Gentlemen Only

Instead of a review, I’ll share how I discovered this fragrance and why I made it my signature scent. I had decided to buy two or three new fragrances, with the goal of also finding my signature scent among them. Over the course of two months, I ended up buying ten new full bottles and testing nearly 30 more decants, all in search of that perfect signature fragrance. Then, one day by pure chance, I was browsing a perfume shop near my office, testing niche fragrances. While exploring, I noticed a discount shelf with four 100 ml bottles of Gentlemen Only, each priced at €44. I sprayed it on my hand—the opening notes and freshness really appealed to me. Still, I continued testing various niche fragrances on blotters, including Initio Parfums Privés, Xerjoff, Nishane, and Parfums de Marly, hoping to discover my ideal signature scent among the luxurious and exclusive options. About 30 minutes later, I remembered the Gentlemen Only on my hand and smelled it again... WOW. It was extremely pleasant, subtle, refined, and had that unique note and sensation of violets. (I’m not great at describing scents), but I was genuinely impressed. Back at the office, about two hours later, I smelled my wrist again. I was once again amazed and pleasantly surprised. I decided there was no way I was leaving that fragrance behind—especially at such a price. I realized that all along, this was the kind of scent I had been looking for. I returned to the store and bought three 100 ml bottles (only one was left afterward). The store even gave me a discount since the fragrance had been discontinued, so I paid a total of €120 for all three—just €40 per bottle. So, after an extensive search, I ended up finding my signature scent entirely by chance. I chose it as my signature because I truly enjoy it, it’s discontinued and rare, and it’s not a popular choice—so I won’t smell like every second guy out there. Most importantly, I liked it from the very first moment. And within the first hour back at the office, I received compliments and questions from three of my female coworkers. I’ve gotten compliments before—my colleagues know I often wear different fragrances and have a passion for them—but never had all three show such interest at once. I’m not a snob and I don’t care whether a fragrance is expensive or from a trendy niche brand. What matters to me is that I like it. Of course, at my age—over 40—I can easily afford very expensive perfumes, but I choose the ones that truly appeal to me. So if you happen to come across it—definitely give it a try. You won’t regret it

Ok this is my second review. After wearing this in my spring/summer rotation for about 3 months, this is now a love. The one thing that was holding this back was the longevity and sillage. Well I don't know what happened, but this is now a beast mode scent for me! I don't know if it's me or the jus or what: all I know is that this is no longer the sort of thing I need to reapply throughout the day just to get a bit when I move around me office. No, this is now the sort of thing I need to think about to restrain from choking myself out and others around me from over doing it. I'm starting to think I must have had COVID for a while and a lack of smell was ruining my perception of longevity. Whatever the reason, this scent is now 100% signature worthy. I won't do it for fear of wearing it out from over use (that's what happened to me with Prada l'homme), but this is the perfect office scent that will get you noticed and give you a clean and attractive confidence. Wear it with a sharp business casual outfit and you'll be standing two inches taller with the sort of pride that comes from knowing you're the shit. What else offers that kind of vibe/performance for a similar price? I get that same thing from explorer, Prada l'homme (before I played it out), The One Grey, sultan vetiver by Nishane, and Missonni Wave. Honestly, the Givenchy house has to be my favorite designer at this point. Between the Boisee during the cooler months, Gentlemen Only and Gentlemen Givenchy Gentlemen Intense, this house has something for every situation and season and puts out the sort of quality that often beats even more expensive designers/niche brands. If you're the sort of person who generally commands a bit of respect at work and you dress sharp, don't wait on this fragrance. Go out and get you some now! You won't regret it at all: in fact, you'll be so glad you did.

This scent has been my signature scent since it was released in 2013. I remember the day of discovery like yesterday. My best friend and I had gone shopping. We stopped in to Sephora to check out new fragrances as we always did when shopping. At the time, I usually wore more loud, young fragrances, and I was in the mood to venture out. I wanted something a bit more elegant, and to show people that I was about to enter my 30's.... I was no longer a spring chicken, a bit clueless about life... I was entering wiser, more grown up times in my life, when I would attend wine tastings over tail-gate parties (I was dating a sommelier at the time).... And there it was... This simple, understated bottle, with a white linen-finished paper label, stating that it was for gentlemen only.... Was I a gentleman?... I sprayed to find out... Love at first smell.... I have not been able to stop wearing it since. I buy 2 or 3 bottles at a time (just in case it ever gets discontinued)... I wear it more in the spring and fall, on sunny days. It is a bit too rich for super hot summer days, and it is a bit too vibrant and airy for the frigid cold winter... But the magic that happens on a crisp, sunny spring or fall afternoon when you spray this on.... It is soft, spicy, uplifting. The violet and pink pepper are the main players for me... The cedar sits firmly in the backdrop as if to offer them a floor to spin around on while they stare into each others eyes with love, while talking to their casual friends of mandarin, and incense, and their eccentric flighty buddy of nutmeg lingers in and out of the room.... This fragrance is MAGIC to me. It will be tough finding a replacement signature scent if this is ever discontinued.

Oh man. I so badly wanted this to replace ysl libre. The fragrance is close enough on scent, but it lacks longevity. A beautiful opening and drydown, very reminiscent of libre, but it quickly becomes a skin scent before disappearing after 4 hours or so. Today was the first really warm day of the year, but I'm in an office and not moving around much so I'm hoping that as it gets hotter and I'm more active in the coming months that the scent will come alive. Even if not, I'm glad I found a similar fragrance to libre, which I miss something awful... Update 2 weeks later: This juice smells so damn good. Don't buy it because it's reminiscent of libre. Buy gentlemen only because it's a gorgeous, understated fragrance that's versatile, yet doesn't last more than 4 hours. If you can reapply halfway through your day, this would be an amazing signature scent. If you are going to a half day conference, an important meeting or speaking engagement and you want to feel and smell confident and exceedingly competent: this fragrance exudes class and sophisticated masculinity. It just doesn't last as long as I so badly wish it did. 10/10 scent. Criminally underrated.

Beautiful fragrance. A little underrated IMO. Deserves a higher rating than a 3.92 It is very fresh and clean but not in your typical blue fragrance or shower gel type of vibe. Starts off with a juicy refreshing burst of citrus but right away you can feel that there is something more in this, something a little different and more special. The violet leaf and incense, although detected, are in my opinion felt more than smelled. You feel the ozonic cucumbery freshness you get from the violet leaf and you sense a little bit of smoke that adds some complexity and contrast to the freshness. You get a little more of the woody aspects and lots of clean musk as it dries down. Overall great fragrance. I can imagine this being very versatile in warmer climates or fine anytime except maybe winter or colder winter days. I’d say performance is about average with moderate projection. Not a beast but it does not need to be. Love it. Fills a nice spot in my collection. Would recommend to someone wanting something fresh and clean but a little different from your typical aquatics or blue fragrances.