Knowing

Knowing is an arm wrapping itself around your shoulders on a day when the stresses of life - i.e., the thoughts that turn into static within your mind, the feelings that pull themselves apart within your chest, and the memories that dictate present reality - are in need of dialling down, even if only temporarily. Knowing calls to you on a day when you require peace, sanctuary even, and are ready to submit yourself to its green hues and escape into the fantasy forest it builds from within your own mind. Knowing, from my own perception, says, "I have no gender, I am sexless and aromantic. I have little ego, and I will not intrude upon a room just to please whomever I may find within it. I will not be lowered by the changing expectations of fragrance, as I live only in accordance with the meaning of my name. I will come to know your skin, and you will come to know me when you no longer wish to perform, people-please or project a distorted image of yourself - because I will already know what you need." That is not to say this fragrance couldn't be a special gift from a certain someone, or have romantic connotations - because the beauty of scent primarily lies within its subjective nature - but its effect, its uniqueness, lies in how it stands strong and stark against the "sweet 'n' sexy" feminine fragrances of today. There is little that could be considered "everyday" about the composition of this beauty, even though it's often viewed as a gateway chypre, if you will. Note-wise, I perceive this as being an interesting, borderline gourmand type of savoury chypre because its herbaceous side is so mouthwateringly dry and quite pronounced in the opening with a distinct coriander note. The rose in here is so clever, so sneaky, because it, too, has been dried down into the bowl of potpourri this frag often exists as for many; becoming one with the aged petals and spices, emitting a unified perfume-y scent that nudges you to try to "spot" the elusive rose as it hides in plain sight. The florals aren't necessarily dominated by the green notes here; rather, they've somehow been fully assimilated and work around you as one. An hour or so into the drydown and, despite orris no longer being listed as a note in its reformulated state, I can always smell it: so powdery and suede-like, bringing about a luxuriously clean and refined character alongside the pronounced aldehydes that run right through its profile, before beckoning the cardamom, patchouli, vetiver and oakmoss to follow suit. The scent eventually transitions from being notably green to notably soapy-clean and classy; revealing a core that is defined by the only word that springs to mind whenever I reach this point in the drydown: integrity. In the far drydown, the entire scent profile becomes distinctly 'honeyed' in how the green, floral, and amber notes all merge into a single stream of viscous resin that feels rich and golden. An addictive, earthy-sweet sap, warmed by your skin, creates a fading trail as the fragrance gracefully departs. Knowing performs in a way that can still be deemed respectable, even in its post-reformulated state, with a lasting power on protected skin as well as fabric, that can reach ten to twelve hours with four to six sprays, and a sillage that leaves an intriguing trail that will make itself 'known' to the person next to you, and likely the person next to them as well. - An enchanted forest unfolds before your eyes with moss-covered trees, patchouli bushes, roses that find themselves intertwined with living, breathing vines that seem to be following you with each step you take, and white flowers whose petals almost seem to sway in your direction as you pass by. The scenery is strange and worldly, seemingly containing flora and fauna that originate from exotic lands, somehow existing, and coming to merge, as one. The earth beneath your feet almost has a pulse, a heartbeat; this is a land that breathes. Heady scents fill your nostrils: aromatic, earthy, and spicy. The trees secrete their viscous resin, creating golden rivers of amber that seemingly solidify right before your eyes. You feel the buzz of life against your skin, as both leaves and petals alike come to caress your arms and legs. You know you're being watched, but somehow, that knowledge only fills you with a warm sense of comfort. You know you're welcome here. You're yet another life form the forest is eager to merge with, and you lose hours, or even days, with yellow-orange-red skies transitioning above the trees. Eventually, you find yourself feeling lulled and sleepy, and you discover a soft patch of forest floor on which to rest your weary bones. A pleasant breeze rolls over your skin, and the trees rustle once more just to wish you a peaceful slumber. Your heavy eyelids close, finally, as you float away... Suddenly, your eyes flick open, and you roll up, splashing lukewarm water over the side of the peach bathtub you've been meaning to change. You're feeling hazy, as you realise you must've fallen asleep during a much-needed soak. Dispersed soapsuds float atop the water. The spiced candles remain lit, offering a warm glow against the shadows since the sun seemed to have set while you were snoozing. It was naughty of you, but that "one-time" cigarette you lit just to take the edge off has burnt itself out in the glass ashtray you sat on the floor next to the tub, and a vetiver-esque smokiness still fills the room, mingling with the fragrant candles and the dusty yet still perfumed bowl of potpourri you have on display on the windowsill right above the sink - again, you really need to get around to updating the bathroom. But the most interesting thing is the bar of soap you recently bought - and was so eager to try, after reading the wonderful reviews on its fragrance and skin-cleansing properties - that managed to slip into the tub and dissolve somewhat. It slips and slides as you try to grasp it, but finally, you grab it before any more goes to waste and glance at the word debossed into it, now faded and on the verge of disappearing: Knowing. Your mouth forms an amused smirk, appreciative of the undeniable accuracy of its name, after having experienced a much-needed escape that, seemingly, only dreams are made of.

I scored an elderly lady's collection of vintage minis for a song and this was in there. She was charging 70 and some of the minis are worth even more than that, but I didn't know till I got it home and checked. Not that I'll be selling them, but good to know incase SHTF LOL I've got a backup plan. I bought these perfumes last year, and every now and then I feel like wearing a powerhouse, so I reach for the containers and my hand guides me to exactly what I need in that moment, though I don't know till I spray it. Today it was Knowing. Normally when I reach in, I take my time and sift around a bit till it feels right, but just now my hand was immediately drawn to this. 2 seconds later and I'm in HEAVEN. This is DEEP. I feel as thought I'm slowly stepping through the deep deep moss covered woods, greenery & rich aged wood everywhere. It's so intense. I smell almost no floral, if any, it's dainty white florals that blend into the greenery beautifully. The scene in my mind as this scent spreads around me, engulfing me in this world of its own.. I'm in my living room still though, right? I wonder if anyone else were around if they would be transported to this magical moss covered fairy forest land I've found myself in... This is unlike anything. The closest similarity I can think of would be my vintage Paloma, but even that has a more feminine powdery softness to it. Definitely shared DNA though. They smell related. Very similar, but this... this is unmistakably unisex, earthy, clean clean clean, the cleanest of patchouli, while also being totally of the EARTH, and oh.. the oakmoss!!! I would dread to imagine what the reformulated version must smell like missing this. The vintage Oakmoss is EVERYTHING in this perfume. This is a deep mossy forest, damp, but not moldy. Luscious woods, during a rainy season, but not on a rainy day. It's just so full and lush. Surrounded by thick moss everywhere. No fruit, hardly a floral. Woods, moss, earth, greenery, very slight soapy powder and yes, spice, but it doesn't overpower anything. Everything blends so well. Mine opened straight away with the oakmoss, greenery and woods, but this bottle is vintage, the juice is rich thick amber and I get no fruit at all yet. Pretty sure the fruit notes aren't going to show face and I'm 100% okay with that. Why oh why don't they make perfumes like this anymore??? And how have I owned this for a year and not even noticed this bottle?! This is potentially my new favourite perfume.. but is the new one even anywhere close to this magical? Men - if you can get your hands on a vintage, do it. Women who are of the earth and aren't afraid to be so so real - FIND A VINTAGE. This is unbelievable. This is pure confidence in a bottle. You could wear this dressed to the nines, or in your pjs to bed.. any time, any season, day or night. Though I'm not sure it would have the same effect on a hot sunny summer day, I'm willing to bet this even works then. I want my whole life to smell like vintage Knowing.

