Skip to content
New York Musk fragrance
Bond No. 9

New York Musk

EDP Unisex · 2012 · by David Apel
7.6 /10

New York Musk scores 8/10 for longevity and performs best in Mild conditions.

Best in Mild 8/10 longevity
From USD 250–380From EUR 230–350From GBP 198–300From PKR 65,000–85,000From AED 900–1,200From INR 20,750–31,540From SAR 938–1,425
8 Longevity
8 Sillage
8 Versatility
7 Value
7 Climate Avg

Fragrance Notes

Musky Earthy Woody Fruity
Fragrance Note PyramidTOP NOTES0–30 min1Black Curr…2Grapefruit3Flower HeadHEART NOTES30–120 min1Nutmeg2Green Lily3Orris RootBASE NOTES2h+1Musk2Patchouli3VetiverOakmoss
Top Notes — first impression, 0–30 min

Heart Notes — the core, 30 min – 2 hrs

Base Notes — the foundation, 2 hrs+
Accord ProfileMuskyEarthyWoodyFruityACCORDPROFILE

Occasions & Seasons

Best For
Office Formal Daily
Seasons
Spring Fall Summer

Climate Performance

Avg 7 / 10
Extreme Heat
5/10
Average
45°C and above
Riyadh, Jacobabad, Kuwait City, Phoenix
Hot & Humid
6/10
Good
Around 35°C with high humidity
Dubai, Karachi, Mumbai, Miami
Warm & Dry
8/10
Excellent
Around 30°C with low humidity
Lahore, Delhi, Muscat, Los Angeles
Mild
9/10
Excellent
Around 20°C
Islamabad, Bangalore, London, San Francisco
Cold
7/10
Good
Below 10°C
Murree, Shimla, Moscow, New York

Expert Analysis

What Makes It Unique

A sleek, urban interpretation of green musk designed for the fast-paced streets of Manhattan.

Pakistan & GCC Perspective

Performs cleanly in transitional US/UK spring weather without becoming cloying.

How It Compares

Versus Narciso Rodriguez For Him

The Controversy

Some purists find the opening synthetic black currant note overly sharp before the smooth drydown.

Bond No. 9 New York Musk: A Considered Review

There is a category of fragrance bought once and remembered for years, and New York Musk sits in it for a measurable reason. This EDP from Bond No. 9, built on Musky, Earthy, Woody, Fruity and released in 2012, was composed to be distinctive first and agreeable second. The data below shows exactly where that trade-off lands.

A sleek, urban interpretation of green musk designed for the fast-paced streets of Manhattan.

How New York Musk Smells: Notes & Development

New York Musk opens with Black Currant, Grapefruit and Flower Head — an assertive first impression that carries across a room. As the opening settles, the composition pivots to its heart of Nutmeg, Green Lily and Orris Root. The final act — the part that outlasts the working day — is Musk, Patchouli, Vetiver and Oakmoss.

Strip it back to the bones and the profile reads Musky, Earthy, Woody, Fruity — the kind of profile that rewards a second and third wearing.

Performance: Longevity, Sillage & Versatility

Longevity (8/10): New York Musk delivers strong longevity for EDP. On most skin types expect 8–12 hours. A single morning application typically carries through well into the evening without reinforcement.

Sillage (8/10): New York Musk projects as a confident aura, detectable by those nearby. One or two sprays is all that is needed — over-application will overpower rather than impress.

Versatility (8/10): New York Musk is a genuine all-rounder — at ease at a wedding, a boardroom meeting, or a late-night dinner. From casual daytime to formal evening, it adapts without feeling out of place.

Value (7/10): Pricing at around $250 feels appropriate for what you get — neither a bargain nor an overreach.

How New York Musk Handles Heat, Humidity & Cold

Of the five climate zones we score, New York Musk does best in mild (Islamabad, San Francisco) at 9/10 — it keeps its shape there instead of turning sharp or fading fast.

Performs cleanly in transitional US/UK spring weather without becoming cloying.

Its average across all five zones is 7/10 — broad enough to wear most of the year without second-guessing the weather.

To see how it ranks against every other fragrance for your conditions, run the Climate Matcher.

Best Occasions & Seasons

New York Musk is best suited to Office, Formal, Daily. The projection ensures presence without deliberate effort — ideal for outdoor gatherings and social occasions where you want to register.

Seasonally, New York Musk performs best in Spring, Fall, Summer. Its climate scores confirm this seasonal guidance — the fragrance handles temperature transitions with composure.

Versus Narciso Rodriguez For Him

What New York Musk Costs — and Whether It Is Worth It

Internationally, New York Musk sits at $250–$380. That places it firmly in luxury territory — a considered purchase competing with the top tier of niche and designer-exclusive releases.

Regional pricing: PKR 65,000–85,000 in Pakistan, AED 900–1,200 in the UAE. The currency switcher at the top of this page converts every price on the site — EUR, GBP, SAR and more — using current rates.

Where to buy: Internationally: Harrods, Selfridges, Saks. GCC/UAE: Bloomingdale's, Harvey Nichols. Pakistan: Scentsation.

Verdict

New York Musk earns its premium through genuine distinction rather than marketing mythology — a fragrance that rewards the wearer rather than impressing bystanders.

It lands at an overall 7.6/10 in our scoring — performance, climate fit and value all pulling the same direction. New York Musk is an easy bottle to recommend.

Some purists find the opening synthetic black currant note overly sharp before the smooth drydown.

Still deciding? Put it head-to-head against anything else in the database — scores, notes and prices side by side.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does New York Musk last?

New York Musk has a longevity score of 8/10. On average skin, expect 8–12 hours. Performance can vary with skin type, application method, and ambient temperature — heat accelerates diffusion while dry skin absorbs fragrance faster.

Is New York Musk worth the price?

At around $250, New York Musk by Bond No. 9 is fairly priced for what it delivers. Its performance scores, climate range, and composition quality make it a strong value proposition.

What does New York Musk smell like?

New York Musk is characterised by Musky, Earthy, Woody, Fruity accords. Opening with Black Currant and Grapefruit, the heart revolves around Nutmeg and Green Lily, settling into a base of Musk and Patchouli.

Is New York Musk good for hot or humid weather?

New York Musk handles warm weather adequately (score: 6/10). It performs reliably through a typical hot season without requiring adjustment.

Is New York Musk for men or women?

New York Musk is marketed as a Unisex fragrance. In practice, its character is better defined by its composition than by any marketing category.