Reviews of Le Dandy (1923)
by D'Orsay

Is it an oldie? Is a new designer scent from 2003? Who knows? Le Dandy seems difficult to place as the benchmark fragrance for dandies at the turn of the century. Dandy is certainly a gourmand fragrance with an opening of bergamot and Oriental spices like mace, nutmeg, cardammom, a touch of ginger, and a dash of cinnamon to warm its composure followed by bourbon, vanilla, tonka, musk, and a sprinkling of powdery florals such as carnation and geranium. Le Dandy is certainly a nice winter scent, but it is spicy, heavy, and sweet. It has all the body of a 2000s something designer fragrance with all the dressings of an Edwardian classic. Le Dandy is a good experience for experienced noses, but heed my advice, experienced as it is a delight, but probably not that wearable.

All historically-incorrect information aside, Le Dandy (the reformulation) is a very elegant, crisp fragrance. It is an EDT but has excellent sillage--esp. when I use fragrance-free moisturiser on my skin to help it "stick." The ginger note stands out and mingles well with the deeper tobacco and cognac. This fragrance is not for the shy; it is brazen but not obnoxiously so. It is indeed like a Georgian or early Victorian dandy: opulent, elegant, inviting attention and admiration. It is suitable for both men and women, although marketed as a men's scent. (I understand the original formulation in the 1920s was taken up by "flappers" of the time.)

The name of this scent comes as no surprise for the original launch of the fragrance to promote the company's adopted namesake of Count d'Orsay, whom the company made out to be a parfumeur in a clever marketing campaign. In actuality, the company was formed in 1908 by partners Siegfried, Berg, Fink and Van Dyck. (Check with Prince Barry on this one, "The Perfume Handbook," second edition, and Ken Leach's "Perfume Presenations.")

I would categorise this scent as unique and unlike much of what is in production.

D'Orsay Le Dandy

The metrosexual of the turn of the 17th century was called a Dandy and we have come a long way in the two hundred or so years since that term was popular. Although I imagine two hundred years from now we'll be snickering at metrosexual, too. What both terms are trying to describe are a man of the times current in all things from fashion to politics. Smack dab in the middle, somewhere in the early 1920's, Le Dandy was released by Parfums D'Orsay. In 1998 Dominic Preysass updated Le Dandy and it was re-released. With that update Le Dandy had the opportunity to find its 21st century constituency. Back in the times when the term Dandy was used it was meant to convey a man aspiring to aristocratic values, the same can be said of Le Dandy as the dominant notes give off the sense of a smoking parlor and the men conversing after dinner in those long ago times. The top is dominated with a boozy accord that the note list calls whisky but it comes off more cognac-like to my nose. This is paired with a great anise note that really complements the liquor accord. Tobacco makes its appearance next as this scent lights up its metaphorical after-dinner cigars. The heart is a beautiful mix of spices with ginger being the most predominant of the mix. Ginger is an excellent choice as it carries some sweet and strengthens the sweet present in the tobacco. The base is a mix of woods for which I get some sandalwood and cedar, mostly. Again it is the use of the slightly sweet woods which delicately finish this off in grand style. I haven't had the opportunity to try the original vintage version but M. Preysass has created a scent that would make an 18th century Dandy or this 21st century Metrosexual happy to wear.

Once again, Vibert is right on the money with his review.

I found Le Dandy to be a terribly anemic and boozy fruit cocktail, which failed to leave any lasting impression (well, during the extremely brief period that it was present on my skin). I have no idea what the original formulation smelt like but, based on its reputation, it must have been far better than this.

[Original submission date: 25 May 2008]

I recently purchased a small vintage bottle of Le Dandy. it looks like it might be from the 40s or 50s. I didn't hold out much hope for the liquid inside, but it turned out to be wonderful. At first, I thought it smelled feminine; not like today's feminines, rich and seductive, lush and secretive. But that was just the beginning. I could not stop sniffing myself. The drydown was even better than the beginning. It lasted about six hours on my skin but much longer on my hair and clothing. Now I am afraid to buy a modern bottle of the stuff; I can't imagine it would be this good after the reformulations.

