Tsar by Van Cleef & Arpels - Still Good?

[Unadan]

I'm tempted to blind buy the current formulation (in dark green bottle) of Tsar. I'm a fan of Quorum, Azzaro PH, Rive Gauche, Z14, and others of this ilk. Would Tsar be redundant given my collection?

[hednic]

IMO it wouldn't be redundant.

[craniumbash]

I've seen 2 different formulations but I don't know the difference between vintage and current formulation, can anyone mention them?

[Derbyman]

The current formulation of Tsar is excellent.



Make sure you get the version above in the leafy patterned box. It's a green, fresh and long lasting fragrance - projects pretty well and smells good for 8hrs+. Opens with strong lavender and herbs but dries down woodsy and mossy.

It should fit in well with the other fragrances in your collection but is quite different from the ones listed.

- - - Updated - - -

The one to avoid looks like this:



It's not terrible but is weaker than the current one and why buy it when the better ones are so easily available?

[easyfish]

vintage "de"

second formulation

for the recent formulation, see Derbyman´s pic.

[Derbyman]

Thanks easyfish! I couldn't find a decent picture of the original / vintage! I believe this is considered as the original and best version but the current is very close. The old bottles look very similar to current but are soild coloured, not opaque. (Same with Van Cleef and Arpels Pour Homme)

[sjg3839]

First time I ever saw the second formulation bottle. Use to own the Dark Green bottle. Longevity is crazy!

[Andrè Moreau]

unfortunately, THIS is the real Tsar:
(Find the box with "two squares, one partially inside the other").

http://www.evecare.com/images/produc...eef_Arpels.jpg

http://www.basenotes.net/photos/st/26121614.jpg

[easyfish]

unfortunately, THIS is the real Tsar:
(Find the box with "two square, one partially inside the other").

http://www.evecare.com/images/produc...eef_Arpels.jpg

http://www.basenotes.net/photos/st/26121614.jpg

??? What´s the difference?

[Andrè Moreau]

??? What´s the difference?

the "Two squares" version is the original one, before any reformulation (1989 up to 1999).
The "Green leaves" box is the "first reformulation, (1999-2010), however still very good.
I'd avoid the modern version....

[thatmakesscents]

Save your money. Cheap watered down garbage. Buy something decent.

[easyfish]

Well, two things:

- the vintage and the "green leaves" version got the two squares.
- your pics (smaller sizes, one splash and the ad photo (100 ml spray) show the original juice!

Plus, as far as I know, the green leaves version is the recent one and the second reformulation.

[Slayerized]

Yes, this is 100% correct imo!

The green leaves box is the second reformulation, current juice and most similar to vintage, not the first reformulation Andre; see also Derby's and easyfish correct posts. The ribbed glass bottle which is to be avoided is the first reformulation.
The vintage splash and spray smell the same. (I own all versions: vintage splash and spray and green leaf bottle, except the ribbed glass version)

Well, two things:

- the vintage and the "green leaves" version got the two squares.
- your pics (smaller sizes, one splash and the ad photo (100 ml spray) show the original juice!

Plus, as far as I know, the green leaves version is the recent one and the second reformulation.

[perfaddict]

Green Leaves box is the 2nd (current) reformulation: sort of a repair job on the disaster that ws the ribbed-bottle edition.

[treeman5823]

Oh yeah...I smelled this recently. I liked it.

[Kal1973]

Nice fragrance with good longevity and projection

[CHSeifert]

Good cheapie powerhouse. Not for below 25 youngsters

[Ivan D' Great]

Thanks for asking 'cause I was about to ask about it.

I'll share my story on this one.

Back in 1991-1992, my girlfriend gave me a bottle of Tsar for my 26th. birthday, according to her I was wearing only "old man fragrances" (Z-14 and Fahrenheit). As soon as I sprayed it, I thought "What the...?!" this is really feels even more mature! of-course I didn't say anything, lol.

