Aramis Aramis 1964 Eau de Toilette

Attention, this will be a declaration of love. To Aramis Classic, the one, the only... My true signature scent, my partner. While there are two or three other classics that I count in this category, strictly speaking, and if I had to choose one, my real and true signature scent, without having to think for a second, would be Aramis. Why? Because this fragrance matches my personal idea of a perfect companion for a man, for a fragrance lover. A companion for eternity, for every situation, every life situation. A complement, an identification and a trademark. Only very, very few fragrances can achieve that. Once again it is significant that in my case it is of course a (rather old) classic. Yes, I just have it with them. Or rather, for me it's simply the big, venerable houses, brands that manage to meet my ideal idea of a fragrance. And not only in the fragrance itself, but also in the appearance, the look and the message. I love it when fragrances, or let's rather talk about perfume creations here, have character, stand for something. That's why I titled this comment "Chanel N°5 for men". Because, of course, I was not interested in a scent relationship, but in a comparability regarding what status a fragrance has, how much one associates it with something and also how long a fragrance has managed to survive times, trends and "fashionable escapades" and leave behind it smiling confidently completely untouched. In my eyes, Chanel N°5 is an excellent example of this class of perfume for women's fragrances - and for men's fragrances, The One and Only Aramis Classic! My great love. My own personal idea of a perfect fragrance. To put it more simply, one could also speak of cult fragrances in this category, in case you don't quite understand my sweeping, glorifying descriptions. :-). Just as Chanel N°5 is probably the epitome (at least as far as awareness and perception are concerned) of "fragrance-made" femininity and stands for classicism, sovereignty, style, self-confidence, innovation and definitely also a completely new, personal bond/relationship with one's own fragrance, Aramis Classic has been the fragrance associated with masculinity for countless people since its birth in 1964 and especially during this time (but for many real fragrance lovers of course until today). And I don't just want to talk about clumsy "male-female roles" or the understanding of them, because those who know me know that I am definitely also an advocate for everyone to wear the fragrance that he or she likes, that suits you and that you simply want to wear. Even if it is a perfume, which is perhaps marketed as a fragrance for the opposite sex. I don't have a problem with that and I use Shalimar by Guerlain myself, for example. Everyone has to decide for themselves. In spite of everything, however, I am also a nostalgic person and find nothing wrong with having a certain idea of a woman or a man. And this may calmly also move in the original or traditional idea of it. I think that's beautiful, too. So very, very feminine women and striking, "typical men". Because in my opinion this has nothing to do with judgement or lack of equality. But that's another topic, which doesn't even belong here. The important thing is - everyone should like to hold it the way he wants. And that's what I do and that's why I find the "traditional cliché" of men and women quite beautiful. Also in the world of fragrances. But this is not just about the embodiment of masculinity or femininity, but much more. Because Aramis, even though in many people's minds it stands for THE classic men's fragrance, is above all a statement in its own right. A statement, the complete appearance of a fragrance. Olfactory and also cultural. Because Aramis is considered (at least for me) as the fragrant extension of one's own aura, as something that becomes a part of the wearer, in this case the man. As something that you will forever associate with this person. A real signature fragrance. And that starts with the bottle, which is a masterpiece of design in the case of Aramis, just as it is in the case of Chanel N°5. And both bottles, interestingly enough, have hardly changed, if at all, to this day. That's something special. And both fragrances still stand today for what they stood for many decades ago. They are classics and not fads (which I have my problems with anyway). They are so masterfully composed that you (at least me and many, many others) just don't get tired of them. They are traditional, special, fragrances as you would imagine fragrances to be, you can smell their years and yet they are designed to be current at all times, to endure, to always fit and always will. They are objects. And, as mentioned, also visually and how they were visualized and still are today. Brought into our age and still remaining true to themselves. When I smell Aramis, when I operate the atomizer or pour the beloved water from the bottle into my hand, something happens to me. I don't just smell a great, fragrance, I begin a journey. I feel like I am the bearer of a tradition, the keeper of wonderful times. I am in awe of this masterpiece by Bernard Chant. And I really don't have that for many fragrances. By applying this fragrance, I feel armed, protected, and at the same time, I feel like I am using the scent to make my soul a little more "visible" (or smellable). To reveal something of myself. That which I want to reveal. Aramis is complete. The blend of natural and synthetic, of ruggedness (earthiness, spiciness) and sweetness (floral notes) of strength and extroversion while remaining close to my personality makes this fragrance work for me in any situation. Aramis always fits. The only requirement: you have to like being noticed. Because yes, Aramis is strong, a force. But a force that does not waft encroachingly, but remains quite close. And which, I think, due to classic fragrance components (spicy, earthy, mossy, leathery, aldehydic) does not become unpleasant, such as overly sweet scents that can quickly become intrusive. Because Aramis is a chypre par excellence and one of the best representatives for leather notes. I recommend anyone who loves classics, spicy-leathery and strong fragrances, thinks nothing of fleeting trends, to try Aramis. I imagine it will be the beginning of a great love affair...Long live Aramis, my faithful friend or as the advertising strategists of the Estée Lauder Companies say today, "Aramis. All a man is."