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Caron Third Man. Holy Mother Of *****!!!!

post #1 of 43
10/7/06 at 5:00pm
Thread Starter 
Sorry...let me compose myself here.
OK, here we go...

I just got this one in a swap, blind. Simply put...one of the greatest smells that have ever graced my nostrils, and that includes some niches that i've tried. Sweet but not too much, with such a velvety smoothness and flow from top to base. So elegant and mysterious, rich and deep. Rich and subtle at once. Not a single discordant note here, it's all smooth sailing with this baby. Wish i'd discovered this years ago, but better later than never. Will take time in the next few days to experience this further.
What are your thoughts on Third Man, my fellow scent addicts?

KO
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post #2 of 43
10/7/06 at 5:07pm
I agree. I like it a great deal as well.

I need to actually get a bottle instead of my 10ml decant though...
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post #3 of 43
10/7/06 at 5:07pm
Caron happens to be one of my favourite houses!

I love so many of their perfumes that it is positively obscene. Male or female doesn't matter - they are all sublime.

The 3rd Man is wonderful - exactly as you said, smooth, warm balsamic / ambery perfection.

*sigh*
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post #4 of 43
10/7/06 at 5:15pm
Sounds interesting knightowl. Which bottle do you have ... this or this?
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post #5 of 43
10/7/06 at 5:18pm
I finally smelled Le 3me homme lately chez Caron in Paris and I've been surprised to discover such a nice juice! But like for others Carons I find also in it quite challenging notes: the sparkling whole mandarine, flom the juicy pulp to the slightly bitter touch of the peel, together with atouch of bergamot contrasting with a sweeter, more rounded luscious heart with touches of sweet almond and carnation spiced up with a coriander whiff. The drydown also impressed me turning woodier but never loosing the balance between sparklyness and sweetness. I've been strongly impressed also by the lasting power which was good!
My only regret is: what a pity they don't do smaller bottles than 125 ml!
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post #6 of 43
10/7/06 at 5:19pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by ziffy321

Sounds interesting knightowl. Which bottle do you have ... this or this?

The second one. The "old school" bottle.
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post #7 of 43
10/7/06 at 5:22pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by knightowl

The second one. The "old school" bottle.

Damn ... I hope the new one smells like the one you have. The newer one seems to be all over ebay and some online retailers for a reasonable price.
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post #8 of 43
10/7/06 at 6:54pm
Sorry to be the naysayer here, but I found this one to be too smooth. I like my frags a little rough around the edges (notwithstanding Dunhill '03 & Yang). It is amazingly well done and a high quality frag just not for me.
K
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post #9 of 43
10/7/06 at 10:03pm
An intriguing scent to say the least. I like it a lot. I purchased a bottle only recently so I'm still mystified/perplexed when I spray it on. Awesome stuff. One that Luca Turin recommended (along with Rive Gauche PH and Gucci PH) for women to prepare them for their riskier corporate missions dealing with men.

Michael Edwards classifies The Third Man as a rich aromatic/fougere along with another one of your (knightowl) favorites, Equipage.
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post #10 of 43
10/8/06 at 5:58am
Quote:
Originally Posted by knightowl

What are your thoughts on Third Man, my fellow scent addicts?

1. Very high quality
2. Unbelievable drydown
3. Pure masculine power with slightly animalic vibe
4. Chunks of green soaps
5. Most definitely a bit dated scent
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post #11 of 43
10/8/06 at 7:19am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Magnifiscent

... I've been strongly impressed also by the lasting power which was good! My only regret is: what a pity they don't do smaller bottles than 125 ml!

No regrets about that here, and you can always get rid of surplus like that! Just ask me, Magnifiscent .

I too tried H3 in a french boutique recently. I may end up ranking it higher than Yatagan which I love. I first have to buy it though. The whole Caron line of scents is really excellent. Only L'Anarchiste has not been made for me.