(Review of a vintage EdP from 1990) Knowing slides right in to the genre of floral chypres for women that actually can be worn just as easily by a man. Think vintage Dioressence and you’re on the right track. And just like Dioressence, a very bold character lives in the bottle. I suppose that’s the point of “knowing”, right - when you know something, you’re confident about it. The perfume is confidence in a bottle. The opening and the heart are achingly gorgeous - well, the whole of the perfume is, honestly. Rose is somehow allowed to fiddle in the air with a sheerness and frivolity that hooks you instantly. It is found hand-in-hand with bergamot and other hesperidics, and also quite famously pittosporum, which was quite novel for the time. Evoked by what seems like a citrusy jasmine, the pittosporum also has a green edge that comes in very handy when this top cedes to a heart of a loamy and slightly green patchouli accented by florals. The florals of Knowing are quite restrained, powdery, and elegant, which reminds me a lot of what Guerlain used to do with florals in their masculine perfumes (think Habit Rouge and carnations). What makes Knowing very interesting and fun to wear is immediately noticeable in this transition from the top to the heart as the note evolution does not happen in perfectly timed concert: the hesperidics leave first, leaving the rose to do the work, then an orange blossom comes up from the heart to relink the hesperidics and the rose, while the pittosporum more slowly gives way to jasmine and patchouli. Then, as if by a survivalist imperative to launch itself, comes oakmoss in that grandest of vintage mannerisms. On my skin it takes over the perfume completely; on a blotter it has a much more nuanced presentation with the floral vocalists in tandem. The damp woodiness of the oakmoss ushers in a stunning dry down of woods, vetiver, civet, and honey. There is a bit of an amber lean to the base, but it is convincingly an old school stinky chypre - dry aromatic woody, and a wet, slightly sweet, and certainly funky fecal accord from the civet and honey combination. The base maintains the belting operatic contralto timbre the perfume started with; as Knowing evolves and dries down, it doesn’t lose strength, confidence, class, or elegance, it simply moves on to the next part of the melody. Estée Lauder used to be very good at this type of thing - call it loud, American confidence if you will, owning the room so to speak, and they essentially told us they wanted their perfumes to do so right from the outset with Youth Dew. Knowing is going to own the room you walk into. It projects and sillages like warfare, but yet it smells intricate, intelligent, and divine. It’s not all talk and no trousers. In the massive genre of floral chypres this is one of the best ever made, right up there with Dioressence, which, for me, is high praise indeed. Legendary.

Batch code A34 24 110 - 6 months 23 days old. Estee Lauder's Knowing smells AMAZING! I was surprised at how freaking GORGEOUS and potent the current formulation is. Now, while it's no longer got "Eternal Longevity" like it once had, I find that 4 maybe 5 spritzes is perfect for a full 8 hour experience. It really has a classic, ultra clean-soapiness which I really love, and it also has a slight, beautiful spiciness which is simply intoxicating. The aldehydes are noticable, but not nearly as much as Say, Grès by Cabochard for example, and the Aldehydes really add to the "classy vibe" this fragrance offers. The patchuli plays really nicely with the cardamom and thankfully the civet is done in a way that really isnt that noticeable. The vetiver gives it a citric edge and is probably what gives Knowing that high end soapy nuance. It does smell like a classic "vintage" dna, but it does not smell overly "dated" or "old lady" like to my nose, and I also think that us fellas can pull this off with no problemo because its such a clean, classy fragrance that can definately be dressed up or down by men and women alike😉(smelling like you just stepped out the shower after having used an expensive, luxurious bar of soap is GENDERLESS)! Im so glad that I got past my concern about Knowing leaning "too feminine" because after trying it, and considering todays sensitivities, its definately NOT too feminine leaning. Performance is really good especially considering the HORRIBLE reformulations that have been done to some of my favorite classics such as Ralph Lauren's Polo, Tuscany per Uomo, Dior Fahrenheit and a few others which Ive been so dissapointed by lately. Excellent, timeless fragrance and I highly recommend Knowing if anyone is looking for a very wearable, classy, sophisticated fragrance. Ive also read some reviews where some folks claim that there's a "cigarette smell" in Knowing, but I dont pick up on that AT ALL! Now classics such as Grès by Cabochard contain leather which does have a slight "smokey" nuance, but Knowing doesn't contain a leather note which pretty much explaines why I do not get any cigarette smell. Now, if ya really dislike aldehydes, then Knowing may not be for you, but Id give it a chance because I used to also dislike Aldehydic fragrances, but now I look for Aldehydic fragrances bc I've grown to really appreciate that note quite a bit so the same may happen to you😉. Estee Lauder's Knowing is an 8.5 outta 10 fragrance imo. And is an affordable, "unisex" MUST in anyones Perfume collection.. STELLAR CLASSIC FRAG!!💖💫💣👌. Go getchall some Estee Lauder's Knowing Ya'll, before they steralize it with another reformulation, or worse.. Discontinuation!!🫨Thanks for taking time to read my review.

Setting: Macy's, 2020. Mission: Purchase a Youth Dew holiday gift set. Plot twist: The protagonist is derailed by Knowing. Yes, Knowing has left me dumbfounded in awe. It all started a few weeks ago. I eyed that sculpted tester bottle, sitting near the Macy's checkout register, nearly hidden from sight, and asked the sales clerk to spritz some Knowing onto a card. I hadn't smelled it in a long while, and didn't remember much caring for it back then, at the beginning of my fragrance journey. But what the hell, right?! So color me flabbergasted at the olfactory symphony that greeted my nostrils! I fell absolutely, totally in love. Trying to show some restraint, I left without purchasing a bottle, but that card never left my hands the rest of the night. By the next morning, I was back at Macy's for my betrothed. Knowing is timeless and majestic, now my reference rose chypre. The current formulation opens with an aldehydic blast alongside mimosa, a bit startling at first. Give it a few minutes, though, and the scent coheres on skin, as rose emerges atop the earthiness of oakmoss. There's a little fruitiness too—at different points in its evolution, I can detect a hint of melon or a smidge of plum, but they're always in the background. (Plum was much more noticeable on the tester card.) A musky civet accord gives it an animalic funk, for me, the proverbial cherry on top. In a Knowing frenzy, I also purchased a vintage EDP splash bottle. It's quite similar to what's currently available, except it smells more grounded, with stronger oakmoss and rose notes. In comparison, today's version feels more diffuse. That said, both are perfect. Beyond the smell itself, I've also fallen hard for the "vibe" that Knowing embodies. It's confident and self-possessed, intelligent, no-nonsense, commanding respect. Knowing reminds me of Angela Carter's feminist fairy tales (seriously, read The Bloody Chamber and thank me later), a heroine retreating to the forest, tending a private rose garden, her restorative act of meditation. I imagine women like Joan Didion or Jean Smart wearing Knowing upon its original release. Today, Michelle Williams (actress, not Destiny's Child, lol) or Fiona Apple might wear it straight, that is, unironically. So, please, please, please, whatever you do, just buy a bottle. A singular experience awaits.

