Paco Rabanne Pour Homme

I am reviewing the original Paco Rabanne Pour Homme ( circa 1973 ) thanks to a generous basenoter who sent it to me recently in a swap. He also sent me the current formulation in order for me to do a side by side comparison.

The side by side resulted in what I had already imagined would be the case. Not that the newer formula is terrible by any means. The original version simply is better by being deeper and a bit more masculine. No......you shouldn't go to ebay searching for the vintage formula and paying stupid prices. It's simply a notch or two better than the current and noticeable by comparing the two in real time.

Rabanne Pour Homme opens with a slight shimmer in conjunction with lavender, spices and a subtle woodiness. It's an old school introduction, however a good one. The lavender takes about 5 minutes to raise its volume and evolve into a soapy rendition. I dislike when a boatload of soapy lavender takes over a composition, but here it doesn't go over the top. It's surely noticeable, but never becomes caustic.

Geranium is the leading the floral component in the heart accord. It is a well played card while the lavender interplays with the spicy, green accord that's still unfolding. These two notes ( to me) are the fingerprint of Pour Homme.  Rosewood is listed, but ( for me) is M.I.A.........and that's a shame since I love that note. There is a woody undercurrent, but it's very low key and doesn't introduce itself as a conventional rosewood.

As the drydown arrives, it isn't a dominating accord by any means. The notes used have a tendency to be loud, but not here. The tonka adds a very slight powder effect to an oncoming mossy amber duo. Honey is listed and I can't say I detect it as such. There's also a low volume musk that inserts itself well into the life of the scent. Everything about Paco Rabanne Pour Homme is classic in structure and aroma. Its smell reminds me of the 1970's and that could be good or bad, depending upon how you look at it.

The bottom line however is that Pour Homme is well done for its genre and one of the best in its class. Its success is contingent on the wearer liking classic fougere's. I like this original rendition, but I also have to be in the mood to smell retro. Any collector of classic masculines really should have the vintage formula of Pour Homme in their stockpile. Thumbs up from Aromi for Original Pour Homme.