AMOUAGE
HONOUR MAN

2011

PERFUMER
Nathalie Feisthauer

Pink Pepper
Pepper

Geranium
Elemi
Nutmeg

Incense
Vetiver
cedarwood
Musk
Tonka Bean
Patchouli

I’ve smelled a lot Amouage fragrances, some I love, some are not my personal taste, but I can appreciate them for what they are. With Honour Man however, I can say I’m not a fan at all.

The opening is very spicy and a bit green. There’s the same spicy nutty quality to it, that I got from Opus II, which reminds me of rucola or maybe walnut. It’s quite strong in the opening, almost palpable. There’s a huge dose of peppers, that becomes particularly overpowering in the drydown. It also makes the opening harsher than what I’m used to from the house (even though it’s not nearly as powerful as Interlude Man or Opus VI). There’s a little bit of freshness, which I viewed as redeeming quality.

The drydown is milder, but similar in scent, although the woody base comes through more. Vetiver is a very distinct note in Honour Man. The vetiver leans more towards Encre Noire, albeit it lighter. It’s not a clean, soapy vetiver. I think the vetiver on it’s own smells pretty good and interesting, but with the overload of pepper and a slightly powdery texture, it just wasn’t a pleasant composition to my nose. Performance was good, though not special compared to other offerings from Amouge.

To me, this fragrance has little to offer. There are a lot better vetiver options out there and if you like the opening of Honour Man, I think Opus II is a more unique and interesting alternative.