Top Notes 
Heart Notes 
Base Notes 
07/14/2022
Elysium
815 Reviews
Elysium
5
O Romeo, Romeo, Wherefore Art Thou Romeo?
“Deny thy father and refuse thy name! Or if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love, and I’ll no longer be a Capulet.”
I started my review in this way because the first thought that came to my mind when I tested this gem was, “Oh Rochas, Rochas, where have you been until now?” Well, as I am getting old, I don’t remember if I came across an original edition in the past, or if it happened, but now I don’t remember the smell. The fact is that in this review I will limit myself to telling the sensations that the version I own gives me without making comparisons with the original version. I have to thank @HugoMontez because it is thanks to his review that I came across this barely unknown precious gem. Or rather, I knew the perfume and its feminine counterpart, and I often saw it on the shelves, but I associated it with the common fresh and citrusy eau de cologne and therefore I did not even pay a glance to it. The @HugoMontez review opened my eyes and mind wide, and so I ran into the shop to try, and immediately buy, this masterpiece. Here we go.
Eau de Rochas pour Homme is a great aromatic and citrusy cologne, fresh and cool like morning dew. Apparently simple, it is not like that. In the beginning, I find a mixture of citrus peel and herbs. Many citrus ingredients contribute to the top notes. Aldehydes reinforce the early sprint, but they are not dominant, as in Chanel N°5 for example. Instead, the sour contribution is notable. The rinds of lemons, limes, bergamot and tangerines release an aroma identical to that of the freshly grated rinds to be added to the cakes or modern plates. And if all this harshness was not enough, there even are the green leaves of the verbena mixed with those of the basil. Even if not present on the list, the lavender is already kicking, and the notes that come out of the accord are those of fresh flowers crumbled between the fingers, aromatic and slightly soothing notes. Wow, I knew I was going to get a citric bomb on my face, but I never expected such an intense lemony riot. Perfumer Gilles Romey has indulged in creating something truly fresh and energising. The opening is this and there are no other notes or facets to dirty it.
The perfume takes some time to unwind, and the sourness remains in the air and around me for a good half hour. The first flower that peeps out of the bouquet in the heart is jasmine. I can also feel the watery undertones of freesia, the bitter touch of the lily of the valley. Violet is subdued and so is the rose, neither too powdery nor too rosy. Instead, the blue shades of lavender flowers reach my nose clear and limpid now, the intense ones that release the perfumed bags from the drawer. But the sour aspect does not completely fade, as the heart includes the aromatic, spicy, and sour leaves of coriander. Green coriander notes in fusion with an overwhelmingly masculine immersive lavender. In this bouquet, I recognise some slightly smoky nuances, as if incense resin or other resinous elements were binding the flowers together. There should also be some mugwort between the middle notes, but my nose has a hard time recognising it.
The passages from the head to the heart, and finally to the bottom are well marked and soon we reach an unexpectedly warm woody bottom, with some resinous overtones. Then, little by little, this composition turns towards a more woody and resinous base. Vétiver and cedar play a fundamental role here, supported by weaker and slightly subdued notes of oak moss, and certainly a synthetic note. Pencil shavings come out loud in the base, followed by notes of damp undergrowth warmed by the sun. I can’t say I can detect any musk, even though it should be there. In its place, however, I perceive dusty notes of vanilla,or coumarin more in general.
Hearing the fragrance so contemporary, not at all dated, makes me think Rochas has successfully reformulated it for the better. The aroma is pleasant and the combination of citrus notes with resinous and smoky ones. I find it brilliant and successful. I don’t perceive marine or salty notes. We got the freshness of this perfume from citrus fruits and aromatic herbs. Overall, performances are not astounding, as most today fragrances. The longevity is moderate; it lasted me from half a day, but it is very close to the skin. If you are a citrus lover, this is an amazing fragrance for the price and quality. A morning and daily scent, perfect for late spring and summer. If I have to find a similarity, it reminds me of another recent buy, namely Verveine Cédrat, the share the same verveine vibe.
