Ignika

Many loved that decade, and many still do. Emerging globalization, media boom, art, fashion, gluttony. And, as far as I can tell, big growth in olfaction. (Oh, I just see, ApH is from '78....) The motto for men at that time: A lot helps a lot. Many of the more successful perfumes were so overloaded with notes that beginners were quickly overwhelmed; so was I, when I tested Jules years ago, which is very similar to this one.

Azzaro pour Homme begins with lots of lavender. This is accompanied by lemon, clary sage and aniseed. Woody notes come up quickly without being too dark (more sandalwood than vetiver). In the background there is sometimes a hint of juniper. As the hours go by, the above notes weaken a little, leather and moss come out. Since my sample has a maximum durability of 2 hours I unfortunately got the refo. Similarly disappointing is the Sillage. Damn shame.

As mentioned, Azzaro pour Homme is very similar to Jules from Dior (published 1980), and, I think, also to Number One from Boss (1985). It's probably due to the obsessive variety of notes in the perfumes of the time. All three have listed lavender and citrus, basil, sage and cumin above. Later on, oakmoss, amber, musk, patchouli, sweetly accompanied by amber, musk, and patchouli always come up. Even if quantities and development differ slightly: Notes don't lie.

Azzaro pour Homme is a keystone of the olfactory culture, a pioneer. The fragrance of the Seventies was patchouli, heavy, erotic, oppressive. Perfumers played with such impressions and created the forerunners of the eighties fragrances. Multifaceted with attraction. They kicked off the trend: most of them wanted to stand out, be different, and then they were similar after all.

Azzaro pour Homme: Fougère through and through, like so many who followed him. Once certainly great, but now just a shadow of his former self.