Pirates' Grand Reserve

Such a beautiful and surprisingly balanced and smooth scent, and while I can attest to it smelling "pirate-esque", I very much agree with the reviewer Mordrod below me, in that it smells and feels like the image of a slightly exaggerated 'Romanticised Pirate'. It opens up on my skin with a potent blast of Rum and Bitter Cacao with some woodiness, but while both of them aren't bitter enough to be off-putting necessarily, they're definitely not as sweet or as smooth as some younger people may expect/think going in. Nonetheless, as it gets past the opening it becomes a delicious, extremely smooth and well blended cacophony of (on my skin); Rum>Cacao>Vanilla>Cashmere in that order making up the main notes/profile, with the secondary/back up notes being clean musk's, a chocolatey-woody patchouli, a subtle woodiness reminiscent of Oak Barrels, and a nice touch of powdery sweetness from the Heliotrope, (a note with so much potential but frankly I feel its so underrated, and I wish it were used more to this fragrance's degree), and this scent profile remains the core for the rest of the wearing, as it slowly dissipates it gets a little woodier but remains the same for the most part, which is a Boozy-sweet Rum, delicious almost gourmand vanilla, a bitter but refined and slightly chocolatey kinda dry Cacao, a smooth cashmere and sweet-powdered and airy musk's + Heliotrope, with an Oak Barrel feeling base. And all these Notes while having an order of strongest to least strongest on my skin, are SO well blended together (and I mean that in the most literal sense), that going into smelling this just looking at the notes alone and no reviews, I anticipated that the Rum was going to be very bitter, that the Vanilla-Cacao combo would've smelt sweet, unrefined and bittersweet, but I was pleasantly surprised, as the Rum has no sharp edges at all, and neither does the Cacao, you virtually get all the inoffensive positives of the Rum (boozy, slightly sweet, pairs well with spices, and a good pairing with vanilla), and of the Cacao (chocolatey, Sweet, semi-gourmand, Bitter in a good way when not done too much, also pairs well with Vanilla), with all their negatives being not present in the slightest, and on top of that, they're elevated by the Rich but tame Vanilla especially, but the Heliotrope-Cashmere-Oak Barrel woods also help to smooth things over. I got a very firm medium projection on my skin which is interesting, as my skin for some reason makes weak or medium projecting scents weaker, and usually makes strong(or nuclear) fragrances even stronger, but this retains a pleasant scent bubble and trail that's just shy of arms length but its not dense enough to be overbearing, but good enough to turn heads. Longevity i got a nice 8 hours out of which is roughly what I expected from this, but it retains the Cacao and Rum for a lot longer than I expected it to, I'd say its good for all year outside summers, especially down here in Australia, as for wearability it feels unisex but leans slightly masculine (in my opinion) from the slight bitterness and the way the woods/musk's are done, but I can see women also enjoying this fragrance. in that line of thinking, this is perfect as a casual fragrance, and honestly even formal occasions if you carry yourself with confidence, but might be a bit much for office wear if it's a strong projector on your skin. Honestly it's definitely up there with my favourite Boozy fragrances and a possible contender for my favourite, also, i have no source, but come on; Captain Jack Sparrow from the first 3 Pirates of the Caribbean movies mostly certainly the inspiration for this fragrance, and I think it reflects that in the notes and the way this fragrance converys itself, only this when you're asked "where's all the Rum gone?!", you can simply reply 'I'm wearing it'. objectively I think its closer to an 8-8.5, but enjoyment wise its high as a 9/10 for me or sometimes more depending on the mood.That's got to be the greatest Pirate (fragrance) I've ever seen.

