Molinard Homme II

Thank god for the French, for the need for perfume that developed at Versailles to mask the odors of the over powdered and under washed pre-revolution court of several King Louis. And thank god for Grasse. These three elements, France, Versailles and Grasse are invaluable to the world of perfume. This, Molinard Homme II is one of the pinnacles of French perfume. It is so incredibly complex and luxe. Rich and frothy vanilla, sharp tangy juniper berries, and rich thickly luxurious gold honey are the major notes I pick up right away. The bourbon vanilla and the honey come up from the base notes and never fade throughout the entire life of the fragrance. All the other notes are more or less a rising and falling Greek chorus that tells the back story to this utterly enjoyable scent. But at center stage though out its performance are the stars of the show, vanilla, juniper and honey. The 163 year old house of Molinard in Grasse France is famous world wide for some incredible creations. This particular scent was created in 1996 but it seems timeless and new yet speaks of classic masculine fragrances of the past. It is the history of French fragrance in a milk glass bottle. (The bottle by the way is stunningly simple white milk glass with the notes listed in red on the back in French). Wear this and you are transported to the Hall of Mirrors in Chateau Versailles flirting with some impossibly seductive courtesan, to the Opera house in the center of Paris on opening night of Les Troyens. Splash a little on your wrist and you will find yourself at Maxim’s with your cigar being lit by Collette. A little behind the ears and you will be drinking champagne from the slipper of Jane Avril at Moulin Rouge. Or you may find yourself climbing the stairs up to Sacré-Cœur at dawn with a sparkling flapper. A little spritz on the collarbone and you are toasting the glorious fireworks at the Exposition Universelle from atop the newly opened la Tour Eiffel, or just off the 747 at Charles de Gaulle Airport for your first visit to France. It is all here in this wonderful timeless magical mystery tour of Molinard Homme II. I can’t wait to try I and III! The silage is very good and it projects well at about five feet. Last a good 8 to 9 hours on my skin and it elicits brilliant responses from those who were moved to comment on it. A real find at an incredibly reasonable cost, this is a masterwork of French Perfumery. FIVE PLUS PLATINUM STARS *****+

Today was a gender-bending fragrance day for sherapop. First I wore Heeley IRIS DE NUIT (review to follow), then I tested a bit of Bond no 9 HARRODS FOR HIM before donning a full serving of COOPER SQUARE. Yes, I luxuriated in labdanum-drenched lavender this afternoon. Now I am wearing Molinard HOMME II. Can we talk? This stuff is simply remarkable. It's not just that it's remarkable for the price, which it certainly is--it's almost free: my four-ounce bottle set me back all of $16! No, it's totally gorgeous even in ignorance of the low price. The composition is a sweetish fougère featuring all sorts of characteristically masculine notes up top, and a completely compelling cluster of scrumptiousness for the base. Here are the notes, according to my bottle (they are printed right on it): Tête: Armoise, Foin de la Cran, Mandarine de Sicile, Genièvre Coeur: Orange du Brésil, Lavande de Provence, Coriandre de Crimée, Cèdre de Virginie Fond: Vanille Bourbon, Patchouly de Singapour, Miel de Provence, Vétiver I occasionally wear this fragrance to bed, and it smells even more beautiful in the morning, so it does not fall apart or degrade, the tell-tale signs of cheap-o juice. It's smooth and creamy and a bit spicy and sweet, and just a bit masculine, but in a gentle giant way. I just love this stuff. So why do so few perfumistas talk about it? My theory: Molinard suffers from the dreaded fifty-cent whore problem. By selling their wares so cheaply, they drive serious perfume users away in droves. But you need to smell this stuff, guys--and gals! I'm thinking very seriously of purchasing a case of bottles of this juice to distribute to all of my male friends--and females, too! In a word: yum!

Molinard Homme II has an awful lot going for it.Whilst similar to Joop Homme and Fleur du Male , Molinard Homme II has a sunnier disposition than both. The honeyed orange blossom is beautiful imparting a sense of well being. The mix is warming,comforting and draws the nose back for more. Softer than both the joop and the gaultier. Before getting aquainted with Homme II my go to orange blossom scent was fleur du male which is still a firm favourite, however The Molinard offers me something more with its harmony and consonance throughout the journey from top to bottom. If you already have Fleur du Male I would say there is absolutely room in your wardrobe for Homme II. Whilst there are similarities, the differences are intriguing in the same way familial differences between siblings are intriguing. You see they come from the same family and yet their distinct personalities make their similarities wholly engaging when placed within a different cluster of quirks and foibles.

Great alternative to fleur du male , it's less floral than Fleur du male but more creamy , balmy with a nice vanilla. It looks like a lot to Fleur du Male in the opening and the middle , but the drydowns get in different ways , fleur du male remains a lot floral when this one is more vanillic. Performances are also different , Fleur du Male is a performance beast , and it projects for long hours , this one is more subtle and last not so much but is still very discernable for 4-5 hours. I prefer this one over Fleur du Male in the scent itself, but the performance makes me think that these two are equals..

I blind bought the whole Homme series, and this one is so far my favorite ! (but the two other ones are great too !) :o I won't write a long review, my predecessors said everything you have to know about this one. But I confirm its insane quality ! Longevity, sillage, ingredients, absolutely amazing and really great value !! For the smell itself, it begins with floral notes, and slowly transforms on a gourmand honey/vanilla combo with a spicy background (hmm, the coriander !) This is so very unique, I haven't smelled an amazing one like that before. Go for it blindly, for the price, you won't regret it !