As a lover of chypres and rosy perfumes, I have long wanted to try Knowing. I find Estée Lauder perfumes to be (more or less) consistently excellent, especially the vintage versions, and Knowing is no exception. I found a vintage miniature from the 1990s on eBay, and it is simply wonderful: elegant yet extroverted. The oakmoss is sublime, grounding this scent throughout, making for one of the best vintage chypres I have tried. Knowing reminds me in parts of other perfumes (a more elegant Paloma, leathery notes from Cabochard) and the opening unexpectedly reminds me of Cacharel LouLou - perhaps due to the plum note in conjunction with the rich white florals. Knowing opens with sweet fruity notes, notably juicy plum, bolstered by florals and green notes. There is peppery spice present from the initial spray, which, along with the heady tuberose note, sets Knowing firmly in the 1980s. There is also a fresh airiness to Knowing, thanks to the dewy green notes and wonderfully soapy aldehydes. Some aquatic melon adds freshness too. It is deeply pleasant and nicely balanced, while being compelling and addictive. As it develops, the oakmoss gradually emerges, providing the rich chypre backdrop. Sweet, increasingly powdery rose is dominant at the heart of this scent, bolstered by a sweet white floral accord, while woody notes add depth. Lily-of-the-valley is particularly prominent, adding its typical green floral lift, while orris root adds an iris-like powdery note. As it dries down, Knowing becomes wonderfully mossy and woody, with soft leather notes emerging. Slightly animalic yet still light and airy, it is rich, warm and just the right amount of spicy. The soapiness remains, reminiscent of an old-fashioned, good quality hotel soap. It fades to a powdery, amber skin scent, becoming musky as it fades. Sillage is moderate, and longevity is pretty decent. Although traditionally feminine, Knowing - like many vintage chypres - could today be pulled off by a man. An underrated gem, Knowing a top quality rose chypre. I would love to compare it to the modern incarnation. Complex yet beautifully balanced, it is sweet, floral, ambery, woody, leathery and mossy without being a muddied mess. A marvel. 5/5.

Hello all. I have Knowing, both of the old formulation, and of the new formulation. The old formulation was one that went from 1988 to mid to late 1990's. This version of it will knock you down. It was a nuclear room filler. If you are fortunate enough to find a bottle of the old formulation, you would also see that it is eternal. You could get it to last more than one day on your skin. There was no need to go hard on the trigger with this one. Two squirts in the shirt, you should be good to go all day. Now, let's fast forward to the newer, current version of Knowing. It does a pretty good job of maintaining the same general profile as the OG. There are some changes. This newer version to me doesn't seem quite as "honey rich" as the old version did. It also seems a little softer, and a bit soapier. It IS toned down, but longevity still seems to be there, so the newer version of this hits the way it needs to. This version to me seems like it can work just as well for a man as it would a woman. The price of it is pretty reasonable too. Two squirts in the shirt, two on the neck, this will be enough to get you through the day. This has a permanent place in my collection as long as they continue making it. I also wore this today, and took a shower to wrap up the day, and I could still smell this on me. So longevity? This one has your back. For the guys out there who might not have a clear idea of what this smells most like, I get an Azzaro Pour Homme meets YSL Kouros, or Hugo Boss #1, and this is what you would end up with. If you enjoy the scent profiles mentioned here, you will love Knowing, as it is in the same basic profile ballpark. With Knowing, you get a really outdoorsy, dryer sheets on a hot summer day type of vibe. For me personally regarding different scents, I have in many cases chose to completely disregard gender based marketing. With the case of EL Knowing, there are some scents marketed to men that are sweeter, and more feminine leaning than Knowing actually is. So yes, a man could definitely pull this off.

KNOWING how much I detest the Legacy Knowing, I put on some of my older formulation and once again rued the change. I suppose it is possible that my version with its funny blocky bottle and puzzle-piece cap is a shadow of its former 80s self--I bought mine in 2023 but it could be a year or two older--but I still like it much, much better than the fruitier version that the Frédéric Malle nose trust produced for the Legacy edition. I'm glad I have a large (two ounce?) bottle of this because I will not be spending $280 for the Legacy edition, which is similar enough on the drydown but obnoxiously plummy (or possibly black curranty) in the opening, so much so that it barely smells like a floral chypre anymore. For me the real beauty of Knowing was the slight asperity, that mossy, elegant rose amid the earthy and aromatic notes, combined with the zing of the aldehydes. The Malle Knowing is considerably less aldehydic and less mossy. I suppose the oakmoss in my Knowing must be a synthetic, but it's good enough for me. I suppose it's possible that Malle wanted to amp up the ingredients that don't cause IFRA hassles, but I still prefer the previous formulation, the one that will probably be phased out because it's so much less expensive and doesn't "improve" the status of the brand. Legacy Knowing smells streamlined and simplified. I suppose that might be more compatible with modern preferences, but Malle's Portrait of a Lady is plenty complex and still a big seller, so one would THINK that Knowing could be more like that one, perhaps, and less like a plummier, less aldehydic, watered-down disappointment. I think to avoid the oakmoss headaches, Malle's team might have upped the labdanum along with the fruity notes. That might be why it sometimes makes me think of vomiting a few slugs of Mad Dog into an expensive leather handbag. This formulation never makes me think about fortified-wine vomitus. It makes me think of roses and haylofts and very expensive soap.

Man, Ive smelled many Chypre fragrances from High-End Designer, as well as a few "Niche," but in the end Knowing has got to be my all-time favorite Chypre for sure! The way that the Patchouli is done in this fragrance is simply STUNNING and may be one of THEE CLEANEST, most beautiful interpretations of a Patchouli note that Ive ever come accross. The Plum and florals are also amazing and also very "Clean/Fresh" smelling and don't necessarily come accross as "Florals" or "Fruit" unless ofcourse one takes the time to really dissect the scent as they experience it. The aldehydes are NOT overly soapy, "Cigarette like" or off-putting like maybe Cabochard's Grès can come accross to some noses (although I LOVE Grès) and the note truley jist makes this dna more effervescent and almost ethereal. Now with all that saif, Knowing is still a dense fragrance which has amazing performance as far as projection and staying power go. Knowing is most def Unisex" for today's pallette and as a man, I feel 100% comfortable in wearing it. Also, I had purchased Paloma Picasso's Chypre fragrance for my mom years ago and can honestly say that besides the fact that they're both "Chypre fragrances" they just aren't all that similar imo atleast. Paloma Picasso is more "Dirty" or "anamalic" and I feel that the aldehydes are more prominent in Paloma Picasso's fragrance which is also AMAZING in its own right. Anyhow, I have to give Knowing a 9.5 outta 10. Its very close to perfection and one of my top fragrances out of my nearly 200 plus bottle wacky collection which includes everything from Classic Cheapies, High-end designer as well as Niche frags. Well, many thanks to whomever took time to read my long a$$ review, but there's just so much to say about Estee Lauder's Knowing. A Stellar fragrance INDEED!

To not know 'KNOWING' is a great shame for all perfumista's young and of a more mature age of fine vintage chypre fragrance, this was my dear Mothers signature scent for decades, I KNOW because I usually gifted her with pure parfum & the occasional bottle of the eau de parfum for everyday use. The parfum was beyond luxurious, one drop of this deep golden elixir would last for hours with best results after layering with the edp. Once I was fortunate to have obtained a OG heavy glass 1 fl.oz flacon of the parfum, clear deeply carved crystal base with a emerald green stopper, beautifully decadent and Oh' so Parisian chic, Estee Lauder sure hit this one out of the park so to speak, it was a very complex fragrance but effortlessly so to wear in fact I still keep on hand in my collection a few vials of the parfum so as to re-connect with my darling Mum, just a sniff and I feel her presence with me since her recent passing a few years ago. This was another big hit from genius perfumeur Jean Kerleo of Patou'1000' fame also one of Mum's other favorites including Van Cleef & Arpels 'First'(1st.formula), Paloma Picasso's Paloma & YSL's 'Y' all in parfum concentration to name but a few, mostly chypre's as this class suited her to a tee. I urge folks to hunt down the vintage if possible, it's still out there although not that easy to find these days, well worth the trouble you wont be disappointed of that I can guarantee it, on the other hand the more modern and easily found eau de parfum is quite acceptable, a little thinner these days but still gorgeous none the less, in some ways 'KNOWING' reminds me of another great chypre love 'CABOCHARD' but that's another story... A truly beautiful & unique fragrance!!!!

