Gucci pour Homme (original) (1976)
by Gucci

I smell something brined when this fragrance is first applied, specifically pickles. Does anyone else smell pickles?

15th January, 2012.

The original Gucci Pour Homme and the later Tom Ford's version perfectly represents the two peaks of Gucci's success. The first one back in the 70's when the Gucci family was at the top of their popularity and always protagonist in the main fashion magazines. A family surrounded by mistery, intrigues and extreme luxury and elegance. In this context Gucci Pour Homme (original) was perfectly fitting the bill with a superbe combination of woods (mainly cedar), deep leather, pipe tobacco and some floral notes (lavander and bergamot). A complex composition, that's rich and elegant but not too mannered and one of those perfumes that we can't forget. Great!

In the late 80's the big success of the house started to decline due to several conflicts and scandals in the Gucci's family, but fortunately Tom Ford came in and saved the brand from oblivion. 1999-2003 (perhaps 2004) was the best period for Gucci and the new Gucci Pour Homme, was the expression of those creative years and one of the last good releases form this (once) gorgeous maison.

19th April, 2011. (Last Edited: 11th May, 2011.)

Some thirty five years after this reviewer was handed a miniature of the green and red lined bottle as a nine year old, I remain as awed now as I was then.

The phases are all assertive and designed to make an impression. From the lavender/herbal/citrus opening, the subsequent soapy episode through to the high quality cedar middle, and into the seasoned leather finish. Longevity and sillage appear to have been prerequisites, as the purpose of Gucci Pour Homme was surely to impress the socks off anyone that came into contact with it.

It is unapologetically masculine,and there does not appear to have been a single compromise during its formulation. It cannot conceivably have been created anywhere other than mid-seventies Italy, and most likely premiered by moustachioed Maserati salesmen firing their charges along a sun-kissed autostrada.Quite superb

1st April, 2011. (Last Edited: 2nd April, 2011.)

A beautifully balanced and assured fragrance that straddles the line between leather chypre and fougère. After a flourish of citrus and barbershop lavender top notes, the original Gucci pour Homme settles into a supremely dignified, yet rugged accord of patchouli, labdanum, sandalwood, cedar, leather, and spices. Above this lies a collection of aromatics, among which I detect clary sage, geranium, and lingering lavender. It’s a complex arrangement, but tightly integrated; rich, but not oppressively heavy. What impresses me immediately about the original Gucci pour Homme is how effectively the astringent aromatics and woods offset the sweet resins.

Gucci pour Homme develops in a traditional manner, morphing slowly through a cycle of accords as it ages. As the aromatics drift away smoky leather and woods – especially cedar – assert themselves more firmly, with a result suggestive of pipe tobacco, riding tack, and a recently extinguished fireplace. At this stage I’m inclined to agree with foetidus that Gucci pour Homme parallels Équipage rather closely in style. It’s the softer and more balsamic of the two, but the congruities are very apparent. The drydown relaxes into leather, moss, labdanum and woods, with all the assurance of the big 1970s and 1980s masculines, but none of the expected bombast. This assertive, yet balanced style of masculine perfumery survives today in scents like Azzaro pour Homme, Tuscany Uomo, Équipage, Or Black, Aramis, and Lauder for Men. Too bad the original Gucci pour Homme no longer stands beside them to carry the banner.

25th March, 2011.

If you took the peach out of Mitsouko and added more leather and musk you'd end up with something close to Halston Limited. If you took the rose out of Limited but increased the presence of lemon and woods, you'd get Gucci Pour Homme. I love the first two so it's only natural that I'm so attracted to this. GPH smells rich, but doesn't seem to shout; it seems to bear itself like a man who doesn't know his vast worth or just doesn't care how others feel about him. Very nearly as good as Gucci's later Nobile, and leagues better than anything they've released since.

24th January, 2011.

There's never been another men's fragrance like it, and nobody knows why Gucci decided to fob off their new formulas as "Pour Homme." There's no comparison; the old formula was subtle and warm, while the new stuff is not even distinguished, it's kind of ordinary. This discontinued scent isn't going to impress the ball-caps-and-gold-chains boys who can't tell the difference between any of the 100 versions of "Cool Water" and "Polo" out there, with their chemical bite. The old version of Gucci Pour Home was a spicy, citrus, woody miracle that really did smell different on whomever wore it. Gucci should at least give it another shot in a limited edition. Some of us would pay well for it As it is, we have to troll around e-bay for the remains, which is a drag because colognes fade fast when they're that old. That's the only bad thing I can say about the discontinued version of Gucci Pour Homme.

25th November, 2009.