Givenchy Gentleman Vintage formula

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Bergamot, Lemon, Rose, Honey, Cinnamon.
Patchouli, Jasmine, Cedar, Orris root.
Amber, Vetiver, Patchouli, Leather, Moss, Musk, Vanilla.

Risking the snobbery label, once again I have to praise the vintage formula over that of the current rendition. I have tried several wearings of the newer and there's nothing wrong with it. It simply doesn't compare to the original.

You have to love the patchouli note to admire Givenchy Gentleman. This is refined ruggedness as opposed to hippie. Patchouli is, more or less, a pigeon-holed note. The difficulty lies in making it appealing to those who don't necessarily love the aroma of it. I suppose if I was on the fence with patchouli, I may pass on Gentleman ( in any of its renditions ), but it's such a well done masculine version that the possibility of numerous sample wears would be likely.

The vintage formula is aggressive from the initial application, but within 5 minutes or so calms down to reveal a dirty jasmine-rose smothered in patchouli. The citrus accompaniment is rather short lived on me and it seems to be present only as a conventional courtesy. It dilutes the patchouli enough to where it's not overwhelming.

By the time the heart accord arrives, an earthy tone envelopes the composition and precedes the arrival of leather. The ratio of vetiver and leathery moss keeps Givenchy Gentleman in the masculine category. It is this combination that ( to me ) is the magic of this fragrance. Surprisingly, it's not overbearing and the volume of the accords is acceptable.

Through the life of the wearings, Givenchy Gentleman never attains a genuine softness. It is always a bit edgy, even when everything becomes smoother. The volume ( naturally ) dies down, yet Gentleman never fully
relaxes into a comfort scent. It always has something left to do and I enjoy the insinuation of energy in this creation.

The drydown and beyond is merely a continuation of gritty floral notes, earthy patchouli and a well done woody-mossy-leather combo. Long into the life of the scent, a wispy oriental vibe takes this home.

Sillage is good to strong and longevity is half the day. Big thumbs up for Givenchy's classic Patchouli bomb that goes by the name of Gentleman.

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