Etienne Aigner Nº2 Aigner 1976 Eau de Toilette

Many well-known and popular fragrances remind me of soap, at least having soapy accords or evoking clean-soapy associations for me. In my opinion, one can further distinguish between more powdery notes that evoke memories of luxurious soaps, like the super-clean "Infusion d'Homme" by Prada. Or shaving-soap-like scents, to which I would almost exemplary count Aigner's No. 2.

In fact, I don't know any other perfume that conveys this barbershop style better. Aigner's No. 2 is a true classic from the seventies. Whether it has been revised or reformulated over the years, I cannot say. In any case, it has lost none of its power in terms of intensity despite its advanced age. There is freshness and spice in abundance. Very typically, the fragrance starts with a mix of citrus fruits and spicy sage. The opening is really quite strong; one should be a bit more cautious with the dosage than with comparable candidates. Very quickly, the fresh start is directed towards a bitter-green fragrance direction. Woody and warmer components are decorative embellishments, but the overall scent impression remains very masculine and is never sweet at any point. Later on, a very clean musk joins in, yet the very unique overall impression of shaving soap persists throughout the day and the entire dry down. And that in the best sense.

My first impression of Aigner No. 2 was one of surprise. I had never encountered a perfume with such intensity and consistency. Almost inevitably, I wondered if something like this is even contemporary and wearable. This creation has nothing in common with currently successful mainstream fragrances. It felt completely out of time to me and doesn't really match my primary taste, which leans more towards the sweet side.

So why am I nevertheless so convinced in the meantime? There are several reasons: On the one hand, it is (aside from the overly strong beginning) a very harmonious overall composition. In fact, the fragrance somehow works almost always and everywhere, especially when one is indecisive. When I can't decide again, it will either be "Hommage à l'Homme" or this one. Then Aigner No. 2 is indeed very long-lasting. Even with relatively low dosage, one gets a nice impression of their own sillage wafting around their nose throughout the day. This is (again leaving the start aside) never intrusive but always subtle yet still present! And last but not least, this perfume, viewed neutrally, is a real bargain in terms of price-performance: So much power and retro charm for so little money is simply worth an absolute recommendation. The fragrance is regularly sold at bargain prices at Rossmann, to the point where one might almost feel a bit ashamed of it.

A small note on the topic of unisex suitability, which I have found in some comments here: Of course, a woman could also wear Aigner's No. 2. Which fragrance (technically speaking) couldn't that apply to? Personally, however, I find this spicy freshness very bitter and masculine, and therefore very far from unisex.

As for the bottle, I will spare any further comments at the end. You can see the pictures for that. One couldn't present a perfume in a more boring way. ;-)