Smellavision

... and I still enjoy it to this day.

The mix of guaiac wood and coriander gives it an almost lavender-like impression, and solidly landing in it the aromatic fougere group. Actually, it's quite a classic composition of citric topnotes, a spicy and slightly powdery floral heart with musk and a woody base also with some added musk that makes this enjoyable for most people I would imagine. It's moderate performance and casual yet classy style makes it a perfect office wear.

I remember when I had my final business exam some seven years ago, I was very hesitant and even doubtful whether I should wear any perfume, partially because I had two female censors and partially because I was afraid it would remove the attention from my presentation. In the end, I went with two sprays of Cerutti Homme and actually landed an A+. I don't believe the perfume had any influence on the grade, never the less it was not overpowering in any way and also kind of calmed my senses.

For a period of about two years, this used to be my "after gym" scent, where it was fixed inventory in my gymbag for use after workout and shower. When the gyms closed down due to Covid-19 and not having worn it for some months, I dug it out and wore it a couple of days straight and enjoyed it just as much again as when I first got it.

Simply put, it still puts a smile on my face after all these years and even if CpH is probably not sweet enough to be a hit with younger people, it is very well balanced and versatile indeed - give a try if you see it.

Personally, when I smell this perfume I actually feel that I get the concept of the perfumer Euan McCall - based on the Neanderthals that lived in Asia and Europe until about 25.000 years ago and were smaller yet stronger than modern humans, before the latter probably outranked them. If I close my eyes, I can actually imagine sitting in a cave, dressed in deer hides (leather) while the bonfire (woods and incense) slowly heats up the cave (flint and rocks) surrounded by green foliage and pine woods.

The opening is a classic and slightly raw leather, leaning towards fresh hides without going all animalic. After approximately an hour it gently and smoothly morphs into a nice and not too sweet green floral scent with tomato leaf and a little incense, which lasts for about another hour and after that it again transitions into a nice smooth base of sandalwood, amber, patchouli and musk which lasts a couple of hours as a skin scent.

It's very strange to look at the note pyramid here, as the leather is supposed to be in the heart while I get it throughout all of the phases. Good projection and average longevity (about 4 hours). I must say I love the odd stoneware bottle design which really stands out.

Composed by Carlos Benaim, who's also done classics like RL Polo, CK Eternity for men and Herrera for men, I was pretty excited to try this. I remember the first time I tested it was in a Berlin airport and I bought it on the spot. Definitely the most interesting Dunhill scent for years.

The fresh and sweet opening of neroli, bergamot, hints of iris and florals is zesty and very intrigueing and seamlessly morphs into heart notes of cardamom, sage, lavender and moss, then gently ends on a bed of clean and still slightly sweet vetiver combined with musk and black pepper. I find no signs of oud anywhere, but get a hint of coconut creamy sun tan lotion sometimes. Projection is unfortunately rather unimpressive and with a mediocre longevity as a skin scent, it kinda makes you hope Dunhill had used ingredients of a little higher quality. Either way if you feel that TdH is nice but too old-mannish for you, you should really check Icon out.

Overall, it does smell elegant, refined and is great for spring and summer in office settings. I find Icon to have been a great male comeback from the house of Dunhill and am looking forward to testing Icon's flankers Absolute, Racing and Elite as well as Benaim's more recent release Century from the same brand.

A honorable mention should go out to the lovely, very masculine heavy glass bottle which is just a pleasure to look at.

Me : "Here we go again..." (expecting something old school and perhaps even musty...)
Fougère Royale: "Well, take this - we'll start out with some fresh bergamot, lemons and chamomile, add a dose of geranium, a dash of fern and throw in some herbs. Yeah, that's it, let's finish it up with lavender, some patchouli, clary sage, oak moss, vanilla and tonka with a touch of cedar !"

The result is smooth, herbal, easy to wear and clean. The sheer amount of ingredients compose a luxurious and rich scent. I'm sure the slightly sweeter base, dialed down lavender and oakmoss and lack of coumarin will be off-putting to many fougere experts, but the sense that FR walks out of fougere land and dips it's toes in oriental waters is what I think keeps it modern - IMO this is an excellent aromatic fougere, a slightly sweeter and more modern alternative to my beloved Rive Gauche - not a substitute in any way, but a slightly updated version. Actually the fern note (is this what is listed as "rondeletia"?) does mute the lavender somewhat, but still I like it.

A classic barbershop men's fragrance that can be worn most of the year with moderate sillage and good longevity makes this a great choice for most gentlemen!

Growing up as a working class kid in Scandinavia, by the time I was 25 I'd managed saving enough money to make a journey through some of the United Stated for about a month. At that time in my life, the only perfume I used was a (sigh!) CK One I shared with my girlfriend, apart from that deodorant spray would have to do. I vividly remember the first times visiting american malls - those were not a thing in Scandinavia around the millenium - and especially the Abercrombe & Fitch stores, which all smelled magnificently. I later found out the smell was Abercrombie & Fitch Fierce. Fast forward ten years, I'm searching for Fierce which is hard to find here - and ridicously priced as well - and come across a british dupe which can be bought for as little as 15 €.

America Legend has all the notes I remember from A&F Fierce and they are spot on : An overload of fresh white musk, lemon, petitgrain, clary sage and fir on a heart of rosewood. Perfect woody aromatic.
But - please be advised that the sprayer is aerosol driven (like a deodorant) and will give off a generous amount of perfume. For those that find America Legend underperforming, I have a small story : about four years ago I had a short business meeting with a client where I applied 3 (three!) small sprays of AL at 7.30 in the morning after showering. The meeting was at 09.00 and we got through most of the negotiations within a short period of time. A little after 9.30 I left the client, but when I got to my car I realized that I'd forgotten some important signed documents in the meeting room. I enter the company again, open the door to the meeting room to pick up the documents and BAM! I'm hit with the most beautiful smell of white musk and woods. Needless to say, from that day on I only use two sprays per wearing.
Price/quality ratio is through the roof on this one!