Caractere

Remember someone raving about Caractère many years ago. This is the later version. Impressed. Get a sense of déjà vu and can't think exactly what this reminds me of but it'll probably come to me at 3am. The blurb on the box describes it as L'élégance classique de Daniel Hechter interprétée dans une fragrance boisée, relevée par la fraîcheur de la bergamote et la sensualité de notes cuirées ("the classic elegance of Daniel Hechter construed as a woody fragrance uplifted by the freshness of bergamot and the sensuality of leathery notes") Things that come to mind: an incensey note that reminds me of Gucci Pour Homme 2003, and something that reminds me of the Papyrus in its sibling Bentley Absolute Opens with a citrus-aromatic salvo, evolving into a mosaic in which my amateur nose can't discern individual notes but the bergamot stands out, a camphoraceous fir, then as the citrus fades a rich leather note emerges with a subtle frankincense. The dry down is sublime, seductive. Classy. As it evolves I get a kind of woody oakmoss vibe that conjures a mental impression of Mahogany. Caractère is an appropriate name - this is sophisticated, refined elegance. Love it. Really curious to try the original. Update: From the reviews below it sounds like this version might be different to its earlier namesake because this is timeless, classy, and utterly intoxicating. The composition really is exquisitely beautiful - it smells luxurious and very Zen insofar as the main elements - aromatics, woods, leather, frankincense - are harmonious, complimentary and perfectly balanced.

Al though born late in the 80's powerhouse era and Way less offensive than its partners Caractere opens quite aggressive animalistic and sharp. The spices kick in early and Will stay during the whole development of the trip. What comes to mind at first is very spicy jasmin lemon soda then the cedarwood settles in to be the main character here. It s quite well balanced as you can detect amber and musk as the notes suggest. Even if listed patchouli and coconut are out of the equation. At least on my skin. The end is confortably sweeter and more Leathery. That s the part i Dig the most. caractere is a very formal complex mature and even austere scent. One needs to find an occasion to wear it. The comparison with Chanel Antaeus is quite spot on especially in its animalistic notes although it doesn t shine like its old brother. The longevity is way above moderate as people mentionned. Applied early morning it s still breathing late in the afternoon though sillage seems quite poor. Becomes a skin scent shortly after the brutal opening. Price is around 10 euros for a 50ml bottle in Belgium which makes it worth trying. Deserve some room in your wardrobe

Caractère a fragrance that celebrates autumn, but not with smoky sweetness, or resinous tobacco. Caractère is aldehydes, herbs, light florals, some rich leather and a musky amber incense. Anyone will say this has been done before or that this is dated, but they are not seeing the big picture. This fragrance is the swirling winds of autumn, whether in the morning or the evening and the greeting you receive when you exit into them in the day or enter in from them in the darkness. I think that yes, initially there is a light soapiness that one gets from the opening but the fir note and the leather combine to take this scent some place else and reveal its charms. Not to mention, the leather note runs deep in Caractère and once combined with the musk and incense we get a bit of Antaeus and Kouros in the base (something bleachy and screechy to juxtapose the calming incense, like a sudden gust of wind!). With a bit of patience we are treated to a truly beautiful dry down! Give Caractère a few sprays when your mood has changed, just like the autumn sunlight and taking in the fleeting beauty of changing leaves and autumn skies suits your mood.

tested the new version yesterday, I find it very similar to vintage kouros from the 80s but watered down, the opening is animal it's because of jasmine perhaps but from the start I got this smell of sweat (in a good way) it dried into green and fruity leather (which it made modern and young) this beast lasted more than 24 hours on my skin,

This is very close to Bel-Ami with its leather base. Only better balanced but weaker. Sensational. Maybe lacking a little oakmoss in the drydown. Caractere came out of left field and almost knocked me out. I wish it would be stronger. And really knock me out. But for 9 euros I can't really complain. 9 1/2.

Classy, stylish stuff! Definitely 80`s french vibe. Herbal more than leathery. Fresh spices make this juice swirl around you like crisp autumn air. Lighter and more playful than the usual heavy hitters of that time. Love it!

