What is a perfume decant?
A perfume decant is genuine fragrance transferred from its full-size original bottle into a smaller atomizer — typically 2ml, 5ml, 8ml. The fragrance is exactly the same as in the full bottle; only the container is smaller. Decants let you properly wear and test a fragrance without paying for, or storing, a whole bottle.
Last updated: 2026-06-18
Decant vs. sample vs. miniature vs. tester
These four terms get used interchangeably, but they mean different things. Here's how they actually differ.
| Decant | Sample | Miniature | Tester | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Original fragrance (no reformulation) | Decant | Sample | Miniature | Tester |
| Small, travel-friendly size | Decant | Sample | Miniature | Tester |
| Decanted from a sealed full bottle | Decant | Sample~ | Miniature | Tester |
| Sold to consumers | Decant | Sample | Miniature | Tester |
| You choose exactly which scent | Decant | Sample | Miniature | Tester |
A “tester” is the brand's own full-size bottle, meant for trying in store — not a small size, and not normally sold as one. “Sample” usually means a small manufacturer or retailer vial; some are decanted, some are filled at the factory. “~” means it depends on the source.
How a decant is made
A good decant is a careful, hygienic transfer — not a shortcut. Here's how the process works at a reputable retailer.
Start with a sealed original bottle
A brand-new, factory-sealed bottle of the original fragrance is opened — bought through authorized retail channels, never an unknown source.
Transfer into a clean atomizer
The fragrance is decanted into a fresh, sanitized glass atomizer, with no dilution or additives. What goes in comes back out unchanged.
Add a clear, traceable label
The finished vial is labelled with the fragrance name and size so it can be matched to the order. Manufacturer batch codes belong to the original full-sized bottles and are not printed on Scento decant vials.
Decant sizes and how to choose
Scento offers three decant sizes. Which one you choose depends on how long you want to live with a fragrance.
- 2ml
~30 sprays
A first impression — enough for a few wears to see whether a fragrance suits you.
- 5ml
~75 sprays
A proper test — three to four weeks to judge it across different days.
- 8ml
~120 sprays
A travel companion — up to a couple of months of wear, in a glass spray vial that fits the refillable aluminium atomizer case.
Common questions
The essentials people want cleared up.
What does “decant” mean in perfume?
To decant means to transfer a fragrance from its original bottle into a smaller container. A perfume decant is the result: exactly the same authentic fragrance as the full bottle, in a travel-friendly atomizer, so you can wear or test it without buying the whole bottle.
Is a decant the same as a sample?
They overlap, but they're not identical. “Sample” loosely means any small trial size — some are tiny factory vials. A decant specifically means fragrance decanted from a full bottle into an atomizer, and usually lets you choose exactly which scent and which size you want.
Are decants real, full-strength perfume?
Yes. A decant from a reputable retailer is the original fragrance at full strength — nothing is diluted or altered. A 5ml decant smells and behaves identically to a spray from the 100ml bottle.
What sizes do perfume decants come in?
Common decant sizes are 2ml, 5ml, and 8ml. Scento offers all three: 2ml for a first impression, 5ml for a proper multi-week test, and 8ml — a pocket travel spray that fits the refillable aluminium atomizer case — for up to a couple of months of wear.
How do I choose which decant size to buy?
Choose 2ml if you just want to see whether a fragrance suits you, 5ml if you want to live with it for a few weeks under different conditions, and 8ml if you already expect to love it and want a travel spray to carry.
