3 Avenue George V

The Verdict

Givenchy 3 Avenue George V, named after the prestigious Parisian address that houses the maison's iconic headquarters, is a woody fragrance that embodies quiet authority. Originally released in 2022 under the name MMW and later rebranded, this unisex composition built around palo santo, cedar, and vetiver has earned devoted followers among wood fragrance enthusiasts while frustrating others with its variable performance.

Created by perfumer Olivier Cresp, 3 Avenue George V represents Givenchy's vision of contemporary elegance through woods. One reviewer went so far as to call it their favorite wood fragrance among approximately 25 in their collection, praising it as elegant, classy, mature, professional, and fairly unique. That kind of endorsement carries weight, even as other voices report disappointingly brief wear times.

What It Smells Like

The fragrance opens with Guatemalan cardamom, which provides a warm, slightly aniseed-tinged spice that invites further exploration. This is not an aggressive spice note but rather a refined, aromatic introduction that sets the stage for what follows. The cardamom is well-calibrated, adding just enough interest without overpowering the woody notes to come.

The heart is where 3 Avenue George V reveals its true character. Palo santo, the sacred South American wood, brings a distinctive smoky, slightly sweet, and balsamic quality that gives the fragrance its soul. This is not a note commonly featured as prominently as it is here, and it lends the composition a meditative, almost spiritual quality that distinguishes it from standard cedar-and-vetiver offerings.

The base builds a rich woody foundation with Virginia cedar and Atlas cedar providing complementary but distinct facets, one pencil-sharp and the other creamy. Haitian vetiver adds earthy depth with its characteristic humus and smoked wood qualities, while sandalwood contributes softness and ambroxan extends the sillage with its velvety, almost skin-like warmth. The result has been described as creating a warm, rich, and creamy fragrance with an authentic signature.

When to Wear It

This is a three-season fragrance best suited to fall, winter, and spring. Its woody warmth pairs naturally with cooler temperatures, while its restrained character prevents it from feeling heavy even on milder spring days. One reviewer described it as perfection as an all-weather, all-context, everyday baseline scent, and that assessment captures its versatile, unobtrusive nature well.

Professional settings are a natural fit. The fragrance projects quiet confidence without demanding attention, making it ideal for meetings, office environments, and business dinners.

Longevity & Projection

Performance is the most divisive aspect of 3 Avenue George V. One faction of reviewers reports outstanding longevity, with the scent remaining clearly detectable on the wrist the morning after an evening application. Another camp finds that the fragrance disappears within 30 minutes to a few hours, becoming an extremely faint skin scent almost immediately. Some have compared its molecular-style behavior to Molecule 01, noting that it does what Escentric Molecules does, only better, with more intense scent and better projection. The presence of Iso E Super and ambroxan in the base supports this molecular character, which can make the fragrance seem to appear and disappear unpredictably.

The Community Says

Among wood fragrance devotees, 3 Avenue George V has earned genuine respect. The palo santo-centered composition is recognized as something different from the standard woody fare, and the craftsmanship of perfumer Olivier Cresp is acknowledged. However, the fragrance community remains divided on whether the performance justifies the investment. Those with favorable skin chemistry report a beautiful, long-lasting woody aura, while others feel they are paying premium prices for a scent that vanishes too quickly. The rebranding from MMW to 3 Avenue George V has not changed the formula, and existing fans of MMW can expect the same olfactory experience.

Who Should Buy This

3 Avenue George V is best suited for wood fragrance enthusiasts who value subtlety and sophistication over projection. If you appreciate palo santo, vetiver, and cedar in their refined forms and are looking for an elegant everyday signature, this is worth exploring. Sampling before committing to a full bottle is strongly recommended given the variable performance reports.

The Bottom Line

Givenchy 3 Avenue George V is a refined and distinctive woody fragrance that excels in its palo santo-centered composition and elegant character. Its variable performance across different skin types means it will be a revelation for some and a disappointment for others, making a sample an essential first step before investment.