Roger & Gallet pour L'Homme (1993)
by Roger & Gallet

Roger & Gallet seem to be the most ubiquitous, yet mysterious perfume house around. Check out their website...it's downright oblique. One minute your favorite drugstore has all their products, the next week none. They have no popular classics, yet all their wares are familiar. They had an amazing scent called "L'Homme" that came out in 1982 and the only way to get it was to send away for it. And this was before scent strips. Do they make it or don't they? Do they have it or not? Where on Earth can I find it? Why is it $10.00 here and $310.00 there? Tres bizarre!
Which brings us to "Pour L'Homme" (not to be confused with "L'Homme" or "L'Homme Essential") I found a mini of it on one of my thrift store runs. Pollux's review of the olfactory elements are spot on and I don't have much to add. Except that's it quite excellent and "classy" as one might expect from this venerable European house. I get a very faint peppery accord throughout that is compelling without being obnoxious. This would be perfect for the office or any occasion that finds a man in a good suit. Pollux mentioned it's hard to find. And I believe him!

1st February, 2011.

I bought Roger & Gallet pour L'Homme (R&GPL'H) a couple of years ago because it reminded me of a long lost EdT, namely, Nina Ricci's Signoricci 1 - don't confuse it with Signoricci 2, this one later becoming Signoricci plain and simple.

There is no much information on R&GPL'H on the Internet, so I do not have any references as to this EdT's pyramid. Let me say it is a fougere on the tradition of the strong ones, maybe a product of perfume styles in fashion during the 1980's and thus influencing early 1990's designs.

Top notes are orange / bergamot-like: the term means that it might be identified as a citric scent, but as a matter of fact it is not. This citric-like character is far from the ethereal feeling common in well known citric creations like Dior's Eau Sauvage. In this case, it feels pungent and heavy to the nose because of the presence of civet. This extends to middle notes, while in the base notes there are leather / whiskey-like accords expressed in a talcum powder context. I might venture to say R&GPL'H is linear, but this attribute does not harm its quality and originality. It is based in bergamot, as the current fashion dictates, but it does it with a very classic twist, thus escaping the "acquatic - freshness template" so common today. This might tell you it is not a Summer / Spring scent, rather a Winter scent. R&GPL'H's style is rather conservative, thus, it would be suitable for conservative youngster and adults.

Under acidic skin pH, longevity as well as sillage are notorious, but after and hour or so it becomes a scent sticking closely to the skin. Be aware thus this might not be so in perfume-friendly skins .- which is not my case.

R&GPL'H's price is quite convenient, however, not easy to find.

8th March, 2009. (Last Edited: 2nd January, 2011.)