Monsieur Rochas Eau de Toilette Concentree

Finished my bottle of this long ago and was delighted that I took some time out from acquiring new stuff this Christmas and got an old classic. Couldn't be more classic than this. Guy Robert one of my favourite perfumers, my dad wore it yada yada... And not to delve too deep into the composition because to me it's an unassuming powdery, leather scent which in fairness being from 1968 actually predates many of the things you might be able to compare it to, no doubt it supersedes some too. I love the powdered nature of Robert's work with little gems and treats poking out. This has a the mild clove sensation of carnation and while thinking about it a bit longer, Equipage is not a bad comparison, but these are vastly different to those who study the masculine classics and can do a deep dive into what is the same seemingly rehashed accords of leather, wood, musk and herbal elements. The top notes have faded a touch on this vintage but only mildly I still get a citrus, bergamot/lemon but quite muted until it properly builds up and it only takes a minute for the glory to strike. There's a mild greeness too I think there's galbanum in there and a geranium effect created by the powder and also like a version of the peachy chypre notes of Robert's Caleche albeit a much more butch take. It all sits in this lovely leathery range. It's magnificent, starts out great and just gets better, it's not a huge impacting scent or a life changer, but it's a steady pair of hands.

This is one of my most missed old school fragrances and I had it back in the early 90", is one of the most masculine scents I have worn and yet smooth and refined with finesse to delivered the scent to your sense, very complemented and underrated at its time, long time gone. I would always remember it if I ever sniff it again. One of the most complemeted fragrance I've ever worn, and I was still a kid in my early 20's, but is amazing the versatility of the juice for fitting a young guy and a middle age and mature or man with that masculine sublime but strong enough scent for everyone to notice without feeling overwhelmed. I miss it a lot...!

I was fortunate enough to find a new, unused bottle in a vintage store in its original packaging. The original price tag on the box as $5. Wow. The marked up price at the vintage store was not too much more than that -- I am very pleased. This is a very nice fragrance which I remember my great uncle wearing. Always a sharply dressed gentleman, this was his signature scent. Very classy stuff. My wife smelled it on me for the first time and she REALLY likes it on me. Many of my fragrances I wear for myself -- this one I can wear for the both of us. I feel like my game has leveled up when I wear this, it is so nice.

This is for the Concentree version: I have never sampled vintage Monsieur Rochas but have read many positive reviews. I purchased the concentree version last week. A dry, dark and spicy fougere that covers you in a billow of elegance. I get chamomile and nutmeg as the major players while all the beautiful notes get well grounded on a foundation of oakmoss. It starts out being loud but gradually becomes a soft and special fragrance that symbolizes manliness in a perfect way. They just don't make them like this anymore. I really love this concentree version, in fact I adore it.

OK I haven't worn this one in decades, now I got the chance to wear it from a defective almost empty bottle I am going to return since it was supposed to be new. I used to love this one a lot but I don't feel I'm getting to the same olfactive notes that I remember back in time, maybe because this is a concentrate version of it and also because it has gone to evaporation process and changed within the years. But well I got a compliment, so I guess it still attracts some.. ;-)