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L'Eau du Caporal L'Artisan Parfumeur 1985

8.1 / 10 96 Ratings

A popular perfume by L'Artisan Parfumeur for men, released in 1985. The scent is fresh-citrusy. It was last marketed by Puig.
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Main accords

Fresh

Citrus

Woody

Green

Fougère

Fragrance Pyramid

Top Notes

Lemon

Tangerine

Heart Notes

Lavender

Geranium

Base Notes

Cedar

Oakmoss

Vetiver

Patchouli

Perfumer

Jacques Fraysse

Ratings

Scent

8.196 Ratings

Longevity

7.181 Ratings

Sillage

6.480 Ratings

Bottle

8.290 Ratings

Value for money

6.811 Ratings

Submitted by Kankuro · last update on 09/08/2023.

Source-backed & verified

Interesting Facts

The scent was re-released in 2014.
Corporal is a designation for a military rank.

Smells similar

What the fragrance is similar to

Centaure

Colonia Essenza Eau de Cologne

Moustache Eau de Toilette Concentrée

Oligarch Eau de Parfum

Aqua Allegoria Flora Nymphea

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Reviews

7 in-depth fragrance descriptions

09/28/2015

9Scent 7.5Longevity 5Sillage

Turandot
841 Reviews

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Turandot

Top Review 49

Unpretentious Refinement

With a son in an officer's rank, all related clichés quickly become relative, especially since the guys (and gals) not only need courage but above all a pronounced talent for logistics and perseverance. The inclination to glorify a brand that uses military ranks as names for perfumes is as far removed from reality as campfire romance is from trucker life or St. Pauli at night is from the lives of men on a container ship. However, the substance from which perfumes are woven comes from spheres that rarely deal with mundane everyday life, and that's a good thing.

The scent has certainly taken me by storm. L`Eau de Caporal is a perfume that can not only be worn by the opposite sex but truly appeals to both sides of our humanity. At least, if one is not looking for sex in a bottle, and if the need for cuddling is not too pronounced. For me, this is a scent for adult, cultured people who place great value on aesthetics and do not prefer a perfume that must be original or extravagant at all costs.
Admittedly, the scent is clean and "neat." And it is a bit serious too, but behind this strictness lies a certain nonchalance and the knowledge that nothing is as hotly eaten as it is cooked. I may be accused of aging gracefully, but with many scents, I would prefer to wave my hand and ask if there isn't a smaller option available.

Those who immediately think of older gentlemen when they hear the term "fougere" will be enlightened by L`Eau de Caporal. The scent is fresh-spicy and energizing with a beautiful base that reminds me of long-gone Chypre times. However, Chypre times when this fragrance direction was not yet adorned with opulent floral notes but truly reflected the aura of the Mediterranean world. Jacques Fraysse proves with L`Eau de Caporal that refinement in a scent can indeed be achieved with a few well-known fragrance notes and that there is no need for exotic spices or niche experiments to create a wonderful perfume.

For those who do not need perfume to underline secret dreams, as a corset for self-confidence, or to feel a sense of belonging to any kind of group, but rather want to wear a scent with unpretentious self-evidence, L`Eau de Caporal comes highly recommended. It is now right at the top of my wish list.

12/23/2014

9Scent 8Longevity 7Sillage

Rivegauche
39 Reviews

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Rivegauche

Top Review 23

A Dapper Fellow

According to Wikipedia, the corporal is the lowest rank of non-commissioned officers in many armed forces; in the German army, this refers to the lance corporal. In the French military, the rank of "Caporal," which has further subdivisions in various ranks, belongs to the mounted army, and he can have up to 30 personnel under his command.

I am not a big fan of the military, but this charming, dapper, and crisply fresh "Caporal" is definitely worth a test. He is one of those tall blonde men with a side part, a captivating smile, an almost aristocratically angular and sharply defined face, and laughingly fresh blue eyes, to which his long and heavy double-breasted wool coat with old brass buttons suits perfectly. He is not just a man in the ranks but also the next superior and friend, someone you enjoy listening to. He loves his horse and nature, but he is also not averse to the urban pleasures of night bars, fast cars, and good clothing.