During that same visit I got a drop of Tabac Blond on my skin. I think there are a few precious experiences in the scent life of each of us. This new acquaintance was one of those moments for me! Now, I am not the type to follow scent impulses immediately. I was dizzy headed during hours that followed, and TB stood in the way of buying anything that day. I wouldn't spend 200$ without a second check. But then I could not have bought any 'lesser' cologne either (Xerius Black and Jules had been scheduled). I shall thus be back in France, unless a community member wants to share his bottle with me . With an extrait like Tabac Blond, 50 ml, or less, would certainly do!
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post #12 of 43
10/8/06 at 7:50am
Thoughts on this one? Bought this one blind too and I wanted to get rid of this one quickly. Dated strong 80's smell , and a major stinker! Tried Pour un Homme and Anarchiste also. Caron's mens fragrances are really bad to me man, Yugh!
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post #13 of 43
10/8/06 at 8:31am
I can't wait to try the Third Man...mmm. I am wearing Yatagan as I type this and I am so fond of this scent. Yatagan is walking through a dark forest with the smell of fresh dirt and pine and herbs. It is very masculine.
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post #14 of 43
10/8/06 at 1:39pm
It's hard not to praise Le 3e Homme.
All I gotta say is go and get some!
Of all the 'fumes out there, this is a plum.
Any bad notes? Not even a crumb.
Sex analogy? It'll make you come.
Lasts much longer than Bazooka gum.
So if you want a scent that will make you hum,
Don't be dumb
Get off your bum
And pick up a bottle of Le 3e Homme!

Apologies to Caron.
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post #15 of 43
10/8/06 at 2:48pm
Caron pour un homme is quite classy
While Yatagan comes on as sassy
Homme troisieme
is a sweet refined gem
for the gentleman, like Caswell Massey

P.S.: L'Anarchiste ... isn't missed

(Johann Wolfgang von good_life)
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post #16 of 43
10/8/06 at 3:37pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ziffy321

Sounds interesting knightowl. Which bottle do you have ... this or this?


I have both of those bottles or 3rd Man, and I don't detect much of
any difference. They are both great!
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post #17 of 43
10/8/06 at 5:40pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by trumpet_guy

I have both of those bottles or 3rd Man, and I don't detect much of
any difference. They are both great!

Trumpet_Guy, does your old-style bottle say "homme" on it? Mine just says "Le n#3 de Caron".
Both the bottle and box are retro-cool. I'm definetly keeping 'em long after the juice is gone.
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post #18 of 43
10/8/06 at 6:14pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by docluv45

It's hard not to praise Le 3e Homme.
All I gotta say is go and get some!
Of all the 'fumes out there, this is a plum.
Any bad notes? Not even a crumb.
Sex analogy? It'll make you come.
Lasts much longer than Bazooka gum.
So if you want a scent that will make you hum,
Don't be dumb
Get off your bum
And pick up a bottle of Le 3e Homme!

Apologies to Caron.

- And all this time I've been thinking that I love to wear it 'cause it smells good... Clever ode!
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post #19 of 43
10/8/06 at 7:08pm
I like this fragrance and is a wonderful aromatic. Love it but on my skin, it does not last as long as I want it to. I have this one and Yatagan. I find the latter more compelling on my skin.
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post #20 of 43
10/9/06 at 11:36pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by knightowl

Trumpet_Guy, does your old-style bottle say "homme" on it? Mine just says "Le n#3 de Caron".
Both the bottle and box are retro-cool. I'm definetly keeping 'em long after the juice is gone.

The bottle just says Le no 3 de Caron,
but the box adds "eau de toilette pour homme natural spray."

I expect our bottles are identical.
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post #21 of 43
10/10/06 at 8:02am
Thanks for the idea, Knightowl.
I don't have any Caron scents yet, but somehow it seems like I would like them. Your timing is good for me, because I just saw The Third Man, a real masterpiece of filmmaking! I don't think I've ever seen a film with so many amazing shots, just one after the other. (not that I'm susceptible to cross-marketing or anything).

And with TrumpetGuy adding the musical note of approval, resistance may be futile for me!
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post #22 of 43
2/2/07 at 3:39am
I'm bringing this thread forward 'cause I decided to order another bottle. It's actually been at least half a year since I tossed my last bottle 'cause it went bad, just kind of faded...I think it was on the old side, partly 'cause it came in the old box with the multi-colored design. Can't wait to get the new bottle! Third Man is one of my favorites of all time. Hey you guys, I liked the poems you wrote earlier on this thread!
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post #23 of 43
2/2/07 at 5:13am
  • kbe
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Found it 'early'..

Wear it often..

