Tricorn (1941)
by Caswell-Massey

A classic and quite enjoyable concoction of spicy sandalwood and amber that in the drydown gets not too distant from Maitre Parfumeur Et Gantier Santal Noble. Personally I stuck with the Jean-Francois Laporte's version for its boldness and compelling power but Tricorn could definitely be a nice alternative if you don't like to be challenged by your fragrance.

3rd August, 2011. (Last Edited: 5th August, 2011.)

A spicy, sandalwood, vanilla concoction. The dry down reminds me of both chanel egoiste and L'Occitane Eav du Bavx, with the CM fitting somewhere between those two with a more pronounced cinnamon note. Longevity is great and overall this is a decent fragrance especially given the price point.

1st April, 2011.

I can't imagine anyone in the twenty-first century who would wear Tricorn *naturally* -- it is distinctly old-fashioned. The medicinal quality many observe contributes to this effect. Some people may remember Balsam di Malta, an antique dental astringent -- the powerful benzoin accord with which Tricorn begins smells startlingly like that. Yet that opening dries down quickly, leaving behind what Redbeard calls "creamy wood": an enduring amber-cedar-sandalwood-cinnamon glow, warm but unsentimental. Like it.

9th March, 2011.

So far, my favorite "winter" CM scent. Lesson #1: don't sniff the inside of the cap, because you'll be deceived! Tricorn's reaction with the metal gives it a rank character that almost got it relegated to my shit list. That being said, Tricorn is a sharp, slightly medicinal spiced sandalwood that lasts pretty well and sometimes dries down to a sort of faux-Egoiste on me. Maybe I'd call it somewhere between Egoiste and Bel Ami because it's a bit more leathery or herbal, with some components of an 80s powerhouse, but not enough to actually make it become one. Deep within the sprayed spot, if I spray a lot, I find many different intriguing "colors" of sweet but bracing wood, and this is something that I've never found to such an extent before; it's more creamy like Egoiste or Zino if I exhale on it first, but cooler and sharper, with vetiver and eucalyptus if I don't. Later, it becomes more of a potpourri-like wood scent as cinnamon starts to peek its head out from under the receding sharper notes. One problem is that the spice combination in the base has a bit in common with the infamous Urinal Cake spice combo, but because the remaining creamy wood prevents it from going completely down the pisser, so to speak, this is only a minor problem. And the icing on the cake is that this sandalwood scent is much better for me than CM Sandalwood itself, which I had to chuck because it was so soapy and florid.

27th February, 2010.

A delightful spicy sandalwood creation, with an initial "hit" of simplicity, but winding down to a more elegant "take" with class, and yes, a "tailored" image hinted at by previous comments. Very nicely done..a perfect day time frag for office and general daily wear.

20th June, 2009. (Last Edited: 18th July, 2009.)

I recently bought the little sample pack of Caswell-Massey's men's colognes for my friend, since he wants a scent to go along with his new fashion style. It's a good deal, since it contains 5 classics.

Tricorn is his favorite. It has an aroma of sandalwood with spices and a hint of florals. It is *very* sweet, probably too much vanilla. It's not particularly sophisticated, but not unpleasant.

I'm happy he likes it It's too sweet and simple for my taste, but, hey, i'm not wearing it. And it isn't bad, just not outstanding or as complex as i prefer. I think i'd like it more if the sandalwood was stronger and the overall scent was woodier and less vanilla or whatever is giving it its sweetness.

27th March, 2009.