1681

1681 is one of my all-time favorites and one of the few fragrances I can safely grab for at any time. It always smells amazing and never feels out of place. The opening has a lively Mediterranean aromatic quality with coriander, thyme, rosemary, citrus, and pepper, giving it a classic old-world masculine character. After the opening settles, it dries down into a beautifully balanced base of cedar, sandalwood, soft spice, and a touch of incense. In that later stage it actually reminds me a bit of Carven Pour Homme, because both fragrances eventually rest on a similar dry woody structure. The difference is that 1681 maintains more depth and refinement thanks to the subtle incense and the smoother blend overall. It’s a timeless composition that manages to feel both elegant and comfortable, and it consistently performs well on my skin. May Carthusian 1681 reign forever!

I don't really detect citrus up front but I do smell lots of herbal and woody notes. It is so well done that everything comes together in one masterful scent. This one is difficult to pick apart and without the list of notes I'd have a hard time figuring this one out. I smell cedar, rosemary, thyme and something soft and floral (probably neroli). The herbal notes also come from petitgrain, which has a sharp green smell. I don't detect musk or lavender and just barely catch a hint of black pepper. Iris? If you say so. After a few hours you'll mostly smell the herbal notes with a bit of amber and cedar. It's clean and classy. I felt glad to find a herbal and modern scent that didn't reek of vetiver. Creates a nice, ambient scent around you through the day. Love tugging my shirt to get a whiff. Longevity was up to six hours. Sillage was soft.

Despite the similar note composition to Silver Factory by Bond No. 9, 1681 has a distinctly more organic, earthy feel. The sandalwood, incense and floral components are held in place by a soft powder, evoking the bustle of a Shakespearean dressing room. Many fragrances evoke a bygone era or decade past, but I have not encountered many that hearken back to a different century altogether. Silver Factory's metallic iris is really only suitable as a winter fragrance, but the herbal quality of 1681 allows it to be worn from early fall through early spring.

This is simply a herbal and aromatic version of Door Homme intense. The opening is very herbal and stays for like an hour then it dries down to the familiar iris note from Dior Homme intense but with some of the herbal notes lingering. This is very elegant and a more masculine take on Iris for those that find Dior Homme too feminine. It wears elegant and has a retro feel about it especially in the opening, so younger folks may not necessarily find the opening appealing.

Not much to add to other reviewers' opinions in that Carthusia 1681 has similarities with Dior Homme. it has a Mediterranean vibe because of citruses and herbs but also the conspicuous iris note. However, 1681 is denser, luscious and more mature. The bed of vanilla and sandalwood gives it the edge over Dior Homme. The silage is moderate, as it should be IMO, but with good longevity as others have eluded to. A winner and a must have !

The fragrance gives me the same spicy fresh iris/pepper combo I get Atelier Iris Rebelle mixed with the soft but dominant cedar note I get in Femininite du Bois. Just as I feel the name Femininite Du Bois is misnomer (v universal IMO), I feel 1681 is v universal as well. Super fresh and really smells like a wearable daytime peppery, spicy but fresh iris/cedar combo. Picture: church x vintage cedar dressing table x iris flower.

I purchased a sample of this from Luckyscent and confess I really like it. The fragrance starts out sharp on me and fades into a spicy powdery mix that reminds me a little of antique books. It's billed as a masculine scent, but there is a softness to it also. It is exactly as described, woody, balmy, fresh and spicy. It is a unique fragrance great for a summer night.

This is what I wished Dior homme to smell like! fucking phenomenal is irisy yes but there is this herbal touch to it that gives this edge to it, I fell absolutley in love with this fragrance, I would as far to call this the BEST iris fragrance that I've smelled, EVER

Beautifully sweet, sour, herby, spicy, woodsy and powdery. Gorgeous. Very luxurious and deep and elegant. I wear it easily, and get many compliments. It's long-lasting, and one of my favourite perfumes. It's fresh, uplifting and has a glorious smell.

The best masculine iris fragrance on the market. Iris here is just in right amount to bring earthiness without suffocating powdery elements. Naturals are of great quality as well. Overall very lovely bitter spicy, flowery and woody scent.

This fragrance has an innate therapeutic qualities on the soul. Require a certain amount of wisdom to be worn. Addictive. For me it's gorgeous.

Timelessly beautiful. This speaks to you in every season. Fantastically stylish classic without being old-fashioned.

