Le Mâle Le Parfum Jean Paul Gaultier 2020

...probably I will never wear it, respectively not own it for a long time! Why? We'll get to that!

Scent:
So how does the next flanker in the Le Mâle universe smell? At least on my skin in the top note for a short period really pungent! One smells the cardamom - almost untreated and in no way sweetish designed - clearly out, even if only for a few minutes.
The heart note is, unlike the top note quasi 1:1 borrowed from the original fragrance. Although the fragrance with the iris instead of the previous mint is now able to smell fresh in a different way: both variants go in the heart note in this direction, only in the "Le Parfum" a "clean" note has crept in, almost as you might know it from some Prada fragrances - and in no way similar to the lipstick-like iris from the Dior Homme fragrances!
The base note, on the other hand, is what makes this fragrance special for me. Rarely was I allowed to perceive in a designer fragrance such a pleasant, at the same time restrained as well as omnipresent vanilla note, which is accompanied by gentle woody accords - at least my nose lets me conclude, among other things, sandalwood - but never drowned out.

Sillage & durability:
I think not to exaggerate when I say that no fragrance on my skin in both categories since "No. 02 - L'Air du Désert Marocain" has ever performed so outstanding - even if the two fragrances are of course in no way comparable. The sillage goes far beyond the usual arm's length and the fragrance lingers in the room long after it has been left by one.
In terms of durability, we are talking about about 12 - 14 hours, although of course it should be said that the fragrance itself "only" in the first three to four hours strongly radiates. From the eighth hour, "Le Parfum" becomes a gently resonating but tightly fitting fragrance on the skin, which, however, is still perceived here far above average.
In addition, it should be said that of this fragrance has never been more than two sprays on my skin and even these were also still quite sparingly dosed.
Of course, these are merely experiences on my skin and may vary from person to person.

Flacon:
If such a flacon had appeared as a new release in recent years, he would probably have suffered just as much of a tear-down, as once the gold bar of Paco Rabanne, the crown heads from the same house, or Dolce & Gabanna or the recently the shelves defacing robot!? But as a flanker of the legendary Le Mâle - fits already, even in this day and age!?
The color scheme is coherent, the black and gray divided bottle with its half matte, half glossy surface wonderfully subtly tells of the more serious, deeper and darker tone this flanker has taken compared to the former original. And I would at least like to imagine that the shiny gold spray head is meant to be a reference to the defining vanilla in this fragrance!?

Price:
Meanwhile, a good year on the market, "Le Mâle Le Parfum" is easily available on relevant discount sites - and this also at a reasonable price! Away from extra discounts, coupons and any seasonal discounts, the small 75ml bottle is available for a sum of about 40 - 50€. Considering how little perfume you can apply this fragrance, this is a terrific price-performance ratio!

Application:
"Le Mâle Le Parfum" can be loud, but never falls into a penetrating screaming like, for example, one of its predecessors - namely "Ultra Mâle"! If one foresees this for the use in the club or discotheque, then "Le Parfum" on the other hand is more suitable for the cozy and atmospheric lounge, the bar or even a jazz club. Carefully applied, it could even be used for work, provided that the top and heart notes are already - or almost - gone when entering the company.
In terms of seasons, "Le Parfum" is basically wearable at any time except for the warm summer days, although here, of course, the application plays a major role.

So why would I probably not buy this fragrance? Finally, the above sounds but actually excellent? Quite simply: because I am already in possession of Armani's "Armani Code Eau de Parfum" from 2021!
And even if some will now say, the fragrances are already completely different when looking at the fragrance pyramid, I must object that - at least for my nose - these fragrances have a strong similarity: both in the fragrance itself, and especially in the sense of purpose and application!
Both have a - albeit different smelling - quickly fading top note, which is thus not worth mentioning for me. Both heart notes remind me in the - sometimes more, sometimes less - most distant sense of the original "Le Mâle" fragrance presence. And also in the base both play with a wonderful vanilla note, although "Armani Code" differs here by the perfectly rounded tonka bean even a little stronger.
If I had to choose a note that separates these two fragrances the most: it would probably be the iris!?
So why "Armani Code Eau de Parfum" and not "Le Mâle Le Parfum", some may now ask: because the "Armani Code" for me personally simply rounder, better composed and - for lack of a better word - smoother works! If he also does not hold as long or projected as "Le Parfum", so he can be worn more easily on days and / or places where I would "Le Parfum" before applying but rather thoughtful to hesitant.
Or, to put it another way and again for lack of a better word: no matter which of the two fragrances I wear, they give me from the top to the base note at any time the same feeling!

Now this is my opinion, which should probably not impress a collector anyway. And so I say: who is still looking for an elegant, but still sufficiently playful and sweetish fragrance for the rather cooler to freezing cold days, "Le Mâle Le Parfum" is warmly recommended. Only rarely can be found in the designer sector such a pleasant and long-lasting fragrance that - despite striking flacon - can easily elegant and engaging.

What a great fragrance, which - I would not own and know the said alternative - would have moved in with me in any case!

Edit from 10.10.2021:
Now I have taken the comments to heart, tested the fragrance once, twice more and must confess: I have no idea what trick my nose has played on me then!? The difference to "Armani Code Eau de Parfum" is yet greater than previously associated by me.
What can I say! Thank you for the yet purposeful comments! Still the beautiful fragrance with the really very, very good H&S and ... then but now moved in next to my other flacons.