Now fast forward, I saw it at Marshalls, the one with the leafy box. the price was a steal and I'm thinking well I'm 45 now so maybe it'll work now. But no, still doesn't. Somehow I remember it more green-isch or fresh-ier, maybe more mossy!? So I started using it as an air freshener in my bathroom.

So the other day my daughter comes home from school she goes into my room and says to me "Dad I don't like what your wearing, you smell like a "Dad's cologne" lol, I wasn't wearing anything, it was just my new air freshener taking over the whole apartment. I totally agree with her.

Now, don't get me wrong is not bad and yes if you have those you mention I think you'll like it. It is strong and for the price, get it, it won't be a great loss if you don't like it.

[Andrè Moreau]

Yes, I apologize, I made confusion with pictures. Very sorry for confusing ideas.

The vintage perfume I was considering -the first version, launched in 1989- is the one with the two squares both on box AND bottle.

[Slayerized]

No worries.............I know you know that the leaf pattern is current bottle and 2nd reformulation.

Yes, I apologize, I made confusion with pictures. Very sorry for confusing ideas.

The vintage perfume I was considering -the first version, launched in 1989- is the one with the two squares both on box AND bottle.

[Unadan]

Save your money. Cheap watered down garbage. Buy something decent.

You seem to be in the great minority. When was the last time you tried it?

BTW I have looked high and low in and around Portland, OR, for a sample - no one has this one in stock. I haven't seen it at my local Ross, TJ Maxx, Marshalls either. Does Perfumania still carry this?

[MonkeyBars]

Dig my vintage bottle, good stuff. Considerably different from Quorum, Azzaro (no leather), Rive Gauche (no sweet powder / barbershop thing), and Z-14 (no cinnamon, much less woody).

[lanky]

i think i might have seen tsar at tj maxx recently..i will keep an eye out

[Unadan]

^ Let me know if you see it around PDX or Clackamas.

[thatmakesscents]

You seem to be in the great minority. When was the last time you tried it?

BTW I have looked high and low in and around Portland, OR, for a sample - no one has this one in stock. I haven't seen it at my local Ross, TJ Maxx, Marshalls either. Does Perfumania still carry this?

One year ago. I like the fragrance but the quality/longevity is a real bummer. If that doesn't matter to you then YES by all means get it.


Stay away from Perumania. Buy it at Nieman Marcus or Bergdoff Goodman.

[Renato]

The one to avoid looks like this:



It's not terrible but is weaker than the current one and why buy it when the better ones are so easily available?

Curiously, I'm a big fan of the one in this bottle. I have two bottles of it, and it lasts longer with strength on me than the 30ml dark bottle I bought 12 years ago. I do recollect, however, that quite a few people here were like you and were unhappy with the content of this clear bottled one when it came out.
Regards,
Renato

[voidvader]

I tried once the first reformulation and thought it a so so, to me something like jazz. But there are many many guys telling the recent one had a improvement back to vintage roots. By the way, i will be buyng the leafy Van Cleef and Arpels PH to see what i get. Overall i was happy that some house did the way back, instead of watering down again and again.

[Unadan]

^ Did you make your purchase of this yet voidvader?

[Ivan D' Great]

If someone wants it, I'll sell or swap my bottle.

[Derbyman]

Curiously, I'm a big fan of the one in this bottle. I have two bottles of it, and it lasts longer with strength on me than the 30ml dark bottle I bought 12 years ago. I do recollect, however, that quite a few people here were like you and were unhappy with the content of this clear bottled one when it came out.
Regards,
Renato

Hi Renato - I'm sure I read somewhere on here that there might have been some better versions of the 'ribbed bottle' around. I'm sure someone else reported that theirs was much better than they expected or had read. I'll see if I can find the thread.

- - - Updated - - -

I think this is the thread I was thinking of...

http://www.basenotes.net/threads/215...cleef%20arpels

scentimus's original post is very relevant to the discussion here and it was our pine-loving friend odysseusm who liked the 'ribbed' bottle version.