Foi hoje! Saí em direção á loja de perfumes. A muito tempo que na minha cabeça e coração estava, decidir finalmente qual seria o meu perfume de assinatura. E foi hoje! A loja grande, linda. Assim que entrei senti a mistura dos aromas, que agradavel. No meu coração estava o Knowing. E os meu olhos foram até ele. No expositor encontrei o frasco, é igual á minha memória visual. Resolvi testar. Sim! É este! Todos os pontos a favor. Um clássico, carregado de charme. Encontra-se poucas pessoas que o carregam consigo , talvez por ser forte e marcante. Um aroma pouco copiado,natural na sua composição que marca a sua presença logo de início,assim como eu. E ele tem florescido na minha pele ao longo do dia, mais do que nunca não deixa de ser ele próprio, nobre, impactante, charmoso, cativante, e mais uma mão cheia de adjectivos. Ele foi "o eleito" por mim. Quero que quando alguém o cheirar se lembre de mim, e pelas melhores razões. Cheira a Li... Agora já no fim do dia ainda o sinto, agradável, majestoso e subtil ao mesmo tempo. Enfim, tenho o meu coração a pular de alegria e o meu nariz vibrante por finalmente poder sentir algo de verdadeiro. Talvez tudo isto se deva à reação da minha pele, que se proporciona ao uso de aromas fortes. Se alguém procura algo como "acabado de sair do banho"este não é opção. Mas se for como eu que um Chanel 5 pode ser usado á noite para dormir, aposte nele e aposte em grande. Já não se criam perfumes assim, como este. Andamos todos a cheirar ao mesmo e o mesmo! Sabonete ou desodorizante sei lá eu, ao que estas tendências comerciais no levam! Por isso é de viver intensamente, e viver com o Knowing em nós e conosco.

Just opened a brand new current bottle. This smells soooo gooood. The first time I smelt it 10 years ago, it was an amazing experience. I had no idea what to expect from the bottle. But when I inhaled, something clicked in my brain. Hey, I knew this smell! I don't know where from, but it definitely registered in my mind as something deeply familiar, and oh so good. I think that Knowing is one of those perfumes that when it has gone off, it can smell quite bad. But if it is fresh, it's absolutely wonderful. A classic and oldie, but in such a good way. Even though the smell is somehow familiar to me, I do not recall anybody around me wearing it. So I don't have any personal associations of any particular person that it reminds me of. I have a miniature bottle that has definitely gone off and smells rancid. I have a beautiful vintage 8ml refillable pure parfum spray in a heavy gold refillable case which is stored in a small fabric pouch. This one smells fresh and lovely. Now I also have a current formula edp bottle, purchased in 2022. And to me it smells fantastic. Just like the pure parfum which I have. It seems to project more and last longer, but the sprayer expels more perfume than the tiny sprayer in the pure parfum one, so maybe that's why. Maybe my nose is not refined enough, but I am just as happy with the current edp as I am with my vintage extrait. Obviously I want to keep and save the extrait because it's precious, discontinued, hard to find and all that nonsense that we all get sucked into. But all that aside, the current edp to my nose is fantastic and I am really delighted to have it. Makes me feel good when I wear it.

Finalmente encontrei o perfume signatura!❤️ Era mesmo o que procurava,UM CLÁSSICO,puro vintage... Já o tinha usado no início dos anos 90 e agora quando o coloquei foi como uma viagem no tempo, ele levou me até essa época. Foi um recordar de boas memórias. O que eu procurava era algo marcante sem exagero,algo que realmente fosse agradável e expressivo, que revelasse o meu carácter amistoso e um pouco rebelde,uma mulher fêmea que gosta de brilho,agradar e fazer se notar. Este perfume é tudo isto. Não queria nada moderno, floral, que fosse igual a todo o mundo. Hoje em dia os aromas novos cheiram todos ao mesmo. Ou compras um perfume de nicho e gastas uma fortuna tens que encontrar um clássico que ainda se mantenha fiel á sua criação, á sua origem. Eu até compreendo o porquê agora,devido às novas regras de controlo ambiental,os custos dos ingredientes base tudo isto levou a que os perfumistas se limitem a copiar os aromas uns dos outros e mais lançam no mercado versões de versões, edt, EDP, elixir, e por aí fora. Mas deixemos as coisas menos boas e vou tentar expressar a minha experiência. Não recomendo este perfume para uma compra cega,nem a quem gosta de aromas suaves de quem acabou de sair de um banho. É um aroma forte com carácter que deixa um rasto super agradável. Mesmo depois de longas horas e de ser colocado na pele ainda se nota o fundo de um perfume... O melhor de tudo e aqui fica o desabafo que faz deste perfume o meu signature, é que a roupa do dia em que o usei mesmo depois de lavada e quando estou a passar a ferro, ele ainda permanece. Isto sim é um perfume no verdadeiro sentido da palavra! ❤️❤️❤️☺️😍

I have only done a paper test of Knowing so far, but I'm delighted by it: a clean, mossy, rose-forward chypre, not sweet at all, sparkling with aldehydes but rich in shadows. Although I'm sure many people can and do rock Knowing year round, I think Knowing is a highly autumnal scent; it reminds me of the classic chypres I have loved from Lauder, like Private Collection, as well as a bit of Diva by Ungaro and perhaps some Aromatics Elixir. I'm also reminded slightly of the 80s formulation of Eau Sauvage that I used to cherish in my late teens--a good friend, someone with whom I remain close decades later, gave it to me, and I always dabbed some on when I wanted to feel confident and soignée (I was a Midwestern teenager into punk rock, bear in mind, and I'm not sure I was even aware that my teensy travel bottle was marketed to men, mostly men my dad's age who imagined themselves regulars at Studio 54). Update: Wearing it today, I like it just as much, maybe even more. It still reminds me of Private Collection, only a bit more floral, with a stronger rose and perhaps more lily-of-the-valley and mimosa. There are a lot of ingredients, which seems to be the rule with chypres, but the overall effect is dry, clean, crisp, aromatic, and elegant. I could see how this might bug people who prefer syrupy-sweet florals and gourmand notes--there's not a scrap of anything that seems remotely edible or, shudder, "lickable," in Knowing, rest assured--but I find this more appropriate for an autumn fragrance. Most of us don't want to be spontaneously licked anyway.

When I first smelled this on paper while randomly smelling women's fragrances with my wife I knew I wanted to try it for myself. A chance encounter a few days later allowed me to sample on my skin and that was more than enough to place an online order. In an overnight skin test, Knowing lasted 24+ hours on me; it's like a more floral and fruit-integrated Kouros with a better middle for spice and the civet dialed back to be noticeable instead of prominent, with a very similar base. I believe this is a better chypre than Kouros. The open is aldehydic spicy green notes and powdery rose with background lightly sweetened fruit with a noticeable but palatable civet making its presence known without being overbearing. The rose remains deep into the heart as those green notes evolve into a complex blend of patchouli, powdered cardamom, dusty cedar, and assorted florals. The base is absolutely gorgeous; Kouros fans should compare the notes because they are near identical, just in different concentrations. Spiced oakmoss and continued patchouli with background civet sits atop more of sandalwood / cedar combination with hues of a balsamic musk. The scent profile changed on me multiple times in my testing and it possesses an eternal longevity that requires effort to remove, so just be wary as it is your SOTD whenever you decide to put it on, plans be damned. As burly man that could be mistaken for off-season Mr Clean, Knowing is a top 10 frag in my collection of 250. It's awesome and I hope more dudes give it a chance.

