Kouros Eau de Sport

The rarest and most elusive botting ever from the Kouros line, and the most exquisite in my opinion as well! This is not a 'sport' scent at all, but a more nuanced, articulate and well-crafted bottling of the original iconic scent. Far less polarizing and much more refined than Original Kouros. A more apropos name would be, "Eau de Soft", as this has the full pedigree of Vintage Kouros but doesn't overpower either the wearer nor those in close company. This is year-round scent and performs amazing in warm, humid weather as well as in the cold winter. The notes are incomplete, as this definitely has civet in it...but not overbearing. What I adore most is the key note of olibanum, and how is shows in the scent. It is listed as a 'base note' in the pyramid, but I can detect the airy, fresh ethereal aroma of olibanum upon application. It, literally, breathes within the entire composition. As the scent develops into heart with the wonderful jasmine and carnation-clove blend, it begins to warm. The light sweetness is detectable here as well. The note listed as 'coral amber' is interesting, but I find it may be more noticeable in the heart and it connects with the oriental vanilla in the base. Never is this a 'sweet' scent, though. Kouros Eau de Sport is very aromatic and combines a vivid and beautiful freshness to an animalic-infused oriental fougere. It is almost impossible to 'classify' - perhaps the folks at Fragrantica didn't on purpose. The oakmoss is not heavy, but acts as a great fixative. The vetiver is clean and woody - it marries wonderfully with the green patchouli that is slightly herbaceous...and the two notes actually blend seamlessly with the nice artemisia in the top and floral heart. I, personally, do not detect any rose in here at all (nor would I want to). The musk is perfect here as well, but cleaner and not too skanky...it blends very naturally with one's body chemistry and works great with the nice touch of civet. Like Original Kouros, I recommend applying this on clean skin - not dirty. This is too beautiful and rare a fragrance to just throw on after a day at work, truly of the highest quality. Less bravado than the original, but only because it is more refined. This is not a 'formal' scent, but can be worn more formally...but it is just as easy to wear casually, but with taste. Impeccably balanced and never is there a moment during a wearing where you smell anything 'off-putting', 'pissy' or 'urinous'. To me, it surpasses the Original in virtually every way except pure power and projection - but this still has excellent longevity and very good sillage. Personally, I like to incorporate it into a wearing with Vintage Kouros...but, by itself, it is stunning and is one of the best flankers ever created that surpasses a polarizing flagship scent that many regard as a true masterpiece. Bravo.

Three and a half months passed before my Kouros Eau de Sport 5 ml. sample came home; I just received it yesterday, August 8. For all those who are insanely curious to know what the first flanker of the mythical classic Kouros smells like, let me tell you not to expect to be surprised by a new scent, even less for a perfume launched in 1986--Kouros Eau de Sport smells the same as Kouros from 1981. If there are differences? Sure! It feels lighter and less oily than the glandular, first perfume, all due to a slight accord of roses that gives it softness and a less mineral, or salty, powdery smell--so characteristic of the aromatic icon created by Pierre Bourdon, making it easier to use, but the same aroma is there; perhaps more domesticated, only more retouched and "toned down." Kouros Eau de Sport is the original perfume diluted by 85%, with its aromatic properties intact, with duration of 7 to 8 hours and remarkable projection and sillage. Is it worth getting a full bottle? With Kouros (vintage) being a favorite, there would be no apparent reason to purchase Eau de Sport, least of all because of the exorbitant current sale prices; however, as a collector's item, it is a worthy specimen to own. As Kouros Eau de Sport is practically the same as classic Kouros, I do not consider it necessary to give it a grade. Nonetheless, it is a great piece that I am glad to finally have in my hands, even if it's just a sample.

★★★★★ Kouros is a masterpiece, an excellent idea executed intelligently and skilfully. Nothing can compare to Kouros, it's unique, brave and virile. This first flanker though, is a more elegant version. Every note is milder, less pronounced, and therefore you get more of a harmonious blend than the original's harsh top-mid phases. This would definitely be my signature, if I had enough bottles of it. I prefer this version to the original, and I would keep this and Fraicheur and layer them with Plein Air for the full effect (which I do, but only occasionally). The olibanum I think is what is making this beauty so alluring and refined. Never feels dated, and will always be an interesting aura around the wearer. Wish I had 10 more bottles of this.

Finally... this was added to the database. I have to say that I recently received a bottle of this in a trade and I'm using it by the drop, not the spray because of its rarity and expense. It's a wonderfully toned down version of Kouros, retaining all of the charm of its predecessor, but with the removal of the 'urine' note that haunts the original. It's not 'sport' in the modern context of just adding citrus to the top notes, but rather it's a less severe, more wearable variation. Very nice and suitable for those who have doubts about the original but still see the charm.

Clean and fresh. I recently found the splash version on eBay and it's grand! I apply to my fingertip and rub it into my chest and torso after a shower. Provides a lighter more natural scent to me than the classic version I purchased over two years ago. Manly and clean smelling! There are more bottles on eBay for thoe who may be interested. Obsessed with Kouros and its flankers now.