La Collection Jazz

@Regular_dude Yes that's a very valid point you raised here. Chemicals have different longevity: for example, the most fragile notes are citrus and flowers, while the most resistant are woody notes. Furthermore, the storage is critical, and even in the best conditions, a fragrance will start evolving as soon as 10 years after production for the weakest notes. Since even the woody fragrances often contain citrus and/or florals, some evolution is unavoidable. Indeed, people comparing newer fragrance with old formulations are making a comparison with the old formulation as of today, that is a smell that is not what it was when at the time it was issued. I previously raised that on forums (and also review page of Fahrenheit), since, in my opinion, comparing old with new is just totally ridiculous, unless there is less than 3-5 years between the 2 batches, and that storage conditions were optimal (a variable more often than not unknown). It may be worth getting an original YSL M7 for example (very woody/resinous, more resistant chemicals) since it has been discontinued since "just" 10 years - assuming you trust the seller for the storage conditions. At the opposite, suggesting to get an old formulation of, let's say, Dior Eau Sauvage or Fahrenheit, is simply a very bad advice, since major notes in these are respectively lemon and violet, and the risk that they are altered is very high. (even in good storage condition). It's like if people state to compare the job of the old winemaker with the new one by comparing a 2018 wine with a 1997 one. One can compare the juices differences as of today, but not the "quality" of the work (formulation). And as it has been stated in a previous comment, fragrances are not wine, and while their olfactive qualities can slightly improve in the first few months after opening because of a little air entering the bottle (the juice "grows"), and will then slowly keep declining after that. One can say for example: "In my opinion Fahrenheit smells better 20 years after being opened", or "as of 2018, I prefer how the 1995 batch smells today compared to how the 2015 batch smells today", or even "the 2015 seems similar to the bottle I used in 1995"... but not "the 1995 batch is better than the 2015"... and on top of that, one have to factor in that each person's opinion is very subjective... Maybe the person prefer the 1995 batch because it has lost the smell of gasoline - because the violet aromachemical may have degraded - that the newer batch stills have, and states "the 1995 is better than the 2015" for that reason) In one sentence: yes, ignore old/new batch comparisons, as it just doesn't make any sense. Just rely on your nose. That's my advice.

@Andy,@Regular, Just had to chip in to this conversation, as I very much like that you brought this up and I have also contemplated on this topic (further below my thoughts from another chain but I could've written it in any space as this isn't only about certain frags, and not even only about frags like you pointed, but anything with alcohol). In order not to get too much off topic and to respect this space I have to say that the style Jazz represents is fast becoming one of my favourite sub categories in fragrance; a zesty fougere. I agree that it may have a slightly darker hum than its late 80s early 90s contemporaries Safari, Pasha, and Cerruti (love!), in that it is also a sparkling somehow acidic but tasty fizz that radiates from the gent's skin in a semi provocative way. When I sampled this (Collection bottle) it reminded me immediately of something very familiar from my childhood when I wasn't yet old enough to wear frags, which is to say this one aligned exactly with something in my scent memory. Maybe that is the best and only way of comparing the old with the new... Back to the topic that inspired me to partake (This part from an earlier review about Acqua di Parma Colonia): [...]But I like the aroma of my 10yr old 'angel's share' bottle, as, I feel, the colonia becomes more concentrated every year, so I might buy a new one also to have 2 slightly different vintages/evolutions[...] And that [...]I think a lot of the reformulation speculation (on any frag) is due to this angel's share, that mysterious amount of drink that disappears from unopened bottles of old cognac for example.. I think every time you spray, more air gets in, and consequently more alcohol will evaporate. And that air (just like with wine) affects change in the molecules, and evap. leaves a more concentrated and developed liquid. I dont blame the evolution of scent on reforms as much as some - although also AdP themselves openly admit they periodically update the ingredients listings to be in accordance w changing regulation of their original that has existed since 1916 (here the power of story and marketing conflicts but is greater than the boring and complicated reality and I like it that way) - I still believe perfume is alive, and develops a little every day, until it's peak[...]

Coriander and Patchouli, a lovely, classic fougere fragrance I remember well from my teens in the black and white zig-zag bottle - I actually own the slightly later one with the clear bottle and a zig-zig cap as well, although it's now cream and black and not white and black and the juice inside is a bit worse for wear. I can't speak for the latest version of this that people are negative towards as I've never sampled it, I have the 80ml 2011 La Collection version pictured in the listing here, and it's really good, although I don't think the projection is quite as powerful as the '90s version I remember well (could be nostalgia playing a part however,) it's definitely far better than the scores here suggest in regards to longevity and sillage. In no way would I ever describe 2011 Jazz as weak, it's potent stuff and only needs 2 sprays to last half a day. The new formulation must really be watered down to get some weak votes. I'm assuming most people are voting for the later formulation in the clear bottle. If you can get a bottle of the La Collection version I'm certain you wouldn't be disappointed. After a quick Google I found a few BNIB 80mls for about £20 more than the new variation, which to me is more than worth the extra outlay if Jazz is your style, £70 doesn't get you much in today's fragrance world and this is a masterpiece which will become harder and harder to find.

