What fragrance are you wearing today?

Givenchy & Givenchy Gentleman (vtg - silver cup)- next epithome of classic scents at its best & one of the best patchouli based scents ...

I have been meaning to try this one, but I heard of reformulations which dissuaded me at first.

If you haven’t yet, you’ve got to try Zegna’s Javanese Patchouli. To my nose, it really is sublime and very underrated.

Thank you for piece of advice You are absolutely right with Zegna´s Patchouli. It is my winner in category "modern patchouli". In category "artisan patchouli" is it Serge Lutens´s - Borneo 1834 . Truest patchouli is according some people SMN Patchouli , but I personally don´t like it, because it smells like mediaevel cellar. Too earthy and humid ...And patchouli - fat as brick - is LM Patchouli Boheme, but to my tastes is too strong. I am not really fan of patchouli based scents.


I have both versions of Givenchy Gentleman (as well as all mentioned above) and there are not such a differences. Well, vintage is better blended, not harsh like current formula. Is smoother. I know people often criticize new versions and often they are right, but not absolutely. Imagine, you are using for years some scent. It ended and now is here new version. Just fact, that is current partly different one (nor better/ not worse) is some type of discomfort. You didn´t get what you expect. But it doesn´t mean, it is worse. Depends on, what are you using first.

I am giving my co-workers blind tests and I am sometimes very surprised. I am interested in wines too and one person told me he is really connoisseur. I bought red wine in tetrapack box for USD 2,- and moved it to the French wine bottle with right vignette. This man was very satisfied and recognized nothing (Never told him). And similar is it sometimes in fragrance world, IMHO.

Clive Christian & X for men

I am giving my co-workers blind tests and I am sometimes very surprised. I am interested in wines too and one person told me he is really connoisseur. I bought red wine in tetrapack box for USD 2,- and moved it to the French wine bottle with right vignette. This man was very satisfied and recognized nothing   (Never told him). And similar is it sometimes in fragrance world, IMHO.

Nice test! A similar thing happened to me today, when I was going through some of my soaps. I thought I opened my WhollyKaw Jamestown Gentleman, and took a quick whiff. Thought to myself: “I don’t remember it being this floral”, but then just accepted that that’s how it is. A minute later I noticed that it was actually the Chypre Rose Concerto I had taken a sniff of… Labels and preconceptions can fool us!

Parfum d´Empire & Ambre Russe - current. It is perfectly unisex, I love this fragrance on women too. Amber, incense and slightly smoky Russian tea ...

Givenchy & Givenchy Gentleman (vtg - silver cup)- next epithome of classic scents at its best & one of the best patchouli based scents ...

I have been meaning to try this one, but I heard of reformulations which dissuaded me at first.

If you haven’t yet, you’ve got to try Zegna’s Javanese Patchouli. To my nose, it really is sublime and very underrated.

Thank you for piece of advice   You are absolutely right with Zegna´s Patchouli. It is my winner in category "modern patchouli". In category "artisan patchouli" is it Serge Lutens´s -  Borneo 1834 . Truest patchouli is according some people SMN Patchouli , but I personally don´t like it, because it smells like mediaevel cellar. Too earthy and humid ...And patchouli - fat as brick - is LM Patchouli Boheme, but to my tastes is too strong. I am not really fan of patchouli based scents.


I have both versions of Givenchy Gentleman (as well as all mentioned above) and there are not such a differences. Well, vintage is better blended, not harsh like current formula. Is smoother. I know people often criticize new versions and often they are right, but not absolutely. Imagine, you are using for years some scent. It ended and now is here new version. Just fact, that is current partly different one (nor better/ not worse) is some type of discomfort. You didn´t get what you expect.  But it doesn´t mean, it is worse. Depends on, what are you using first.

I am giving my co-workers blind tests and I am sometimes very surprised. I am interested in wines too and one person told me he is really connoisseur. I bought red wine in tetrapack box for USD 2,- and moved it to the French wine bottle with right vignette. This man was very satisfied and recognized nothing   (Never told him). And similar is it sometimes in fragrance world, IMHO.

Not into Patchouli as well, but something in that fragrance really caught me. I sniffed it once at a department store and I kept thinking about it, I had to have it. A week or so, it's sitting here in my den, front and center, and the apple of my eye.

I haven't tried the rest of the line, but so far Javanese Patchouli is my favorite. Peruvian Ambrette is probably the second one that caught my attention, and third was Indonesian Oud. I can't help but be reminded of Lyric man with that one however, but still I find the whole Zegna Essenze line very underrated. I do wish I can acquire them at a lower price, I would probably complete the whole line!

Thank you for your interesting thoughts on Givenchy.

I'll certainly add Gentleman on my to-buy list. Speaking of Givenchy, I do enjoy their Gentlemen only casual chic. It was somewhat of a blind buy, but I was pleasantly surprised nonetheless. It's one of my favorite freshies.

That Clive is a dream, you have wonderful collection.

THE Clubman Original!