Cravache (1963)
by Robert Piguet

This is a nice scent that in its original version used to be GREAT. This reformulation will appeal to everybody into Eau De Cologne kind of things. There's plenty of fragrances like this out there. Better and cheaper, or if you prefer better and expensier. You choose. So bad I havent put my hands on the original version.

2nd April, 2011. (Last Edited: 3rd April, 2011.)

The latest incarnation of Cravache has been criticized harshly for not being the original, but taken on its own merits it’s not a bad scent. The opening is a pleasantly bitter-tart accord of lemon and petitgrain, over which builds an intensely aromatic arrangement that aligns loosely with citrus-chypre styled classics like Eau Sauvage and Chanel Pour Monsieur. It’s richer and heavier than a traditional eau de Cologne, but neither mossy enough to read as a chypre nor sweet enough to feel like a fougère.

The aromatic and citrus core is darkened somewhat over time by a distinct but pleasantly natural nutmeg note and a vetiver which leans a little bit toward licorice. The whole composition hums along at moderate intensity and without much further evolution for perhaps four hours before entering its vetiver-based woody drydown. While Cravache is agreeable and dignified at every stage, there’s nothing remarkable about it. In a line that includes Fracas, Bandit, Futur, and Visa, Cravache smells disappointingly timid. It’s a comfortable scent, to be sure, but among the more substantial alternatives to a classic eau de Cologne, Eau Sauvage, Cristalle, Eau de Rochas, Eau de Guerlain, and Eau de Cartier all leave Cravache feeling faintly pedestrian by comparison.

13rd August, 2010.

I've never encountered the original Cravache which I understand is considerably better than this current formulation. Nonetheless I have to confess to enjoying this new Cravache very much. Its citrus all the way here and the vetiver/patchouli base really fleshes it all out. Its a very formal citrus indeed. This is not a carefree summer fragrance. It is indeed fresh and bracing but in a smart and slightly stiff way. Everyone talks about how the leather note has been removed and this seems to be the main gripe with this reformulation. Strangely, to my nose there is a definite soft leather note. Its subtle and very much in the background. It doesn't last though and eventually the patchouli becomes dominant with the lingering freshness of the vetiver remaining to the end.
Overall this is a very masculine, formal citrus floral in my books. Not something I regularly reach for but it certainly earns its place in my wardrobe. Definitely one to try if you can find.

17th May, 2010.

Brylcreem, tuxedos, ocean liners come to mind --- very old school, very masculine. I usually shy away from these types of men's scents, but have to take my hat off to this lovely herbal spicy and citrusy mix. Reminds me a bit of Rive Gauche with citrus overtones. Might be slightly restrictive in terms of when to wear.

3rd June, 2009.

Reviewing the reissue. Classic EdC style with a more floral heart and a great and pleasant mix of herbs and citrus. Inoffensive but formal. Very nice.

30th May, 2009.

i haven´t had the possibility to smell the original cravache but the the reformulated and reissued cravache is a huge disappointment, specially when you know that bandit and baghari, two perfumes of piguet have been reformulated fantastically and smell great.Cravache is a cheap, boring citrus scent and i always felt a bad taste of lliquorice....very unsettling note...-nothing interesting and definitely does not make you dream of more.........an older friend told me that the old cravache had a trace of leather and another ingredient was bergamot-so this one is something totally different!by the way if you look for intelligent,good masculine fragrances then i recommend the classical and timeless scents as eau sauvage by dior-azzarro pour homme-vetiver by guerlain-habit rouge-troisieme homme by caron-aramis for men-lauder for men.If you want to dare it: cuir de russie by chanel, bandit by piguet.

10th April, 2009.