Chamade Pour Homme

Wow! Great fragrance, in the old classic Guerlain style. The original Chamade came out in 1969. I just tried my sample, but ordered a bottle earlier, as a blind-buy anyway; no regrets my bottle is on the way.. This Parisian line are remakes of classic Guerlain fragrances. In the opening it smelled very dated, but great quality off the bat. I have Derby, and although it smells classic, it smells good in a timeless way, as I would say about Equipage vintage. This smelled old in the open, but after a few minutes it settles, and explodes into beautiful harmonious accords, everything right-on and balanced: It becomes good or great in a timeless way, not old. I wanted to try or buy some classic smelling Roja Dove frags; Like Diagalev, a great classic smelling fragrance by an old Guerlain parfumer, Roja Dove. This is every bit as good in composition and quality as Diagalev, which is $1,000/100 ml. Mostly similar to Diagalev in that they both are great classic type fragrances. Fragrantica voters say Roja Haute Luxe is most similar. This has a wonderful unique accord, that I never smelled before, in 500 reviewed frags. I think it's the dry spiciness of nutmeg along with a violet, that gives it a watery, or dewiness; Great green notes, and a clear floral hyacinth. I think this may be the most safe for woman in the series, as it is gender neutral, but I would not say leaning feminine. At some later stage, drydown, when the Hyacinth becomes more prominent, you could say slightly leans feminine. There is a slight sweetness here, that has the impression of naturally comming from the floral hyacinth, almost fruity. I love it that I found a great floral, that is balanced with earthy notes. For me this is a masculine floral. I think I will like this better than Derby, as its more rounded, complex, and comfortable to wear. It changes and evolves like a great fragrance. I have also ordered Heros, looking forward to that one. Thanks to Kristo and his pal for their reviews on YouTube. I had to bump up my rating to a perfect 10, so good... PS: After a few more wearings, it keeps getting better. Some slightly sweet accord like leather, florals, benzoin are giving a hint of a wonderful fruity tone; that suede leather can have; closest to a white grape smell. Also, there are subtle aldehydes that lift the floral Hyasinth. Rating: 10/10 God bless. John 3:16

Few fragrances have made me swoon like this one does (perhaps with the exception of Chanel No. 19 EdP, which I've also reviewed). This was my second love from Guerlain, after Jicky. "La chamade" in French is the beating of the battle drum, but also occurs figuratively in the expression "Mon cœur bat la chamade," which could be roughly translated as "My heart is beating wildly" or "My heart is all a-flutter." It indicates a bodily reaction to a heightened emotional state, whether it be love or conflict. This really is the most apt name for this fragrance, which unites mind, heart, and body. A luminous, soft, floral-spicy-powdery marvel unlike any other. I have a hard time conceding any similarity to Fahrenheit, which smells heavy-handed next to Chamade. Fahrenheit was an important scent for many reasons, and thus deserves its prominent place in the canon of parfumerie. One might consider Chamade as Fahrenheit's dandy of a younger brother: more carefree and mysterious, ready for adventure with a twinkle in his eye, with intimidating and unique style but a heart of gold. I think the hyacinth and nutmeg combo is what sets this apart. They bring something of a forward-looking nostalgia to the green notes. This is lying in an empty, sun-dappled meadow at the start of summer, thinking back to the summers of childhood but also looking forward to the rest of the season and everything it might bring. I'm sorry to wax so poetic in this review, this is just such a special fragrance, and difficult to describe. The pepper and spices give it energy, the florals and green notes provide grace and balance, and the wood and leather form the reassuring foundation of this splendid chateau. In the later dry down: soap and magic. Genderless, timeless. Better for daytime wear, and won't bloom properly in cold weather. My all-time favorite.

Do not think for a second that because this is called Chamade that it is anything like the original Chamade of 1969. It isn't. Guerlain should've just tweaked Coriolan, and left it with its own name because it is plenty good enough to stand well on its own. Damn good, in fact. The opening of the fragrance is very curious, and it's certainly attention grabbing. Black pepper and bergamot speak in the same volume and say nearly the same thing, but the pepper note is more interesting in that it isn't a nose-tingling pepper that we would expect or are used to. Imagine the flavor of black pepper without the bite, and that's what you get. The effect of this combined with the bergamot makes the fragrance feel extremely tight and closed off. It is impenetrable - as strong, stiff, unbreakable and unpliable, and dense as steel. Then, after about two hours, it's like that unbreakable and impenetrable vassal suddenly opens to reveal a stunningly soft and warm heart. Hyacinth, violet leaf, and nutmeg create a very captivating and tender feeling. They dry down over the course of a couple more hours to reveal the base all of this has been sitting on, which is a masterfully executed blend of vetiver, sandalwood and cedar, and dry worn leather. This is a classic masculine that somehow transcends time and fashion and it would be just as in-place fifty-plus years ago as it is today. Though today's masculines do not smell like this, Chamade Pour Homme has the balls and tender confidence of a man who says "well, you should smell like this." Superb.

If you want to purchase Chamade pour Homme 100 ml spray/€165,00 (you can make an order via credit card), you should contact Maison Guerlain boutique in 68 Champs-Elysees in France at phone: +33145625257 or by email at [email protected] (delivery expenses of €25 to Europe at your charge). There is also Chamade pour Homme 500 ml in traditional Guerlain's bee bottle. You should know: it works much better by phone, they don't respond your mails. They told me that it takes 2 weeks to arrive to Italy. Hope this info will help you to purchase your Chamade much easier than I did.

One of the most versatile and classy masculine woody aromatics ever made, this is a real Guerlain beauty that deserves all the high praise it gets. The perfume opens briefly with bergamot and pepper before it proceeds to a dense heart of hyacinth, violet, nutmeg and grassy notes. The perfume settles on a bed of rooty vetiver, surrounded by woody and leathery notes. The masculine leaning scent has moderate to strong projection and very good longevity. Classic, elegant, refined, and sensual. Enjoy!