Monsieur Rochas (1969)
by Rochas

I have the reformulation which is "the pink stuff" as somebody called it. It's not half bad, but it pales against the old stuff. A little leathery. A little cistrusy. A little mossy. It all blends fine but is pretty average.

Wonderful, unobtrusive on me, mild and subtle. Great "old git" scent, paisley dressing gowns. white shirts and prim bow ties. Refined, slightly aloof and faintly aristocratic. Does not raise eyebrows! Quite safe on any occasion, a true classic with absolutely no "shouty" notes.

A fine dry fougère. More than a touch soapy, and very formal. Very, very French, and a little dated (not that there's anything wrong with either of those things). Probably not suitable for anyone under 30. No, make that 40 and impeccably dressed.

A very well-behaved and well-composed fougere in the classic style, but it doesn't strike me as particularly original. It lacks the edge of L'Artisan Parfumeur's Fou d'Absinthe, and it's to some degree outclassed by the occasionally available Crown Fougere. A fine scent, certainly, but not one that piques my enthusiasm.

Everybody's favourite uncle, so his niece Clothilde once observed, he bore the marks of a superb distinction, impeccable taste and rumours of royal connections. Yet he was the most modest of men and possessed of such quiet warmth and charm that you could hardly help but bask in his amiable presence.
Ladies always smiled at him, men acknowledged him respectfully, children felt comforted by his gentle shadow. His symbolic colours, despite that pink and delicate hue, murmured of soft browns flecked with warm tints of gold. His smell: smooth and kindly harmony of reserved herbs and spices, soapy and clean, full of gentleness, nobility and depth.
As his housekeeper so frequently reminded me: 'Ah, that Monsewer Rochas, wot a gent! We'll never see his like again!'

Every real man should have Monsieur Rochas. It's rich, masculine, deep and longlasting. I receive many cumpliments when I'm using this perfume. Only one problem: as it has many notes, some of them reveal more or less depending on the skin, so, try it before buying.