Basenotes › Basenotes Forums › Fragrance Discussion › Male Fragrance Discussion › MFD Archive › french lover, fou d'absinthe, 3rd man, or sartorial?
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

french lover, fou d'absinthe, 3rd man, or sartorial?

post #1 of 40
3/4/12 at 10:27pm
Thread Starter 
looking for a good quality green fougere..
Reply
Reply
post #2 of 40
3/4/12 at 10:47pm
Not a big fan of fou... also check out A Taste of Heaven By Kilian. I haven't tried the others but French Lover is on the list to get a sample of.
Reply
Reply
post #3 of 40
3/4/12 at 10:53pm
French Lover by far
Reply
Reply
post #4 of 40
3/4/12 at 11:01pm
Fou d'Absinthe by L'Artisan Parfumeur - One is initially treated to a bittersweet blast from the stimulating melange of greenness spurred by ansinthe, with its dusty, dry, medicinal dimensions; angelica, with its heavy, sweet, musky attributes; star anise, with its smoky, rich, licorice character and black currant, with its strong, fruity bouquet tinged with a cat urine slant. Percolating with a faint backdrop of a coniferous forest, this somewhat brisk blend meanders to the inviting heart. Here, woody clove, spicy-sweet ginger, cinnamon-like nutmeg and a hint of lively pepper shower the green opening, and impart their warmth, while resourceful patchouli adds a warm earthiness with its slight nutty and musky overtures. The foresty background is still here, and carries this flavorful concoction to the awaiting base. Robust conifers take center stage with the fresh and slightly camphorous woodiness of pine needles and the balsamic, christmas tree aroma of firs. Cistus bestows its terpenic and pine-like facets and vague illusions of amber and leather. A faintly rugged and quintessentially outdoorsy drydown ensues. This all-season, masculine composition has good projection, a 12-inch, scent cloud, and very good longevity, 10 hours; and should be experienced, especially on cool evenings.

Sartorial by Penhaligon's is just another barbershoppy, oldmanish fragrance.
Reply
Reply
post #5 of 40
3/4/12 at 11:13pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by heperd View Post

Third Man by far

This.
Reply
Reply
post #6 of 40
3/5/12 at 12:07am
I think Sartorial is the best of those. I like The Third Man too (although it actually smells more dated to me).
Reply
Reply
post #7 of 40
3/5/12 at 12:27am
Those are some top rated perfumes.

For a green fougere I'd have to say Sartorial.
French Lover is less green and Fou d'Absinthe is too green.
Reply
Reply
post #8 of 40
3/5/12 at 1:39am
French Lover and I like it as it reminds me of walking in a forest after the rain in the fall. Followed by Sartorial for the great complex opening and for that starched shirt accord.lol
Reply
Reply
post #9 of 40
3/5/12 at 1:40am
Fou d'absinthe
Reply
Reply
post #10 of 40
3/5/12 at 1:43am
Sartorial gets the slight edge over French Lover, IMO. Both are good though.
Reply
Reply
post #11 of 40
3/5/12 at 1:45am
Quote:
Originally Posted by hedonist222 View Post

For a green fougere I'd have to say Sartorial.

my choice
Reply
Reply
post #12 of 40
3/5/12 at 1:50am
With the exception of Fou D'Absinthe which a find a tad too subtle to my taste, all the others are really big winners in my book. That being said Sartorial is the most modern with a considerable amount of synthetic "weird" notes that won't be inappropriate on a Comme Des Garcons (comparisons with CDG don't stop here, considering that Sartorial is made by Duchafour who did many CDGs as well). French Lover is the one to go if you want an extra lived-in vibe from your fragrance. Distinctive and unique. 3rd Man is possibly on of the best florals for men so far.

Have you tried Insensè?
Reply
Reply
post #13 of 40
3/5/12 at 1:59am
Quote:
Originally Posted by alfarom View Post

Have you tried Insensè?

Could You please stop to recommend Insense? Prices on the supply which is left after discontinuation are already sky rocketing (~300$ per vintage 100ml)! And I feel my stash is rather tight 8-(


On the other hand, that said fragrance isn't a 'green farn' anyway. But neither is Sartorial. What shalls? Having compared Sartorial to Monseur Givenchy I find the latter more representable. Sartorial feels a little bit too complicated, to much activity beneath, after the second wearing no more wiered, too. MG is a very good perfume and so the niche for a citric woody cologne is already occupied.
Reply
Reply
post #14 of 40
3/5/12 at 2:10am
Quote:
Originally Posted by WildThingy View Post

Could You please stop to recommend Insense? Prices on the supply which is left after discontinuation are already sky rocketing! And I feel my stash is rather tight 8-(

LOL Still widely available over here...and for incredibly cheap too (100ml sells for 30 euros)
Reply
Reply
post #15 of 40
3/5/12 at 2:40am
Quote:
Originally Posted by alfarom View Post

LOL Still widely available over here...and for incredibly cheap too (100ml sells for 30 euros)

I always dreamed of moving to the midst Italy.

