Etienne Aigner Nº1 / Etienne Aigner (Eau de Toilette) by Aigner

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Etienne Aigner Nº1
Etienne Aigner
Aigner 1975 Eau de Toilette

8.4 / 10 80 Ratings

A popular perfume by Aigner for men, released in 1975. The scent is spicy-leathery. The longevity is above-average. It was last marketed by Myrurgia.
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Main accords

Spicy

Leathery

Woody

Smoky

Fougère

Fragrance Pyramid

Top Notes

Galbanum

Bergamot

Clary sage Lemon

Lemon

Neroli

Marjoram

Heart Notes

Sandalwood

Geranium

Patchouli

Iris

Vetiver

Jasmine

Base Notes

Leather

Ambergris

Moss

Tonka bean Vanilla

Vanilla

Ratings

Scent

8.480 Ratings

Longevity

8.160 Ratings

Sillage

7.357 Ratings

Bottle

6.564 Ratings

Value for money

6.816 Ratings

Submitted by DonVanVliet, last update on 09/04/2025.

Smells similar

What the fragrance is similar to

Stetson Original (1981) / Stetson (Cologne) by Stetson

Stetson Original (1981) Cologne

Etienne Aigner N°1 After Shave

Tiffany for Men Cologne

La Nuit de L'Homme Eau de Toilette

Reviews

9 in-depth fragrance descriptions

02/29/2020

8Scent 8Longevity 4Sillage

Drseid
828 Reviews

Drseid

Helpful Review 1

Soft, Supple Leather...

Etienne Aigner No.1 opens with a nose tingling bergamot and lemon tandem at the fore with warm nutmeg spice support spiked with some of the mossy green oakmoss enhanced leather from the base immediately detectable. As the composition moves to its early heart, the citrus vacates as the oakmoss and relatively smooth leather tandem now dominates, with slightly sweet sandalwood and woody patchouli joining in, and the nutmeg spice also remaining from the open adding oregano-like marjoram to the overall well-blended mix. During the late dry-down remnants of the smooth oakmoss enhanced leather remain, but the sandalwood and woody patchouli now take the fore through the finish, with trace elements of the warm nutmeg spice still detectable. Projection is below average, but longevity is excellent at around 12 hours on skin.

No.1 definitely is a leather of the mid 70s to mid 80s in the way it is so classically structured with liberal use of real oakmoss, real sandalwood and dry woody patchouli. They just don't make them like this anymore, and it is a damn shame. One thing that is a bit different from other leathers of its great age, like the also excellent Arrogance pour Homme, is No. 1 really does not project much. This is not a powerhouse composition, but rather a supple, warm spiced leather one could easily wear to the office even now without the slightest hesitation of offending anyone, while not sacrificing uniqueness, quality ingredients, nor stellar composition blending and structure. Super-hard leather lovers may find the smoothness of this leather presentation a bit safe for their liking, but in the case of this writer it hits a bullseye in being "just right." The bottom line is the sadly long since discontinued and extremely rare Etienne Aigner No.1 is an exceptional classically structured leather of its time, earning an "excellent" 4 stars out of 5 and an easy recommendation to any vintage lover who can get a hold of a bottle, mini or otherwise. They just don't make them like this anymore, regrettably.

09/16/2014

9Scent 7.5Longevity 7.5Sillage

Taurus
1164 Reviews

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Taurus

Top Review 12

The Unknown Classic

The topic has already been touched upon by others and by myself several times: almost every major brand that still carries a significant name today but now receives a tired or pitying smile from fragrance connoisseurs once had a great hit in fragrance history.

The house of Etienne Aigner, which unfortunately can no longer be taken too seriously in terms of fragrance today, had several of those back then. The most well-known classics at the time were Aigner No 1, Aigner No 2, and Aigner Superfragrance - all children of the 70s. And even this Aigner here, also known as Etienne Aigner Classics, and the very first fragrance of the brand, is already nearly 40 years old.

Nevertheless, it provides a clear insight into what was still en vogue fragrance-wise even into the late 80s: a rich, spicy men's scent with heavy floral and subtly leathery undertones.

Its coloring and masculine opening make it clear that this is not for delicate, soft boys, but rather for established, cultured gentlemen.
The citrus notes quickly fade as expected, making way for an opulent variety of the aforementioned heavy floral and noble spicy accords. Early on, the leather shines through - one might even discern some animalistic notes. It somewhat reminds one of the Ébène de Balmain, which was released many years later, only a bit soapier and without the refined mint note.
In the drydown, the fragrance becomes softer and more subdued, perhaps even a bit more conventional - or simply classic...

