Leonard Pour Homme

Been wearing a moderate application for almost six hours now and I am seriously impressed. The opening is fairly classic citrus ouverture that - like a dancer in the 1890s doing the Can Can at the Moulin Rouge (I lived just down the road as a student in Paris) raises her leg to reveal teasing glimpses of the petticoats beneath the skirt, so does this creation hint at the depths and sophistication that are to come, as the mid-notes announce their arrival with an aromatic floral fanfare before the conclusion of the symphony, with a somewhat animalic vibe which I presume is castoreum (although a far more pleasant rendition of castoreum that enhances the leather-ness of the whole, if that makes sense. Apologies, I bought this as a blind buy and am enraptured. Edit July 2, 2021 Mortified at the thought that a previous incarnation of me wrote such pretentious wankery. Edited it to remove the most embarrassing drivel. Anyhow, Today I decided to wear Léonard because it’s been far too long. It sure is a complex, but pleasing, blend of very disparate notes into a symphony (a word I use far too often but it is a suitable analogy that conveys the idea of different instruments with different sounds that come together in harmony). And that symphony has a traditionally “masculine” vibe, (even though such classifications are archaic nowadays). It could of course be worn by anyone regardless of the configuration of their crotch. Some years back I was walking by the beach in summer where the children of a very loud family were playing and after one couple walked past them one of the boys yelled “he’s wearing perfume” in a childish mix of astonishment and horror. Had that gentleman been wearing Léonard I doubt the odious little brat would have said the same thing. In any case LPH is an interesting, multifaceted, harmonious mosaic redolent of gentlemanly sophistication with facets that are spicy, aromatic, floral (not a girly floral though), animalic via a hint of castoreum, tobacco, oakmoss and a rich leather note, which is probably why the dry down reminds me of Bel Ami. LPH is timeless with a robust individuality. A classic.

Love the bottle. A statement of confident, yet elegant, masculinity. The sprayer, somewhat larger than most nowadays, is metered for a generous, (manly?) application. Léonard is a storied French design house established in 1958, regarded as a living national treasure ( Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant ) famous for innovative designs and a revolutionary technique for printing fabric, among other things. Hugely popular in Asia. Leonard Pour Homme is perhaps an allusion to the label’s leather goods. An aromatic overture, botanical with citrus and lavender, heralds a multifaceted, woody leather note, a resinous ambergris and cistus, a rich tobacco, the subtle warmth of castoreum and the deep resonance of oakmoss, that practically “shimmers” on the skin. It is intoxicating and I find myself savouring the effect. Leather in perfumery has always fascinated me. A fantasy accord that recreates the smell of the man-made luxury products central to the history of European perfumery. The skin of dead animals tends not to smell all that great in nature. The leather in Leonard Pour Homme is evocative of a saddlery, a Chesterfield or the interior of an Aston-Martin and reminds me of Bel Ami. Not an analog, but a similar leather note. And, like Bel Ami, it doesn’t smell like “perfume”. If you like Bel Ami, you will almost certainly like this. . Leonard Pour Homme is an elegant leather-oakmoss fragrance that belies its age and era, with respectable performance and decent longevity. Edit: The dry down really is sublime - smells like cured white-gold ambergris.

This is a dry and powdery aromatic floral. Definitely old school and very nearly unisex in it's spicy and floral middle notes drying down to a light, leathery woodsy and smoky floral. Leonard is one of those retro houses that always intrigues me... Definitely suggest you try before you invest in an expensive vintage bottle. Update: After trying a few more times, the dry, chypre, femininity is really striking to me, and coming to the forefront. Powdery iris, carnation and lavender really seems to take hold and own a lot of the composition. Longevity and sillage is really quite good... I'm trying to imagine this in 1980 when it was created, and can only think that Leonard was going after a mature old school chypre wearing market with this frag. Under *no* circumstances is this remotely a contemporary fragrance as we know it today. This is for chypre lovers, and collectors of curious and unique houses who's better days have, unfortunately, passed them by... I remember being so entranced by Leonard at 13 or 15 in the 80's with Balahe and Leonard (Femme) in the yellow and white packaging...The bottles, the juice were all divine and exuded a unique class. Update2: I really kind of love this now. I actually wear a small dab to bed at night and find the herbal aromatic aspects soothing. To me, this really doesn't scream leather: I would describe it in this order aromatic, floral, leather, fresh spicy, woody, balsamic... in short a magnificent old school juice!!!

A radiant, punchy, deep red carnation on a black sport coat is how Leonard Pour Homme opens, Deep and swarthy, this creation of Ron Winnegrad (also responsible for the legendary Dunhill Blend 30 and the iconic Lagerfeld Cologne) is one that displays the shadows of manhood and the liminal space between a proper gentleman and the erogenous no-no zone. It nods to genteel classics that were handsome but shed little in the way of sensuality, but this is 1980. We want to be unapologetically sexy. So, Ron whipped up some hot leather, warming oils, and a "grr" to follow the "purr." Aromatic herbs, particularly thyme, with lavender, straddle this hobby horse, wrangling the leather with its tasty pungency and bitter finish, rendering it all a bit more "in touch with nature" as was also de rigueur during this age of fragrance. However, the refinement cannot completely tame the beast with come hither glances. What at once might seem demure might actually want to take you by the hand to enter the deep, dark, delicious night. The dry down is cedar and tannins saddlery, discreet lust in the woods—trunks, roots, and the melancholy fuzz of dried flowers and herbs dusted with rice powder. This is one of my all-time favorites from this era, surpassing even Antaeus (shock and horror!).

