Scherrer 2 Jean-Louis Scherrer 1986 Eau de Toilette

Scherrer 2 is a very memorable fragrance for me. I received it many years ago as a birthday gift from my parents' neighbors. I was very happy because back then, I could only afford very, very cheap fragrances with my pocket money, if at all. My parents didn't have much money. But the neighbors were practically swimming in it. And so I got Scherrer 2. I liked Scherrer 2 even back then, but I also knew that I wouldn't have chosen it for myself. It was far too grown-up for me. I wore it and I liked wearing it, but I only applied it rarely. It suited me well during theater visits, classical concerts, or other special occasions when I wanted to appear a bit older. Thus, it naturally diminished very slowly, and so it happened that, although it wasn't my fragrance, it somehow became my fragrance. I moved out, went to university, Scherrer came along, I moved again, graduated, Scherrer moved with me, I moved once more, got my first job, Scherrer was there. At some point, it was really almost empty, and during a big cleanup before the next move, I threw away the nearly empty 25 or 30ml bottle.

Pause.

A few days ago, I saw an offer for a decant of Scherrer 2 in a swap game. I hadn't thought about this fragrance for years, but suddenly I remembered that life phase with some upheavals that it had faithfully accompanied me through, and that it was my fragrance, even though it wasn't really mine. I signed up for the swap package and embarked on a time travel. Maybe I'm grown-up enough for it now?

I spray it on, and immediately I recognize its typical characteristics: with a fresh and slightly bitter, rather unsweet top note, it starts just like before. Fine mandarin adds citrus freshness, jasmine contributes the bitterness, interestingly, which already makes this fragrance not quite mine here. Soft tuberose and angelica blend it all into a special, multifaceted noble whole that is not only beautiful but also evokes a feeling of respect in me.

As it develops, the jasmine becomes a bit more prominent - yes, its typical slightly prickly nature contributes significantly to my inability to fully identify with Scherrer 2. But at the same time, the delicate and slightly resinous spiciness of myrrh comes in, which I love. I couldn't discover cinnamon back then or today. But I sense something warm, sensual, that adds liveliness and desire to Scherrer 2, which until now had been a rather cool and distant fragrance.
Here, my dearly beloved friends of the base note are already announcing themselves: patchouli and opoponax.
With civet and oakmoss, it always depends heavily on the dosage for me: too much civet quickly smells like a sewage pit, while too much oakmoss develops extremely masculine. In Scherrer 2, the balance is wonderfully struck. The base is very finely balanced. I felt that way even before. Even more so back then than today; I used to like musk very much. Today, musk has become unappealing to me for two reasons: firstly, I find some modern musk substitutes disgusting and suffocating, and secondly, I now find musk, even if I can tolerate it, boring.
But I must say: In Scherrer 2, the musk note is still okay for me.

Scherrer 2 lasts throughout the whole day or even the whole night. The progression is actually perfect for half a workday with a tendentially cool but not cold head and heart note. Without changing the fragrance, it is suitable to transition into a relaxed and pleasurable evening with the beginning base, for leisure activities, going out, togetherness.

Scherrer 2 is a wonderful, noble fragrance with great depth and enormous development, very interesting and well-balanced in composition. Top class. That hasn't changed.

I had wondered if it would really become entirely mine after so many years and on the second try. I must say: Unfortunately no.
Both he and I have not changed.

It's like two people who appreciate each other, hold each other in high regard, perhaps even love each other, but they know they don't fit together; as a couple, they wouldn't be happy. And they find it a shame.
But they think fondly of each other, sometimes with regret, and they meet occasionally.
For that, my decant is just right.