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Top Review
The Aristocrat's Purr
To me, this is one of the greatest designer scents ever created. The subtle genius of Roucel's handiwork is readily apparent in the blend of lavender and vanilla - similar to Kurkdjian's Le Male at times - but with the added dapper elements of crisp cedarwood and a touch of florals for a regal and professional edge.
The opening is a superb blend of herbal lavender, rosemary and tart grapefruit. Immediately, the florals feel "full" as if warmed up by a creamy sandalwood and vanilla right from the start. For me, it was love at first sniff. But just wait...within about 5 minutes, the composition opens up with a fantasticly enveloping cedar note that is seldom found in the designer realm these days. Although it does remind me of Bois du Portugal, I prefer Lalique's iteration by a landslide. It's far less harsh IMO, and with just the right amount of spice, melding perfectly with the velvety lavender and vanilla to create one of the most comforting woody barbershop scents I've ever smelled.
30 minutes in, the rosemary has all but disappeared, and replaced with a synthetic green oakmoss. It's certainly not overdone, but adds a slight sour and musty edge to balance the sweet vanilla, warm lavender and woods. It's such a comforting aroma, that the calming effect on the mind and spirit cannot be understated. Personally, I don't get much iris, jasmine or ambergris, but I'm not complaining. To experience this kind of quality at such a low price is just staggering.
Truth be told, I was on the fence about purchasing this one for a very long time over concerns that it would smell too dated, old-fashioned or like grampa's underpants. Well.....I don't know about grampa's underpants but I can certainly vouch for it having a vintage aftershave feel on account of the lavender and oakmoss. Fortunately, the GENEROUS amount of vanilla in the base comes straight from the 90s and is in NO WAY out of place in today's professional aesthetic.
If you imagine JPG's Le Male to be a young, loud, flirty, rebellious and irresponsible teenager, Lalique Pour Homme is his gentle, level-headed and business-minded aristocratic father - always well shaved, well dressed, informed and respectful of his roots - a true scholar, but also the dreamer as it were, a visionary and optimist. Incidentally, there are times when I am reminded of elements from Versace's The Dreamer, perhaps on account of the green notes combining with the warm and watery sweetness? Either way, the effect is wonderfully nostalgic.
The bulk of the fragrance is dominated by cedar, oakmoss, lavender and vanilla well into the drydown, until it disappears as a soothing and powdery woody vanilla about 7 hours in. Overall performance is about average on my skin, with very modest projection (being an edp), but I suppose that's why it comes in a 125 mL bottle!
So glad I finally gave this scent the benefit of the doubt. I've yet to try the edt version, but I'm sure the effect is similar, albeit a tad brighter on account of the added citrus. Nevertheless, this is easily the best blind-buy I ever made - timeless, regal, professional and grounded. Wouldn't necessarily recommend it to most people under the ages of 20 or 25, but if dapper is your style, definitely go for it. Might as well scoop up a second bottle. I know I am.
The opening is a superb blend of herbal lavender, rosemary and tart grapefruit. Immediately, the florals feel "full" as if warmed up by a creamy sandalwood and vanilla right from the start. For me, it was love at first sniff. But just wait...within about 5 minutes, the composition opens up with a fantasticly enveloping cedar note that is seldom found in the designer realm these days. Although it does remind me of Bois du Portugal, I prefer Lalique's iteration by a landslide. It's far less harsh IMO, and with just the right amount of spice, melding perfectly with the velvety lavender and vanilla to create one of the most comforting woody barbershop scents I've ever smelled.
30 minutes in, the rosemary has all but disappeared, and replaced with a synthetic green oakmoss. It's certainly not overdone, but adds a slight sour and musty edge to balance the sweet vanilla, warm lavender and woods. It's such a comforting aroma, that the calming effect on the mind and spirit cannot be understated. Personally, I don't get much iris, jasmine or ambergris, but I'm not complaining. To experience this kind of quality at such a low price is just staggering.
Truth be told, I was on the fence about purchasing this one for a very long time over concerns that it would smell too dated, old-fashioned or like grampa's underpants. Well.....I don't know about grampa's underpants but I can certainly vouch for it having a vintage aftershave feel on account of the lavender and oakmoss. Fortunately, the GENEROUS amount of vanilla in the base comes straight from the 90s and is in NO WAY out of place in today's professional aesthetic.
If you imagine JPG's Le Male to be a young, loud, flirty, rebellious and irresponsible teenager, Lalique Pour Homme is his gentle, level-headed and business-minded aristocratic father - always well shaved, well dressed, informed and respectful of his roots - a true scholar, but also the dreamer as it were, a visionary and optimist. Incidentally, there are times when I am reminded of elements from Versace's The Dreamer, perhaps on account of the green notes combining with the warm and watery sweetness? Either way, the effect is wonderfully nostalgic.
The bulk of the fragrance is dominated by cedar, oakmoss, lavender and vanilla well into the drydown, until it disappears as a soothing and powdery woody vanilla about 7 hours in. Overall performance is about average on my skin, with very modest projection (being an edp), but I suppose that's why it comes in a 125 mL bottle!
So glad I finally gave this scent the benefit of the doubt. I've yet to try the edt version, but I'm sure the effect is similar, albeit a tad brighter on account of the added citrus. Nevertheless, this is easily the best blind-buy I ever made - timeless, regal, professional and grounded. Wouldn't necessarily recommend it to most people under the ages of 20 or 25, but if dapper is your style, definitely go for it. Might as well scoop up a second bottle. I know I am.
2 Comments
50something 5 years ago
Loved the father/son analogy. Well done, spot on is right!
Elysium 5 years ago
Spot on dude! Now it's my time to tame that Lion, absolutely. Always neglect for the same stupid bias, too dated? Must buy.