I am a real sucker for strong, sweet and sticky fruit notes and so it is impossible for me to resist this one.
Le Dandy is all about dried plums and raisins, caramel apples and fresh dates. It is ridiculously sweet and strong, plus it lasts on you around the clock whether you like it or not.

I suspect fans of thick and sweet fruity orientals such as Egoiste will like this one, although I can see it definitely being too sweet for some.

The name can be very misleading, depending on how you see the term “dandy”. But Le Dandy is no refined fragrance in a slightest bit, it is flamboyant and extremely offensive.

Well if were to have sampled this blind I would have sworn that this was Michael Kors for Men or a partial knock-off of Opium pour Homme. This is a sweet, boozy and fruity spice that's very domineering. There's nothing quite like it? Well I suppose there are contemporary options. but this is nice.

At first it was all pineapple-y! But that only lasts seconds. Then it becomes a very sweet, vegetable (carrot?), rum, caramel scent. I'd almost liken it to a caramel sweetness. But again, that doesn't last long either! Maybe 3 hours of sweetness. Then it dries down to a musky, cinnamon-y smell, with a musky vanilla base that reminds me of Le Male. After the top-notes of pineapple subside, it's really a lot like Femme de Dandy (for women). Femme de Dandy is a bit more floral, whereas Le Dandy is definitely FOODY. It's a foody-fragrance. Yum!

A very sweet, boozy, and pot-pourrit like smell. Very high longevity and good sillage but you will still find yourself bringing your wrist to your nose often to smell it. It is hard to resist. It smells very sweet but not feminine.

finally tried this this afternoon when i was in fortnum's, and Oh My God. i'm in absolute love, i'll be ordering a 200ml bottle as soon as i can find my wallet!

i'm a fan of booze and fruit, the last thing i bought featuring both was michael by michael kors. but whereas the wonderful michael is (to me) very much an evening scent, to be worn with an expensive suit, a crisp white shirt, a pack of gauloise and seven double rums (i'm thinking matusalem gran reserva) in a sort of predatory sexual way, le dandy is a whole different kettle of fish.

there is none of michael's heady smoky sleazy booze, instead there is more of a true tobacco note, with figs and prunes swimming in a warm whiskey/brandy cloud. this is very much a daytime fragrance as well as being eminently suitable for evenings too, perhaps due to its sweet fruit, but the overall composition is mellowed by the tobacco enough to allow for it to adapt to, i think, any situation - perhaps only a spritz or two if the occasion is more sober, and with wild abandon if circumstance permits. i normally hate vanilla, but in the last of the drydown i'm detecting the barest hint of it, in the creamy powdery woods at its finish - and i love it. utterling fabulous.

Quite simply, this is one of the most beautiful fragrances ever created for men.

This is sweet, alcoholic in its whisky accord, spicy like the most exotic of dusky maidens and with an itch-you-cannot-scratch addictive nose to skin appeal that most design houses would kill to achieve.

This is so unique and beautiful a fragrance it almost seems a travesty to recommend it to others.

It lasts for ages, it has good sillage, but it gives so, so much more. Its evolution is complex and teasingly long lasting. The final drydown lasts the eons of time it takes stars to devolve.

This is a beautiful fragrance, achingly so.

Top note surfers may miss the point completely. They are the kind of people for whom a Crazy Larry car advert is too demanding on their attention span.

Le Dandy is quite simply a masterpiece.

Sampling it blind, I'd have guessed Le Dandy to be a designer scent from the 1990s - which is, I suppose, exactly what the reformulation is. The top notes are fruit punch, with a few extra tablespoons of sugar thrown in just for good measure. It's way too sweet for my poor nose, and blatantly synthetic to boot. The whole Juicyfruit accord eventually fades a bit to reveal a scrawny base of woods. The merest hint of leather drifts by an hour or more into the development, and that's about it.

Given its reputation, Le Dandy is one of the most disappointing scents that I've encountered. The opening smells cheap and commonplace, the base is anemic, and what development there is is painfully clumsy. I find it hard to believe that Le Dandy of 1923 smelled anything like this travesty. If you want tropical fruits and woods, try either Creed's Virgin Island Water or Maitre Parfumeur et Gantier's Bahiana. Both play this hand with far greater panache.