Still in love with this fragrance. So stylish, intelligent and well performing. Charming french elegance with a sense of humor and good taste. Bravo!

a lighter concentration (cologne) of kouros-antaeus mix....but again a good solid 7-8 hours performance !!!!

Great scent of the 80's ♥️ pretty close to bel Ami by Hermès👍 great price value as well👌

Was hoping for pine, but got an ethereal soapiness that is way better. Lovely jubly.

Got this today. Very interesting fragrance. Crazy that DNA's like this used to be rather mainstream. Nothing smells like this, nowadays. Really trying to figure out the notes I'm getting in the (rather challenging) opening. Somehow I'm smelling cloves, probably the carnation? I figured I knew this smell, and it just dawned on me. This totally reminds me of Jägermeister. The combination of all the spices and the medicinal vibe. That + fir! The drydown is where it's at, though. Smells like an old school bar of soap, in the best way possible. Projection is average but longevity is great. Definitely a fall/winter fragrance. Perfect on a cold, rainy, gloomy day.

Back to the old days :) the first spray gives off a strong 'grandfather vibe'. Woody, mossy, herbal powerful blast from the 90s. Initially I thought I didn't want to smell like that. Then I gave it one more chance, and another, and yet another until I really got to like it. This fragrance is kinda unapologetic, it says: 'that's what I am, take it or leave it'. I 'take it' because of the gorgeous drydown. It smells so clean, soapy, but not in a bad way. It's a bit barbershop ,reminiscent of that gentle, natural soap bars from the past that simply smelled like... soap. Good performance too.

Ingredients: alcohol Denat., Aqua (water), Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), Linalool, Geraniol, Eugenol, Isoeugenol, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Amyl Cinnamal, Coumarin, Farnesol, Limonene, Hydroxycitronellal, Citral, Citronellol, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Hexyl Cinnamal, Benzyl Alcohol, Benzyl Benzoate, Benzyl Salicylate.

This is totally untrue,the recent formula of Caractére is almost similar to the old one,and even better performing.Yes,it is artificial smelling,without a doubt,but it resemble the original smell pretty good,about the 90% of the first formula.So don’t be incorrect on washed up memories.

Just got a 50ml bottle. I like this - it's like One Man Show with more woods. Performance is good. Charactere is an old school mossy, woody pleasant fragrance - it's very good. *Update* The silage is particularly lovely.

My second fragrance ever, back in the nineties, it really did me good. Still wearable for a young man today. Distinguishes pleasantly between the blue shower gel scents.

Wonderful scent!I feel the luxury that this scent create,a state of luxury!Sadly,very weak(i have the original formula).

Goodie soapie cheapie 80s powerhousie.

i had a vintage formula of this edt. a true autumn fragrance, foresty-soily, amber and oakmoss in an old-school way. it's not too serious, it's like a walk in an urban enviroment during october. it's a good scent, but it gave me the headache so i swapped for another fragrance. dont know how the new formula is, but i recommend caractere only for an old gentleman who used to wear in the past or a lover of vintage stuff. a guy around 30 can find something else more modern and good smelling too. for example, hermes equipage is still wearable and super-classy in its old-school vibe. ho avuto una bottiglia dei primissimi anni novanta ed era un profumo autunnale tipico dei fine anni 80. mi dava il mal di testa e quindi l'ho scambiato con un altro. lo raccomando solo a chi lo usava in quegli anni o a chi interessa il vintage. attualmente si può trovare qualcosa di più moderno e di uguale classe. scent-7 long-7,5 sillage-7 versatility-6 bottle-6 compliment factor-5 uniqueness- 7 my vote- 6,5 in one word- withered alternative- hermes equipage or borsalino for man

I would call it the essence of the late eighties and early nineties. Initial aldehydes along with lavender and bergamot are complemented by herbs and faint flowers. In the base and later in the whole perfume, fir notes, leather, oakmoss and a little incense dominate. The fragrance is complex, beautifully blended and easy to wear even today.