I agree that there's hint of VC&A... When I first sprayed it on my skin, I picked up a deep masculine herbal/spicy aroma which gives way to a softer gentle warm vib of carnation. I can't help it but I do pick a touch of rose as well!! The aroma of leather combined with cedar and oakmoss makes it so much more attractive. To complete this STUNNING JEWEL of a fragrance is amber and patucchli which gives it that overall animalistic quality. Longevity and Silage are both very high lasting well past 10hrs.. Final thoughts, I only wish today's fragrance's are held to the same high quality of fragrance's like Leonard Pour Homme, Orginal Gucci and Bel Ami from Hermès and many other's. I was surprised to find this Gem in the same boutique that I always test different fragrance. I expected to see more reviews...my guess is that this juice is hard to find and it might be too old school. My honest opinion...you couldn't get me to switch this amazing fragrance with any fragrance in the last 5-10years. This stuff is @#$!*& wicked...if you want to try something that stands apart of most frag's this juice would be a definite. What's there to rate...five gold ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Leonard, an amazing fragrance of the confident man! For example, Robert Wagner in bowtie, on the show Hart to Hart and John Forsythe as Blake Carrington on the show Dynasty, also in bowtie. This scent was made to show confidence, success, demure capability; no pretense, no flamboyance. Leonard starts out with the HEAVY, heavy carnation, lavender, then the cedar and oakmoss, the bergamot and patchouli, finally some sweet thyme. My bottle is from the picture up above, so I know it's a vintage to the best of my knowledge. Longevity is 10+ hours. Sillage is 5+ feet for the first 3-4 hours, then it's moderate for the duration. The style of this edt is absolutely 1980's, but very much still chic. This is a man's fragrance. Exquisite, sophisticated, refined maniliness, forceful & bold. 10/10. I got my bottle for a steal a few years ago. I saw the prices today, sheesh. 😬

Just received a vintage bottle and what can I say about this. As I was reading in the "manual book" which was inside the box I saw that they had written "this original touch owes its fragrance to a blending of leather and tobacco, slightly scented with ambergris and Cyprus" but in the notes here on fragrantica they do not even mention tobacco, ambergris or cyprus as notes. The tobacco is definitely there and it is very loud. I couldn't get anything masculine with this the first time I applied it on my arms but it was because I rubbed my arms. It was more like Dove soap but now it smells really masculine tobacco. I have Quorum by antonio puig which contains a load of tobacco but I like this one more. Scent: 8/10 Longevity: 8/10 Projection: 7/10

I blind baught this, as it was going cheap for such an old fragrance i thaught ahhh why not. I think my bottle must of been made mid 80s or early 90s because this stuff smelt like a 80s xmas log cabin gathering.ok now best way to describe that would be amagine sitting around a log fire wearing flairs and xmas jumpers drinking malt wiskey. Its actually a masterpeice in disguise, you just have to let it blend with the skin for an hour to relise how good this smells. If you get a bottle which i highly recommend. Use only in cold weather and yes there is no other fragrance that smells like this . 10/10 SUBLIME

My dad came home from a business trip in the 80s with a bottle of Leonard pour Homme (LPH). The stewardess said to him that his son might like it. I very much did. I have bought what I could find over the years - but now it seems very hard to find. LPH is not a typical 80s scent - it is discrete, mild spicy and refreshing. Actually ahead of its time. I love it and miss it in stores. I like LPH more than Van Cleef and Arpels for men (VCAM) - LPH is simply better balanced and a more sophisticated scent. Most of my girlfriends in the 80s loved this scent. Thanks dad - wherever you are.

Another perfect vintage scent - masculine and sexy in a good old way, powerful and mysterious. Very complex but well balanced and smooth as a fine leather jacket. It can be turn-off for those who prefer safe scents. This one is not safe at all, it has a lot of character. I can almost bathe in it but do remember that it's definitely not a proper choice for visiting theatre etc. Enjoy it with caution! But if you try you can become an addict.

This is probably one of my favorite perfumes, going back decades. Unfortunately, it is VERY hard to find and there seems to be no attempt to revive it. It is old-school, complex,unabashedly masculine, intense, and natural without the modern chemical nonsense used now. It unfolds itself over many hours. I would not recommend this for any man under age 30-40. You have to have masculine presence to pull this off.

One of the best tobacco infused scents I’ve ever had the pleasure to wear! Yep you heard me, tobacco! Spicy and sharp, unlike say Mugler’s Havane or Marly’s Herod pipe tobacco notes, Leonard’s is a raw cigarette tobacco. Warm, complex and unique with amazing projection and longevity. This is an 80's classic and it still kicks ass!

