Rafale

This review is for the original Rafale, not Rafale Pour Homme: The EDT of Molinard Rafale is a tastefully rendered green floral chypre, somewhere in the vicinity between Aliage and Charlie. The contents of the bottle I own have retained sparkle and radiance after several decades, intact aldehydes, barely bruised bergamot, and a belt of green wrapped around a crisp muguet-jasmine floral core. The standout of Rafale is its dry down, a delightfully raspy vetiver, oakmoss, and musk that hums on my skin and cuts through the cold during my winter walks.

This is a bright citrus/floral in a traditional cologne combination. It starts off with a crisp lavender, basil and citrus accord but soon dries down comfortably into a dry woody vetiver infused with a touch of bergamont. This is a French cologne, no mistake about it. Some people might want to call it dated, but I call it classic. It is a nice take on the always fashionable combination of natural bittersweet florals like lavender paired to a herbal and powdery vetiver. This is a grown up fragrance steeped in Molinard quality and very deserving of the Grasse tradition. Wonderful year round fragrance but most suitable for warm daytime wear.

This wonderful classic french cologne seems to be discontinued, as it is not available at molinard.com :-( Two years ago I bought a 30ml bottle in Nice (Eau de Parfum) and it became one of my most loved fragrances, very long lasting with beautiful silage. Will try to get some vintage bottles.

Week ,banal , not worth any attention. Same goes for another one , guess it's the number 3 for men, but am not sure right now. Molinard is a quality brand actually ,but such surprises can come from any brand , no guarantees in this business.