I find the start of the "Caporal" extremely humorous, as the combination of juicy fresh citrus notes and aromatic invigorating mint takes me back to childhood and brings to mind the good old "ATA" scouring powder... Cleanliness is something you are supposed to learn in the army. This robust "cleaning agent" start, with its dry and slightly powdery ethereal freshness, not only lasts until the end but also reminds me a lot of Maître Parfumeur's "Centaure," which, however, remains more multifaceted and opulent as the scent develops. Diptyque's "L'Eau des Hespérides" takes a different path, but with this mint note, it is not too far off either. Lavender, with its herbaceous floral and energetically herbal note, and here also quite soapy facet, serves as the unmistakable hallmark for classic fougère scents in the heart - it gives the impression of freshly starched cotton shirts - and herbal geranium seems to intensify the character a bit, without the floral note being truly "flowery" or feminine. The base harmonizes gently and well-balanced with herbaceous mossy warmth, green woody earthy vetiver (without smoky facets), and dry cedarwood, airy and elegant. It softens the almost sharp and clean strictness of the citrus-cool herbal top and heart notes, creating a gentle enveloping effect, and the combination of cedarwood and mint seems perfectly blended in this dry and almost ethereal clarity. Mint, lavender, and vetiver also seem to support the positively green, soapy, and classically masculine retro and almost British "barbershop" aura of the "Caporal," although it appears to me here to be fresher, crisper, and less conservatively static than many classic fougère scents often are. This may also be due to the relaunch, as the scent probably had a "deeper voice" in 1985; I do not know the old version.

Longevity and sillage are decent but not overwhelming, fitting very well with the clearly structured and honestly cheerful elegant character of the scent, which, like the charming "Caporal" himself, does not want to impose; rather, it knows how to read between the lines.

It indeed seems to be a trend to want to revive old scents. If they look like this, I am happy to lead the way as an advocate. Within a year, "L'Eau du Caporal" from 1985 is the third - more appealing to men - fragrance that has caught my interest after Goutal's "Eau de Monsieur" and Le Galion's "Eau Noble." It has been worth it; keep it up.

11/11/2015

7.5Scent 7.5Longevity 5Sillage

Profumorist
77 Reviews

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Profumorist

Top Review 10

Peach Iced Tea from Aldi

Don't worry, the title is not meant to sound disrespectful. This perfume is truly excellently crafted, high quality, and pure in natural ingredients. Peach iced tea was just my first association when I smelled the fragrance for the first time. But more on that later.

L'Artisan Parfumeur was, and still is, known to me as a niche brand. Especially because Bertrand Duchaufour works as a perfumer for them. However, I haven't really paid much attention to their perfumes until now. This was probably also due to the fact that the prices for these fragrances are beyond the €100 mark.

Last week, while browsing at the local TK, I noticed a few packages from this very company. Al Oudh, Mon numero 10, and of course L'Eau du Caporal. Quickly checked the perfumes on Parfumo. L'Eau du Caporal first, fresh-fougère-like, I like it, took it home blindly. I was really happy to have gotten such an exclusive niche perfume for a small price.

I rushed home with impatience and then opened the packaging. Seven-sided heavy glass bottle, the crest on the cap, the inscription "L'Artisan Parfumeur Paris" laser-engraved on the side, and a small inscription with "L'Eau du Caporal" (reminds me a bit of Caron). Very nice, very elegant.

Since a longer walk with the family was planned, this was a perfect time for testing. So, I applied it to my wrist. But be careful, you know this scent. I just couldn't immediately remember where from.

The opening is very fresh, softly citrusy. The lemon does not overwhelm you, but is somewhat kept in check by the tangerine. A bit floral even. Very pleasant, very gentleman-like. This perception changes only slightly for me. After about three hours, it becomes a bit more fougère overall. But still very soft. Complex, yet perfectly composed. Nothing stands out unpleasantly.

A fragrance where you can practically smell the high-quality ingredients. Nothing here smells sharp or artificial. Just a wonderful composition.

The longevity is very good average; the sillage, however, is hardly room-filling. Overall, this fits very well with the overall concept of this fragrance.

Who can or should wear it? Well, that's a difficult question, a difficult answer. It is definitely not for the under-30 generation. Moreover, it's not for those who want to stand out. No pantydropper, no crowd-pleaser. More for the man who values understatement and is aware of the luxury product he is wearing. No one who needs to show off anything. Just style.

Now about the iced tea. At some point, it struck me like a bolt of lightning where I know this scent from. Peach iced tea from Aldi. Anyone who doesn't believe me or thinks I'm crazy should go to Aldi, buy a bottle of this, chill it, drink it, and smell it. Well, where do I know this scent from...

Best regards

Your Profumorist

Updated on 03/22/2018

03/25/2016

8Scent 7Longevity 6Sillage

Nasengourmet
54 Reviews

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Nasengourmet

Top Review 9

Iced Tea Light for Gentleman

First of all, Profumorist is probably right when he says this scent reminds him of iced tea. I felt the same way. But this one is so wonderfully rounded and not that sweet iced tea slush you sometimes come across. This here is the Light or Zero version of Lipton Iced Tea.