Honest: where is it still available?!
Reply
Reply
post #16 of 40
3/5/12 at 2:43am
Quote:
Originally Posted by WildThingy View Post

I always dreamed of moving to the midst Italy.

If you'll ever come to visit, drop me a line and I'll be glad to tell you where to get Insensè for a ridiculous price.
Reply
Reply
post #17 of 40
3/5/12 at 5:34am
Fou d'Absinthe
Reply
Reply
post #18 of 40
3/5/12 at 8:40am
Aqua:

among the 4, my favorite is Troisieme homme. Classic, with just a touch of flowers (could do more), and an interesting clean-musky drydown. FdA, as alfarom was saying, is a little weak. The beginning of French lover is stunning, but the drydown seems too sharp and synthetic to me, which is a pity; but perhaps you're fine with it. Sartorial also smells a little too synthetic chemical; interesting modern notes, but not for me.

Re: Insense, it had been reintroduced a couple of years back - it's already gone again? this one had no hope. Givenchy III ruined and insense' gone. Perhaps I should buy the vetyver before that's gone too. Anyway, I've seen some bottles (of the original introduction) here in a store in DC's exurbia, and once in Italy too, as alfarom was saying.

cacio
Reply
Reply
post #19 of 40
3/5/12 at 8:47am
1 = fou d'absinthe
2 = 3rd man
3 = sartorial

? = french lover, I don't remember.
Reply
Reply
post #20 of 40
3/5/12 at 9:01am
1) Sartorial
2) Fou d'Absinthe
3) 3rd Man

Not recommended: French Lover
Reply
Reply
post #21 of 40
3/5/12 at 10:33am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by alfarom View Post

LOL Still widely available over here...and for incredibly cheap too (100ml sells for 30 euros)

haha yes i actually used to own a small vintage 30ml bottle of insense. i used it up when they rereleased it and bought another bottle.
Reply
Reply
post #22 of 40
3/5/12 at 10:35am
Thread Starter 
seems like sartorial by a hair.

sartorial -6
fda-5
french lover -3
3rd man- 2
Reply
Reply
post #23 of 40
3/5/12 at 10:44am
Quote:
Originally Posted by cacio View Post

Aqua:

Perhaps I should buy the vetyver before that's gone too.

cacio

You enjoy vetiver so yes you shouod certainly acquire it before it ceases production.
It's a very enjoyable vetiver.
Reply
Reply
post #24 of 40
3/5/12 at 12:38pm
Cacio, have you ever seen vintage Vetyver in a shop around here?
Reply
Reply
post #25 of 40
3/5/12 at 12:47pm
Sartorial is a big favorite of mine, and IMO the most fougere-y of the choices. I also own and love Fou d'Absinthe - it's more about trees - wood, sap, and incense. Lasting power could be a little better. French Lover, while I enjoy it, is a little too dry and sparse for me, very woody, and hasn't earned a spot on my shelf. Haven't properly sampled 3rd man yet...
Reply
Reply
post #26 of 40
3/5/12 at 1:20pm
Never seen vintage Vetyver here in the US. Not looked around much in Italy. I'm working under the assumption that the re-release is decent, and that seems to be still available, at least from their website (while insense is not)

cacio
Reply
Reply
post #27 of 40
3/5/12 at 1:28pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by cacio View Post

Never seen vintage Vetyver here in the US. Not looked around much in Italy. I'm working under the assumption that the re-release is decent, and that seems to be still available, at least from their website

Yeah, current Vetyver is available around here too (La Rinascente has a quite big stock) but I'm waiting to score a vintage bottle in one of those dusty shops I talked you about...let's see..

