Imbue

I'm a big fan of Gucci Pour Homme II, but I stopped buying it because the performance is just too weak on me. I've already bought about 5 fragrances from Parfums Vintage, and when I heard about IMBUE, I immediately requested a sample from them - when buying another one of their frags. I hate to use percentages, but Imbue seems to be about 95% the same in smell, but with this fragrance, the performance is doubled. I consistently get 8 hours from this fragrance, but the great thing is that I get whiffs of this coming off of me for 4-5 hours - that's really good projection. That said, this is not a "beast-mode" projector (where you are consistently engulfed in a scent cloud), that's not what I'm saying, but you will get a steady & soft (arms-length) projection for many hours. Imbue, just like GPH2 is a very well blended "cooling" and "relaxing" style of fragrance that is perfect for spring and fall - The black tea, cinnamon and violet leaf are apparent and the only negative for some folks (not me) is that it might feel linear, but if you love the scent, linear is quite alright. This is a terrific fragrance for cloudy/rainy days or those times at home when you're just relaxing. I think IMBUE could certainly be a signature-scent fragrance since it's so pleasant and appealing and really can be worn year round as long as the temps aren't too extreme one way or the other -ideally between 40 - 80 degrees. In general folks, check out Parfums Vintage - high-quality fragrances that simply do some classics, better. Every time I've purchased a bottle, I've asked for a sample of something I hadn't tried and every time, they include a generous and professional looking 5ML decant, for free. GPH2 lovers - take my word for it....get your nose on this. You can get a 50ml bottle for right around $75. I'm wearing IMBUE as we speak.

Oooh! It's a beautiful, sunny day here and I walked past the little purple velvet pouch that my PV samples came in and thought... time to try another. Gosh, this is gorgeous right from the outset. The tea is strong and clean and delicious, the ozonic quality is there for me. Violet leaf and citrus are blending so well with the tea - this is super pleasing to my nose. I don't expect this to last long on my skin but I swear to Bob that if this has a story to tell me, I will buy it today. __________________________________________ Mmmm, this is really lovely. The tea is ever present but about half an hour in, the musk has come through, brightened up by the bergamot. I can convince myself I smell the cinnamon, but I'm yet to detect pimento, myrhh or olive tree (not sure what that should smell like, though. Don't judge me, I live in Scotland). Definitely buying this for myself. I'm well pleased with finding something I like so much. __________________________________________ As suspected, this died down and becomes a skin scent after a couple of hours, but they were happy hours and this will bring me pleasure every time I wear it. __________________________________________ Much later, and I just caught a whiff of it still on my skin. A warm, sweet but unobtrusive scent musk, tea and tobacco. This is a truly lovely fragrance and I look forward to having it in my collection.

Like many reviewers, I bought Imbue because despite my love of Gucci pour homme II, I couldn't justify buying a bottle considering its abominable performance. I own two other frags by Parfums vintage, and have been extremely pleased by their complexity and performance. Their versions of popular designer and niche fragrances are often better than the originals, and Imbue is no exception. Though this isn't as strong in sillage and longevity as some of their other offerings, it is far, far better than GpH II. The notes have greater depth and intensity, but still come together to create a reserved, comforting, sophisticated vibe. I agree with Super Sniffer below: since the constituent elements have been amped up, Imbue is more herbaceous than GpH II. However, I wouldn't qualify it as an "herbal" fragrance; it's simply that the tea and pimento (which work surprisingly well together) are more foregrounded here. The ozonic notes and bergamot add airiness and zing, and the cinnamon-tobacco-violet accord give it a kind of secondary backbone that works marvelously well with the tea-pimento. Very unisex, very versatile. Thank you, PV, for yet another victory!

Quite lovely honestly. I never owned a bottle of Gucci Pour Homme II but it was my best friend in high school's signature scent for about 3 years. When putting this on it instantly reminded me of how he and his room smelled after he'd spray it on and we'd be on our way out somewhere. Very gentle, relaxing, calming slightly peppery tea-focused fragrance that smells great. More masculine than Nishane's Wulong Cha, which is the other tea dominant fragrance I tried (although that one smells better and higher quality but far too feminine for my tastes).

I literally just got this delivered to me and I sprayed it on. While I haven’t owned Gucci Pour Homme II in years, from what I can recall, this does smell a lot like it. I’m talking 90+%. The memories of that delightful fragrance came rushing back to me at first sniff. Bless you Parfums Vintage for recreating this fragrance. The original wasn’t particularly strong or long lasting and I’m hoping this one performs better. Judging by the oiliness of it, I’m thinking it may have more longevity.