Etienne Aigner No. 2

This 1976 release by Aigner is a woody fougypre with a bracing opening accord along the lines of Leonard Pour Homme. This isn't to say that No.2 is very similar. It's a kinsman because of the Bergamot, Petitgrain and lavender in the topnotes with cedar leaching upwards from the heart.

Both scents eventually go their separate ways, but both emit a similar vibe with an emphasis on molto masculinity. I can safely say that no woman I know would successfully pull off wearing Aigner No. 2 as a standalone fragrance. This scent is rough, hairy and while it does tone down some by the base accord, it never ventures into the "shared" zone. This is for construction workers and plumbers who want to smell masculine on the job.

That may sound harsh, but it's my opinion and I'm sticking to it. Aigner is my favorite designer house for classic scents and I simply call them as I see them. Do I like Aigner No. 2? No, not really........but I don't hate it either. Let's just say I'm ambivalent. I do enjoy the fragrance after 20 minutes and the drydown has arrived. The hair has been trimmed off it by then and No. 2 becomes an amberized woody with quite a bit of company. Here are the accords :

Top : Bergamot, Clary Sage, Lavender, Lemon, Petitgrain
Heart : Anise, Cedar, Fern, Geranium, Heliotrope, Orris, Rose, Sandal, Vetiver
Base : Labdanum, Moss, Musk, Tonka, Vanilla

No. 2 has some heavy hitters ala 1970's style construction and for me, it has a difficult time transcending this era. I love masculines from this time period that aren't so "locked-in" and have a bit more versatility. Now, with that said, No. 2 is still very good in that it's well made with great ingredients that have withstood the passage of time. I refer to the integrity of the scent I am sampling.

This is the first neutral rating I have given a classic Aigner because there are numerous others that mimic this same aura and implement the same accord structure with yes.......you guessed it......the same results. While not bad by any means, I have to pass on adding No. 2 to the collection. I actually wear what's in my drobe and this wouldn't see any playing time.

Comments

DK Men by Donna Karan

Citrus, Juniper, Pineapple. Ambergris, Almond. Sandalwood, Lavender, Musk. I felt compelled to revisit DK Men ( Fuel for Men ) after perusing through some older samples and then reading my previous review from 2009. Wearing DK Men again has caused me to revise my original post. I liked it three years ago and have a new found appreciation for this extremely smooth fragrance. My perception of it has changed slightly, but my opinion is still extremely favorable. This time around, I get less of a petrol vibe and much more of a fruit and suede theme. The pineapple note is integrated so well that I am surprised I couldn't previously esteem its deft implementation like I can now. The magic of DK Men is in the blending of chosen notes. The citric opening is very good indeed in spite of its quick dissipation. The pineapple and amber quickly pick up the slack. They are rich, full bodied and manage to keep a respectable presence while offending no one. The volume is intelligent. ...

La Chasse Aux Papillons Extreme by L'Artisan Parfumeur

I read many reviews before or after I do my own and I seem to be at complete odds with the house of L'Artisan. I have previously said on basenotes that for me, L'Artisan Parfumeur is the most over-rated house I have come across. La Chasse Aux Papillons Extreme does nothing to sway that opinion. Yet another linear, floral dominant scent that does nothing to stir me up or inspire me in any way. This house has "pleasant" nailed down to an art form......but damn...can't we go beyond that? The only attempt at polarization so far has been Dzongkha ....and I found it a jumbled mess. At these prices, move me, anger me, hate me.......but please don't bore me. Extreme in a nutshell is a toned down tuberose with assorted "blossom" thrown in the mix. Is it bad? No, it's an acceptable floral scent that's very timid and just lays on my skin smelling like....well....a toned down version of tuberose with blossom this or that added to it. I'm almost a...

Black Suede by Avon

Nutmeg, Clove, Amber, Musk, Moss, Wood Notes. Yes.........I am reviewing one of the Rodney Dangerfield's of fragrance. Black Suede has been gracing medicine cabinets, for better or worse, since 1980 my friends. If you're expecting me to inform you ( like others may have already ) that Black Suede is a nasty scrubber, you will be disappointed. On the other hand, if you're expecting a glowing review claiming it's a diamond in the rough, you won't hear that from me either. I will say though that Black Suede doesn't deserve the hate it's received and most of that is due to snobbery aimed at Avon products in general. I kid you not when I state that a close relative to this fragrance is Cacharel Pour L'Homme. The array of spice in both ensure comparison, but the "smoother" of the two is Black Suede due to its implementation of Amber. While wearing Black Suede, one can detect a hint of "drugstore". That quality doesn't manife...

Il Mondo di Odore

Search This Blog