JEAN PAUL GAULTIER
SCANDAL POUR HOMME ELIXIR

2026

black cherry
patchouli
tonka bean

‘On the Gaultier train, the rumour spreads that the most scandalous passenger is on board. The one whose trail everyone longs to cross: Scandal Pour Homme Elixir. A presence that dominates, a tempting gaze — everything about him overflows. The attitude, the audacity, the fragrance. Zero discretion. All panache. To find him, head to first class of excess. A private space where pleasures are magnified. Here, everything is brighter, more intense, more extravagant, like the trail of the one so ardently desired. Juicy, provocative black cherry. Vibrant patchouli. Outrageously sensual tonka. A fragrance saturated with intensity, reserved for the initiated.’ – Jean-Paul Gaultier

The women’s Scandal Elixir was quite a nice surprise (especially the first half of the wear). And you know what, the same can be said for the Scandal Pour Homme Elixir.

This line has always appealed to me a bit more than the popular Le Male line, but Elixir may be my favorite rendition so far. In a way, this does not smell like most Jean Paul Gaultier’s; it smells like it could be an Armani Stronger With You flanker.

The opening is where it shines for me. I get some fruitiness, although cherry wasn’t what my mind went to. It has a berried/peachy vibe, but it’s instantly sweet and earthy. I figured iris would be one of the key notes based on the opening (as it is with the women’s Scandal Elixir). I presume it’s in this as well. It has a nutty tinge, almost reminding me of Les Abstraits Belle Ame for a moment.

Then the fragrance becomes even sweeter, warmer. Way too sugary for my taste. I still get a peach-esque hint, but a bit darker and woody, like osmanthus. Just smothered in caramel/toffee/sugar for the vast majority of the wear.

The drydown gets too cloying and boring for me personally, but as an overall package, this has a bit more to offer than most launches in this direction.