[mdclx]

IMO the vintage and de last reformulation are very good.

[voidvader]

^ Did you make your purchase of this yet voidvader?

Not yet! Soon i get it in my hands i will post here, but may take some time 'cause shipping is lazy for Brazil.

[Trauerkraut]

...No!...it's still bad...!

[Unadan]

Can anyone here give me an idea of what Tsar smells like? Is it close to any of the other fragrances I mentioned in my opening post?

[Rüssel]

Can anyone here give me an idea of what Tsar smells like? Is it close to any of the other fragrances I mentioned in my opening post?

YSL Jazz, and I prefer it to Jazz, if I remember correctly, as it's a bit bolder.

[Derbyman]

Can anyone here give me an idea of what Tsar smells like? Is it close to any of the other fragrances I mentioned in my opening post?

It's nothing close to Quorum, Azzaro PH, Rive Gauche or Halston Z14. It's very dry, green, fresh smelling. There's no sweetness in Tsar. It bears a resemblance to YSL Jazz / Paco Rabanne Pour Homme / Pasha de Cartier - sharing facets of all 3. Some say it smells like RL Polo Green, however, it's not as deep and smoky in my book. Like the topend of RL Polo maybe...?

[Slayerized]

It gives me the same vibe (and also a little on smell) as Drakkar Noir and Francesco Smalto pour homme.

[Ken_Russell]

Apart from a decrease in projection and longevity of the newer versions, didn't notice much of a change, the notes are pretty much the same.

[Renato]

Hi Renato - I'm sure I read somewhere on here that there might have been some better versions of the 'ribbed bottle' around. I'm sure someone else reported that theirs was much better than they expected or had read. I'll see if I can find the thread.

- - - Updated - - -

I think this is the thread I was thinking of...

http://www.basenotes.net/threads/215...cleef%20arpels

scentimus's original post is very relevant to the discussion here and it was our pine-loving friend odysseusm who liked the 'ribbed' bottle version.

Yes I remember that thread by Scentimus lamenting the change in Tsar. I have two of the ribbed bottles, one I picked up ages ago and the other was a tester I picked up last year for $7 (I can't walk past a bargain bin). Both smell pretty much the same to me.

I also have a bottle of Eau de Tsar - which is pretty good for summer.
Cheers,
Renato

[Unadan]

I went to the Perfume House off Hawthorne Blvd. in Portland, OR, today. All they had for Tsar was the second (lighter green bottle) formulation version. I tried some on my skin - seems pretty feint smelling to me. Definitely not the powerhouse I was expecting. It's pleasant enough but I tend to like stronger scents like Polo Green and Azzaro.

[dazhel]

Thank you boys for this informative discussion. I had the original Tsarwhich was striking and sophisticated, while very masculine, and then bought the stuff in the clear, green bottle which was hateful. I'm very glad to see another, better version is available. I'm going to buy some right now.
Thanks again.

[döfä91]

I've seen 2 different formulations but I don't know the difference between vintage and current formulation, can anyone mention them?

I have compared vintage and current the latest formulation side by side on my skin - just like in the case of many other fragrances, also in Tsar's case the vintage is superior. (Vintage is more mossy, thicker, richer, more concentrated) . But the difference is not a big one! Anyway, Especially the rich oakmossy feel of the vintage formulation is important to me and that's why i prefer wearing it.

[Renato]

I went to the Perfume House off Hawthorne Blvd. in Portland, OR, today. All they had for Tsar was the second (lighter green bottle) formulation version. I tried some on my skin - seems pretty feint smelling to me. Definitely not the powerhouse I was expecting. It's pleasant enough but I tend to like stronger scents like Polo Green and Azzaro.

Yes, Polo original is a lot stronger than Tsar, but I'd swear that the current Azzaro PH is weaker than Tsar.
Cheers,
Renato