Before my mind's eye, the spirit of the 70s flickers in the form of French, German, and Italian film scenes from that time, slightly blurred with the charm of analog celluloid and the fashion of the day. Unfortunately, I could never personally experience the fragrance back then and must let my miniature bottle speak for itself. Fortunately, the content is of such high quality that it has lost none of its radiance. Nevertheless, Etienne Classics is a rather unknown classic that has almost been forgotten.

============================

Addendum:

After a kind Parfumo sent me a sample of Aigner No. 1, I would confirm that it is nearly identical to the Classics, although in my opinion, the latter appears darker in color.
And as I see, both fragrances have now been combined here.

10/31/2017

8Scent 7Longevity 7Sillage

Parma
277 Reviews

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Parma

Top Review 13

Leatherwood Charmer Under the Radar

Through the dear Parfumo Darkduft, I came across a vintage version of this men's classic from the 70s. My curiosity was piqued by another Parfumo who recounted its very amusing and almost unbelievable story in a Bundeswehr barracks in the 70s, where this fragrance played a major role. Intrigued by this, I had to test its effect myself.

Fragrance Development:

The scent starts off juicy citrusy, wrapped in a substantial alcoholic and herb-spicy veil. Once the alcoholic haze settles a bit, a subtle leathery note emerges. At the same time, slightly earthy undertones and a subtle balsamic ether appear. Then, a light floral-dirty sweetness quickly joins in, reminding me a bit of red wine. This is finely tuned, complex, but without being overwhelming, and it feels valuable. After the alcohol-laden beginning, I only perceive the strong dry spiciness, which quickly transforms into a dry woodiness with a subtly lightly floral-dirty sweetened leather note. As it develops, it takes a beautiful turn, as a slightly creamy note joins the woody-leathery scent. At this stage, the fragrance's allure is at its peak, and I can easily imagine it being well-received by women back then. It is masculine, yet with a certain softness, without questioning masculinity. Towards the end, it becomes noticeably softer, mossier, still slightly earthy with a creamy, subtly vanillic touch. Again, perfectly balanced!

Longevity and Sillage:

I perceived the scent well for about 7-8 hours, with the sillage being noticeable in the first half hour, but by no means overwhelming, and then quickly retreating to a projection slightly above skin level.

Conclusion:

The first fragrance from the American-German fashion house Aigner - although the scents are solely based on the German branch from Munich {many thanks for the valuable hint to Timepass!} - is a very well-balanced, slightly creamy, minimally floral-sweetened, assertive, yet also classic wood/leather fragrance. Although it is from the 70s, it feels like a child of the 80s, without being a true powerhouse. A fragrance that can easily be worn even today, provided one can get their hands on a vintage version. Back then, it is said to have only been sold at a few locations in Germany. Therefore, it may be understandable that it is, as Taurus1967 rightly states, an unknown classic. It deserves to be much better known!

02/02/2014

10Scent 7.5Longevity 7.5Sillage

Cappellusman
358 Reviews

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Cappellusman

Very helpful Review 8

Those were the days...

... when Aigner fragrances were not sold at Rossmann at a third of the retail price every four weeks. Hard to believe, but in the 70s/80s, Aigner men's fragrances were truly at the top, both in terms of quality and price. There was the incredibly dense "Silver," the sophisticated "Superfragrance," the rather fresh "Free Life," and of course this one.

A suit fragrance par excellence with an extremely classic scent structure and classic ingredients. Nothing is exaggerated. Everything is there. Harmony, development, naturalness, and presence. Rather conservative, yet also suitable for jeans. It really depends on the wearer. This fragrance is best suited for someone a bit older, in fact, it should be. Deservedly so high in the Parfumo charts.

I must issue an important warning at this point: This jewel has nothing, absolutely nothing to do with the reissue that Aigner dared to launch in 2012 under almost the same name (only the "Etienne" was omitted). The "New" is not a reformulation but a mercilessly failed attempt to sell a synthetic-laden concoction under a well-known name. DO NOT BUY!!!

Well, where can one buy this fragrance? Good luck trying to snag a mini on the bay at reasonable prices. Vintage OFs are not listed for less than EUR 100/50 ml.

02/06/2017

9.5Scent 8Longevity 8Sillage

Minigolf
2515 Reviews

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Minigolf

14

A Drop of Time....

