Monsieur de Givenchy (1959)
by Givenchy

This isn't a rough citrus nor is it a fresh citrus like in Eau de Paco and the like. This is a full citrus that lasts and is very classy and smoother. If you are looking for a rougher citrus masculine go for Eau Sauvage but if you want a debonair citrus Monsieur de Givenchy is perfect. I prefer Eau Sauvage.

This is a classic in the chyphre-fresh category. The interplay of the citrus top and oakmoss base make the chyphre chord strike; but the chord is struck in a very subtle and sophisticated manner. The lavender heart helps to make this guy purr. And the subtle sandalwood base also rounds things out and makes MdG a pure delight to wear. I'm so glad I was able to get a bottle of the new reissued version of this scent. They did not scrimp on the oakmoss. One of the good things about the cosmetic and fragrance industry restricting certain materials, is that you can read on the label and see for yourself if certain things really in there. I'm sure MdG won't last long, since it is getting very hard to find. My suggestion is that if you see it, try it. If you like it, don't wait to buy it.

Have I finally found my signature? I approached Monsieur with a degree of caution based on my experiences of Givenchy Gentleman which whilst having the potential to be stunning is to my mind an affront to polite society in its current formulation. Such caution was not necessary.

I have a slightly strange habit with new fragrances that arrive mail order. After unwrapping the outer packaging I smell the cellophane wrapping and then after taking that off, the box itself. Then I go for the inside of the cap and the hole on the spritzer just to see if there's the slightest suggestion of what's inside. I think it has something to do with anticipation being half the fun! I got a slight hint from the spray hole of what was inside the Monsieur bottle and excitedly started pushing away on the top of the bottle.

Well, what can I say? If Gentleman was designed with the Englishman in mind and Monsieur with the Frenchman in mind, I have to say (as an Englishman) I'm insulted. Monsieur far outclasses the stinky and wafting Givenchy Gentleman and is eminently more wearable. Its lemony but subdued and makes me think of a toned down version of the original Armani Pour Homme (in fact I'm surprised nobody has yet made the comparison). I'd say its closer to Armani than Eau Savage as others have suggested. There is a slightly dry quality to this fragrance that is also impressive. The dry down I can't particularly comment on as it doesn't seem to last that long on my skin which is a great shame. All I can note is that the initial Lemon in the face subdues rather a lot and leaves a delicate air of pure class behind. I'm smitten. Sod the CK's,Ralph Laurens and the YSL's. This is where its at, this is what fragrance is all about. In answer to my question posed at the beginning: Yes, I think I may well have done. Rule Britannia :-)

Sorry to the loyals of this, but i really didnt like it. I am currently using the Eau Sauvage and like mentioned before elsewhere, happens to be the only scent i have 2 opend at the same time, one to be left home and one i would bring for longer days out. Everyone has unique tastes and naturally this was not one that i liked. I love the citrus and herbal fusion in ES but found it not to be in good proportion unlike the ES. ES is perfect in my opinion in terms of the level of thickness of its main notes. It is a legend and a classic without a doubt, but ES beats this by improving on the the level thickness. ES is the only benchmark i would use to rate a classic and anything thicker smelling than the ES does not appeal to me, at least for the few classics i actually didnt like. My collection does include ES, Gentleman, Paco Rabanne PH, Aramis Tuscany, of which i would label as classics, another one i didnt like was Antaeus. Monsieur is strictly for those who have acquired the taste of yester generation, but sadly seems like there was something missing in the mixture and a little like an ES wannabe, despite its earlier intro. I was sampling this and Gentleman many years back and took a like to Gentleman(which am using now along with others) instead though both are not very similar in texture, with the latter being more musky/leathery. To bedgoblin : give Dior's Eau Sauvage a shot if you havent already. It was my late grandfather's staple scent and it is one of my top 2 scents.

Like it but very short life on me..can anyone find me a long lasting citrus scent ( same applies to eau d'orange verte and eau d' hadrian too)

A very clean, gentlemanly scent featuring lemon and verbena notes, ably supported by lavender and spice, a hint of fresh floral, and an oakmoss-woody drydown. Very classic and chic, it has a minimalist feel that makes it seem much more modern than the Cold War baby it is. At almost fifty years old, it is still in style today.