Davidoff Davidoff 1984 Eau de Toilette

In many of the collections represented here, there are fragrances from times gone by. They may have found their way there for many different reasons. Often, it is the slightly melancholic attempt to preserve the memory of particularly beautiful moments or periods of life by wearing such a fragrance. I have done this with Macassar by Rochas and Jil Sander Man Pure. And of course with Davidoff. I associate all three fragrances with the 80s, with my student days and carefree living (which, in an honest and emotionless retrospect, it really wasn't).

Davidoff starts off fresh, but only for a very brief moment with a yellow-citrusy note. Very quickly, this citrus freshness turns green, not grassy, but rather a Mediterranean garden green. At the same time, a restrained sharpness develops, slightly shrill without being painful. It conveys an impression of spicy soapiness. Many fragrances from the 80s have this soapiness, which can range from slightly sweaty to urinous depending on the intensity. This is not the case with Davidoff. The soapiness does not overshadow the green freshness but remains trapped within it.

Gradually, the green direction of Davidoff fades, and leather emerges. The soapiness is still present but takes on a slightly animalistic touch, likely caused by the beaver musk. Thanks to its sparing dosage, there is no impression of stable or animal cage odor.

In its Mediterranean-fresh orientation, Davidoff reminds me of Armani pour Homme. Both originate from the year 1984 and share many fragrance notes. Unfortunately, I haven't had Armani pour Homme under my nose for many, many years, and perhaps my memory is playing tricks on me; but it seems to me that Davidoff is a distant relative of ApH, which has been given a sour-animalistic twist by the addition of beaver musk.

As a child of its time, Davidoff has great staying power and a rather bold sillage. While I disappeared into the Davidoff fog in the 80s, today caution is advisable with the dosage.