Eau Des 4 Voleurs by L'Occitane, 1991

My first review, I'll try to keep it simple. After hearing some glowing reviews, I got my hands on a decant of this, and I have to say, I understand the appreciation. I catch the notes other reviewers have mentioned, bergamot transitioning to a piney basil, ultimately settling into a nice healthy green scent, distinguished from any other similar scents by the edge afforded to it by the herbs. Ultimately, though it doesn't appeal to my personal tastes enough to make this a must-have, it's very well crafted, and I can see a place for it in my wardrobe.

I was privileged enough to have been able to try this on several occasions, but twice as foolish for not buying a bottle when given the opportunity. I remember saying to myself, "It's ok, I'll just buy it next time, because something this good will always be around..." Upon each wearing I was treated to the most pleasurable aura of peppered and honeyed woods and bitter orange, a combination that was balanced to near perfection.

A powerful bergamot opening accompanied by a little juniper and lemon. This morphs into a juniper and sage scent with a little basil. Very green and herbal with the juniper stealing the show. The bergamot is present for awhile in the background, but is the first thing that departs (with the lemon). Some wood notes emerge on drydown. This is overall a wonderful fragrance and a shame that it has been discontinued.

Why, oh why did L'Occitane discontinue this? This was the best of the lot, a citrus-to-pine that never got annoying or overpowering. I've been checking in L'Occitane stores in Europe and Asia the last few months, and sadly, it's gone, replaced by the bland-yet-more-expensive "Verdon". If you come across one, buy it.

Actually, I bought this one by mistake. I thought the name was Eau des 4 VOYEURS. Time to get those eyes checked. Of course I'm joking! This is another superb, creative fragrance from L'Occitane, and a wonderful value. (Make that "WAS" a wonderful value - Ed4V has sadly been discontinued.) The opening notes are a rush of citrus (bergamot and lemon), wrapped around a little soapiness which is probably oak moss, and a hint of basil. The citrus fades rather quickly, leaving in its place a nice green, soapy, woodsy fragrance. Beautiful and clean. A little herbal, but not so much as, say, a few of the MPG fragrances. Just a touch! I really enjoy this one, but use it very infrequently because I doubt that I'll ever be able to replace it and so I'm conserving my one lone bottle. One final thought: other reviews have mentioned a pine note, but I don't smell even a trace of pine. Can't stand pine. I think the evergreen notes are more likely a combination of the clove, cedar and juniper. Eau des 4 Voleurs has good sillage, but not outlandish. Longevity on my skin is all day. I'm very fortunate to own this little masterpiece.

One of L'Occitane's more understated fragrances but it retains a charm all its own. Has a strong orange presence on top that lasts throughout the drydown. Pine and herbs(basil and oregano) round out the basenotes that recall an aroma from a kitchen in a log cabin deep in the woods manned by an Italian chef. Hard to classify and certainly far from the maddening crowd of current masculine fragrances. 4 Voleurs is for those looking for an interesting fall/winter frag with a low-key stature.

This cologne is next to impossible to buy now, even on ebay. I was fortunate to get mine before the well went dry. If you can still find a bottle, I would snag it. It is a unique scent that reminds me of a piney forest. It smells nothing like Polo or Aspen, so if you like foresty smell, this is a great one to own.

Much as I dislike Pino Silvestre (an herbal pine growing in the molds of a dungeon) I'm with Odysseum on this one. I would not only say it's more complex, warmer and woodier that Pino. I'd go further and say it's Pino exorcised of evil spirits.

Yet that's only a small part of what makes this frag so good. The progression from the citrus to the lavender to the herbs to the woods. Wow!
No one can accuse this of being linear. I'd say it's a prime example of a Pyramid moving wonderfully from note to note.

Citrus, herbs, pine. Very nice. Appropriately masculine I think. 4 Voleurs is quite dry. This smells like sort of a combination of Blenheim Bouquet and Pino Silvestre. The price is right. The only thing a bit disappointing is the longevity; at least on me. Definitely bottle-worthy.

Top bergamot, lemon, orange leaves, lavender, clary sage, basil, juniper, thyme, oregano
Mid clove, evergreen
Base cedar, sandalwood, oak moss, amber
Eau de 4 Voleurs (The Four Thieves) is superb! 4 Voleurs has a brisk opening, with citrus, substantial lavender and light green herbs. LOccitane does lavender very well, usually in a deep, dry, smoky fashion. The interesting herbs give transition to the pine middle. The pine is EXCELLENT a real woody pine, quite an amazing rendition of this difficult-to-capture scent. 4 Voleurs is in the style of Pino Silvestre (a herbal pine) but it is more complex, warmer, woodier, not as austere and chilly. It does have some dry, slightly medicinal and cool aspects, but they are balanced by warm woods. If this sort of profile appeals to you, try it. I cannot recommend it highly enough! LOccitane fragrances are excellent value.
...update on my review... Still love this. It is a citrus-mossy scent, with wonderful herb notes and hints of pine. The citrus/moss combination gives it a fresh, slightly soapy quality.