Stuningly GORGEOUS! Totally "Unisex" for today's pallet. As a man, I am completely comfortable in wearing this just as much as I am in wearing my Kouros, Aramis, Bijan or any other "Male Targeted" Chypre. That Patchouli is just SOOO CLEAN and absolutely addictive. Excellent performance too! Paid about $50 for it, but Id have paid $200 its just that amazing! A 9 outta 10 chypre bordering "perfection" which (Vintage Knowing) infact was! Oh and P.S. dont freak-out like I had when you first spray your brand-new bottle of Knowing and get something super weak and "wierd smelling"! This fragrance initially needs a bit of air to be introduced into the bottle, and then the following day it will have completely transformed. Infact It took my bottle a solid week for it to become what its meant to be, and the performance just goes from great to "BEASTLY" the longer you have Knowing in your collection. I actually wore it a few times when Id first recieved it, but was NOT getting that "Beastly Projection" everyone was claiming Knowing has, but now a few months in, its a certified "BEAUTIFUL BEAST!" lol! Anyhow, Im giving Knowing a 9 instead of a 10 bc when it was originally Oak Moss heavy, it truley wore like a freakin' DREAM. Now, Estee Lauder did an amazing job at keeping this fragrance stunning and with really good performance, but ofcourse something was inevitably lost when the IFRA regulations took hold😒. Anyhow, Thanks to whomever took the time to read my thoughts on Estee Lauder's Knowing, 😉 CHEERS!

I mean, wWOWw! The way that the "Clean/Patchouli" base is used here is freakin' INTOXICATING! Knowing really is absolutely BEAUTIFUL! It's funny, Im a 50 year old man and still remember when Knowing first came out decades ago and recall how "Feminine" I thought this fragrance smelled. Now fast forward almost 30 years later it smells perfectly "Unisex" to me, and I now actually cannot picture a woman pulling this scent off all that easily. It's just an observation on how tastes, fashion and how we used to have these strick rules on how a man and a woman should smell. Anyhow, yeah Knowing is truley a STUNNING, modern-ish Chypre. When I put my nose upto where I spritzed Knowing my eyes roll in the back of my head its sooo beautiful. Imo, its worth it weight in gold and this is the type of dna these "Niche Houses" are using nowadays. So unique, very long-lasting with really great sillage. I like that its not a monstrous projector and instead creates a nice, long-lasting scent bubble instead which keeps it classy (probably bc of weakened reformulations which actually make more wearable).I also appreciate that although the aldehydes are present, that note does NOT bombard your nose bc of how well its dosed here in Knowing. Im so happy that I decided to go for it even though I remember this scent as being ultra feminine. I strongly recommend that the fellas try this fragrance if your looking for something sophisticated and even masculine. An easy 9 outta 10 fragrance! Be in the "Know!" Lol

I've got both versions of Knowing on at the moment; the vintage formulation on one arm and the contemporary on the other. To start with both formulations are beautiful, dusky, dusty, slightly spicy, nose-tickling chypres that call to mind a stately old library, like the smell of old books, but in a heightened, exaggerated way-- perhaps leather-bound volumes that were once packed in a wood crate with various herbs and spices to keep insects at bay. It is an enveloping scent, surrounding you like a wool blanket, and just as comforting. It's a wonderfully androgynous fragrance: I could picture Virginia Woolf's character Orlando wearing something like this throughout the various stages of his/her multi-century, multi-sex journey. To compare the two, the major difference between the vintage formulation and the contemporary one is the strength of the floral notes. The vintage is much more overtly floral; the rich rose and mimosa stand side-by-side with the woody notes, whereas in the contemporary formulation the floral notes recede demurely behind the harmonic trio of oakmoss, vetiver, and patchouli. The contemporary version has an aromatic and clean character, drier and slightly soapy. The vintage is dirtier and more animalic-- there is an underlying whisper of earthiness that is not present in the contemporary version, like the smell of wet decaying leaves. In terms of sillage and longevity they seem to be on equal footing, a light application is all you need for all day pleasure.

It's finally time to write down what i've got. I know it's a great Rose Chypre, yes, what's the difference with some of the other chypres (such as Gucci No.3)? I like to find out the difference. First of all, it's easier to buy, and knowing must be a better choice than Gucci No.3, which has disappeared... Whether it's the price or anything you can think of. I'm sure of the contribution of Estée Lauder. I don't always like to discuss who is more beautiful, it's very difficult for me to make a choice. Knowing is unquestionable, excellent. But what makes Knowing so beautiful? I think Civet and Oakmoss are a great combination, and without the Civet (animal) substrate, knowing wouldn't be attractive. It's still good and still beautiful, but this special feeling comes from Civet, a scent that works best with skin. After mixing the roses, together they become a dark brown-yellow liquid, strong and distinct, unlike No.3. Of course, none of this is enough to explain how wonderful knowing is, from flowers (roses) to animals (Civet), Oakmoss, resin (Amber) and wood. You'll find that Knowing's composition is rich and diverse, a complex that has everything and doesn't depend on a single kind of elemental material, so Knowing's quality doesn't float much. I smell Knowing now, I don't know the year, but it smells really "retro"! (Guess annual production from 1988 to 1990)

I love this perfume! At first I thought it was a bit too masculine for me; I sampled it on a piece of paper and while the longevity was insane - over two days! - it just smelled a little sharp for me. I absolutely love Private Collection and Beautiful, which are also recent additions for me, and both of those smell much better on my skin, so I decided to test Knowing on my skin. Wow! Every movement that caused me to catch a whiff of the fragrance was a moment of pleasure and delight. This scent is beautifully rosy and mossy. It is so very uplifting and energizing while still feeling refined and luxurious. I tried wearing to bed and it actually kept me awake because I was so excited at how good I smelled! I’m glad I gave this another chance. Mine is a mini vintage spray. I look forward to trying the recent edition since so many say it just as good. This is a love! Edit: I wore this all day today with sprays on behind my knees, on my belly and two on each inner upper arm as well as a walk through mist. It did seem a bit strong (but delicious!) however no one said anything to me and it settled down in about 30 minutes and went on to tantalize me with beautiful whiffs of a blend of sweet and spicy rosy powder. I am just so happy with how classically perfumey this smells and how complex and layered it is.

I bought Knowing at the mall a couple months ago and was so sure I was going to love it. One of those things where it didn't even matter whether I liked the sample or not, I knew I was going to buy it. (Very stupid I know!) Anyways I did not love it. Strong, soapy, gave me an enormous headache. Well I had this whole bottle now so I decided I was going to try to get used to it, or at least get some use out of it. I had a family trip coming up over the holidays. Now my cousin's husband is a rancid excuse for a human being and the sillage is quite powerful so I thought I would wear this perfume when we went over to their house for dinner, or anything where he'd be in close quarters, with hopes of thoroughly irritating him. The trip was nightmarish to say the least, as all family trips are. But by the end of it this scent had become an immense comfort. Whenever I was overwhelmed I would just press my nose to my wrist and inhale. An intense and gorgeous fragrance, a good companion for any situation where you want to feel protected or even loved. It's absolutely lovely when you give it some time. It's still a bit strong and soapy for me so I spray it on the collars of my coats, it lasts for weeks and comes and goes like a dream. An elegant museum scent, fur coats and bright winter days.

