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Notes04/14/2018
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Blue as the tint of deep Ocean, yet not aquatic
The 3D bottle is blue as the tint of deep Ocean, blue like the waves of the Atlantic at night, blue like the Riband won by the Normandie, the ole French passenger liner to have broken the speed record for a transatlantic crossing... but that is all about the blue in this scent. Hommage Voyageur is not just another aquatic scent in the world, it is a story that is completely different from the original Hommage à l’Homme, it has way more in common DNA wise with Encre Noire than being a flanker of L'Hommage à L'Homme. It is a wonderfully crafted take on ashen spices, that feels utterly smart and luxurious, it is a dark, rich, and smooth uncompromisingly woodlike fragrance. A scent that powerfully revolves around three manly notes, with the woody, earthy and animalic elements in the foreground: patchouli, vetiver, and papyrus. Albeit they are part of its heart yet dominate the scene since the very beginning. The perfume hugs your skin with a fragrant and medicinal aroma of green cardamom and just a very little hint of bright and powdery bergamot, together they create a delicate balance of citrus, spice and sweet resinous blend. The opening here is superb.
Following this dynamic opening, things gently become carefully subdued and muted. Vetiver's woody, arid quality dominates, accented by papyrus earthy dryness. Nuances of patchouli and it's dark edge pierce through but never distracting from the overall composition. I pretty much get a dirty, dry, and sort of dusty patchouli, rounded out by smoky and leathery notes, with a cedar wood accord as well that adds its unmistakeable pencil sharpener and inky gleaming timbre almost present in Lalique trademark works.
Noteworthy, there is indeed something else that just hit me... I swear it saffron, like how it smells when you pick up the dried strands of that precious spice and inhale deeply! So captivating, this leaves me wondering whether saffron has been inadvertently omitted from the notes listed... otherwise, the perfumers did an astounding job recreating that accord with all the other notes! I know for sure that Nathalie Lorson, for instance, recreated the vanillic accord in Zara Deep Vanilla using other notes, but vanilla.
In the base, warm ambergris offers a touch of sensuality and a deep sweetness mirrored well with an albeit subtle and velvety vanilla note. This never becomes sweet, rather the amber and vanilla expertly round out the edges, adding to its depth and smooth feel. Oakmoss further embellishes the musky and rich earthy tonalities of the fragrance, pairing well with aforementioned vetiver. This mix-up of vanilla, papyrus, and moss is subtle, spicy and absolutely divine,
To me, this new extension to the Lalique line stands apart from its predecessor Hommage a l'Homme. They smell nothing alike in my opinion, which is a good thing. Same name, same bottle, yet each stands alone as a separate fragrance, neither leaning on nor referencing the other. Hommage Voyageur is a foreign journey into the Orient... generative, emotional, and open to discovery.
Lastly, to conclude, Hommage Voyageur is fairly linear and where this would perhaps be a criticism in most cases, it isn’t here as the fragrance smells so darn lovely that one really doesn’t want it to change much at all. Longevity is fine, I sprayed it on generously and after a few hours, I can still smell it. If, however, you are looking for a projection/sillage monster then this is not for you. This one is subtle and classy, intimate, like a whisper. Just perfect for work, I recommend this for cool seasons, spring and fall are ideal if you are looking for a non-floral, non-citrus, non-sweet cologne.
-Elysium
Following this dynamic opening, things gently become carefully subdued and muted. Vetiver's woody, arid quality dominates, accented by papyrus earthy dryness. Nuances of patchouli and it's dark edge pierce through but never distracting from the overall composition. I pretty much get a dirty, dry, and sort of dusty patchouli, rounded out by smoky and leathery notes, with a cedar wood accord as well that adds its unmistakeable pencil sharpener and inky gleaming timbre almost present in Lalique trademark works.
Noteworthy, there is indeed something else that just hit me... I swear it saffron, like how it smells when you pick up the dried strands of that precious spice and inhale deeply! So captivating, this leaves me wondering whether saffron has been inadvertently omitted from the notes listed... otherwise, the perfumers did an astounding job recreating that accord with all the other notes! I know for sure that Nathalie Lorson, for instance, recreated the vanillic accord in Zara Deep Vanilla using other notes, but vanilla.
In the base, warm ambergris offers a touch of sensuality and a deep sweetness mirrored well with an albeit subtle and velvety vanilla note. This never becomes sweet, rather the amber and vanilla expertly round out the edges, adding to its depth and smooth feel. Oakmoss further embellishes the musky and rich earthy tonalities of the fragrance, pairing well with aforementioned vetiver. This mix-up of vanilla, papyrus, and moss is subtle, spicy and absolutely divine,
To me, this new extension to the Lalique line stands apart from its predecessor Hommage a l'Homme. They smell nothing alike in my opinion, which is a good thing. Same name, same bottle, yet each stands alone as a separate fragrance, neither leaning on nor referencing the other. Hommage Voyageur is a foreign journey into the Orient... generative, emotional, and open to discovery.
Lastly, to conclude, Hommage Voyageur is fairly linear and where this would perhaps be a criticism in most cases, it isn’t here as the fragrance smells so darn lovely that one really doesn’t want it to change much at all. Longevity is fine, I sprayed it on generously and after a few hours, I can still smell it. If, however, you are looking for a projection/sillage monster then this is not for you. This one is subtle and classy, intimate, like a whisper. Just perfect for work, I recommend this for cool seasons, spring and fall are ideal if you are looking for a non-floral, non-citrus, non-sweet cologne.
-Elysium
