Reviews by k_chandrashekar

    Showing 1 to 17 of 17.
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    Vetyver by Fragonard

    I have long admired and used Guerlain's vetiver, and still regard it a masterpiece.
    But this one, a very different, more austere, take, doing away with the spices and the tobacco of the Guerlain, and substituting them with pine, is a superb rendition too.
    It is elegant, refreshing, crisp and soothing, and has become a favourite summer scent.
    The Fragonard deserves a place in every Vetiver lover's wardrobe.

    24th May, 2007.

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    Héritage by Guerlain

    A great scent.
    I never thought I'd see Creed's wonderful Bois du Portugal bettered; Heritage undid my belief: It is the better of the two.
    A warm scent of consummate depth and character, without ever being overbearing or gaudy, Heritage bests the afore mentioned BdP and Caron's third man as the preferred woody-floral-aromatic for the cooler seasons.
    This is the handiwork of a master.

    12nd May, 2007.

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    Signoricci by Nina Ricci

    The finest citrus scent of them all.
    A masterpiece, with a pitch perfect blending of citrus,herbs, vetiver and woods, that lasts the day through, Signoricci just radiates class, taste and refinement.
    Without question one of the finest examples of great perfumery.

    11th May, 2007.

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    Eau de Rochas Homme by Rochas

    The only citrusy fragrance you're ever likely to need apart from the sublime Signoricci.
    Elegant, tasteful and refreshing, this is a joy to wear.
    Don't pass this one by.

    11th May, 2007.

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    Vetiver Eau Glacée by Guerlain

    Nonsense; Why tamper with a masterpiece?
    The original Guerlain Vetiver is so perfect that the slightest tampering with it can only be, apart from being an egregious display of bad taste, a sin.
    Turn away in disgust and buy the original.

    5th June, 2006.

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    Mouchoir de Monsieur by Guerlain

    The definitive representation, without question, of taste, culture, cultivation, manners, assuredness, and character in a perfume.
    Wear in anywhere and anytime, and please don't indulge in silliness when you do.
    Perfection.

    5th June, 2006.

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    Habit Rouge by Guerlain

    My first encounter with Habit Rouge was very disappointing. I found it gaudy, cloying, and over the top. I also wrote a review expressing my vexation.
    I had occassion subsequently to sample the Eau de Cologne version of the scent. Yes, now I can clearly see where the worshippers, me being the latest addition to the ranks, of this scent come from.
    In my opinion, the EdC is the version to buy and use:
    The citrus top is more pronounced without being excessively effervescent.
    In the heart, the Vanilla, florals and the spices are toned down, relative to the EdT, and pitched perfectly.
    The dry down, a spice- vanilla-leather fusion is pure olfactory heaven.
    Mr.Justiniani is right: This one is "cool without trying".
    Buy the EdC version and use it in the cooler/colder seasons; you'll be complimented on your taste.

    5th June, 2006. (Last Edited: 11th May, 2007.)

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    Cuiron Pour Homme by Helmut Lang

    I had written in a review for Creed's Royal English Leather that it and Tabac Blond were, to me, the two definitive renderings of leather in perfumery; I'm compelled to add a third: Cuiron.
    Minimalist, unfussy, elegant, sober, and solid,
    this scent is not about Sillage or development.
    It is just leather shorn, with the aid of a dash of musk and the barest hint of "plum", of roughness.
    Make no mistake though, it is a long lasting scent of both depth and style.
    Again, dab only a small quantity, not more, onto your pulse points. After a while, neither you nor anyone else will overtly notice it, except, and this is Cuiron's charm, for an almost subliminal and everpresent awareness of cleanliness,comfort and warmth.
    Superb.

    4th June, 2006.

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    Vetiver by Guerlain

    The earthy and irrepressible individuality of Vetiver is here smoothened and rendered irresistibly wearable in an exhibition of genius.
    Robustly nonconformist, yet exquisitely refined and tasteful, this classically fashionable scent is one of those rarest of rare creatures: a Masterpiece.

    4th June, 2006.

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    Paco Rabanne pour Homme by Paco Rabanne

    Despite being distinctive and quite attractive, the original Paco, to me, is not a complete scent: It lacks a sobering note that would suggest it to a man whose energy, attitude, and approach to life are tempered by experience.
    Stylish, but a wee bit deficient in substance.

    1st June, 2006.

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    Azzaro pour Homme by Azzaro

    While a technically well made scent, I don't relate to Azzaro P.H. at all.
    It certainly is unmistakably masculine, distinctive, very well blended and not at all offensive.
    what gives, then?
    It is Schwarzeneggerish: The guy is neatly groomed, well dressed, masculine after a certain manner, and, atleast in the movies anyway, gets the job done. But, unless you share a Californian flair for the bizzare, you'll agree it is very difficult, nay impossible, to relate to him.
    Robotic, shall we say?
    The clinical Azzaro is the perfumery equivalent.
    It best accomodates a utilitarian approach to scent, nothing more.
    If you're seeking a human representation in a scent, however, look elsewhere; unless you're robocop.

    1st June, 2006.

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    Royal English Leather by Creed

    To me, this is, with one and only one exception, the last word in leather perfumery.
    Everything else, and the list of pretenders ranges from the fine to the abominable, can be safely dispensed with.
    What is the one exception? Tabac Blond.
    Get these two, and pull the shutters down on the leather section in your collection.
    Just one friendly warning: Use them in the absolute minimum quantity, a couple of drops only; anymore and you'll just be a tannery without the bad smells.

    31st May, 2006.

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    Caron Pour Un Homme by Caron

    Simplex sigillum veri - The simple is the seal of the true, said the ancients.
    Intelligence is sufficient to appreciate this maxim; and wisdom, to understand it.
    Demonstrating its truth by ones work, however, demands genius.
    Try Caron pour un homme, and you'll agree with me that Ernest Daltroff was one.
    A conception of stylish yet sober masculinity, achieved with stunning minimalism to boot, that is yet to be bettered.
    Truly Masterful.

    31st May, 2006.

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    Monsieur de Givenchy by Givenchy

    You can be unlettered, uncultured, and uncivilised; Shower, shave, wear clean clothes, dab on M.de Givenchy and keep your mouth shut, and I assure you you can attend a Jubilee dinner, by personal invitation, with the Queen and make a smashing impression. The very definition of Class.

    31st May, 2006.

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    Lacoste (original) by Lacoste

    Monsieur de Givenchy in disguise? almost, but not entirely.
    What's lacking is the sensibility and savoir-faire of the age that gave birth to M.d.G., and the difference is evident in the slightly coarser finish.
    Prices being the same for both, I urge you to go for M.d.G; it's like choosing silk over a superfine synthetic.

    31st May, 2006.

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    Dunhill for Men by Alfred Dunhill

    Ian Fleming, they say, chose this as James Bond's signature; I must disagree: This isn't a scent for rakes, whatever their talents be.
    Who is it for then?
    Are you a man whose taste and opinions are informed by history, classicism and mature reflection, rather than by passing trends?
    Do you project class by conduct, detesting pretension?
    Would you rather prove a point by example rather than by loud, fractious debate?
    The original Dunhill was made for you.
    A scent for the true Sophisticate.
    Before we move on, let's not forget to leave poor Bond with a scent; something that, though just a little less sober and smooth, is irredeemably less classy: Dunhill Edition perhaps?

    31st May, 2006.

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    Bogart by Jacques Bogart

    Fashionable without being flamboyant, solid without being overbearing, and reserved without being forbidding; A Classic.

    31st May, 2006.

    Showing 1 to 17 of 17.

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