Hmmmm.....I liked this about 5 years ago when I sampled it at a store. I knew right away it was for the cooler weather, so I stayed inside the a/c store. It was, in fact, pretty nice. I finally bought it for myself a few days ago. Alas, it is Summer. I have to go through the Seasons or weather (humid/dry /raining) to give it a proper review. I know that now. So I may be updating as we approach Autumn. It seems to do much better in the humidity of about 85 degree and under.... a light.... very light spritz. It can become suffocating if one does let it air out. I cannot for the life of me detect any rose. It is definitely pittosporum running throughout this frag. Orangey citrus with a lot of green oakmoss overpowering it. Did I mention pittosporum? Amber dry down. Runs in the same vein as Magie Noire and Pavlova....both Winter frags for me. Too early to call. Winter, come hither, so I may experience the full experience of this classic!! EDIT: Okay, it's still Summer, but it's a cool 75 degrees tonight. I decided to break out Knowing, and may I say....WOW!!. The first sweet note was, in fact, rose. A beautiful rose with a pittosporum background. Powdered, sweet orangey, green, just love it. I finally got my rose !! (big smile)

Veeery Strong, veeery beautiful, temperamental, but worth the risk. You can smell every note in the pyramid and maybe even some that aren't. Laundry aldehydes, and an enormous patchouli are there from the beginning, along with melon and plum. The melon fades but the plum remains and blends with the sweet, medicinal tuberose. Cosmetic orris, dry mimosa pollen and a fresh, pink musky rose lend a powdery, nebulous effect. There's nutty coriander and a combination of hot spices that smell a bit like cumin. There's simultaneously a warm honeyed vibe and a savory salt & pepper accord. Knowing reminds me of pine cones. Not the old, brown, dried out ones that fall to the ground. I'm talking about the young, fleshy, green cones that drip tree resin. It smells like the forest on a cool day, where leaves, twigs, morning dew and even a bit of squirrel sh*t coat the ground as you walk. Yes there is an animalic aspect, even in the modern formulation. I call it temperamental, because on the wrong day you can spray too much and unleash a skunky, onion stank that will garner negative attention. On some wearings, it can even smell ever so slightly cannabinoid. It's a serious fragrance only for true chypre enthusiasts.

The way I was so surprised by this. I'm absolutely in love. My mother picked this up at a thrift store and gave it to me. Usually fragrances you find there smell like a dusty old lady fart, last thing you smell before you die, grandma's funeral type shit. But this one, well it does smell kind of matronly with the aldehydes. I usually avoid that note because of the associations with old ladies and I'm like a grown ass man but this hits different. It reads more unisex. This is a rose chypre, which is something I didn't know I needed in my life. It's very bitter and sharp on the initial spray. Oakmoss, my beloved. Then the heart is a very lovely waxy aldehydic rose. Then it dries down to a very woody musky base on my skin. Absolutely beautiful, highly recommend for chypre lovers. Both men and women. Would wear year round, maybe a little heavy during the summer. Otherwise it would make a lovely signature scent. Also another thing I've noticed for me, others say this is a beast mode fragrance and fills a room turning old ladies to dust but I just don't agree. It lasts about six hours on me and has minimal projection. Like from intimate to maybe moderate, at least maybe a scent bubble.

On the night before I was to start my very first job after college, I was training to be a traveling sales rep out of state. The company put me up in a beautiful B & B Victorian Inn in Massachusetts. It was Autumn, and school buses were weaving through hilly roads, and the trees were glowing red, orange, and yellow. I felt like I was existing in a piece of art, the beauty was overwhelming. The lady of the house put a small bottle of “Knowing” in the room, so I dabbed my wrist with it before bed. In the middle of the night, I woke up smelling my wrist because it smelled so good that it woke me up. This became my “go to” scent in the prime of my life, before moving on to others. Going forward to midlife, I am 10 years from retirement and recently rediscovered this scent in an outlet mall. Still in love, it’s an old treasured friend! My husband complimented me on it and asked if I found a new perfume.... I hope that you love it too. Coincidentally, another signature scent that I’ve come to know and love is “Mitsouko” by Guerlain. This one has a rich history, going back to the 20’s. Different than Knowing, but many of the same notes and also very good.

Knowing envelops and stuns me. It's really difficult to articulate, like a cipher that can't be decoded. I just know that this is the culmination of decades of chypre evolution, dialing back the stewed fruits a bit and ramping up the animalic growl. A salty, erogenous civet exalts all else here: synergizing with the aldehydes, transmogrifying the cottony mimosa sweetness into something neon and potent. The sillage is stratospheric: Knowing, at least my older version, is not one to be over-sprayed, or else others will be knowing you're on your way long before you enter the room. Then there's the glowing rose and the patchouli: wow. A half hour in, and it's a blissful stage in the development where a rose garden is in the middle of a pine forest still damp from rain. It's a vernal mossy hallucination of a fragrance, fleshy florals, earthy, damp and rich, loamy. Suggestions of vetiver even come through in its dry down, giving an impression of raw vegetation cavorting with a slight skank under all the hypnotic blooms. Knowing is startlingly assertive, and that is part of its beauty and genius, just handle with care and enjoy the ride!

roses are often mentioned in reviews of Knowing, and i suppose they must be there, but they are clearly buried beneath ten tons of white flowers, spicy soap, green patchouli, and funky oakmoss — which is fine by me, actually, as i have a complicated relationship with rose perfumes. the sweet surprise in her armored heart isn’t a rose: it’s the trio of mimosa, pittosporum, and peach (plum?) honey which keep peeking out at you. depending how far you are away and which angle you come from, you can experience this soft yellow core over and over throughout the day. then, just when you think this marsh witch can’t get any more magnificent, the sandalwood kicks in and brings you to your knees. and you’re so pleased to smell her on your pillow the next morning. more than anything else, she feels like a levelled-up version of Diva (without the sweet morning-after rose): the aggressive opening is scaled back, the bug-spray moment has been deleted, the oakmoss and vetiver are smoother (but still brambly and mysterious)... and the addition of mimosa is just— chef’s kiss. musical accompaniment : “Butterfly” by Tori Amos /current edp

Id left a review for Knowing about a year ago, but havent worn it in a long while so here's an update! First off, Knowing has THEE MOST beautiful, super clean Patchouli along with that fresh Rose and the slight greeness from the OakMoss... WOW! Its really just freakin' GORGEOUS! It perfectly Unisex for today's pallette bc the florals dont really stand out as "Florals". They offer this bright/Freshness along with a density from the fruits, amber, Sandlewood. I mean its perfect. Also, while its always had great performance, when Id been wearing it nearly a year ago around when Id gotten iy, it wasn't "BeastMode" anymore I thought bc of the obvious restrictions to OakMoss, well, since its been stored away in its box for going on 9 months, my bottle has become VERY STRONG! Initially Id do upto 5 spritzes and it had more moderate projection while lasting a long time. Just now I did just 3 spritzes and its almost over-powering, so Maturation really does make a difference in Knowing. One of my all time FAVE Chypres.a 10 putta 10 masterpiece and imo, smells much more modern than one might thing bc of the freshness!

My little story... So on Saturday I went to glasgow thetre, it's very cramped in there and throughout the whole musical I kept getting lovely little wiffs of this, to my nose potentially unisex vintage fragrance that was a patchouli oak moss bomb, quite green, deeply aromatic and unlike anything I had ever smelled before but I was desperate to find out what it was, i eventually twigged that it was the woman sitting in front of me, she's older than me I would say 60s but very beautiful and well dressed lady. I politely tapped her on the shoulder and asked her what perfume she was wearing as I've had such amazing wafts of it during the show, she looked at me a little confused then smiled and said in a sweet Scottish accent it's estée lauder - knowing. I didn't wait a minute longer I was ordering it. Not blind but safe at all, but if you like mysterious, deep, vintage but incredibly beautiful fragrances then try it, and let it dry down before making any assumptions. This is my favourite vintage perfume now, I'm so glad I have it in my collection.

