Rochas Lui (2003)
by Rochas

I have to agree with Trebor, ROCHAS LUI smells like a better-judged but darker version of the new (not original) Gucci pour Homme. The cedar is smooth and assured, performing as a sensible team-player rather than an ill-tempered primadonna. As scentsitivity had earlier on, I too detect a lingering burnt note over the scent's deveoplment. But far from distracting, I actually find it adds a darker more defining edge to this masculine fragrance. Others however may feel differently.

This is an odd one on me. I get two conflicting themes: a bright neroli and dense woody notes. Something smells burnt to me. Is it part of the wood notes? No one else mentions this. Regardless, that burnt smell is something I endure for the whole of the development (and yes, I get the patchouli and vanilla) and it spoils it for me. I think I am a bit of an oddball on this one, so I give it a neutral rating; perhaps it will smell wonderful on you!

luxury redefined..literally. a huge neroli based scent..more like dirtied up neroli. it;s sweetned by lot of wood notes and is presented in an woody/oriental structure. lasts whole day and is excellent for formal or semi formal wears. for those who like Baldessarini concentrate, gucci ph kinda scents, this one's right up the alley. This one is floral at heart and woody on the outside.

Rochas Man is practically everything that Gucci pour Homme wanted to be (but miserably failed). It’s quite woody, yes, but there’s no association with pencil shavings here – just a slightly dark, warm and sensual woody scent (with a generous measure of patchouli and vanilla thrown in, to balance things out). The bottle design is beautiful and simple (and I just love the way it rocks). Longevity is marvellous and its sillage is moderate.

This is an underrated gem that may be in danger of being discontinued – get it while you can!

[Original submission date: 25 May 2008]

I’m not sure I’m smelling what everybody else is here. For me, Rochas Lui starts out with a blast of raw alcohol, followed by harsh, peppery aromatics and a tart – even sour – citrus accord that feels almost like vinegar. Hardly the most promising of introductions. After a few minutes on the skin the tart and peppery notes meld into a pleasantly bittersweet woody-green accord, but the scent doesn’t really come into its own until a very dry and discreet floral note emerges to fill out the heart.

At this point Rochas Lui arrives at a highly distinctive and brilliantly balanced floral/woody/aromatic structure that goes a long way toward redeeming its awkward opening. A very rounded vanilla cushions the base, its sweetness balanced by some very dry cedar and lingering peppery accents. I’m fascinated by the way this foundation binds vanilla and wood in an accord that is neither edible nor indulgent. These sugar-free woody vanilla harmonics remind me of very little else, except perhaps for the late stages of Molinard’s classic Habanita, where vetiver and vanilla meld into a similarly cozy-but-firm construct.

Others have described Rochas Lui as an eau de Cologne variant or an old-fashioned barbershop scent, but I think the conspicuous green notes and vanilla distance it from traditional eaux de Cologne, while the apparent absence of lavender in the heart bars it from barbershop territory. Rochas Lui offers persistent sillage and endures for several hours on the skin, but (unlike earlier reviewers,) I do not find it intrusive or overpowering. To me it is a dignified, but never stuffy scent of distinguished character, and (again like Habanita,) one of the fragrance world’s great bargains.

This is quickly becoming my favorite fragrance. It is so special that it sometimes makes my favorite Givenchy Gentleman feel as a mainstream scent.

I am using this during the evening and on special occasions and I can tell you that I smell like no one in my vicinity. It feels so different despite the patchouli presence. These days, I sense patchouli everywhere.

Very masculine and very special scent. Makes you feel confident, classy and unique. It lasts very long on my skin.

And the bottle is stylish, very 70-ties which I like a lot.

This is a true gem.