Review – Azzaro – Pour Homme L’Eau – Aromatic descendant of a legend – 7/10.
So why not continue with my flanker-themed posts? Today it’s Azzaro’s aromatic ancestor to a 1978 classic, Azzaro Pour Homme L’Eau. Certainly, there is no replacement for the vintage Azzaro Pour Homme, but this is one of the better flankers on the market. For this 2011 release, Michel Girard draws back the curtains, lets in the light, and produces a thoroughly modernised interpretation of a men’s staple.
Dig beneath the surface, and you can just about make out the original. However, one of the points of difference is the bitter but bright yuzu opening burst. Striking in its execution, one spritz of L’Eau will lift your vitamin C levels in no time. The tangy sharpness of the yuzu, accompanied by its citric cousins lemon and grapefruit, makes the top of L’Eau more appealing and wearable than Pour Homme. It’s bright, yellow, and life-affirming, with the underutilised yuzu note playing the leading role.
What follows is more like a standard barbershop scent lite. The lavender and geranium add their floral aromatic nuances. Then the woods and musks close things out elegantly. Undertones of smoke, possibly from the vetiver note, add a touch of depth and intrigue. Undoubtedly, some of the harsher elements of Pour Homme are stripped back or removed entirely. For instance, there’s no oakmoss or leather, and the patchouli/spicy elements remain in check.
L’Eau never loses its brightness, giving off sunny outdoor vibes all the way through. The yuzu looms large over L’Eau for the first two-three hours or so before flickering out, leaving behind a barbershop foundation. On the other hand, Pour Homme smells like the inside of a smoke-filled, darkened room. It smells very much of its time. So, if one’s urge is to move with the times, L’Eau is a fantastic choice for those looking for a more wearable version of the now slightly dated original.
Quick Notes:
Launch Year: 2011.
Perfumer: Michel Girard.
Top Notes: Yuzu, Amalfi lemon, grapefruit.
Mid Notes: Lavender, geranium.
Base Notes: Sandalwood, patchouli, musk, vetiver.
Longevity: 6-8 hours.
Projection: 2 hours, medium.
Seasons: All year. Indeed these kinds of aromatic scents work for most occasions.
Alternatives: Azzaro Pour Homme, YSL Rive Gauche Pour Homme, Issey Miyake L’Eau d’Issey Pour Homme, Caron Yuzu Man.
All images are my own.
