L'Eau D'Issey pour Homme (1994)
by Issey Miyake

A massive 1994 hit from Jacques Cavallier, I dare say L'Eau D'Issey pH was the inspiration behind the wildly successful Armani's 1996 release, Acqua di Gio. Fortunately for me it fell short of achieving the latter's insane popularity and thus remains sufficiently obscure, at least in my part of the world. Guys, women adore this scent even if you find it a little too safe. Let no amount of hype detract from the fact that this scent truly belongs in the pantheon of great fresh/aquatic fragrances.

Aquatic fruits and floral. Strong sillage and longevity. Over hyped and overpraised.
A mega-hit with the kinder that have moved up from Curve, as well it should be.
Bottom line? If you like Acqua di Gio you'll probably like this one.
I yawn in your general direction.

Issey Miyake L'Eau D'Issey pour Homme


Guilty pleasures I have many. I love fine food and will pay lots of money for a tasting menu at one of my favorite chef's restaurants. On the other hand some nights there is nothing like a Burger King Whopper with cheese. There are times I sit there chewing thinking this is better than anything I have ever eaten before. As in life so it is with perfume. I have found a number of niche aquatic scents that I love but there are some days when I wear Jacques Cavallier's 1994 creation for Issey Miyake, L'Eau D'Issey pour Homme, that I think this is still the best. L'Eau D'Issey pour Homme is Perfume 101 for many colognoisseurs and rightfully so. It has been a staple scent of the fresh, aquatic category and is many perfume wearers aquatic of choice. One reason is it is probably one of the longest lasting in this category of scent. It is the only one I own that I have to be careful not to spray too much on and I don't have to worry about freshening it up later in the day. That is a big advantage. The other reason is it just is a good, solid scent. Yes there are better out there, a few. There are many much worse, a lot. From the top L'Eau D'Issey pour Homme blows in on a fresh breeze of citrus with yuzu taking the lead but there is a slight hit of coriander and sage to give a little unexpected depth to the top. The heart takes those and adds some spices with a little more heft to them as nutmeg, cinnamon and saffron deepen the development. They are joined by a green geranium note. The base goes all woody fresh with a light mix of sandalwood, vetiver and a touch of amber. L'Eau D'Issey pour Homme is the epitome of a linear scent starting off light and increasing in weight and depth thorughout. It has a nice sillage to it to add to its already mentioned longevity. Just as when I sit at Burger King eating my Whopper; L'Eau D'Issey pour Homme manages to bring the same guilty smile to my face, as big as it gets.

I don't usually try to discuss all the notes, only what it will smell like after an hour or so, so you really know what you're getting.. For me, after an hour this stuff smells exactly like Lemon Shaving Cream.... now that is not bad, if I shaved with cream and a razor, this would be exactly what i would want to smell like, so it is masculine.. but it smells like "something" ya know, I like colognes that don't smell like something so apparent, and this just makes me think Barbasol..... sweeter and stronger than Acqua, but similar, would go with this over Acqua for sure, lasts longer too... Will say honestly I've gotten more compliments from this than any other frag though, however still not my favorite..

Hmmm this is a tough one for me. I bought this cologne strictly from hype. Cologne forums etc. Now this cologne does smell good, don't get me wrong, but there's no way it lives up to what everyone told me. Very much like aqua di gio. Haven't really worn this one much.

Do I think it smells good? 4/5
Compliments from the ladies? N/a
Overall 4/5

This one is insane!

The opening is powerfully fresh. Almost too fresh - it smells somewhat like laundry detergent. And yet...! Something in the middle stops it from becoming just that. After the initial blast comes a very fresh and invigorating floral mixture that, on my skin, lasts for an eternity. Beneath all that I-just-smelled-a-beautiful-and-delicious-flower-on-a-summer-afternoon stuff there hides a note of musk that doesn't let itself known until a little later. It's elusive but powerfully masculine - it reminds me of cigarettes somehow.

Amazing smell. I think I'm sold. No wonder it's so popular.