Joop! Homme Ice Joop! 2020

With "Joop! Homme," it's back on track! The pink classic was never really gone, but it definitely lost some steam in the 2000s. Now, however, the flankers and offshoots seem to be popping up seemingly bought and (un)asked for - and some of them are even recommendable, like the recent black "Absolute." Even if it had hardly anything to do with the original and should have actually been released under a new name. And sure, there are a few misses, like the "Sport" belly flop, but overall, this potent king of yesteryear is definitely back on deck and is managing to keep its name. So what does this new "Ice" have to offer? A cool guy or a chilling disappointment?

"Joop! Homme Ice" has again very little to do with the pink (attention-grabber) of back then, maybe in its syrupy base sweetness. Otherwise, it's more of a musty-interesting (and somehow citrusy) tobacco/cardamom scent, where I have almost zero "icy" associations, and therefore I find the name not particularly fitting. The scent and I, however, fit together quite a bit better. A rather weird combo of scratchiness and balm, of ashtray and shisha, of gray suit and Hubba Bubba. This will surely make some people really nauseous; you can tear it apart in the air if you want or if you can't come to terms with it. I find it exciting, charming, daring. At least that. At least. Cardamom and orange blossom both make a strong showing, neither wanting to let the other take the lead. Somewhere in the vast no man's land between "Fleur du Male," "La Nuit de L’Homme," and "Tabarome," thoughts of "Hugo" or even "Tabac Original" come to mind. Just with this thick sugar glaze that contradictorily lifts the otherwise rather herbaceous DNA, rejuvenates it, and almost makes it club-ready. I somehow like it. Maybe it's because I'm a fan of plums, and these also hover above everything. Juicy, dripping, sticky. But never annoying me. A cool scent. Just never even the slightest hint of icy...

Bottle: somewhat boring blue, at least fitting to the theme, usual shape
Sillage: not as loud as the pink one, but louder than some other flankers
Longevity: doesn't disappear too quickly - 6-9 hours

Conclusion: interesting, distinctive, sweet, slightly citrusy, with clear Joop Homme DNA. And yet quite different. Finally something daring. Not everyone will like it. I do. Somehow. Odd hybrid. Attractive or repulsive. Give it a test!