L'Eau de Gouverneur / L'Homme (1993)
by Comptoir Sud Pacifique

For some reason I find the made for men or unisex creations of the house of Comptoir Sud Pacifique *much* better than the blunt and literal feminine perfumes. L'EAU DU GOUVERNEUR is an excellent example and may even be my favorite CSP offering of all (of those I've tried...).

This smooth woody oriental perfume (and I do believe that it is 100% unisex--not a masculine cologne, by any stretch of the imagination) features a variety of very hard-hitting spices, most notably nutmeg and allspice, but they are blended so beautifully that none overwhelms, as so often happens when such spices are used in perfume. The slightly citrus opening is very shortlived, and the composition nearly immediately settles down to a gorgeous, tightly woven tapestry of spices and woods with medium sillage and good longevity.

L'EAU DU GOUVERNEUR (or in my case, GOUVERNEUSE!) is perfect for fall weather and makes me want to stroll down a path strewn with piles of multicolored leaves being jostled about by a cool breeze.

22nd October, 2011.

Fragrance notes
Top: verbena, bergamot, lemon
Mid: clary sage, nutmeg, pepper, clove
Base: cedar, vetiver, tonka, musk
L’Homme by Comptoir Sud Pacifique has a lovely citrusy-aromatic opening. The verbena is well done, with its typical lemon-basil-baked bread notes. This gives a nice transition to the green spice middle, which is an appealing concoction of dusky clary sage and peppery spices. The clove is prominent and gives a brisk and assertive character. L’Homme winds up being as an excellent vetiver/spice/wood scent. Every element develops and interacts in a very satisfying manner. A warming cool-weather scent.

5th April, 2008.

The citrus opening is quite good but extremely short lasting. It disappears quickly because the allspice rising from the heart notes comes on strong very quickly into the opening. This allspice note is balanced with a nutmeg note in an accord that dominates most of the fragrance. It is an engaging accord — it could be looked at as either an extra aromatic nutmeg or a partially grounded cloves; whatever... the combination is addictive. The pepper also contributes to the aromatic abundance of the middle but in a more subtle way than the allspice of the top. The clary sage cools down the excess warmth of the allspice, nutmeg, and pepper, while at the same time, it builds further on to the enchanting spicy accord. The dry down could be stronger, I believe; it gets very close to the skin, and it is quite a smooth, woody accord — warm and a bit exotic. I’ve tested several of Comptoir Sud Pacifique fragrances, and this is by far my favorite: It is daring; it is refined; it is masculine; it is wearable. It could last longer but it is still a very good fragrance. (Edit of 23 October 2007 review.)

23rd October, 2007. (Last Edited: 26th September, 2009.)

This Gouverneur seems to be sitting on two chairs. There's a core - a formalish old-shool male cologne, and a shell - CSP's signature sweet tropical spice syrup, and the twain don't exactly meet. Not a bad scent altogether, but there is something synthetic and unfinished about it.

6th January, 2007.

I really like this one and find it very versatile. It is warm and spicy enough for cooler weather, but soft and fresh enough for warmer weather. It's also quite light, which makes it easy to wear in the daytime. All around, a nice scent that won't get too many negative reactions from others but is still distinct enough to keep you from melting into a sea of Allure Homme Sport.

30th December, 2006.

I first tried this during the summer, and was completely under-whelmed by the spice/tropics combination. However, trying it again in the late fall, I am much happier with this scent. Allspice for sure, as well as touches of cumin and a bit of soapy overtones. This is one I will save to buy a bottle of to have in chilly weather to remind me of both the sun and smell of burning leaves.

5th November, 2006.