Still on my current Fav 5 list and IMO an amazingly warm and inviting scent.
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post #24 of 43
2/2/07 at 6:04am
  • DJB
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MisterK

Sorry to be the naysayer here, but I found this one to be too smooth. I like my frags a little rough around the edges (notwithstanding Dunhill '03 & Yang). It is amazingly well done and a high quality frag just not for me.
K

You have it listed in your signature as one of your current top 5, though...

**just realized this thread was started 10/06, guess you've changed your mind about it!

I just smelled this a few days ago for the first time. The sales person must have thought I was crazy. At first sniff, I said "wow!"....and then I repeated a few more times, sniffing, and saying wow, wrist to nose, as she chuckled.

It's an absolutely beautiful fragrance. I expected it to be a strong, ultra spicy, overpowering, old school frag, but this isn't the case at all. It's velvety smooth,multilayered, with just a touch of sweetness, and just the right amount of spiciness. The drydown is amazing. Sillage and longevity is superb. If you haven't tried this already, definitely do!
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post #25 of 43
2/2/07 at 7:39am
I asked about Caron men's scents just a few days ago and was told overwhelmingly "3e Homme!" Now my interest is really piqued. Where can I go sample this? Does anyone know what department stores in NYC have a Caron counter? I know there is a Caron boutique on Madison Ave. Has anyone had any luck getting samples at the boutique?
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post #26 of 43
2/2/07 at 8:23am
Is there a difference between these two bottles as far as what's inside???



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post #27 of 43
2/2/07 at 8:36am
Quote:
Originally Posted by mochi227

I asked about Caron men's scents just a few days ago and was told overwhelmingly "3e Homme!" Now my interest is really piqued. Where can I go sample this? Does anyone know what department stores in NYC have a Caron counter? I know there is a Caron boutique on Madison Ave. Has anyone had any luck getting samples at the boutique?

Dear Mochi,
There are tons of people here who will decant it for you. But maybe that's not in time for your gift purchase.
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post #28 of 43
2/2/07 at 8:42am
This is quite good. My wife loves it on me. The opening's a bit jarring though.
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post #29 of 43
2/2/07 at 9:03am
Third Man is okay, but a bit tame. I like L'Anarchist, Pour Un Homme and Yatagan more, as they have a certain edginess about them which is totally missing in Third Man.
Renato
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post #30 of 43
2/2/07 at 11:21am
I'm happy to hear all of the positive reviews on this frag. I decided to buy it blind last week, and am waiting for it to arrive in the mail!
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post #31 of 43
2/2/07 at 11:33am
Thread Starter 
I guess a way to describe Third Man are the words 'fruity musk'. I'd say you have to like musky frags in order to enjoy this one. I certainly do.
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post #32 of 43
2/2/07 at 2:19pm
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Quote:
Originally Posted by knightowl

I guess a way to describe Third Man are the words 'fruity musk'. I'd say you have to like musky frags in order to enjoy this one. I certainly do.

Heavenly will also do..

I really enjoy it.
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post #33 of 43
2/2/07 at 3:50pm
So far my man has two frags in his collection (both given to him by moi)
Antaeus and Third Man
Both are WONDERFUL

btw, nice poetry, gentlemen!
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post #34 of 43
2/2/07 at 7:30pm
Your man must be smellin' swell. Two masculine, deep, rich fragrances
that say, "I'm not afraid to be smelled." Excellent choices.

Now, as for a previous poster's question:

Quote:
Originally Posted by asleep

Is there a difference between these two bottles as far as what's inside???





I have both. There is no significant difference. The second one is the
newer one. The atomizer on the newer bottle is of poorer quality
than that on the older bottle. I'd probably just get the newer bottle
so that the juice will be fresher.
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post #35 of 43
2/2/07 at 8:06pm
Damn, was the old 3rd man bottle and packaging freakin' fugly or what ! Whats with the extreme use of the brown color ?
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post #36 of 43
2/2/07 at 8:14pm
  • DJB
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Quote:
Originally Posted by zztopp

Damn, was the old 3rd man bottle and packaging freakin' fugly or what ! Whats with the extreme use of the brown color ?

