Carven Homme (1999)
by Carven

Great reviews here - I came to know of this discontinued gem a short while ago from fellow Basenoters online. I got lucky, found it and got a decent number of bottles. This is simply great juice - I am very happy to have even learned of this.

The comparison to Gucci Envy is out there (as well as Zino). But I find it so different than Zino...the only connection is with current formulation Zino with the lavender and rosewood in the top notes and the incorporation of wood in the heart, but I find it far more different than alike to either in comparison and have decided not to write more about Zino at all as it vastly different after two intensive comparative wearings. While some notes are shared with both, Carven Homme is a true woody spicy with very nice rosewood, sandalwood & cedar on the base intermixed with great baking spices - cinnamon, nutmeg and coriander. The amber and labdanum create warmth along with a pinch of pipe tobacco that accentuates the spices - giving it a nice kick.

The slight commonality with Gucci Envy lies in the top & middle notes for me (if I really try to find the connection) - mainly with the spiciness and wood notes in the heart (but they are very different compositions) - however they share cedar, coriander and a touch of vetiver each (ironically, both clean vetivers) - not listed in the pyramid above. Common notes in the top with Gucci Envy are a nice smooth lavender with rosewood (a great opening note that give you a woody feel from the top). I don't get ginger in Carven Homme - I get a nice blast of citrus, bergamot versus mandarin in Envy. Therefore, Carven Homme is less bright as Gucci Envy has a sharp ginger accord on top (as some find 'mentholated' - but if you have ever smelled fresh-cut ginger, you know that is not menthol at work) - that is not at all present here in Carven Homme. By the way, the citrus is fresh, bright and well-done, but not overpowering in either.

While Carven Homme turns to a nice warm woody base with amber and a light touch of patchouli, Gucci Envy for Men goes to the infamous deep incense and sharp patchouli that incorporates vanilla and a touch of vanilla that distinguish it as an Oriental Woody (more of an Oriental Woody/Aromatic to me, if such a thing exists!)

There is a reason that the reviews for this are so good. Carven Homme is a great quality composition, has fantastic warmth on the skin and could be worn either casual or formal (or as an office scent). It radiates nicely from the body and a couple shots to clothing upon application and the first 2-3 hours...but becomes a very smooth wood and spicy skin scent that last for over 6 hours, even in cold weather outdoors - this stuff stays on and has a nice "aura scent" to it, but is never loud or abrasive. Impressive longevity and above average projection.

Office wear - no more than 5-6 sprays total, with at least 1-2 on your clothes.
"Full" wear - 8-10 sprays total, 2-3 on clothes. This would be for going out, date night, etc. A fragrance that begs for comparison as it is so damn good. Gucci Envy is what others compare it to - I did a final comparative review here with a "Full wearing" of Carven Homme, except for a nice dose of Gucci Envy on the back on my hand to get all the notes right.

I suggest to have both bottles of juice in your wardrobe - one is not at all a substitute for the other. Try to find it. It is worth seeking out.

Quality ingredients here. It can be worn year-round, with moderate application in warm weather - but very masculine and a scent that will get you compliments everywhere you go. Nobody knows what it is (but wants to know - women and men) and ask where you can buy it...I get strange looks when I tell them it has been discontinued - someone said, "I guess you're lucky to have it." And, I am.

Overall score - 9/10. Highly recommended.

26 March, 2012 (Last Edited: 09 July, 2012)

Smells very similar to Zino in the topnotes, but that's where it ends. The transition to the heart is smooth with the lavender, ginger, and tarragon blending in with the spices and a hint of vanilla which balances out the spices. Still spicy through the drydown and this is when I smell the honey accord that others have mentioned. If your looking for a spicy fragrance and like a heavy lavender look no further.

03 June, 2011

I like the top notes. It's what makes it so appealing. It smells like honey to me. Maybe that's the tarragon that I'm smelling? It's the drydown that becomes less appealing to me because it's a patchouli scent -- a note I'm not fond of. Some compare it to Zino by Davidoff, but if Zino is patchouli dry, then Carven is patchouli blush. I like it better than Zino because the amber and vanilla sweeten the patchouli. It's almost Angel-like, really. I'd have to compare them side by side to see. I saw some compare it to L'Instant by Guerlain, and I guess I see the similarities. Gourmand patchouli. A little incense in the drydown. Beware of falling in love with this one, because it is discontinued, although many compare it to Gucci Envy. I sampled Envy a long time ago, and I don't remember liking it as much as I do this one. But that was years ago, and maybe my tastes have changed.

13 February, 2011

THUMBS WAY UP!
I LOVE THIS ONE!
As everybody else as mentioned, it bares some resemblance to Gucci Envy or even to Ted by Ted Lapidus for that matter. After sniffing it for a while you really start to discover it and appreciate it for its own true self. Picture a base of Corduroy (Zirh) mixed in with Envy.
If you ever find some, please don't buy it!

20th December, 2010

This is one of the best of the bargain gems that are still readily available. There are similarities with Zino Davidoff, but they are not significant - Carven Homme is spicier, smoother, and probably the better balanced of the two.

The spiced opening, the gentle florals present in the heart, and the creamy smooth finish ensure that this gets a very resounding thumbs up.

27 August, 2010

I like everything about this fragrance. It's got class without staring down its nose. It lasts without being obtrusive. It makes no distinction between day and night. I am a big fan of Envy and can pick up on the similarities, but this really is a different creature, and the fantastic floral middle truly sets it apart. I really can't believe this doesn't cost two or three times as much.

24 March, 2010