This wasn’t what I was expecting. To be fair, however, I like this more than I’d anticipated I would. The name conjured an imagine in my mind prior to receiving this delivery - one of a thick, heavy, robust, powerful fragrance, one that is dark and boozy. To my nose, that is not what this is. At first spray, the rum was strong, but it was relatively sweet in a manner that didn’t make this a boozy rum scent that would make me question, “should I wear this before driving?” I’ve got a few boozy fragrances that I’m hesitant to wear out if I’m driving just for the notion wearing them makes me paranoid if I got pulled over by the 5-0 that they’d not believe I hadn’t been drinking. I rarely imbibe, when I do it may be a robust hearty beer or two once in a blue moon, but dang, some boozy fragrances are so heavy on the booze notes, they dang near make me feel tipsy just smelling them. The rum in this just feels so well blended with the other notes that it doesn’t overwhelm but falls in the “just right” category for me. I‘ve got to be honest, after about 30 minutes, I’m not quite sure what I’m smelling with respect to the various notes. What I do know - it doesn’t smell like any others in my collection, and it smells luxurious. I do get some powdery, some light floral, and like some others have mentioned a leathery / rubbery sensation. Where I am, roughly an hour drive west of Boston, the temperature today is hovering around 70 degrees f and I can see why this is mostly rated as a fall / winter fragrance, but at the same time, to my nose, this is an all season, all hours offering. Typically, I’d agree that boozy fragrances are best for fall, but this one sits light, the leathery / rubbery aspect is also quite light and the powdery floral aspects round it out in a manner that I can see wearing this year round. To me, this isn’t Captain Jack Sparrow half cocked, slurring, and running from authority; rather this is a former pirate who’s advancing age has induced retirement from setting sail, and hindsight inspired wisdom that pillaging, violence, and theft are both destructive not to just the victims, but to oneself, not to mention culturally frowned upon and simply old hat - a new guard has taken hold, there is an air of refinement, and he’s embraced wisdom gained from other cultures, and when and if he sets sail, it will be to embrace other cultures he may once upon a time have brought a scourge toward. This is beautiful and mature. It’s refined, elegant, and though there’s little, if anything, tropical or beachy about this, for some reason it does conjure up a feeling in me about being near the sea with the sun rays warming me. This is a 10/10 for me.

Pirates' Grand Reserve is easily one of the most pleasant and cozy perfumes I’ve ever come across. The moment it hits the skin, you get this rich mix of rum, milk chocolate and whiskey that feels warm, smooth and instantly luxurious. The opening reminds me of wine or cognac barrels, and the whole scent has that polished, old‐money vibe you’d expect from someone heading out for a date night in Beverly Hills. It’s a real compliment‐getter too, especially around people who appreciate more refined or niche fragrances. I’ve worn it to restaurants, nights out and even on the golf course, and it holds up surprisingly well. Sweat doesn’t seem to dull it much, which is rare for something this cozy and gourmand. Season-wise, this is a late‐autumn and winter fragrance through and through. It has no freshness at all, but instead gives you this soft, balm‐like warmth that feels like it coats your senses in the best way. Because of that, it’s not something I’d wear in the scorching summer sun, though it can work nicely on cooler summer nights, especially for bars or dinners. Even though it’s marketed as unisex, it definitely leans more masculine. The woody, boozy and cacao‐like notes give it a strong, confident character. If you enjoy old‐money, elegant scents, this one fits perfectly. Personally, it’s one of the best perfumes I own and easily one of my favorites. I had been hunting for it for months and ended up finding it on clearance for 125 euros, which felt like a steal considering the usual 200‐euro price tag. Honestly, even at full price, it feels worth it. That said, I wouldn’t recommend blind‐buying it. The scent is very specific and unlike anything else I’ve smelled, so it’s better to try it in a store first. Final rating: 10/10

I have to admit, I've chosen it by its cover. Actually, by its name. I wasn't really expecting much, probably something cloying and very masculine. It is, indeed, very strong and boozy. At first, I could swear it is all about honey. Maybe it reminds me of something that is based on honey, don't know. Anyway, it is delicious. For me, it is very familiar (I love Santal Majuscule, maybe this is it), but unique at the same time. It has really nice character, it is independent but soo warm. It surprised me, because I thought I am already fed up with warm, gourmand fragrances and I definitely don't like them during summer. But this one made me so happy. On me, it is really strong, especially at first, it is definitely not too sweet, I would rather say heavy and dark with a powdery vibe, which makes it alive. Also, it is probably woodier on my skin than on someone else's, because woody notes always dominate on my skin. I love it, because it has woody, gourmand, musk, boozy, flowery and powdery stages, all in one fragrance. Very, very nice surprise for me. Although I know and own a lot of fragrances with similar notes, Pirates Grand Reserve is something very special, very niche and stays interesting. (btw, I only applied one spritz on my wrist, I imagine more than that would really be overwhelming. Also, I had Love In Idleness on the other wrist and must say, what an interesting combination!)