Another discontinued masterpiece! Why they discontinued such a gem? Leonard pour Homme 1980 was a unique scent💝 in 2009 Leonard released Leonard Homme which was just a mediocre scent👎 and had nothing in common with Leonard pour Homme Original!

How the fuск is this so good? A perfect balance between warm spices, aromatic herbs & cheeky, primal beaver butt. Makes me want to rip my shirt off and leg it into the sunset. They don't make 'em like this anymore...

I really like this, and I agree with the former reviewer. A complex wonderful tobacco cologne it is.

This is a smooth, soapy lavender and carnation concoction with musky/castoreum undertones. It's very smooth, smells quite dated but is very pleasing. Like I said, the prominent initial impression for me is 'soapy', and that's the overall impression I get each time I catch it before I dig deeper. Not brilliant for me - it's clearly refined but the overall note choice is really safe and standard.

Why this one has such a high perfume rating is beyond me. It's nice, sure. But is has that baby powder note in it of which I am not a fan. This one reminds me of Canoe. FYI: I have the .80 ounce bottle and will likely sell it if anyone is interested.

Found a source for a 25ml of this. Nice old school fragrance, a little less full on than VC&A homme but a similar styling, and probably a bit more "dandy" than the VC&A. I think it’s quite good but I wouldn’t chase for another once my bottle is done.

Unfortunately, it’s probably something like a dark scent such as Jules or Passion, but with added acidity, which seems like a self-sabotage. It’s as if those scents simply fermented and soured. Could this have its own original charm? In the same way as, for example, Tuscan Leather, where you have horseradish; here you also get echoes of pickling, fermentation, a kind of curdling that unfortunately comes from this carrot note. In short — they probably overdid it with the carrot. But if you tried to take this scent without that context? Probably not.

To sum it up in a simple way, a lot of carnation mixed with a sharp accord (most described as bug spray) and a woody animalic background. Pass!

Yes, I've heard this is similar to VC&A PH, but I've only tried a recent formulation of that one, in the brown leaf box with black background, and hated it (nasty musks and soapy lavender). Others claim VC&A PH is a great rosy masculine, which for all I know is true of the original formulation. If so, it may be that the same perfumer did both and emphasized carnation in this one rather than rose. In any case, this is one that every aficionado should at least sample. There is great depth here, and it smells natural yet almost otherworldly. One or two sprays and just wait a little while for the magic to begin! If you only like sport, fresh, or aquatic scents, stay far away from this one, unless you are ready for something very different. UDPATE: I have now tried vintage VC&A PH and the main difference is that it has rose where the Leonard has carnation. I wouldn't want to be without both of these, and two others that are somewhat similar are Ho Hang Club and Trussardi Uomo. In HHC one the rose is very obvious.

With my vintage perfume journey, the hardest pill I've learnt to swallow is realizing that even with classic and iconic fragrances I sometimes end up finding them just as disappointing as I find modern perfumes to be boring, although with modern perfumes it is way more often. This is probably one of the best cases of that, I was so excited to get my hands on Leonard pour homme after hearing constant praise from everybody in the in the vintage fragrance community. Between the comparisons to other iconic fragrances and the attention grabbing descriptions, I thought I had to try this out. When I finally got my nose on it I was very unsatisfied, it opens with an aromatic herbal opening which I find to be the most interesting part of this scent, but the dry down is just this discrete mossiness, I barely got any leather, carnation, animalics, or frankly any other note that made me impressed. I'm so sad that this did not meet my expectations...

Its not often that i treat myself with a backup bottle. With Leonard pour homme i had to. Carnation, patchouli, smoky castoreum, oakmoss. VC&A pour homme is indeed similar but the soapy gothic rose and cloves sets it apart from Leonard pour homme's strong carnation heart. LPH feels less high pitched, very basenote heavy, gloomy and leathery. I wasnt around in the 70s but this is exactly how i imagine the world must have smelled like back then.

It reminds me of VCA, the original one, so strong and with so many floral notes I did not dare use it. It turned for lack of use. As to Leonard, it is gentler, not so aggresive, milder. Very 80ish, true, but with the right amount of enthusiasm. I have to describe the notes. Pending job...

A pungent, oily, aromatic fragrance of a bygone era. What makes the fragrance stand out in particular is that diesel-like note that constantly lingers, giving it an interesting leather accord that smooth as suede despite being pitch black in color. Leaning heavily masculine with this one.

I agree with the carnation and the comparisons with VanCleef pour Homme (if you remove the rose) but by no way with Antaeus. Get a perfumery class please. I like it more than Antaeus.... But they're different

A gem of the 1980s. Dense, dark, pungent, has a oily waxy quality. Similar to van cleef arpels, Antaeus & other 80's powerhouses. Very nice & very rare.

Opens with a dry, semi-sweet, light floral leather if you can follow that. Then dries down very floraly. Not for me.