Bijan for Men (1981)
by Bijan

I really, really wanted to dislike this scent. When it was introduced, the magazine ads showing Bijan's squinting, grinning mug struck me as just obnoxious. But the fragrance itself is really good --- a distinctive chypre in the lineage of Aramis, Quorum and Balenciaga's Portos that strikes just the right balance of smooth and brash. If it were music, it would be the Count Basie band --- brassy and loud on top, but with a smooth, supple swing to the rhythm underneath, and all of the components working together to make a cohesive whole that's both infectious and irresistible.

A friend's wife commented, "Mmmmm, you smell like incense!" when I wore it to their house not long ago, and although frankincense isn't listed in the pyramid, I suspect it was the sandalwood-amber-patchouli-oakmoss accord in the base that she was getting. I find myself wearing Bijan more frequently in recent months. Although I suspect I would get tired of it if I wore it too often, it's become a regular "go-to" fragrance for me of late, and I like it a lot. Five stars for the fragrance, but still a big thumbs down for those irritating print ads!

23rd November, 2011.

if you are into smelling SUPER SUPER SUPER clean with pinesol in your veins, this is for you.
I really can't imagine ever getting a compliment on this. It may have pushed the limits in 1981, and thats where it should stay

With soooo many scents out there, feel free to skip this patchouli bomb.
Super potent.
Super pointless
With soooo many scents out there, feel free to skip this patchouli bomb.

18th September, 2011.

Bijan for Men is not simply a powerhouse, is more like the Tsar Bomb. It doesn't remarks its presence, it yells at you and after slapping you in your face it asks "so what?"

A loud, intrusive and arrogant concoction of nutmeg, herbs and spices laying on a "chypre-y" structure (oakmoss/bergamot). If moderately applied it's very masculine and (somehow) elegant but one single spray too much and it will be like announcing your presence with a fart.

22nd August, 2011.

One of my all time favourites. Great Spicy fragrance that is too masculine and evergreen fragrance. Perfect for casual wear.
Clean Crisp Sharp fragrance.
I give it 8 out of 10.

5th August, 2011.

If the dates shown on the Bijan page are correct, this is actually the oldest of all the Bijan fragrances. In my opinion, it is also the best. Along with vintage English Leather, Bijan for Men is one of my all-time go-to favorites. I always have a bottle handy.

Now... Is it a powerhouse? I don't think so. It is an ample scent, and appropriately concentrated. In other words, you only need two or three squirts. However, I have also found that if more is applied, the scent just gets "bigger". It does not morph into something harsh, unpleasant or offensive.

In terms of scent, I get rosemary, nutmeg and patchouli above all else, with the usual male aromatic fougere bits and pieces lurking in the background. The notes shown in the pyramid on this page are probably among the truest I have ever seen. Overall, the effect is dry, fairly simple, very linear, and nearly unique. The bottle is interesting, too.

A good scent for an older guy, or somone younger who wants to project maturity.

31st July, 2011.

This smells like I grew an herb garden and set up a spice rack inside a dried-out tree. It's awesome in the literal sense. Spicy, sweet, musky, powdery, smoky, earthy, and a damn fine masculine chypre even after reformulation. Talk about bang for the buck too - Because one should only ever wear a drop or two at a time I'd say two bottles of Bijan could last an eternity. And the juice radiates off the skin like Gaia just exploded.

26th July, 2011.