Marcel

Starting off with loud bergamot and then switching to a heady lavender and ylang-ylang opening Marcel soon dries to a buzzy, aromatic cedar-vetiver-leather-patchouli accord. Slightly sweet to begin with but finishing very dry. This is rich, robust stuff, more eau de parfum than cologne, and with the raw ingredients to the fore. Overall it's too square-jawed for me, abrasive and assertive. Interesting though and undeniably sexy. I'm sure others will love it

A dead ringer for Eau Sauvage, with that lemony opening, herby heart and dry, grassy dry down. As an eau de cologne, you fear it may not have much staying power, but after this fragrance loses its initial citrus fizz, it matures with a lingering vetiver-enhanced effect. The bergamot is never far away, however and unfortunately Marcel keeps reminding me of a souped-up lemon-based kitchen cleaner.

Upon trying Marcel I was impressed immediately by the bright opening and retro patchouli accord that sparked something in my brain that reminded me of something from the 80's but confronted in a modern way. About an hour in after breaking my nogging to remember what it wa similar to I realized that it greatly resembles the vintage version of Calvin Klein's Obsession (I have the one with the sprayer built into the cap). Beautifully done, must have if you love the 80's.