Battle of the Declarations - original EdT or Parfum?

[rum]

That's right. What is the general consensus between these two iterations of Cartier's Declaration?

I've only set the poll up between the original EdT and Parfum as I have seen less said about the two than any other flankers.

So which do you like best and why?

[hednic]

Parfum - richer and smoother.

[ILikePeeps]

Original EdT!

Parfum is great too, but it has a heavier backbone and sweetness and a ... kinda screechy amber-y type smell that some may not enjoy.

The original is a damn masterpiece; sorry, the Parfum just can't keep up.

[Surfacing]

Have not smelled the Parfum, so I will refrain from voting.

But coincidentally, Declaration EdT is my Sotd.

[Surfacing]

Original EdT!

Parfum is great too, but it has a heavier backbone and sweetness and a ... kinda screechy amber-y type smell that some may not enjoy.

The original is a damn masterpiece; sorry, the Parfum just can't keep up.

Yuck. That does not sound good.

I agree, the original is a masterpiece.

[Zealot Crusader]

They smell unrelated to me. Original Cartier Déclaration (1998) EdT is a JC Ellena classic that was a homage to Eau d'Hermès (1955) and foreshadowed Terre d'Hermès (2006).

[thrilledchilled]

Isn't the original a JC Elena production? It is before he became so minimalist and I find it very appealing.

[L'Homme Blanc Individuel]

Have not smelled the Parfum, so I will refrain from voting.

But coincidentally, Declaration EdT is my Sotd.

Same, except I'm wishing I had a bit of my sample left so I could wear it today. I finished it a few months ago.

I haven't decided if Declaration EDT suits me, but it's fantastic stuff.

[subhuman85]

My latest bottle of Declaration EdT was disappointing - I feel it's less complex than older versions, and much thinner. I bought the parfum thinking it might be a suitable replacement - you'd think, right? - but it smells almost nothing like the original. They share a dry woody-spicy character, but the parfum has a sweetness that reminds me of coconut, for some reason. It's nice and well-done, and I do wear it, but not nearly as much as I did the original.

[Cook.bot]

As a diehard Declaration fan, I had to choose the EDT, for all the reasons others have listed. But of all the flankers, I personally like Essence the best. I find it has all the charm of the original EDT, but with just a bit of the rough edges on the spices sanded off.

Sometimes, though, I do like it a little rough. Doesn't everybody?

[notspendingamillion]

I liked Essence best.

[freewheelingvagabond]

Definitely much prefer the EdT.

[deltasun]

Parfum for me

[ILikePeeps]

As a diehard Declaration fan, I had to choose the EDT, for all the reasons others have listed. But of all the flankers, I personally like Essence the best. I find it has all the charm of the original EDT, but with just a bit of the rough edges on the spices sanded off.

Sometimes, though, I do like it a little rough. Doesn't everybody?

Yep, the original and Essence are what I own. I had Parfum before, and while it's pretty good - it doesn't quite stand up to its older siblings.

[Buzzlepuff]

I liked Essence best.

Me too!

[Zgb]

To me, the original is a classic and parfum is atrocious.

[Kaern]

The original for me

Essence is the one though

[rum]

Parfum is great too, but it has a heavier backbone and sweetness and a ... kinda screechy amber-y type smell that some may not enjoy.

Spent more time to try the Parfum and I have to agree with this. EdT on the left hand, Parfum on the right. I am getting that classic cardamom-spiked woody/musk accord from the EdT coming right off my hand. The Parfum is indeed a screechy amber-like accord, but after a while it does appear to smell like an iris-based, slightly powdery-sweet accord. To some extent the base reminds me of the Dior Homme range.

It's a shame as the Parfum reminded me of the original when I tried it on its own. Side by side they are like night and day.

[rum]

Looks like the poll has a clear winner then and I would tend to agree with the majority here. EdT beats the Parfum any day. I do need to get my nose on a few of the other flankers, such as Essence.

[Ken_Russell]

Though liking both very much and very predisposed to own and wear both at some point, slightly preferring the older EDT version

[Surfacing]

Same, except I'm wishing I had a bit of my sample left so I could wear it today. I finished it a few months ago.

I haven't decided if Declaration EDT suits me, but it's fantastic stuff.

I strongly feel you will find getting a bottle is worth it. A fragrance this good from a current mainstream house is special. Can be a sensual scent, but also great wearing while solo as well. The way the scent works off the skin just impresses me. And this is after 10 years of enjoying it. Hard to imagine I almost moved on from this great scent.

[jkonick]

I haven't tried the Parfum because there are so many other flankers and that one didn't have great reviews or notes that I found super appealing. This thread confirms that suspicion.

I'll echo the comments that Essence is a great flanker, tied for me with d'Un Soir. Essence has a stronger woody leather presence with much of the original DNA but the other notes toned down to let the dark wood and leather take center stage. d'Un Soir is a great "masculine" rose - dry and floral in a way that reminds me of hibiscus tea, dirtied up by the Declaration DNA. A good cheap alternative to Le Labo Rose 31.