I base the review on a 50ml bottle I have owned since July 2022.
-Elysium
I started my review in this way because the first thought that came to my mind when I tested this gem was, “Oh Rochas, Rochas, where have you been until now?” Well, as I am getting old, I don’t remember if I came across an original edition in the past, or if it happened, but now I don’t remember the smell. The fact is that in this review I will limit myself to telling the sensations that the version I own gives me without making comparisons with the original version. I have to thank @HugoMontez because it is thanks to his review that I came across this barely unknown precious gem. Or rather, I knew the perfume and its feminine counterpart, and I often saw it on the shelves, but I associated it with the common fresh and citrusy eau de cologne and therefore I did not even pay a glance to it. The @HugoMontez review opened my eyes and mind wide, and so I ran into the shop to try, and immediately buy, this masterpiece. Here we go.
Eau de Rochas pour Homme is a great aromatic and citrusy cologne, fresh and cool like morning dew. Apparently simple, it is not like that. In the beginning, I find a mixture of citrus peel and herbs. Many citrus ingredients contribute to the top notes. Aldehydes reinforce the early sprint, but they are not dominant, as in Chanel N°5 for example. Instead, the sour contribution is notable. The rinds of lemons, limes, bergamot and tangerines release an aroma identical to that of the freshly grated rinds to be added to the cakes or modern plates. And if all this harshness was not enough, there even are the green leaves of the verbena mixed with those of the basil. Even if not present on the list, the lavender is already kicking, and the notes that come out of the accord are those of fresh flowers crumbled between the fingers, aromatic and slightly soothing notes. Wow, I knew I was going to get a citric bomb on my face, but I never expected such an intense lemony riot. Perfumer Gilles Romey has indulged in creating something truly fresh and energising. The opening is this and there are no other notes or facets to dirty it.
The perfume takes some time to unwind, and the sourness remains in the air and around me for a good half hour. The first flower that peeps out of the bouquet in the heart is jasmine. I can also feel the watery undertones of freesia, the bitter touch of the lily of the valley. Violet is subdued and so is the rose, neither too powdery nor too rosy. Instead, the blue shades of lavender flowers reach my nose clear and limpid now, the intense ones that release the perfumed bags from the drawer. But the sour aspect does not completely fade, as the heart includes the aromatic, spicy, and sour leaves of coriander. Green coriander notes in fusion with an overwhelmingly masculine immersive lavender. In this bouquet, I recognise some slightly smoky nuances, as if incense resin or other resinous elements were binding the flowers together. There should also be some mugwort between the middle notes, but my nose has a hard time recognising it.
The passages from the head to the heart, and finally to the bottom are well marked and soon we reach an unexpectedly warm woody bottom, with some resinous overtones. Then, little by little, this composition turns towards a more woody and resinous base. Vétiver and cedar play a fundamental role here, supported by weaker and slightly subdued notes of oak moss, and certainly a synthetic note. Pencil shavings come out loud in the base, followed by notes of damp undergrowth warmed by the sun. I can’t say I can detect any musk, even though it should be there. In its place, however, I perceive dusty notes of vanilla,or coumarin more in general.
Hearing the fragrance so contemporary, not at all dated, makes me think Rochas has successfully reformulated it for the better. The aroma is pleasant and the combination of citrus notes with resinous and smoky ones. I find it brilliant and successful. I don’t perceive marine or salty notes. We got the freshness of this perfume from citrus fruits and aromatic herbs. Overall, performances are not astounding, as most today fragrances. The longevity is moderate; it lasted me from half a day, but it is very close to the skin. If you are a citrus lover, this is an amazing fragrance for the price and quality. A morning and daily scent, perfect for late spring and summer. If I have to find a similarity, it reminds me of another recent buy, namely Verveine Cédrat, the share the same verveine vibe.
I base the review on a 50ml bottle I have owned since July 2022.
-Elysium
Elysium
Finerthings8
