Reviews of Macassar (1980)
by Rochas

I truly dig this strange brew. Compared to what I am accustomed to, this is almost a foreign aroma that possess great sillage and the longevity ( for me) is off the charts.

Absinthe, Gaiacwood and Macassar mixed with tobacco flower,cedar and sandalwood is a strong potion indeed. Once again, we have a powerhouse that genuinely is not for everyone. This fragrance is eclectic and strong with a unique signature that is most assuredly masculine.

This is more macho than Havana. DAMN!!!

Rochas Macassar

Every once in a while I want to wear something that leaves a fragrant trail behind me. Much like in the old Looney Tunes cartoons featuring Pepe Le Pew when his scent is depicted in a colorful cloud emanating from his tail. Not that I want to smell like Pepe Le Pew, mind you. When I get in that mood I almost always look to the powerhouse section of my wardrobe and the scents that were created in the late 70's and early 80's. These are masculine scents that wear gold chains, shirts unbuttoned down to their navel, and Italian leather shoes. They're not subtle, they are a sign of their times, and the shoes still look good. Rochas Macassar which was created in 1980 by Nicolas Mamounas is a perfect example of this style of perfumery and at least for me still works when I'm in the right mood for it. The top is a mix of absinthe and pine. This gives it a slightly astringent, medicinal quality which somehow keeps its balance on my skin. The heart is a mix of the clove-like quality of carnation and the rose-like quality of geranium mixed with a healthy dose of patchouli. Here is where the power of Macassar really comes to the fore. The carnation really picks up the astringency of the top notes and carries it to a deeper more comfortably aromatic space as the geranium and the patchouli complete the transition. The base is where Macassar really shows off its hairy chested masculinity with a mix of vetiver, oakmoss, and musk all in support of a fine, deep leather accord. The supporting players to the leather really add to the overall feel of the base and make this an extremely satisfying close. Needless to say Macassar has a lot of sillage to it and lasts a long time as do most of the powerhouses of this era. Macassar is a scent that was unapologetic in its forwardness and I share that quality in my enjoyment of it.

Unlike many of the uber-macho 80's powerhouse frags this one does not reek of fetid mustyness. It does not contain oakmoss, musk, vetiver, patchouli, tonka beans or assorted funguses (or would that be fungi? ) at the base.

Thus Macassar is a pleasant change among CEO's, World Dictators, Mafia Dons, My First Girlfriend, Tarzan of The Apes, 007, Lt. Commander Worf--and Fellow Basenoters.

Come to think of it, how many virile 9+ machometer frags do you know with an absinthe top note?

Does absinthe truly make the heart grow fonder? I'd say it does in this one, a stylish blockbuster!

Macassar is a take-no-prisoners 1980s powerhouse poised (if I dare use the word,) somewhere between the tobacco drenched, Big, Fat, F*&%ing Fougeres like Jules and Havana and the hairy chested leathers like Antaeus and Van Cleef and Arpels. It's a loud, crude scent that wears heavy gold chains under its open shirt and chews with its mouth open, and by today's standards it is hopelessly dated. More a charicature of its genre than any scent I can recall, Macassar is one discontinued "classic" whose passing I do not mourn. Anybody nostalgic for this kind of scent would do well to seek out the much better crafted Jules, Havana, Or Black, or Lauder for Men, all of which pack just as much testosterone without drooling on their shirt fronts.

QUITE DIFFERENT FROM OTHER FRAGRANCES, IT HAS A VERY (SWEET?)NOTE SURPRISING , JUST DELICIOUS!
I CONSIDERING IT A MASTERPIECE, VERY PERSONAL SCENT

If you are looking for a woody, masculine scent with a touch of leather, this is your baby! This is perfect in cool to cold weather, or for a cozy evening by the fire with a special person. Of course, it exudes warmth, elegance, and sophistication in public. Just be careful, if you wear it too well, it might make your S. O. a little jealous!

yes indeed-another great, outsatnding perfume!A masculine,intense and virile scent-individual and special.This scent belongs to the time when really good perfumes still were in production:patou pour homme, ivoire of balmain.And Macassar-what a name-woody,spicy, warm and aromatic-all ingredients in the right mixture-Rochas has launched top perfumes as Femme,Mystere Tocade (for women) and moustache-all these perfumes including macassar will survive and have been made for eternity.Macassar is a wonderful perume for a mature and handsome man.Awsome and gorgeous scent!

It appears that Rochas has indeed re-introduced Macassar - it's on their website.

My friend Marcel reports how one day he accidentally wandered into one of the seediest taverns in the whole of Paris. Peopled by some of the most desperate characters in the city, inevitably filled with the pungent smell of One Man Show, the odd whiff of Yatagan and the blunt reek of Marbert Man, Marcel's fastidious nose detected a stll more acrid odour that simultaneously fascinated and appalled. It seemed to emanate from a huge ruffian in the corner, a certain Gaston "Bad Boy" Gabouche, one of the most feared gangsters in the whole of France. Rather timorously, Marcel approached him and inqired concerning his fragrance. 'Ha, my little potato,' snarled back Gabouche, 'I chew the head off the snake, I bite the metal bullet, my testicles shine like tarnished gold! In my guts there throbs the heartless hum of the city, in my mouth there swirls the cruel bile of ambition! My head is mad with a bitter and masculine juice, for I must never be defeated! What else should I wear but Rochas' own special poison? Pure wild stench of Macassar!'

My husband found this aftershave in the early 80's and it is a truly wonder frangrance, have also searched the web for this aftershave and finally located 3.4 eau de toilette for 92 dollars incl p&p in America classyperfumes.com delivery was quick, and now one happy man! good luck
Valerie Hirst England

I met this perfume almost 20 years ago and I have never found it again. In this forum some indicate that it has returned; however, I have visited several sites to buy on-line and in all them appears like discontinued. Does somebody have some information about where to buy it?

From my point of view it's the most unique fragrance for men I ever had. There was no and there is no simmilar man's fragrance to Macassar.