VAN CLEEF & ARPELS
Pour Homme EDT

1978

PERFUMER
Louis Monnet

myrtle
bergamot
juniper
nutmeg
lavender
sage

rose
clove
artemisia
carnation
cedarwood
vetiver
patchouli

leather
musk
chypre accord
frankincense
labdanum
sandalwood

Van Cleef & Arpels Homme is supposed to be mostly an aromatic scent. I tested it from a vintage miniature (see photo below), and I’m pretty sure it didn’t age well. That being said, there was a lot to love about the first hour, before fading out quickly.

The opening was much warmer than the notes and descriptions let one. Aromatic, yes, but also warm and fiery. Like a fiery amber and mossy accord. Even a hint of animalic smokiness, ashy, albeit it subtle. Warm and spicy, more so than truly aromatic on my skin.

I won’t spend too many words on this review. Vintages are usually hard to gauge, as time can drastically change the scent, but in some cases, it feels like it has changed to the point that discussing it loses most of its value. In this case, after the surprisingly warm opening, the scent vanished quickly. At least, as far as any projection goes. When smelled up close, there is a warm spicy and aromatic tinge there, but it’s not making much of an impression on me. You can’t win them all.

I’d have to get my nose on another batch of this fragrance one day to see what it’s supposed to smell like.