Hommage à L'Homme (2011)
by Lalique

Not really getting the grape soda aspect that other reviewers have noted; to me it's more plum-jammy. Possibly a forest berry syrup. Whatever it is, it's very fruit-forward for my wardrobe, so a bit adventurous. Intensely likable. Fruity-- dark fruit, but not sickly or musty or raisiny. Then spicy woods. Then that slightly mildewy backbone of Hommage, that dry-rotted shiplap (present in full rising damp mode in Voyageur.) Then, a hint of oud, synthetic and softened, almost like wet ink. Speaking of which, this sent is calligraphic. Intricate, timed like a tight production, and frustratingly short-lived. Two hours max for this frail stallion. Overall lovely, mature, manly, reserved, real.

Hommage à L'Homme is a splendid oddity of a fragrance, a more elegant, sophisticated take on waters tread in earlier years by fragrances like Versace The Dreamer and, to an extent, Versace Man. If the Versace fragrances offered peculiar violet-floral-tobacco blends redolent of vibrant Miami life, Hommage feels like a fragrance made to be enjoyed on moderately cool days in continental Europe by a reserved, stylish professional.

Hommage offers a very fruity, grape-like take on violet, with a synthoud base that adds a touch of dirtiness (humidity and temperature has a strong effect on how this fragrance develops and which elements of the composition become prominent, so sometimes that base seems invisible and sometimes it's very noticeable). The effect is syrupy but in a way that's appealing and even a touch refreshing.

Yo prissy oud wood
Deserves to be slapped by some
Movie heroine

Name of Violet
As pixels dance and shudder
And the eye music

And the nose music
Jitters just right to where it
All feels like one script

Two fifty six bits
Of something or something else
"It's the texture, man!"

He says, as if these
Damn aromachemicals
Weren't just some damn Tek.

Blind buy and I'm delighted with it. Slightly alarming violet note when first sprayed but after 30 minutes it becomes very mellow, discreet and sophisticated; mostly a woody empty cigarette packet scent softened with just a hint of violet. Masculine and quite dry. To my not very experienced nose this seems like a very original fragrance. I love it.

Update - I bought this in the winter. I find it very different in the summer; overpowering and cloying. Definitely a cold weather scent for me.

Stardate 20170908:

A nice modern violet fragrance. There is woodsy oudy accord that keeps violet in check. The pepper gives it additional zest.
I do not detect saffron but it could be buried in with woodsy accord.

Longevity is good and price is great