I sprayed a tester of this once on my wrist back in the eighties and I was very intrigued by it, but wasn't quite sure about wearing it...now I guess I'm ready for it! This is really a beautiful fragrance, and has many layers to it. It starts off with a blast of honey and aldehydes, fillowed by incense and woods. As it develops, strong roses begin to bloom and then a cold, green quality develops...almost like a chilly spring rain when the flowers are beginning to bloom and the grass is turning green again. Later on, the vanilla and cardamom come out to play - lovely! - and then the finish brings out the white florals and the musk. This is a phenomenal fragrance; one of my favorites. It reminds me of Chanel Coco in the way it is so multi-layered and how it develops. If Chanel Coco is an exotic brunette, then I would describe Knowing as her cool, silver-blond sister. It's sillage and longetivity are strong, like most '80s fragrances. And it's not a fragrance that you can wear every day but, oh my goodness, please wear it. It's a class act .

Darker, drier, and woodier than anything it gets compared to - Paloma and Diva, mostly - Knowing remains the only perfume that I’ve ever purchased on the spot, in a department store, after one sniff. And this was only three years ago; I knew better than to buy a fragrance after a single cursory test, and at full retail pricing to boot. I didn’t care. I needed Knowing, even in its (excellent!) reformulated state, because it stopped me in my tracks and emptied my brain of anything unrelated to retro-tinted rose and pittosporum and patchouli and vetiver and aldehydes and oakmoss. Knowing is the good kind of vintage: Of another era, but vigorously drawn and boldly colored, like one of those rare old films that somehow cuts though decades’ worth of baggage and still hits as hard as it ever did. (If Les Diaboliques were a perfume, it would be Knowing.) I’m still fascinated by this fragrance: Earthy, lushly floral, animalic, darkly resinous, and bitterly, mouthwateringly green. It’s the perfect antidote to an afternoon at Sephora.

Fantastic perfume. Deep, rich & mysteriously powerful - that's the feeling it gives me - exactly what I was hoping for! It opens with a bold blast of moss, spice and an earthiness which is clean and reassuring. Leads into THE best rose I've ever encountered - I am not a fan of Rose in the slightest but this has made me rethink that. It's a deeply haunting rose...not sweet or vanilla(ish) as in La Vie etc - this rose is strong, stable and self assured - it really is something else! There's a bit of smoke, a bit of a sting in its tail. There's beautiful woods and musk in here as well. It has growl, it has gutts and I bloody well love this perfume! Makes me feel invincible, confident but somehow.... It's still approachable as well. Not at all old fashioned - it actually feels quite edgy and raw compared to a lot of the 'current trends'. Lasts a good amount of time - changes like a chameleon, depending on temperature - and my mood!! I love this about it - it's a reactive scent 😎 Suits me to a tee 👌👍

I really love Knowing. I’ve owned my bottle for several weeks (new, from Estee Lauder counter) and worn it quite consistently, just to make sure it’s a true love. I had tested it many times over the last few decades (43F) for reference and finally bought it. It is beautiful but unusual. I love chypres and aromatics but many of them can be heavy hitters. Knowing is not a heavy hitter and I think it’s due to aldehydes. Now, these are not like White Diamonds or White Linen aldehydes (even though I also love those) but used more quietly, just providing lift and lightness. It is much lighter than it used to be but I appreciate that it is still recognizable as Knowing. It is incredibly well blended. Not sweet but not bitter like Magie Noire can be to my nose. I also appreciate that they have not changed the bottle into those bland squares. As always, your mileage may vary and I advise testing if possible. * this is my second-most complimented perfume by my 4th grade class, after Poeme.

I spray it on my fingers and sniff and sniff and sniff them... The smell brings me back then when I had a future to come, we had haigh hair and enormous shoulder-pillows, we was going to be lawyers and work in international banking, we were going to be very rich, and, we had the best music in history, I had Youth Dew and Cinnabar, and was going to buy Knowing, but, my sister got it before me, therefor I couldn't buy it, -suddenly we had husbands and children, and cats and dogs and morgages to pay, and we wasn't supposed to own more than 2 perfumes, one for the day, and one for specially occations. About 2 months ago a woman gave me this beautiful perfume, a nearly full bottle 75ml, I could have jumped to the moon... Knowing is what all of what you describe it to be, mossy, chypre, kinda forest, mature, different, and, it also smells of my youth, I haven't told her yet, but I know my sister will envy me this perfume a lot :))

It's refreshing to smell a perfume that makes you smell like an enchanted forest. I think a woman of any age can wear this, it depends on the woman, her aesthetic and personality. Don't listen to the comments of 'mature' or for a woman 'over 50'. This fragrance is a classic, so yes, it tends to be associated with more mature age. I think it's edgy and daring for a younger woman to wear this, and definitely unique. It's just so gorgeous, calming, reassuring, and confident. This perfume makes me feel together and sexy, without trying too hard as many other perfumes do. This one knows it's worth and communicates a freedom and wisdom that is associated with being true to oneself. For some reason I imagine this perfume best suits brunettes. There's plenty of of blonde suiting perfumes out there, but this one feels like it's for the brunettes.

My god, this is a masterpiece. I knew my mom wore Knowing in the 90s because she would talk about how it was one of her favorite perfumes throughout my childhood but wasn't able to find a bottle for years. I spotted it at an airport recently and decided to grab a bottle for her, as well as try the tester just to see what it was all about. I was immediately stunned. One of the best chypres I have ever smellled with excellent sillage and longevity. Needless to say I got myself a bottle as well, and might need to get backups in case it disappears off the shelves. There's no way a perfume of this caliber would be released as a designer scent today, they really don't make them like this anymore. Not for everyone's liking, but that's expected considering the trends these days. I still think it's criminally underrated, Knowing is extraordinary.

Knowing is the second chypre to enter my collection after Aromatics Elixir. What a wonderful smell. The opening is what you'd expect from an extreme chypre fragrance with a blast of bergamot, oak moss, and patchouli, but it is in the dry down that this fragrance completely changes form. While the patchouli and general forest floor element does stay it is really at the foreground of the fragrance's composition. Knowing becomes an inviting and somewhat sweet musky floral with hints of aldehydes. As the review below me states, the civet is discernable but doesn't fall into the urine territory, it is animalic but in a way that is not so much as other chypres or old school fragrances. Performance is incredible it lasts and lasts and has a wide sillage, not room filling but those who you're talking to will definitely take note. Knowing is all.

oh this is gorgeous. it is clean yet not laundry detergent-like, cool yet not cold, green and floral in a way that reminds you of an actual country garden instead of a chintzy upholstery print called "country garden" like so many of its cohorts do, and has just the right amount (microscopic but totally proportionally correct amount!) of everything else -- headiness, sweetness, powderiness, spice, incense. to me & on my skin it has the same timbre as narciso rodriguez but in a different genre, and with more teeth. i wish EL would repackage this in a less dowdy bottle and present it as if it was its own flanker for the zoomers, with the right marketing this could be the one that revives the general populace's interest in traditional chypres, tell the youth this has lana del rey sad girl autumn vintage coquette vibes or whatever

I had very high hopes for this edp, because I adore chypre types and most Estee Lauder frags. I ordered a bottle, and thought I should go try it before opening the cellophane-wrapped bottle that I ordered direct from the company, so off I went to my local department store to the EL counter. I first tried it on a ribbon. Smelled clean but strong, ok. so I sprayed both my wrists twice, and went for a walk around the mall. After 15 minutes, the strong sharpness had died down to a soft soapy smell, and , well, that's it! There is zero substance to this particular formulation, which, according to what I purchased, and what was on display, was June 2023. I am sending my order back. I so wanted a strong "bang you in the head" edp like the others I use and love, Cinnabar, Youth-dew (even that one is watery now.) How disappointing...

