Givenchy Gentleman (1974)
by Givenchy

This is a very powerful and complex fragrance. I am a newbie and bought this solely based on reviews here on Basenotes. Man what a wonderful product! The first day I got it, I was kinda shocked by the 'weird' smell as I was used to sweet/refresh generic fragrances from Macy's. After a few weeks, now I am totally hooked by it. It touches the emotions like no other. In late night when I working on computer and surfing the net, I kept sniffing it on my wrist and couldn't get enough of it. I really is a classic.

I don't have all the terminologies -- it has a uplifted tobacco hint, a very pleasant and intoxicate one. After a while it fads into a clean Guerlain Vetiver smell but with much more texture and layers. Very warm hearted feeling.

Two thumbs WAY UP!!!

I had the opportunity to sample wear this months ago, but sniffing it from the bottle deterred me from doing just that. I didn't like it and tossed the tiny bottle in my sample box. The mini in question is of the original version.

For some reason ( boredom maybe) I decided to try it yesterday. Since I figured I was going to dislike it, I applied a microscopic amount on my wrist. I remember thinking "How can ALL THAT SMELL come from such a tiny amount"??? An instantaneous assault of patchouli,vetiver and civet that was IMPRESSIVE to say the least and made me say "DAMN!!!' out loud.

These are the 3 notes I get from Gentlemen and as the wearing continued ( I applied more after the first few minutes), it didn't seem to change except to become a bit more subdued ( but not much!!!) and remained linear.

I like it. I actually like it, but this must be applied carefully in small amounts or else you will become accustomed to being by yourself. To those folks having a hard time finding longevity in the scents they own, move over M7 and Opium EDP, this old timer may just lick your arse.

This is an elegantly masculine fragrance. The masterful blend of patchouli, vetiver and Russian leather produce a scent unlike any other. The dry down is incredibly gorgeous. Whenever I wear this, I receive positive comments and feel sophisticated. It has great longevity and a wonderful sillage. This is one of my favorite fragrances of all time.

A winner....from A to Z.

Givenchy Gentelman is all in one bottle. Classic and modern times are sitted in the same table. Versatile, confortable and luxurious fragance.....About 50 usd a bottle. Feels like? 1 million dollars.
Chapeau Givenchy!

I am impressed. This is elegant and classy. Moreover, as a woman Chypre lover, I would wear it. What a lovely, well-balanced blend of spices and woods. Such finely tempered animalics. Gorgeous, subtle use of patchouli. Nice dry version of vetiver. Altogether, Givenchy Gentleman smells much greater than the sum of its parts. I can sympathize if some people think this stinks. Those same people probably think Yatagan stinks, too, so I forgive them. This is strange, yes, and alluring, and unique. It's not an everyday type of fragrance, but it definitely makes a statement--retro, bold, daring.

Very much an "Old School" men's fragrance, at least the stuff I have. It appears maybe the "new" Gentleman is toned down....the bottle I have is lusty stuff. If you've seen that Weatherman movie, set in the 70's, where the main character opens his "cologne cabinet" and talks about the cologne with the animalistic scent, you have a good idea what the Old Gentleman smells like.

this stuff starts strong, with heavy patchouly with a civet spike, huge sillage on the top notes, and its' certainly going to be scary for those who are used to fresh aquatics. But give this stuff an hour or so, and you'll find a great deal of complexity comes forward...leather, spice and some herbal notes as well as the background of woods.

I'm sure this is not everyone's cuppa, but there's nothing else like it, to me, and I enjoy wearing this in cooler weather, and maybe as more of an evening, more "formalish" scent...though I've been known to wear it around the house in the evening, hanging out in my robe and slippers and reading on the couch!