Edit: I bought the full bottle and I'm in love with this boozy, leathery, chocolaty, Sauna Infusion scent that turns into a powdery goddess. It is so unique and calming. Much love for this masterpiece. 🤌🏻♥️ I bought a decant of it, since I did not know if the Rum Note will be the one I am longing for in a fragrance. It's not. BUT, this fragrance is stunning. It somehow reminds me a lot of Ballistol Pet Care Oil in the beginning. But when it starts to dry down... Wow. It's Amber, it has some warmth/sultriness which remind me of a sauna infusion. Overall it has a feeling of a powdery, essential oil infusion made of pine, wood, amber and what not with a powdery compound. It's leaning on the masculine site, but it's soft and sultry, which makes it definitely wearable for me as well. Intoxicating, comforting, calming. Absolutely lovely. Unfortunately there is no Rum Note detectable for me here. I was hoping for that artificial sweet type of Rum which is used in some candies or at least a more boozy fragrance in general. But it's not there for me. Although this is missing, I'd definitely buy this. The sillage is amazing as well. I just sprayed the tiniest bit on my wrist and it feels like the scent is coming up from my wrist like steam from a diffuser. Ahhh, I'm in love with it.

One of the best rum fragrancss of all time. But also not blind buy safe. For some the fragrance is short lived on skin. For others, It's amazing. For me It last's all day and projects strongly for a good 4 hours before becoming a slightly more intimate scent. But the rum last's a long time on me. If you like boozy fragrances. This is a must have. But again, test it before purchasing it. The quality though is god tier. I much prefer this over Killian Black Phantom & Initio Side Effect. Atkinsons Pirates Grand Reserve has a booziness that matches Lubin Idole, Korrigan, Van Py Rhum. If you have smelt those, you'd understand what I mean. It's a delicious yet simple boozy scent. Strong high quality rum in barrels. Powdery milk chocolate and vanilla. But then damp wood. Like damp old rum barrels where the oak has a funky smell going on but also lets out the aroma of wood and rum in the air. While a simple fragrance. I have yet to smell anything like it. Simple yet extremely unique. No where near blind buy safe. Test it before getting it. But if you love rum. This is one you must try out. Extremely addictive in the cold weather. Many compliments also.

I am not sure where I first heard about this fragrance, but it received a glowing review. I have never tried an Atkinsons fragrance before, but I came in with high expectations. I am actually very glad I sought this out. This oft repeated formula-- boozy vanilla cacao-- has many, many iterations. I would say at least at couple hundred. But this one has its own place. The rum is mellow yet deep. It is less of a beast than fragrances with whiskey notes, at least to me. the vanilla is well-blended and the cacao is fine too. It also contains some atypical notes (broom, for example), and this gives it some individual personality. I like it better than Jazz Club, but I think that one is a bit overrated anyway. I wouldn't choose this for a special night out but would wear it to something like a low key party. It has strong lovegevity and silage. It leans male and would not be great during a hot summer day. I encourage rum lovers to sample this one. Price point is pretty good too.

Shiver me timbers me hearties. This pirate-themed scent gives the illusion of a very sexy and clean-cut pirate. It is more about the cargo that a pirate would gather, rather than the pirate itself. On first spray, rum slaps you across the face. When the rum note calms down, the warm tones of vanilla, gunpowder and chocolate come forward. The tones of chocolate in this perfume are some of the best interpretations of the milky sweet that I've ever experienced. This scent transcends perfume; it is a work of art that you can wear. Lavish, like a pet tiger given to a sultan, this beautiful collection of scents will make you feel grand and a step above all other humans that you meet when wearing it. An example of the gourmand genre of perfume and how it can be explored to great effect. The only bad points are it's longevity and sillage - neither are worth shouting about, which can make the price unattractive. 7/10. If only it was more extreme with the sillage and longevity...

