Dior Homme by Christian Dior, 2005

Because of the common notes of citrus, lavender, patchouli, cacao, precious woods, boise-aromatic ingredients, flowers, nuts and seeds, in my opinion cedar and others, is undeniable the resemblance of this one with L'Instant, another warm-fresh woody floral that plays the game of the contrasts. Both feature the link between woodsy elements-cacao-lavender-flowers and both exude a sort of chocolatey balmy-nutty undertone with boise' after smells that are a particular trait of the whiffs. In my opinion DH (which shares many similarities with the notorious Pour un Homme Caron) lacks anyway that severe and distinguished aura exuding by the Guerlain one that is more astringent, woodsy and sharp with its anise-licorice woodsy undertone. In the dry down the differences start clearing up and while DH becomes decidedly warm, ambery, kind of suede and almost gourmand with its stressed chocolatey after smell and despite a touch of vetiver, l'Instant retains its woodsy-musky-nutty-balmy feel while exhaling its edible-sweet nuances with a more stressed patchouli and cedar-lavender and with the presence of a more aromatic water in the composition (the effect of tea-lavender). Anyway, after a strong citrus-lavender and bergamot beginning this scent becomes powdery, averagely soapy and with a prominent (barely laundry/earthy/leathery) iris note emerging from the talky, chocolatey, slightly buttery (lipstick) dust. Dior Homme is a more than decent kind of smell but is decidedly some steps on the back of certain kinds of diverse masterpieces.