The box is kinda ugly, but the bottle's not that bad...
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post #37 of 43
2/2/07 at 8:46pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by eric

Thoughts on this one? Bought this one blind too and I wanted to get rid of this one quickly. Dated strong 80's smell , and a major stinker! Tried Pour un Homme and Anarchiste also. Caron's mens fragrances are really bad to me man, Yugh!

yeah, I second that. I wanted to love 3rdMan but couldn't. Traded it after the second spray.

LeAnarchist...didn't mind the "orange," but the "metallic" note was a major turn-off.

PUH--yeah, great, gone in 60 seconds.

As far as Yatagan goes, rub yourself with a celery stick and save the money.

The winner--PUH Intense/Concentree/whatever. Expensive and worth every penny.
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post #38 of 43
2/3/07 at 6:52am
Quote:
Originally Posted by trumpet_guy

Your man must be smellin' swell. Two masculine, deep, rich fragrances
that say, "I'm not afraid to be smelled." Excellent choices.

Now, as for a previous poster's question:
I have both. There is no significant difference. The second one is the
newer one. The atomizer on the newer bottle is of poorer quality
than that on the older bottle. I'd probably just get the newer bottle
so that the juice will be fresher.

why, thank you, trumpet guy. In fact, those were his words as he gave his virgin try to these fragrance beauties. This is all new for him, my obsession is slowly sneaking over to him, by osmosis. (hee hee hee) He has a "special" application technique, also. As a lefty, he gives one spritz to the left side of his neck, and one robust squirt to his "package" , over the jeans, mind you. I find this to be utterly charming.

I bought the older bottle from oolong. The packaging is unremarkable but the bottle has a dark sleek look about it that is nice. But then, I like the Serge Lutens bottles for their minimalistic efficiency. I like that you can easily have your choice of cap or spritzer without any problems. Give me a beautiful scent in a simple bottle and I am happy.
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post #39 of 43
2/10/07 at 1:38am
I got my new bottle in the mail today. I pulled the trigger about four times, which was probably one too many, as the sillage was plentiful and I later got a headache from it...I'd forgot it was so potent! And it sure lasts. It's been over half a year since my old bottle died (and it did die...it was of much older vintage and just lost its potency, including all the fruit notes); it's a lot of fun to rediscover a scent you used to wear, especially one as classic IMHO as this. I'm sure I'll wear it for the next couple days in a row.

One thing I was intrigued by was the fruit note or notes. No, it's not apple, or orange, or strawberry...it's a real middle-of-the-road fruit, whatever it is. Or maybe it's the fruit in combination with the rose, jasmine, and anise. Or maybe it's just a generic lab-concocted fruit note. Whatever it is, it works as part of the overall effect...like milamber said, "Trust me...it's fabulous."
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post #40 of 43
4/27/07 at 5:43am
I just HAVE to pipe in here...this thread was my sole reason to spontaneously buy 3rd man....This MAY be my best blind purchase next to Rose 31....I mean this stuff is remarkable...I got home last night and there the package was...I sprayed 1 tiny spot on my hand....5 minutes later my wife walked by and said "WHAT IS THAT?" you smell really good....I said....for $28 bucks....I get a sexy look and compliment...but for $180 I get a turned up nose ? HAHA....Anyway, this stuff just works for me...Thanks guys.
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post #41 of 43
4/27/07 at 6:06am
Quote:
Originally Posted by DJB View Post

You have it listed in your signature as one of your current top 5, though...

**just realized this thread was started 10/06, guess you've changed your mind about it!

With the top 5, one day I'll like something and another decide it deserves to be castigated.

I used to have an older splash bottle (I prefer the looks of that old bottle, now they just seem to have those boring rectangular ones with the rounded edges), but it just didn't do it for me. So I swapped it.

For whatever reason I decided to get another bottle. Carons (usually) come cheap so this was no big deal.

It wore a bit better on me than when I wore it before, not quite so smooth, good duration, and the complexity came out. Chances are in the bottle I had some of the notes were gone. Really like the base in this.
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post #42 of 43
4/27/07 at 7:45pm
If you like the Third Man, you should consider giving Vendetta (by Valentino) a shot as well.
They both have quite similar structure, with Vendetta being the more sour of the two.
In fact, I would state that the two are close cousins of one another.
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post #43 of 43
4/27/07 at 8:28pm
The 3rd Man is extraordinaire!
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