The first bottle of vintage Knowing I got had clearly gone rancid. The second one seemed quite alright, but had a strange bitter tinge to it. I still wasn't sure if I had got an off bottle or if Knowing was supposed to smell like that. So I got a third vintage bottle to compare. It smelled similar, so I thought ok, Knowing isn't an easy perfume to wear. Until finally, I got a chance to test a new bottle (Knowing isn't sold anywhere in my country) at the airport, and OMG, no bitter notes whatsover, just gorgeous, smooth, soapy, luxurious chypre of the best kind! I bought it immediately. I have yet to find a vintage Knowing that hasn't turned, but in the meantime I'm very happy with this contemporary formulation (not counting the Legacy Collection). I also love the bottle, I think it's so beautiful and feels nice to hold.

I am thankful to have received a mini parfum of knowing via a trade with a fellow Fragrantican. I have always loved Estee Lauder scents, but never had tried Knowing until a few months ago. Recently tried the mini, and, well, I have fallen in total and complete enamourment with it. So, as my birthday is coming up last week of October, I ordered 2 bottles of Knowing edp, made in Switzerland, batch a53 so May 2023. It is everything I have always wanted. Dry, mossy, green, sharp yet gently softening into a regal and immaculate floral castille soapy veil with a very clean patchouli that lasts quite a good time, about 3 hours on skin and longer on clothes. I won't bother to try the latest expensive Legacy one, no need to, this is perfect, and I can get a tester for under $60 cdn. So I got 2 more :) Happy Birthday to me!

@SL.MS1958 Right?! It honestly just gets better and better the longer I have it! Ofcourse I do make sure that I keep just about ALL my fragrances in their boxes to keep the light out, ESPECIALLY living in Florida and having to contend with this freakin' HEAT! But yeah, and I actually find that although the performance is not as "Beastly" as it was prior to the IFRA regulations, it still performs really very well lasting all day, and is probably more "Wearable" than it initially was. Its also much less Animalic than it was back in the day as I really cannot sense the Civet note like AT ALL! Anyhow, Im glad ya gave it another shot @SL.MS1958! It smells so great on Women and Men that I wanna dcream it from the Rooftops (Except for the part where I wanna gate keep it in MY circle of peeps, LOL!) Salud!! 🫡

The Short: I love Knowing. Confidence in a bottle. Gorgeous. The Long: I love this fragrance. It is perfumery well done. It is noticeable and elegant. It is powerful and alluring. On me, the oakmoss and mimosa rule the opening of the fragrance. It starts off dry and powdery and somehow goes soapy clean. I am not able to make distinguishing remarks on the florals. They are very present and so are vetiver, sandalwood, musk. This is beautifully rendered. It projects confidence and assuredness and yet, still is unassuming. Lasts for days. Versatile. Can be bombastic. Apply lightly for close quarters. *This is a review of a new modern bottle. It is an excellent formulation. I gave my vintage to my mother who wore this when I was a child. It is glorious on her. I may update with a vintage comparison.

I do not know what the original formula smelled like, but as a chypre lover (especially modern chypres) this is a beautiful perfume! I did not know what to expect, I thought I would hate it, that it would smell too old or vintage (in a bad way). It does smell vintage but in the best way ever! This is a scent you do not smell everywhere you go (like Flowerbomb and Coco Mademoiselle) this is something special. It is a beautiful chypre with all the beauty of oakmoss, mimosa and amber coming through, with some sparking aldehydes at the top which quickly settle down. The smell of this fragrance is reminiscent of a Lush store (to my nose), which if you have ever been in a Lush store, you know exactly what I am talking about. Really a beautiful scent, I cannot say enough good things about it!

Knowing has quicky joined the ranks of my top-tier chypres. It's a gorgeous mossy aldehydic woody floral chypre, in the same family as Private Collection, Aromatics Elixir, and Azurée, but a bit drier and more austere. Sometimes--maybe it's something in the subtle, well-blended base, possibly the patchouli--I even pick up a bit of the Chanel DNA, a crisp, leathery, grassy accord. I put some of this on last night before bed, and I found it very relaxing, like falling asleep in a clean hayloft. Even though it's predominantly a woody fragrance--the cedar is especially pretty and contributes to the sanitary-aromatic feel--it's also a bit soapy and effervescent. If it seems too sharp and green after you spray, be patient and wait an hour because the drydown gets better and better.

Talk about a change of heart! I tried this in the store , only to find the scent borderline vile. It smelled like soap that had gone mouldly from years of neglect or perhaps thrown to the bottom of a bog. Admittedly, I still don't enjoy the initial smell but it's growing on me. BUT THAT DRY DOWN! Oh wow does this turn into the most splendid oak moss scent with mild floral undertones. It's almost like the Mimosa and Rose sprung from that bog with a bitter lushness that smells defiant to the circumstances from which it bloomed. It's a scent that oozes such a confidence of self, that you simply embrace it as it wishes to be or steer clear of it for the rest of your days. The real question is where do I feel brave enough to wear this beast?

I was scared to sample this because of some of the reviews that were so negative, but I really love Knowing. This is a strong old school chypre fragrance for a woman who is powerful and knows her own mind. Aldehydic, mossy, spicy, floral, green, sharp, woody. Knowing is a bit prickly but in the right way (unlike that horrid Amouge Opus X) the woman who wears this has a stiff upper lip, can handle any crisis. She is capable, dignified, resilient. Knowing is the perfect name for this perfume. I aspire to be the woman who deserves to wear this perfume. In the same class as Clinique Aromatic Elixer but I found that to be to masculine for my taste. Knowing is feminine but only strong woman need apply. Just stunning. I love this one.

I'm the biggest fan of old school chypres, and I had never had a chance to smell this marvel cause I don't have access to a lot of big perfume shops. When I finally found it in a shop, I was so happy. I'm going by memory here, but it opens up as green and spicy flowery goodness, to then settle into a deep, almost damp earthiness. Something about it feels so comforting and addicting. There's just a hint of powderyness, and it's both clean and dirty. When I sprayed it I decided to also try it on my wrist, and the oakmoss at the base was so intense and mushroom-like. It shares some similarities with my signature Cabochard, but it's less bitter, more comforting. I'm going to have to get a bottle of this amazing fragrance!

Second time I've worn this today. The first to jog my memory (the downside of owning too many perfumes) and the second for the sheer thrill of it's beauty. It's a big-hearted chypre with a dry blast of mimosa-infused aldehydic razzamataz on opening, backed up by coriander and plum. Ah, the plum! It always feels so luxurious, throwing out sparks of glamour, confidence and heady emotion. There's a ruby-coloured rose twined with pittosporum rising up from the heart which is inspired genius in a chypre and makes it feel good-natured and approachable rather than distant and haughty. How I'd love to find a vintage! Distillation: dry razzamataz dark plum throwing out glam sparks in big chypre style

I grew up in the 80s, and although my mom didn't wear this one, I know I smelled this beauty on my friends' moms. I just love this chypre fragrance, and I am so glad that I have this in my collection. I associate this scent with the beautiful grown women in my life that I saw leading these interesting adult lives when I was a young teen. And here I am, a grown woman, wearing this interesting fragrance. For me, it is a dash of sparkling aldehydes and a whisper of florals floating by, anchored on a bed of earthy, woody moss. A fragrance profile that seems so rare today . . . no sweetness, no vanilla, no fruit. Just depth and mystery. I am wearing it on a cold November night and it is perfect.