Alas! I had such high hopes based on all the buzz in the BN forums, but my hopes were dashed.
A timeless classic? A gentlemen's club from the 1920's? Boozy and heady whiskey?

More like a fruity wine spritz cocktail with seven-up. All that's missing is the paper umbrella.

Still, if you like the (to me) strange notes, drink up!

The opening is a strong anise note that is sweet and slightly effervescent. It reminded me strongly of The Dreamer by Versace.

I like sweet scents, so I was okay with Le Dandy's sweetness. But I am not that fond of SWEET anise notes in my frags - it reminds me too much of pastries or specifically biscotti (another biscotti smelling scent is Sticky Cake by Comme de Garcons).

For me, it doesn't live up to its name. It's not warm and rich and boozy enough. It's more of a sweet, light, fruity scent, apples and pears or apple or pear soda even, kind of sparkly like that. Not a dandy but a young pretty model in a frilly version of dandy clothing.

Le Dandy is a warm, spicy slight strong boozy fragrance that is just a touch too sweet for me. It takes a dash of the dandy in your lifestyle to get away with this. It would make no sense to wear this with very crubby clothes; or with very ordinary "Everyman" apparel. The name says something, so take that into consideration. It would compliment a man who cares about how he looks and dresses, and likes warm spicy fragrances. This reminds me a bit of JHL, which I am using this Fall to increasingly good effect. Since I already have JHL, I have enough whiskey in the bathroom for now. I would not be surprised , however, if I went to Le Dandy when the JHL runs out and I can't get it anymore.

Joe

Smells like the cinnimon air freshener we have in our bathroom. Or some type of scented christmas candle. 24, Ca, USA

A very interesting mix of whiskey and tobacco notes. Although the whiskey note was interesting, to me it made the scent a bit too sweet. Definitely worth a try atleast.

Absolutely intoxicating, it makes my eyes roll whenever I take a big whiff. Like warm brandied figs with cinnamon. Strong and long lasting. This is perfect for a romantic evening at a bar/restaurant in some tucked away private corner.

Incredibly unique. The tobacco, whiskey, and fruits combine to create a mixture that smells surprisingly like apple cider. Reminds me of a warm home during late fall or early winter. Lasts a long time, spectacular projection, not ridiculously expensive when compared to similar quality fragrances. Simply a winner in every category.

If Le Dandy is an indication, they were not the “good old days”: they were the GREAT old days. They certainly did things right in 1923—what a fantastic fragrance! Warm and effervescent, spicy and comforting, woody and rich fruity. Its plum, tobacco, and whiskey accords are dangerously addictive. It has great sillage and fantastic longevity. I bought it for evenings and holidays, and, when I mist discreetly, it’s great for the office. Phenomenal!

It's very hard to write a review of this scent without gushing like a maniac. It's one of my signature scents, a glowing warm mix of liquor, tobacco, and creamy woods. This is one of the fragrances that never fails to elevate my mood when I apply it, and it lasts over eight hours on my skin. Rare, but all the better that way!

Boozy tobacco and spices with a powdery wood base. It reminds me of Egoiste transported to a speakeasy.

I just wanted to point out that the reintroduced scent under this name is nothing whatsoever like the old scent by d'Orsay, which was one of my mother's all time favorite perfumes.

Anyone whom knows me, is aware that I'm a HUGE D'Orsay fan. The tobacco, whiskey, spices (armagnac, ginger) and wood combination create a VERY different experience. Not a shy one, it will announce the wearer. In an extremely pleasant way. Perfect for an evening out.

This is one scent that I have a lot of fun wearing. It seems to be what I classify as a "fun" fragrance with all the depth and character of a sophistated scent. The top notes are strong with tobacco and whisky, while also giving place to a fruity accord that lends cheer to the typical "dark"-ness of the aforementioned notes. The middle is a surprisingly long-lasting spice, dominated by ginger, which blends masterfully with the other levels of the fragrance. Finally, the scent is rounded out by some rich woods and balsam, which lend a strong base of longevity to the scent. Wear this scent if you feel unpredictable and playfully impulsive as it could function well within the range of a casual, office, evening, or meditative scent. A wondeful and classic addition to anyone's collection.