Narciso Rodriguez for Him (2007)
by Narciso Rodriguez

What's with all the negative reviews? This is a fabulous fragrance! If someone asked me to describe this immediately, I'd describe it as Eucris on amphetamines. Basically it smells to me like a very dark green, almost charcoal gray, chypre with countless spice, pepper and wood notes providing a dazzling backdrop to the dark green base.

This is a VERY complex fragrance, so much that it risks spinning out of control into a pretentious mess, but it never does. All of these dry spicy and woody notes do come together and work in harmony, like an orchestra playing a dark Mahler funeral march. Although I agree that NRFH has an overall dark and brooding feel, the violet leaf, spice and woods give this fragrance real masculine bite, and it lifts it above being a depressing slog.

NRFH is definitely not for everyone, and it is FAR from being a typical mainstream masculine. This is probably part of the reason for all the negative reviews. I find it to be fascinating - a union of the traditional mossy masculine chypre with the modern spicy and woody masculine. This is an outstanding fragrance.

MY RATING: 8.5/10

Here we have the most pronounced difference between two formulations of the same scent that I have ever witnessed.

Narciso Rodriguez for Him:
Fruity violet leaves morph into a poisonous witch's brew of ghastly bitter greens with unabashedly fake amber and patchouli accents. Unwearable.

Narciso Rodriguez Musc for Him is an oil, and is so much different and better than the original that it really should be labeled separately in the forum...maybe it will be some day.

As far as I can tell, Narciso Rodriguez wants us to believe that this is a "higher concentration" of the same scent. High concentration, yes, but same scent? No. This stuff is smooth, with just the barest hint of violet leaves and greens, and absolutely none of the terrible bitterness that plagues the base of the EdT. It sticks very close to the skin and projects like an extension of the wearer's skin. It is simultaneously sheer and very satisfying. Obviously, the musk element is amped up here, where it is barely noticeable among the mishmash of foulness in the base of that other version. Not just better than the original, but one of the better modern musks I've had the pleasure of experiencing.

I'm giving a thumbs up, but NOT for the original EdT. Get Musc for Him or don't get it.

I'm afraid it's wet blanket time for Narciso Rodriguez.

Narciso Rodriguez goes on with very bright, sweet citrus notes and a watery melon accord that moves quickly into the foreground. Backing the melon is a commonplace, bare, pencil shavings cedar reconstruction. The tutti-frutti accord doesn’t persist, and I have no complaints about that. Its retreat reveals the abrasive woods more fully, along with a pleasantly bitter green note (violet leaf?) and a touch of fresh resin that just might be cypress. As it dries down the scent continues to dry up – becoming more stark, aromatic, and woody by the minute. What eventually emerges is a blend of still-bitter green notes, reconstituted cedar, some sharp vetiver and a dose of light musk. Nice enough, but far from earth-shattering, and a real letdown after the outstanding Narciso Rodriguez for Her. Go get the one for girls instead. It's woody enough for a guy to wear and it's a heck of a lot more interesting than this.

After a sniff of soapy detergent I could smell the smooth note of violet leaf. Finally a rich green male fragrance. Dense and dark as a forest. I like it!

Once Tania said it was "a well-made fragrance for mean, forgettable people" I knew I had to have it. And, in the winter, she was right. It smelled like cold concrete. Bare, harsh and mean. But I put it on again today in the warmth of spring and was very surprised by the difference. It is lovely and totally inoffensive. The concrete is still there, but now it is beneath my feet, and the world is filled with green notes. This is modern and substantial but not beautiful or glorious. I enjoy the construction and the idea, but I fear that it will never rise from the middle of the pack. Except in the deep winter.

My best violet scent. This is good and unique!