It all starts with a lemon bomb and as we are used to from lemon scents: BAM, the lemon disappears first and quite quickly. By quickly, I mean about 30 minutes and the lemon has vanished. Well, what can you do? What remains is simply perfect.

It’s a fresh blend of cream, mint, and peach. Really nice summery and ultra-refreshing. But the scent is decent, well-behaved, and restrained. It’s a clean scent like freshly showered... although one must say that the shower gel must have been something special and not some AXE Porn Up Faster cheap wannabe scent. No - this one has class and more than enough of it. Chavs and One Million machos would throw this straight in the trash because it’s aimed at a particularly smart target group. The suited man with well-groomed nails, who doesn’t need to seduce women with scents but simply wants to smell good and well-groomed. Classic but elegant. Yes, and in many or even all points, the other commentators are right: The scent is good to very good, hardly comparable to another, but not a pantydropper or whatever that’s called... rather for the well-groomed man over 30 - someone with style.

In my eyes, a very successful scent. However, I only give it 80% because it could simply be a tiny bit more noticeable. By that, I don’t mean clouding the entire skin surface, but I rather feel that such a great scent could show itself a bit bolder. More sillage then. True to the motto: Look here, I’m not a macho - but you can definitely perceive me in terms of scent.
Anyway, I do not regret the relatively high price for the decant. Once again, one of those fragrance experiences that you just love to spray on your hand often to lift your spirits.

08/28/2016

7.5Scent 6Longevity 5Sillage

DonJuanDeCat
2047 Reviews

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DonJuanDeCat

Helpful Review 6

Attention! Stand still!

Corporal. Or better known as Corporal, the lowest rank in the military among non-commissioned officers. I must admit that I sometimes find military things quite interesting. Like all the ranks in different countries, their designations, and of course the insignia.

Furthermore, it's also an interesting fragrance name, especially since it doesn't have "Homme" in it like hundreds of other scents, while L’Artisan generally has good fragrance names.

Since the scent is citrusy fresh, it seems like an optimal time to test it on such murderously hot days.

The fragrance:
The scent starts off a bit harsh with citrus notes that almost remind one of a cleaning product, but only for a short period because they are so strong. Only then can you "see" that the strong notes are lemons. And yes, you can also smell the mandarins well, but the scent of these fruits soon disappears again.
I don't understand why some people write about iced tea here. Because just a few minutes after spraying, the scent, due to the interplay of the citrus notes with the lavender, even comes across as quite classic. The rose geraniums are not so strong, allowing the lavender to present the stronger herbal note.
Towards the base, oak moss also comes into play (though it can be smelled well before the base) and contributes to Caporal smelling like a very classic men's fragrance. The foundation, on which all the fragrance notes rest, is once again woody notes in the background. I could hardly detect vetiver and patchouli; instead, it still smells slightly herbal to me.

The sillage and longevity:
Even though the scent is very strong at the beginning, it quickly loses its strength and becomes rather below average, so you should spray it on yourself more often on hot days throughout the day.
The longevity, on the other hand, is somewhat better, as you can smell the fragrance for about five to six hours.

The bottle:
Typical for L’Artisan, we have a seven-sided bottle with a similarly seven-sided and gold-plated cap, on whose surface the L’Artisan logo can be seen.
On the front, there is a narrow light blue label with the name of the fragrance. The image used here is the insignia of the corporal, which is seen in this form in most countries, namely two interlocking angles, with the image giving the impression that a third angle would follow at the top.
Anyway, this bottle is also quite appealing.

Okay, first of all, I want to reiterate that the scent does not smell like iced tea to me. It may seem that way briefly because it smells of lemons, but then the fragrance takes a rather classic turn. Thus, it becomes a scent that even appears elegant and mature (yes, even though fragrances can be worn by many, I think this one is not for younger people).

As you might guess, the scent is suitable for warm days and has unfortunately become more of a fragrance that one can enjoy oneself, as it quickly fades. But it smells good (despite the initially unusual and getting-used-to phase) and refreshes. If it were stronger, it could also have been good for going out, as the scent, as my predecessors have already written, appears quite stylish, well, like most classically scented fragrances usually do.

So this one is definitely worth testing. However,… this scent also doesn’t help much on too hot days… I’m just melting away… so hot,… soooo hot… *sigh*
On days like this, I recommend more Eau Radieuse by Humiecki & Graef or Menthe Fraîche by Heeley… they can really cool you down…

Waaaaaarmmm……

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