatic profile and use of cardamom and bergamot. The addition of saffron and geranium introduces a warm spicy complexity absent in the source. While The Big Bad Cedar is fresher and greener, Scholar's Mate leans richer and more formal, with amber and vetiver adding depth for evening occasions.

Read the Full Profile →
Woody
Aromatic
Fresh Spicy
Citrus
Amber
Evening Out
Evening Out
Formal
Formal
Work / Office
Work / Office

Grey Vetiver shares The Big Bad Cedar's woody aromatic foundation and a similar fresh spicy character. Both feature sage and a clean woody base. The key difference is Grey Vetiver's focus on vetiver and grapefruit, creating a brighter, more citrus forward profile. It is lighter in sillage and longevity, making it a more casual, daytime oriented choice compared to the source's moderate presence.

Read the Full Profile →
Woody
Citrus
Aromatic
Fresh Spicy
Earthy
Casual
Casual
Everyday
Everyday
Work / Office
Work / Office
Travel
Travel

Haltane is a woody aromatic scent that echoes The Big Bad Cedar's use of bergamot and lavender, but it introduces praline and saffron for a sweet, warm spicy twist. The base of agarwood and musk makes it darker and more opulent. Unlike the source's green freshness, Haltane is richer and better suited for formal evenings, with a stronger sillage.

Read the Full Profile →
Woody
Aromatic
Warm Spicy
Sweet
Amber
Evening Out
Evening Out
Formal
Formal
Date Night
Date Night
Burberry Hero

Burberry Hero

for men
$118.00

Hero shares the woody aromatic character of The Big Bad Cedar, centered on cedar and bergamot. Its simplicity focuses on three cedar varieties, giving a straightforward woody profile. The source has more complexity with cardamom, sage, and oakmoss. Hero is lighter and more casual, ideal for everyday wear, while The Big Bad Cedar offers a greener, slightly more aromatic experience.

Read the Full Profile →
Woody
Aromatic
Fresh Spicy
Citrus
Fresh
Casual
Casual
Everyday
Everyday
Work / Office
Work / Office
Travel
Travel
Tom Ford Bois Marocain

Tom Ford Bois Marocain

for women and men
$363.00

Bois Marocain aligns with The Big Bad Cedar in its woody aromatic structure and use of bergamot and cedar. It introduces incense, pepper, and cypress, adding a smoky, resinous dimension. The source is greener and fresher, while Bois Marocain is earthier and more intense, with a smoky quality that makes it suitable for evening wear and cooler seasons.

Read the Full Profile →
Woody
Aromatic
Fresh Spicy
Smoky
Earthy
Casual
Casual
Evening Out
Evening Out
Formal
Formal

Vetiver Extraordinaire shares the woody aromatic family and fresh spicy character of The Big Bad Cedar, with bergamot in the top. It emphasizes vetiver and oakmoss, creating an earthy, mossy profile. The source is more cedar forward and greener, whereas this scent is vetiver dominant and more grounded. It offers a longer lasting, more intense woody experience for versatile wear.

Read the Full Profile →
Woody
Aromatic
Earthy
Fresh Spicy
Citrus
Casual
Casual
Everyday
Everyday
Evening Out
Evening Out
Work / Office
Work / Office

This scent shares the woody aromatic profile and bergamot opening of The Big Bad Cedar. It adds grapefruit and lemon for a brighter citrus start, with geranium and Sichuan pepper for a spicy kick. The base of amberwood and olibanum is warmer and more resinous. It is more citrus forward and earthy, while the source is greener and cedar focused.

Read the Full Profile →
Woody
Citrus
Aromatic
Fresh Spicy
Earthy
Casual
Casual
Everyday
Everyday
Work / Office
Work / Office
Byredo Gypsy Water

Byredo Gypsy Water

for women and men
$308.00

Gypsy Water is a woody aromatic scent that, like The Big Bad Cedar, uses bergamot and pepper for a fresh spicy opening. It features juniper, pine needles, and incense, giving a forest like, resinous character. The source is greener and more cedar driven, while Gypsy Water is softer and more ethereal, with vanilla and amber adding a subtle sweetness. It is lighter and more versatile.

Read the Full Profile →
Woody
Aromatic
Citrus
Vanilla
Amber
Casual
Casual
Everyday
Everyday
Travel
Travel
Work / Office
Work / Office
Bond No. 9 Bleecker Street

Bond No. 9 Bleecker Street

for women and men
$367.00

Bleecker Street shares the woody aromatic foundation and fresh spicy character of The Big Bad Cedar. It introduces blueberry and cassis for a fruity sweetness, with violet leaf echoing the source's green notes. The base of suede and vanilla adds a creamy richness. It is sweeter and more playful, while the source is drier and more aromatic, making Bleecker Street a unique twist.

Read the Full Profile →
Woody
Aromatic
Sweet
Fresh Spicy
Green
Casual
Casual
Date Night
Date Night
Everyday
Everyday
Travel
Travel

Gentleman Society aligns with The Big Bad Cedar through its woody aromatic profile and use of cardamom and sage. It adds vanilla and palo santo for a warmer, slightly sweet base. The source is greener and more cedar focused, while this scent is softer and more versatile, with a touch of warmth from vanilla. It works well for both office and casual settings.

Read the Full Profile →
Woody
Aromatic
Vanilla
Warm Spicy
Earthy
Casual
Casual
Date Night
Date Night
Evening Out
Evening Out
Everyday
Everyday
Work / Office
Work / Office

Original Vetiver shares the woody aromatic family and bergamot opening of The Big Bad Cedar. It features ginger and mandarin for a spicier, fruitier top, with vetiver and sandalwood in the heart. The base of ambergris and musk is softer and more powdery. It is brighter and more citrus forward, while the source is greener and more cedar heavy, offering a lighter wear.

Read the Full Profile →
Woody
Citrus
Fresh
Aromatic
Musky
Everyday
Everyday
Work / Office
Work / Office
Casual
Casual
Travel
Travel