OP, sorry for hijacking your thread. Now I shut up!
Reply
Reply
post #28 of 40
3/5/12 at 1:47pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by dollars&scents View Post

Fou d'Absinthe by L'Artisan Parfumeur - One is initially treated to a bittersweet blast from the stimulating melange of greenness spurred by ansinthe, with its dusty, dry, medicinal dimensions; angelica, with its heavy, sweet, musky attributes; star anise, with its smoky, rich, licorice character and black currant, with its strong, fruity bouquet tinged with a cat urine slant. Percolating with a faint backdrop of a coniferous forest, this somewhat brisk blend meanders to the inviting heart. Here, woody clove, spicy-sweet ginger, cinnamon-like nutmeg and a hint of lively pepper shower the green opening, and impart their warmth, while resourceful patchouli adds a warm earthiness with its slight nutty and musky overtures. The foresty background is still here, and carries this flavorful concoction to the awaiting base. Robust conifers take center stage with the fresh and slightly camphorous woodiness of pine needles and the balsamic, christmas tree aroma of firs. Cistus bestows its terpenic and pine-like facets and vague illusions of amber and leather. A faintly rugged and quintessentially outdoorsy drydown ensues. This all-season, masculine composition has good projection, a 12-inch, scent cloud, and very good longevity, 10 hours; and should be experienced, especially on cool evenings.

Sartorial by Penhaligon's is just another barbershoppy, oldmanish fragrance.

Fou d'Absinthe would be my choice as well, although I wouldn't dream of trying to explain why after this great description!
Reply
Reply
post #29 of 40
3/5/12 at 2:14pm
You can find it on ebay for around $50+ for 50ml - that's cheaper than most designer fragrances.

Quote:
Originally Posted by WildThingy View Post

Could You please stop to recommend Insense? Prices on the supply which is left after discontinuation are already sky rocketing (~300$ per vintage 100ml)! And I feel my stash is rather tight 8-(


On the other hand, that said fragrance isn't a 'green farn' anyway. But neither is Sartorial. What shalls? Having compared Sartorial to Monseur Givenchy I find the latter more representable. Sartorial feels a little bit too complicated, to much activity beneath, after the second wearing no more wiered, too. MG is a very good perfume and so the niche for a citric woody cologne is already occupied.
Reply
Reply
post #30 of 40
3/5/12 at 8:49pm
Thread Starter 
will go with fou d absinthe for now because i found it locally. id have to order penns and the malle online, not that it is a hassle and malle is a very accomodating company but i just can't wait lol!
Reply
Reply
post #31 of 40
3/7/12 at 1:15pm
Of the OP's four proffered choices, only Fou d'Absinthe qualifies as a "green fougère" to my nose. French Lover is a dry green woody scent, Third Man is a sweet, musky floral fougère, and Sartorial is a spicy aromatic fougère with black pepper and an enormous beeswax base note.
Reply
Reply
post #32 of 40
3/7/12 at 1:26pm
Fou d'Absinthe

Is FdA a fougere?
Reply
Reply
post #33 of 40
3/7/12 at 4:37pm
Michael Edwards lists it as a fougère, and it certainly smells like one to me.
Reply
Reply
post #34 of 40
3/8/12 at 8:43am
French Lover !!!!
Reply
Reply
post #35 of 40
3/8/12 at 9:41am
I'd go with Sartorial.
Reply
Reply
post #36 of 40
3/8/12 at 9:54am
I don't get any green at all for Le Troisieme Homme or Sartorial.
Reply
Reply
post #37 of 40
3/8/12 at 1:33pm
  • vbs
  • offline
  • Gender:
Fou d'absinthe is the greenest.
Sartorial is the fougereiest.
French lover is woodiest.
3me Homme is most floral.

I own Sartorial and want Fou d'Absinthe. I can live without the other two, though both are nice. Your tastes may be different.
Reply
Reply
post #38 of 40
3/12/12 at 5:46pm
I'd rank them:

Fou d'Absinthe
French Lover
3rd Man
Satorial
Reply
Reply
post #39 of 40
3/12/12 at 11:19pm
Thread Starter 
sartorial -6
fda-6
french lover -3
3rd man- 2
Reply
Reply
post #40 of 40
3/12/12 at 11:34pm
Sartorial a green fougere? Uh, it doesn't read as green to me, at all. White. Silver. Metallic. Some grays. Some beiges. But green? No!

If you want a green fougere I'd recommend:
Fou d'Absinthe - nice, but light like so many L'Artisans. If you want a more intense experience try..
Amouage Memoir Man - green and grey and black. Maybe more woody incense than fougere but there is a noticeable lavender and oakmoss component.
Eloge du Traitre - green and cold, like a cooler and more modern take on Yatagan. Fougere elements present although not pronounced.


French Lover is nice but is very woody and dry. Doesn't read as a fougere in my books, despite being 'greyish green' in color. 3rd Man is a floral beast and, while excellent, doesn't fit the category IMO.
Reply
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: MFD Archive
Basenotes › Basenotes Forums › Fragrance Discussion › Male Fragrance Discussion › MFD Archive › french lover, fou d'absinthe, 3rd man, or sartorial?