I am honestly obsessed with this fragrance. Yum in my tum, the first perfume in my newbie journey that I actually liked and needed more of. I recently talked to the employee at the store who let me try it and he was surprised since I'm a younger lady, saying Grand Reserve is a very intense smell. I honestly don't find it intense at all, almost an easy wear if it wasn't so warm. That's just my personal take, I honestly hate the sharp, floral, and clean scents so maybe I'm just obsessed with a warm gourmand. Me likey, makes me wanna sleep on hot fluffy sand. Although I gotta say it doesn't last long on my skin at all, and everyone is saying it's like STRONG-strong, I'd like to know how to bring out it's longevity to its full potential. :P

I enjoy this one. Cold weather oriented. Creamy vanilla with a spicy rum undertone. There is something of a menthol type note I catch off the top, but it doesn't deter me much. The cacao adds a nice richness. I would say this leans more masculine and a nice gourmand cold evening out scent. As an aside, I layered this with a sample I have of Penhaligons the Blazing Mr Sam experimentally... that turned out to be amazing. So if you have that as well, give it a shot.

The opening of this fragrance is definitely not for everyone. It doesn’t smell of rum, it smells more like a non-flavored cough syrup. Very medicinal for the first 2 hours. I own this fragrance, and love that quality. This medicine takes a backseat to the musky powder past the 2 hour mark. Definitely a more mature scent, even though I am a teen. People love catching whiffs of this fragrance.

This is very sweet but very good. And for some reason does not get cloying. But you need to like sweet. A very interesting fragrance at first it was a love, and then it was too feminine, and then it settled down and was a great scent and yet all I wanted to do was drink it. I'm still confused by this one but I've decided to click love. Hmmm. Maybe I do love it. At first I thought I did.

Ahhhhhh i just bought myself a bottle!!🤗🤤 If you like a nice boozy tone to your fragrances, you will love this, NOTHING like by the fireplace ( that one is just smoke like literal fireplace nope!). If you like Vivamore’s ultimate aphrodisiac or dark indulgence you will like this. Buy it it’s FRICKING Gorgeous! Thank me later! Une MERVEILLE !!!😍

As a Rum lover. It is my favorite fragance of all time. In the air it smells a lot like photorealistic rum with woods and geranium on the back. Then after some minutes the vanilla/chocolate start to pop out more while keeping the wood background, turning it into a sweet and cozy but elegant scent. Not for everyone but definitely for me

I love the opening, and I found it is very close to the the opening of Guerlain - Fève Gourmande but significantly less sweet. Rummy dark chocolate tone works well with woody spicy mid notes and the helvetolide musky base. I love Ambrette 😊, this is so perfect for my taste. Moderate sillage with more than average longivity. Love it ❤️.

This is the best Atkinson I had the chance to smell and own. It opens extremely boozy with some since in the back and settles to smooth vanilla after 30-40 minutes. Great if you are wearing a smart leather jacket and drive a Lexus. Massive projection and long lasting. Easy on the trigger. Full bottle Worthy if you like boozy vanilla.

I get boozy chocolate with a bit of vanilla, wood and spice in the background. It's very cleverly put together with realistic, quality notes, and performs reasonably well. I really like the scent but my only hesitation is that I'm not sure what occasion it suits. Maybe I'll buy a full bottle for home and social in cooler seasons?

Reminds me of Pegasus PDM but an alter ego, dark instead of fresh. Has metallic note but is far more smooth credit to the cacao note. Very unique and will grow on you give it time. Great name imo bcuz its rude but exciting, dirty but well put together. A must have for boozy fans just wish it projected more! Do not blind buy

You have to have the right nose to apperciate this fragrance. If you are into fragrances and have a trained nose, will know this stuff is amazing. It also fills up a room! I have gotten plenty of compliments from this fragrance. 8.5/10 for me

this fragrance is in my current favorite top 10 fragrances. I know more than 300 fragrances you have to give a try beautiful, creative, charismatic, exquisite, and, quality fragrance. longevity is 8-10 hours with good silage.