Dunhill for Men (1934)
by Alfred Dunhill

great scent, fitting to a english bespoke suit and expensive leather shoes. Medium sillage an longetivity on me.

A brilliant subtle leather which remains fresh too. It has the most persistent light presence that I know, this has cologne strength with EDP longevity.

There is a slight metalic note which sits with the leather, like the buckles on the belt a jacket.

Classic.

Now that this is discontinued, I wonder what it was that I was actually smelling at the discount fragrance purveryors over the last few weeks? The bottle is not the attractive clear crystal glass that appears at the head of this review, it was swirled frosted glass, not unlike the one for Edition. It smelled all right, interesting, but not the compelling, ultra-great scent that is the subject of encomia here. And I am a total sap for great traditional fragrances, and would have snapped it up in a second if it had been anywhere near great. I am suspicious and therefore, neutral as to what is now being sold as Dunhill Men.....

Update: April 2008: I found the real Dunhill for Men at the Dunhill in NYC, and have to report it is one of the finest classic mens' fragrances I have ever tried and owned. These are the last bottles (1,000 shipped to the NY Flagship store) that will ever be made, and I bought two. May go back for more. This is a warm, sophisticated, fresh, modern timeless fragrance that is without peer.

Some discount stores sell this, but it is not fresh, and it is IMHO suspect. The real Dunhill for Men is one of the all time greats.

The topnotes are citrus, lavender, warm leather, and a shot of green floral notes that are quite daringly conspicuous in a scent for men. Dunhill's lavender is very soapy at first, so that the initial impression is of a sophisticated barbershop. This is the perfect scent fo Alfred Dunhill: it's solid, impeccably crafted, and (after that initial floral burst,) conservative to the core.

As the citrus and lavender calm down the floral notes meld into a tightly blended accord of vetiver and dry woods. Dunhill's leather is neither the sweet, fruity leather of Royal English Leather, nor the birch tar soaked leather of Creed's Cuir de Russie. Instead it is a very dry, brisk, "sanitized" leather. It's only well into Dunhill's development that it reveals a sweeter, softer aspect. The composition slowly takes on a warmer, almost nutty, character, though plenty of the soapy notes remain in play. Traces of tonka bean and a very gentle almond (heliotrope?) note soften the scent further as it dries down.

Dunhill for Men shares with Blenheim Bouquet and Vintage Tabarome a remarkable ability to project arrogance. There is something in its detached, dry accords that says "You are of no consequence to me." Dunhill for Men is not all that potent, nor does it display any of the brashness common to the 1980s "power scents," but it nonetheless embodies power. Dunhill's power is the power of understatement, the power of the perfectly folded hankerchief, and teh power of aristocratic disdain. It's masculine in that peculiarly sexless manner that's so perfectly depicted in the drawing rooms of 19th century English novels. And why not? It is Dunhill, after all!

I'm a huge fan of Dunhill Edition and got hold of this while I could. I was still surprised, though. Edition is not in the same league as this. Subtle and striking. Simply the best EDC I've ever owned. Highly recommended.

Wow. What else can be said about this fragrance that has not already been said- especially so wonderfully by foetidus and others. Just to add my two cents worth I guess is all I can do. To reiterate- a classic gentlemen's scent if there ever was one. One to wear to the bank. For Dunhill to discontinue this is a travesty. Enjoy while you can.