Quick answer: Empire is the more tropical and easy-going of the two, with lime, tropical fruits and coconut water, and works in every season. Inception is more polished, with neroli, cinnamon and black tea over woods, and is the better office scent. Both are moderate citrus extraits for men.
Empire and Inception are the two most-reviewed Mykonos perfumes, and both sit in the citrus family of the For Him collection. That makes them the most common "which one?" question we get. They start in a similar place and end up somewhere quite different.
Empire vs Inception at a glance
| Empire | Inception | |
|---|---|---|
| Family | Citrus | Citrus |
| For | For Him | For Him |
| Concentration | Extrait de Parfum | Extrait de Parfum |
| Intensity | Moderate | Moderate |
| Seasons | Autumn, Spring, Summer, Winter | Spring, Summer |
| Occasions | Daily, Evening, Sport | Daily, Evening, Work |
| Top notes | Lime, Bergamot, Mandarin Orange, Tropical Fruits | Bergamot, Ginger, Orange, Lemon |
| Heart notes | Sicilian Orange, Ginger, Jasmine, Coconut Water | Neroli, Cinnamon, Black Tea, Biga Flower |
| Base notes | Patchouli, White Musk, Tonka Bean | Guaiac Wood, Musk, Cedarwood, LorenoxTM |
| Sizes | 50 ml / 100 ml | 50 ml / 100 ml |
| Rating* | 4.73 / 5 (108 reviews) | 4.53 / 5 (60 reviews) |
*Verified reviews at the time of writing.
What they have in common
Both share bergamot, ginger and musk in their note pyramids. Both are moderate-strength extraits de parfum, both come in 50 and 100 ml, and both open fresh and bright.
How Empire and Inception differ
Empire leans tropical. Lime, mandarin and tropical fruits open onto ginger, jasmine and coconut water, and the base of patchouli, white musk and tonka gives it a soft, slightly sweet finish. It is relaxed and sunny.
Inception leans refined. Bergamot, ginger, orange and lemon lead into neroli, cinnamon and black tea, and the base is guaiac wood, cedar and musk. The tea and woods make it feel sharper and more tailored.
Seasonally, Empire is listed for all four seasons, while Inception is a spring and summer scent. For occasions, Empire is listed for daily wear, evenings and sport; Inception for daily wear, evenings and work.
Which should you choose?
- Choose Mykonos Empire if you want an easy, sunny all-rounder that works all year, including at the gym or on holiday.
- Choose Mykonos Inception if you want a polished citrus for the office and smarter occasions, with a tea-and-woods character.
Want more detail? Read the full Empire guide and Inception guide.
Frequently asked questions
Which lasts longer, Empire or Inception?
Both are rated Moderate on our intensity scale. For more staying power, see how to make perfume last longer.
Can women wear Empire or Inception?
Both are listed For Him, but fresh citrus scents are widely worn by everyone. Fragrance has no rules.
Which is more popular?
Empire, with the most verified reviews of any Mykonos perfume at the time of writing. See the best Mykonos perfumes.