1681 is nice - it opens with a waxy orris blast along with some petitgrain and herbs. The orris smells most like that from Xerjoff's Modoc, but for those who haven't smelled it, imagine a fuller and more waxy smelling take on Dior Homme's Iris note, or the waxy-ish orris of the opening of Traversee du Bosphore minus the fruits. To me, everything that happens in the fragrance happens underneath this slightly waxy haze that persists through the life of the fragrance. This isn't a bad thing per se, it's just.. unique. After the greenish petitgrain and herbs fade from the opening the scent becomes primarily a waxy, iris lavender and cedar. It calls to mind Tam Dao to some extent, although a hint waxier, and with the addition of the lavender note. Longevity is good and sillage is moderate. It has that "modernized old world" feel to it. A classical structure that is interpreted for modern tastes. A nice scent, although the late drydown becomes quite one dimensional and that may be the deal breaker for me. The top to early heart phase is extraordinary, though. I wish they'd raise the cost if necessary and add some more substance and dimension to the base.

1681 was quite a good surprise for me even if I'm not particularly fond of Carthusia's fragrances. An iris driven opening pleasantly leaning towards the waxy side (lipstick) and enriched by herbs (rosemary), lavender and musk. The frankincense note is remarkably present throughout adding some depth expecially in the middle phase. Woody patterns and hints of neroli/bergamot enhance the classic aspect of this "modern" masculine composition. Overall 1861 is quite an unique fragrance that's at the same time very wearable yet anything but silly. Distinctive and discreet, classic and modern, "serious". If you happen to visit italy don't miss the chance to check Carthusia's fragrances as they sell way much cheaper than overseas. Very nice. Rating: 7.5/10

Yes this perfume has some great class. When I smell this i always have to think of a well dressed distinguished middle-aged gentleman. This is a very well designed perfume with great class. First it has that typical iris-creamy-wax scent that reminds me of Dior Homme. But this stays fresh and is not too overwhelming and has more distinctive class. Secondly: it has a very elaborated set of tones coming through: sandalwood, vanilla and cedar mixed into a nice combination. This perfume fits best for the fall and the winter period. Second this perfume isn't so typical for a men's perfume. A real good perfume is in the end always unisex despite what others say or think. A nice perfume with great class.

I was very pleased to discover that Carthusia 1681, despite being marketed to men, is primarily an iris-cedar composition, which happens to be a very appealing unisex genre to me. I do believe that it is a full-fledged genre by now, as several different versions of this combination can be found among the niche houses. They range in degree of sweetness, depending on how much (if any) vanilla or tonka is around. This particular version is less dry and austere than some but not very sweet at all. The wood smells so natural and beautiful, and the iris sings through. I like it a lot and am once again happy with the quality of a creation by Laura Tonatto for Carthusia. On my wish list!

I got 1681 from my sister (she decided not to wear it at some point), which is a proof it's clearly a unisex. To me, the first blast was citrus + iris + tobacco (well, OK, insense that felt like tobacco to me). Then I got vanilla. I tried it a few times but it just didn't appeal to me personally. I do like the composition and the scent though, but it's not what I would wear in public, at least 98% of the time. This might be a masculine or unisex product to some, given these days' standard expectations and tastes. Again, let me emphasize, I am not an old guy, I'm under 40. I do find 1681 more feminine that I would like it to be.

Quiet yet vivid composition. Thin paper and powder with shades of citrus, warm woodsy notes, and spices. The whole composition sounds as if it is hidden under the clean, thin paper. It also brings a feeling of the old cabinet where herbs were dried (vintage touch). Beautifully balanced, tempting, warm and clean at the same time. Carthusia compositions have distinguished DNA, as they all have a light tone of bitter herbs-based medicine. I wear 1681 myself, although it is more on the masculine side, but in a subtle, introverted and thoughtful way. However, although it seems close to the skin, people can sense it.

This one I blind bought - I really like the initial spray profile, it's very balanced and interesting to smell. Very soft, no harsh notes whatsoever. Drydown is stemmy green but dusty bright bitter amber with iris layered in gently, which is a stark transition from the top notes. I wear this to bed tip: spray this softly away from the point and you will smell less medicinal notes

This is nicely herbal and for me quite powdery, I can see someones grandpa wearing this. For me, this one is perfect to be worn at hot summer day, it evaporates elegantly and you keep catching nicely herbal notes everywhere you move, it evolves beautifully.