Yohji Essential 1998

I tried the new version of this and it's very lovely, but this vintage version is something else! There is much more depth here, more quality and uniqueness and the longevity is far better than the reformulated Yohji. The perfume opens with most unusual notes of which I haven't smelled before, flax leaves for example, mingle with a favourite note of mine, ,galbanum which is freshened by a tangy citrus note. The opening is beautiful, you don't have to work at this perfume, it's gorgeous from the start. Eventually this settles into a lovely floral heart and dries down to the delicate wood notes of sandalwood, a well behaved patchouli and sweet sumptuous amber. I wore this perfume yesterday and into the evening as the sun cast it's evening shadow over my walls, the blind gently moved in the evening breeze and all was quiet as the day called to its end. This is what Yohji reminds me of.

It smells unbelievably great. for me it's smells like passion, like love and romance.. very very sexy!! Long lasting and amaizing smell. My favirite of all perfumes. I was wearing this one back in the 90's and this smell will allways remind me my youth.

Richly fruity chypre with an amber base, oddly satisfying!

It is so nice that not every perfume smells the same. Yohji Essential is one of those which dare to be different and break the rules. Essential opens almost like a bitter medicine, and you may wonder if there is anything there that even remotely resembles a perfume... But just a few minutes later chamomile, as soothing and ethereal as a cup of lightly brewed herbal tea, appears and the bitter note vanishes. Then comes the rose, and its odour mixes oddly but pleasantly with chamomile. The fragrance is quiet and also stays like that 2-3 hours (on me). Later some sandalwood join in until all the "Essential" oils evaporate little by little. That takes another 2-3 hours. This concoction is shy but charming. Especially when flowers appear - very original and enchanting. How I wish that the perfume were a tad louder! You have to put your nose right on your wrist to smell all those silent changes which take place during the different phases. I sprayed Essential to my shirt, and it lasted better there. Anyway, a remarkable and courageous achievement by Yohji Yamamoto!

I Am writing about an old formula of Yohji Essential, 1998, when Patou was its distributor in USA First sniff, which was exactly in 1998, just like an apothecary explosion, ta-dah! And then immediatly you feel chamomile which relaxes you, soothes you.. and then again rose and Amber ta-dah!!! Do not make big eyes, do not run away, just WAIT then you have a deep breath again ..until galbanum in air of patchouli will not deliver you into warm hugs of sandalwood and..rasberry Sounds weird I know, but for ppl who newbie with Yohji Yamamoto clothes it is also sometimes " too weird" , to simplistic-cosmic-whatever. It is where far away past meets far away future to me. Thats why I love it THAT MUCH! Because its so damn unique! Still didnt try reformulated ones...But..I will have to..one day..

Anyone looking for this perfume in the uk? I saw it today in the chain chemist "Boots", they have three of the range, £50, I was surprised !! This is a GOOD Chypre, its galbanum is quite pronounced and I love that.Well blended. It has a wonderfully classic smell,Timeless yet current,,, elegant and dries down to something quite powdery.Feminine. Compared to the other fragrances currently around which seem to be laden with berries, patchouli or super sweet, this is a very welcome addition, could be a great signature scent...its unique, full marks ! x P.s I tried the other 2,one has a blue cap and other a black cap, and they are equally desirable, good job YY !

This is one of the strangest scents I ever experienced! It starts, plain and simple, weird! In a few minutes, it changes to the softest chamomile tea you can imagine, and then it goes smoothly into a woody, amber velvet feeling, just amazing. How I wish I could acquire a big bottle of this! Until then, I am enjoying what I have, and probably just save it for aromatherapy, sniffing only from the long vial I have, it's a little treasure for sure. Thank you , trixieg32 for this joy!

Edit: My previous review was made in Greece where the temperatures were really high (constantly over 30 degrees). In my own home country (plus 22 now) the tones of this perfume are far more distinctive and longevity over six hours! So, my conclusion is that Essential benefits from cooler climate.

I was wearing this perfume in 2000. It was very interesting on the skin, but very strong out off the bottle. But now it's unfortunatly another frag, as if it's another perfume(((

Don't like the celery leaves I smell there from the beginning to the very end. If you love the scent of celery leaves in fragrance, this one is a big must try for you!

Hi I need to buy Yohji Essential perfume for women. If anybody knows where I find it please let me know. I searched everywhere but could not find it. Thanks

Hi michal there is a link under the picture that will refer you to sellers of that rare fragrance.