....some of you may have read the novel of the same name by the wonderful Daphne Du Maurier (I don't know if there's a film), which is about a special elixir that, when taken, transports you to the past. A mysterious past.
And that's exactly how I feel when I smell this wonderful classic by Etienne Aigner.
I may not land in the 14th century like in the book, but I do travel back over 40 years (which feels like aeons nowadays) from today.
And that means: fragrances were not yet mutilated or their formulas cut off to the point of smelling diluted beyond recognition.
Back then, only what belonged in the bottle was put in, even if some find that outrageous in "modern times".
But the calls from true perfume lovers for the reintroduction of the "old" brilliant stuff remain outrageous in the truest sense of the word.
This very first scent from Aigner "flew" into my hands again at a flea market.
There was a small assortment of creams, skin oils, shampoos for "dry hair," and other stuff on a table. Among them were individual fragrances.
And since I didn't recognize Aigner's bottle, I thought a small bottle of some "cheap liquor" had slipped in there. The bottle looks almost like that in its round, cylindrical shape with the "rough uniform brown".
Until I discovered a spray head and took a closer look at the "thing"....
Then a quick FFFFFTT (which one normally shouldn't do unsolicited) the urge was strong...
and I moistened my wrist, waved my arm in the air, and bam - to the nose...
"Oooch... that's an old man's scent for grandpas, from my dad..." mumbles the flea market guy behind me. "You can have it for 3 euros if you want," he adds dryly. (Internally super happy.....)
"Well, let's see," I replied just as dryly, "smells quite good..."
"Oh, just take it with you, give me two euros, and it's yours." I pulled out the 2 euros, grabbed the bottle, and the seller was satisfied. I was MEGA-SATISFIED because the SCENT was MEGA-GOOD!
As I moved further away from the stand, my nose eagerly - Bam - went back to my wrist, and (inhaling), I was catapulted into the seventies. Suddenly, people were wearing bell-bottoms and flowing dresses. Pril flowers (some even glow in the dark) were stuck on many a wallpaper table at the flea market and on many a little girl's cheek. Brightly colored and "screaming". Hippie music from "San Francisco" blared from cassette players, and "foreign scents" caressed "noses" of all shapes and sizes. Including mine...
Strong green galbanum scents, almost unkempt and wild, together with slightly sweet muscat sage.
"Forbidden" patchouli scents of "grass" smoking "slackers" (what a nasty word), sandalwood aromas of long-haired "mane girls," guitar included, playing Joan Baez songs.
Fine jasmine flags wafting through the air... and powder following (Iris!!!)
This couldn't be an "old man scent," nor an "old lady scent," no, it is youthful, wild, and cheeky. Long hair and an angelic face it had. Sometimes even a beard. The one of a friendly young man.
And it has green moss and birch tar, and a bit of vanilla......
Or does the scent come from the waffle baker across the street? There was no one there. Just an old burger stand.....
"Oh, excuse me, may I get through?" The voice of a woman with a modern stroller, which has all the features, sounds a bit impatient. "Sorry too," I stepped aside a bit, "I just sniffed a drop of time," I said while walking on. And left behind an irritated "question mark face"...

More reviews

Statements

10 short views on the fragrance

Axiomatic

3 years ago

10Scent 8Longevity 8Sillage

29

17

Fresh citrus with a typical galbanum start, spicy floral transition to the most beautiful leather scent, rounded, soft, ambered.
Perfection.

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Taurus

8 years ago

9Scent 7.5Longevity 7.5Sillage

13

8

Almost unknown classic - the first and one of the best fragrances from Aigner, which already had a lot of what defined 80s scents in the 70s.

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CharlieFirpo

3 years ago

10Scent 8Longevity

10

4

I'm here because of Aigner No1. The scent is rounded, harmonious, smooth, soothing & lasts forever. Aigner brings a sense of security. :)

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Jacko

2 months ago

9Scent 8Longevity 7Sillage

8

15

Herb-green chypre. Citrus and galbanum followed by floral notes. Carried by a smoky-leathery vetiver, rounded off with a hint of vanilla. Top

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Uwki

6 years ago

9Scent

8

A gem
Far ahead of its time
Would celebrate success today as a niche fragrance

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Minigolf

9 years ago

9.5Scent 8Longevity 8Sillage

6

2

I have the old version in a round brown bottle. Delightfully spicy, leathery, earthy, and mossy. Also for women, because the heart is floral. Chypre.

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DrJohn9

5 years ago

7.5Scent 8Longevity 7Sillage

4

At first, citrus notes and spices shine through, but after just a few minutes, leather takes over and dominates the rest.

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Fumikoff

9 years ago

9Scent

4

1

Spicy, soapy, earthy scent with a somewhat animalistic edge for the real man. I think there are certain overlaps with Antaeus.

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Stefan25376

2 years ago

3

For a brief moment, it's citrusy, and then smoke and leather take over.

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Chris5ch

3 years ago

8Scent 8Longevity 7Sillage

3

There are still pharmacies that prepare many of their remedies themselves. With herbs, plants... everything that goes with it. That's exactly how this one smells!

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