1881 Signature

Hard to imagine all of these reviews are for the same fragrance. I had expected a strong leather, smoky and dirty, from several descriptions, but that isn't what I got. The leather plays a supporting role only, and is of the buttery soft leather variety. Nutmeg's spicy zing, fougeric touches of anise, combined with the smooth, light sweetness of cardamom is the dominant accord, lightened by citrus (description says grapefruit, but limonene and citral are what I get, giving a bergamot, orange and light lemon blend), at least for the first 45 minutes. The labdanum and amber combination give the leather an additional creamy texture, but it is in no way a dark or rough leather, at least while these other notes hold court. As this begins to settle at the one hour mark, the nutmeg, labdanum, leather, anise and amber predominate, with a reduction in sweetness, and the pepper begins to increase. I could not see the comparisons to Dark Rebel Rider before, but there is now some similarity. This is lighter, less spicy, a bit classier than that gem - more fougeric. Further down the line, a very light smokiness from the vetiver flits in and out, but this is no By The Fireplace. I would consider this to be workplace safe, but also good for date nights and casual hangouts with friends. Any season except the heat of summer would work for this. It is much better than 1881 Blanche and Sport. At the 3 hour mark, this has become a quiet, smooth amber/leather scent with a chocolately patchouli and just a hint of labdanum and some light fougere elements. t hasn't projected for some time, but wafts swell up with some frequency. The leather is not (and has never been) at all animalic or gasolinic, and has no trace of EVOO like so many leather accords. This is warm, with a delicate sweetness, and is extremely comforting. Age range is 30+. This, and the 1881 OG, are winners. Thumbs up!

This is clearly an Oriental fragrance quite aromatic, spicy and just a bit sweet. It opens very spicy. In the middle notes you get a fantastic leather tamed by the omnipresent spices, mainly cardamom now (the type of cardamom present in La Nuit de L'Homme). In the base notes the strong leathery facet is consolidated with amber and herbs for an above average drydown (pleasure & longevity). Performance is average with 6~8 hours longevity with 2 sprays in the back of my hand. Sillage is good enough for 5~6 feet with a projection of 1,5 hours. Leather is not an easy note. Raw skin doesn’t smell so good due to the tanning process. Fashion leather presents a reodorized scent, perfumed with essential oils, and that practice is actually what today describes our notion of of the current pleasant leather smell. That effect is usually rendered by birch tar (that made famous Cuir de Russie) or by synthetic isoquinolines that emulate the agreeable part of the natural tanning smell. Essential oils of civet, musk and amber may also be used. 1881 Signature gives us an extraordinary smooth, non offensive, dark and tanned leather. This is the type of leather I prefer and that we find in the stronger Tuscan Leather, Leather Oudh, Wild Leather, and others. The well behaved part of this scent evokes, to me, the Maison Martin Margiela Jazz Club fragrance. You must wear it among people who like strong scents. Most people will love your sillage but may become uncomfortable with close proximity due to the smoky, tary, asphaltic kind of scent, even if a smooth one. I just love it. You should use it in classy parties, weddings, classy clubs or alone for your own pleasure. It's a marvelous perfume in the proper occasions. If you layer it with pineapple you will get a vibe of the Aventus smoky batch. I love dark fragrances and this one is very good indeed, and the best 1881 for me.

Not sure about the rough leather and intense dry downs others have mentioned below. On me, in winter clothes and cold weather, I could hardly smell it after half an hour but then a spicy aroma appeared at the 1 hour mark radiating from my sweater and kept a nice bubble around me for the whole day. From initial spray to my shirt the next morning, I get a really nice smooth powdery and somewhat peppery leather. I love the scent. It's in the same family as your date night favourites. The ambery labdanum mix results in a powdery scent, and it's a bit warmer than the cardamom lavender tonka/amber combo we know so well from other brands (like ysl's la nuit line). The leather really gives it a nice edge. Probably my favourite blind buy in a while. Wife loves it too...Also, beautiful bottle! Stay smooth

This is a spicy Cologne It is pepper and leather. Has a little pencil shavings smell more typical of cedar, but maybe that is the peppertree coming across. This would be a cooler weather scent, and just note this has no sweet dry down, I would compare it to Bentley Absolute, not exact but similar. This is for a more mature guy, so if you are into Invictus, Eros, 1 Million etc. Avoid this, but if you like spice and leather this one is a good buy. It not a beast but it has a decent scent bubble and last 6-8 hours. Office safe and places like church. Again it’s a very manly scent, so for intimate I would pick something just a little sweeter, I love spice so this one is great. If you want spice with a sweeter dry down there are others like Spice Bomb Extreme.

This is an hate or love it for men's , but what i noticed about it on me last long , like 12h+ and like 1-1.5m projection for 3-3.5h (but not this is the only thing i noticed ) , on women's (i mean womens 35+ and up , not girly's who think are women's) has a very weird effect , 80% from women's who smelled it from me when i was wearing it told me its smell dirty and perverted for them but in a good way. So for what it's offer this perfume for the price is more then ok , at first i hated it when bought it and when i used it on cold weather and after had a bit of time to macerate it was a love it , especially cause i saw to a certain group of women's has an weird effect. Price 10/10 Projection on me i give an 5/5 Longevity on me it deserve an 10/10