Pour Un Homme de Caron

L'Impact de Pour Un Homme

Caron 2005 Parfum

Behind ‘L’Impact’ lies nothing less than the perfume version of Caron’s old classic ‘Pour un Homme de Caron’. This (a lavender scent ‘par excellence’!) was first released in 1934 as the first fragrance with the addition ‘pour Homme’. 70 years later, the House of Caron launched the perfume version of the scent, and once again made a small, yet significant revolution: ‘L’Impact’ is the first fragrance dedicated to men in perfume concentration. Not an ‘Eau de Parfum p.H.’, whose initial introduction was reserved for Guerlain with ‘Héritage’, no, it is truly a perfume (Caron calls it an 'Extrait de Parfum').

When I read that Caron was taking such a step, I doubted whether it was a good idea. The old scent is indeed a masterpiece of perfect balance with an exciting scent progression - especially in light of the new releases that are often praised today as great achievements, which generally dissipate in a very linear manner.
‘Pour un Homme de Caron’ told, and still tells, a story. The story of a well-groomed man who visits the barber in the morning, has his hair cut, and is carefully shaved with the foam of a Provençal lavender soap, who indulges in his tobacco during lunchtime, and who, in the evening after a day’s work, brings a wonderfully soft, herb-woody and sweet-vanilla-like aroma to a rendezvous. ‘Pour un Homme de Caron’ is a scent like few others, comparable to Chanel’s ‘Pour Monsieur’ or Guerlain’s ‘Habit Rouge’, that accompanies a man (and of course also a woman!) throughout the day, revealing new facets time and again, evolving.
So why a perfume variant?
A perfume tends to shorten this development, so to speak, executing it in fast motion. A higher concentration condenses the scent, while a lower one allows the individual components more room to bloom.
Sure, a perfume has the advantage of a more moderate and simultaneously more consistent projection. Eau de Toilettes (especially Eau de Colognes) fill the space like a thunderclap right after spraying, only to fade away quietly after a few hours. A perfume, however, is less offensive, remains for a long time in nearly the same tonal range, and is generally perceived as warmer and more sensual, as the base notes reveal themselves more quickly.
Taking all this into consideration, I thought to myself: Well, why not. The old classic is so good that the new version can’t be that bad.

One day, I then saw it at Brückner in Munich, and nearly fell off my chair when I realized what they were asking for it: a whole 80 euros for 50ml of perfume! I couldn’t believe my eyes, and was sure they had forgotten at least a 1 before the 80. But no, they didn’t want more. So the scent was quickly mine - untested, as there was no tester available anyway.
Standing at Marienplatz, I impatiently unwrapped it - it comes in a gray velvet pouch resting in a chic flip box - sprayed a bit on my wrist (yes, it’s a spray - no dabbing, as usual!), and was instantly in the seventh ‘Pour un Homme de Caron’ heaven.

That this concentrated and condensed version works so well, I did not expect. Although it is clearly the same scent, everything comes across warmer, creamier, and more sensual, and even the sharp-edged, herbal lavender notes are wonderfully woven into this soft yet strong texture - just like the velvet pouch in which the bottle is nestled.
Wow, very, very beautiful!
Enthralled, I strolled home, the wonderful aroma in my nose and the hustle and bustle around me completely forgotten.

If you are a fan of lavender scents, I highly recommend this thoroughly successful variant of the old Caron classic. It’s hard to find a large perfume at a better price (except for Lauder’s Azurée).
Unfortunately, it is now difficult to find, although Caron still officially lists it.
So, if you find it - grab it immediately!
It’s worth it.