Aramis Aramis 1964 Eau de Toilette

Attention, this will be a declaration of love. To Aramis Classic, the One, the Unparalleled. My true signature scent, my partner. There are a couple of other classics that I count in this category, but to be precise, if I had to choose one, my real and true signature scent, without a second thought, would be Aramis. Why? Because this fragrance corresponds to my personal idea of a perfect companion for a man, for a fragrance lover. A companion for eternity, for every situation, every life circumstance. An addition, an identification, and a trademark. Only a very few fragrances can achieve that. It is telling that, for me, this is of course a (rather old) classic. Yes, I have a penchant for them. Or rather, it’s simply the great, venerable houses and brands that manage to meet my ideal vision of a fragrance. And not only in the scent itself but also in the presentation, the appearance, and the statement. I love it when fragrances, or let’s call them perfume creations, have character, stand for something. That’s why I titled this comment "Chanel N°5 for Men." Because, of course, I wasn’t referring to a scent affinity, but to a comparability regarding the status a fragrance has, how much one associates it with something, and also how long a fragrance has managed to withstand times, trends, and "fashionable escapades," smiling confidently and completely untouched behind it. In my eyes, Chanel N°5 is an excellent example of this class of perfumes among women’s fragrances - and among men’s fragrances, it is The One and Only Aramis Classic! My great love. My very personal idea of a perfect fragrance. To put it simply, one could also speak of cult fragrances in this category, in case my elaborate, glorifying descriptions are not entirely understood. :-). Just as Chanel N°5 is probably the (at least in terms of recognition and perception) epitome of "fragrance incarnate" femininity and stands for classicism, sovereignty, style, self-confidence, innovation, and indeed also a whole new, personal bond/relationship with one’s own fragrance, Aramis Classic has been, since its birth in 1964 and especially in this time (for many true fragrance lovers, of course, even to this day), the scent that countless people associate with masculinity. And I don’t just want to talk about crude "male-female roles" or the understanding of them, because those who know me are aware that I am also an advocate for everyone to wear the fragrance they like, that suits them, and that they simply want to wear. Even if it is a perfume that might be marketed as a scent for the opposite sex. I have no problem with that and personally use Shalimar by Guerlain, for example. That’s something everyone must decide for themselves. Nevertheless, I am also a nostalgic and find nothing wrong with having a certain idea of a woman or a man. And this can certainly move within the original or traditional idea of it. I find that beautiful too. So very, very feminine women and striking, "typical men." Because, in my opinion, that has in no way anything to do with judgment or lack of equality. But that is another topic that doesn’t belong here. What’s important is - everyone should feel free to do as they wish. And I do that, which is why I also find the "traditional cliché" of men and women quite beautiful. Also in the world of fragrance. But it’s not just about the embodiment of masculinity or femininity, but about much more. Because Aramis, even though it stands in many minds for THE classic men’s fragrance, is above all also a statement in itself. A statement, the perfected appearance of a fragrance. Olfactorily and also culturally. Because Aramis is considered (at least for me) the fragrant extension of one’s own aura, as something that becomes part of the wearer, in this case, the man. As something that will be forever associated with this person. A true signature scent indeed. And that begins with the bottle, which is a design masterpiece in the case of Aramis, just like with Chanel N°5. Interestingly, both bottles have hardly changed or not changed at all to this day. That is something special. And both fragrances still stand today for what they stood for many decades ago. They are classics and not passing fads (with which I have my problems anyway). They are so masterfully composed that one (at least I and many, many others) never grows tired of them. They are traditional, special, fragrances as one imagines fragrances, you can smell their years, and yet they are designed in such a way that they are always current, endure, always fit, and will always fit. They are objects. And as mentioned, also visually and how they have been visualized and continue to be. Brought into our era and yet remained true to themselves. When I smell Aramis, when I operate the sprayer or pour the beloved liquid from the bottle into my hand, something happens to me. I don’t just smell a wonderful fragrance, but I embark on a journey. I feel like I am the bearer of a tradition, the preserver of wonderful times. I have reverence for this masterpiece by Bernard Chant. And I truly do not feel that way about many fragrances. With the application of this fragrance, I feel equipped, protected, and at the same time, I have the feeling that with the fragrance, I am making my soul a little "more visible" (or more fragrant). Something of me to reveal. What I want to reveal. Aramis is perfected. The blend of nature and synthetic, of ruggedness (earthiness, spiciness) and sweetness (floral notes), of strength and extroversion, and at the same time a close personality makes this fragrance usable for me in every situation. Aramis always fits. The only requirement: One must like to be noticed. Because yes, Aramis is strong, a force. But a force that does not intrusively waft around, but rather stays close. And which, I believe, due to classic fragrance components (spicy, earthy, mossy, leathery, aldehydic) does not become unpleasant, unlike overly sweet fragrances that can quickly become intrusive. Because Aramis is a Chypre par excellence and one of the best representatives of leather notes. I recommend to anyone who loves classics, spicy-leathery, and strong fragrances, who holds nothing of fleeting trends, to test Aramis. I could imagine it will be the beginning of a great love... Long live Aramis, my faithful friend or as the advertising strategists of Estée Lauder Companies say today: "Aramis. All a man is."