Quick answer: Mykonos Empire and IMPERIUM are one and the same perfume. IMPERIUM is the new edition of Empire: the same scent in a new gold bottle, which you find in our store on the Empire product page.
If you searched for Mykonos Empire vs Imperium, you have probably come across the gold IMPERIUM bottle and wondered whether Mykonos has launched a new perfume. It has not. Empire is the Mykonos collaboration with RRQ, and IMPERIUM is its new edition: the bottle is new, the scent inside is Empire. We sell it, so we are not a neutral source, but there is no trade-off to weigh here, so this page simply sets out what changed and what did not.
Mykonos Empire vs Imperium: what changed and what did not
In short, the bottle and the name on it changed; the perfume did not. There is no new formula, no new notes and no change of concentration. Row by row:
| Empire (earlier bottle) | Empire in the IMPERIUM bottle | |
|---|---|---|
| Scent | Empire | The same scent |
| Top notes | Lime, bergamot, mandarin orange, tropical fruits | Unchanged |
| Heart notes | Sicilian orange, ginger, jasmine, coconut water | Unchanged |
| Base notes | Patchouli, white musk, tonka bean | Unchanged |
| Concentration | Extrait de parfum | Unchanged |
| Character (accord) | Citrus, tropical, woody | Unchanged |
| Best season | All four seasons | Unchanged |
| Best for | Daily wear, evenings, sport; labelled masculine | Unchanged |
| Sizes | 50 ml, 100 ml | 50 ml, 100 ml |
| Bottle | The earlier Empire bottle | New gold IMPERIUM bottle |
| In our store | Empire product page | Empire product page |
What you get inside the gold bottle
Because the scent is Empire, everything we know about Empire applies. It opens on lime, bergamot, mandarin orange and tropical fruits, moves into Sicilian orange, ginger, jasmine and coconut water, and dries down to patchouli, white musk and tonka bean. Mykonos sums up the accord as citrus, tropical and woody, and describes the scent as clean, powerful and refined.
The brand handbook rates Empire moderate in intensity, with strong sillage, strong projection and a longevity of 12+ hours. It is labelled masculine and tagged for all four seasons, and for daily wear, evenings and sport. Mykonos Empire is inspired by Creed Virgin Island Water and Louis Vuitton Afternoon Swim, as its product page states; our explainer on what "inspired by" means on a perfume covers how to read that line. For a closer look at how it wears, see our Mykonos Empire review.
Where the IMPERIUM name shows up
You will meet the new name in three places. The first is the bottle itself, gold and carrying the IMPERIUM name. The second is the Empire product page in our store, which ships the gold bottle and carries the official Mykonos Imperium film. The third is the brand's own layering post: in its official Golden Sunset combo, Mykonos pairs Imperium's bright tropical citrus with the juicy sweetness of Mykonos Monaco Royale. We explain that pairing in Golden Sunset: how to layer Empire and Monaco Royale.
What it means if you are buying
- Ordering: choose Empire on its product page, in 50 ml or 100 ml. It ships in the gold IMPERIUM bottle.
- You already own Empire: there is no need to replace your bottle for the sake of the scent. The difference is the bottle, not the perfume.
- Reading the reviews: the reviews on the Empire product page were written about this scent, so they are just as relevant to the gold bottle. At the time of writing there are 108, averaging 4.73 out of 5.
- Choosing a size: a 50 ml bottle is roughly 500 sprays. Our 50 ml or 100 ml guide goes through the rest.
How to wear Empire
With sillage and projection both rated strong, a little goes a long way: two sprays on the neck or chest for a normal day, one on a hot day, three at most for an evening out. Give the citrus a few minutes to settle before you decide to add more. The patchouli, white musk and tonka are what stay with you later in the day.
If you are comparing Empire with other scents
Once you know IMPERIUM is Empire, a natural next question is how Empire compares with other fresh Mykonos scents. We set it against Mykonos Nautilus in Empire vs Nautilus, against Mykonos Sorrento in Empire vs Sorrento, and against Mykonos Inception in Empire vs Inception. If you also look at other houses, our roundup of Empire and three perfumes from other houses is the place to start. For the other Mykonos partnerships, browse the collaborations collection.
Frequently asked questions
Are Mykonos Empire and Imperium the same perfume?
Yes. IMPERIUM is the new edition of Empire, the Mykonos collaboration with RRQ: the same scent in a new gold bottle.
Did Mykonos change the formula for IMPERIUM?
No. The notes are the Empire notes, from lime and bergamot at the top to patchouli, white musk and tonka bean at the base, and it is still an extrait de parfum. Only the bottle is new.
Is Imperium stronger or longer-lasting than Empire?
No, because it is the same scent. The handbook figures for Empire, strong sillage and projection and a longevity of 12+ hours, apply to the gold bottle too.
Where do I find Imperium in your store?
On the Mykonos Empire product page, in 50 ml and 100 ml. That page ships the gold IMPERIUM bottle and shows the official Imperium film.