Interesting review below. I'm saying something similar but perhaps a touch more gung ho! I think this new version is very similar to the original to the point I wouldn't waste money on a vintage bottle for the mistake of rose tinted nostalgia. Not a criticism of anyone that does mind you, I'm guilty of it all the time. I too owned this during the 90's (perhaps not the original formula anyway) but I'd say it's pretty much as I remember. I think the references to Pasha and Tsar, Safari or New west etc... are valid in the drydown especially, it's a kind of open, light, resinous, 'leather' if you like. However, key differences in the opening is the cooling, soapy effects of geranium and the quite pungent, obvious spice hit of coriander, which persists as a top note for the first hour or so. Making it completely valid as a different option to the ones I mentioned above and not redundant next to them in a wardrobe. (I have all tjose perfumes and still revisit this with glee!) Is it as powerful? Well I genuinely recall all those perfumes of that era as being stronger but this... I'm not sure? It's mellow. I'm wearing plenty of sprays on skin and clothes today and the volume is pitch perfect. I think it's underrated in the scheme of vintage men's perfumes, it smells fantastic and something I wish to wear.

This new release is actually pretty well-done - enough so for me not to miss or hanker too much after the original version. I'm currently comparing classic/original Jazz (black and white bottle) on one arm with new "la Collection" Jazz on the other. And you know what? There's really not much difference. Yes, I concur with the general consensus that the the old one is a bit richer, fuller, darker and the new one is a bit thinner, lighter and brighter. But I can only detect this difference sniffing up close. In a nutshell - and to stick with the musical theme - It's like there is a bit more bass in the original, and the treble has been turned up a touch on the newer one. There could be a method to their madness here ... it's really the brighter top notes that "sing" in Jazz, that cut through and get noticed. So why not amp those up a bit? It's the sillage that really matters, and sprayed liberally, everyone who walks past you who knows and likes Jazz, will be able to tell that this is Jazz, and will enjoy it, just like you will be .... isn't that enough? NB: the list of five accords printed on the back of the bottle and replicated here on Fragrantica, is intended to be a guide to the main accords, NOT the full note pyramid.

Now this is a fantastic aromatic Fougere with a enigmatic allure to its fragrance. It opens with a very fresh aromatic spicy notes with hints of shaving foam, woods, florals, lavender, cypress and has dark spicy facets. It also has a herbal character, imagine James Bond coming out of a high class barbers. Smell this and you can believe it.!! As time passes these notes go wide in the air giving good projection and sillage. The notes dance around each other and every time you smell yourself your picking up something different. Back in the day this was one of the fragrance women loved on men. This and Kouros was what men were rocking in days past. Now the first two to three hours I get good projection and sillage. It then reigns it self in but I can still smell it for another five hours. In the far drydown I'm left with a shaving cream accord. I can't help thinking if you mixed Rive Gauche and Fougere Royale you would get something like jazz.

Either this reformulation is off the mark or or my memory is because this seems different to the original. When I say 'different' I don't mean vastly but after a couple of wears I'm starting to perceive those differences. I did have Jazz many years ago and enjoyed it but this new version is amazing. Well maybe that's going a bit OTT or perhaps just appealing to a fickle taste fad I have at the moment for masculine aromatics? Anyway... I love this! The corriander and geranium are obvious but I don't get any of that minty vibe from the original formula. (I'm not getting confused with Live Jazz honest.) It's a herbal, refreshing brew of patchouli and cypress but surely with some citrus top notes...No? Never sharp and very classy stuff kinda reminds of RL Safari (another thing the original didn't do!) but less obvious. This is a top scent and good lasting power too, can't fault it I'd rather smell like this than many newer releases.

I understand there is some concern about how this version compares to the original and I get that. I also remember the ‘white’ and black ‘bottle’ shaped like a malformed rubik’s snake caught half formed through play and discarded into a toy box for a decade. The new rendition is certainly less ‘in your face’ than that formulation. But I definitely feel the fragrance does a reasonable job of recreating the original. Admittedly, it’s been a while since I had the original Jazz, so my memory may be influenced by ‘wishful thinking’ induced by nostalgia. But hey, aren’t we all? Spicy green and fresh. Perfect for a spring or autumn day. I really like it. And it was only white and black for a short time. It was yellowish cream and black pretty soon after purchase. Or is that me misremembering...we’ll never know.

If you hesitate to buy the newest iteration (clear bottle), because it's not the same as the vintage, please don't, and go for it, while it's still around. Of course there are differences, but it's absolutely not worth to pay big money for the vintage ones. For reference, I have a 1988 "Parfums Corp." era bottle with the batch code 83561, and a 2025-06 one with the batch code 22Z61DR. I didn't smell the black La Collection one yet. The vintage one is a bit more fresh and aromatic, the new one is just a tad more sweet and mellow, but that's all. The overall experience is the same. The new one performs significantly better on me, 8+ hours of longevity (this can be caused by the age of the old juice), and it smells freakin' good.

Coriander, bitter green geranium, on a bed of patchouli. Stunning in its simplicity, and right up my alley! I'm not sure why Rive Gauche gets more attention, as this one definitely merits as many praises as RG (or even more, imho). One explanation may be a slightly lower performance compared to RG - but still, it's very decent here. Not sure why I waited so long to get my hands on it, and glad I could still get it for a good deal, at a time when the wind of discontinuation is blowing on the "La Collection" series (RG is already discontinued, and I reasonably guess that the other 3 will follow soon). Masterpiece in my book. Spring/Fall days, 30+

YSL prove they can still make great fragrances with la Collection, and as with M7, Jazz is also a terrific reinterpretation. It's very similar to its popular predecessor, and yet different. It is tough for firms in some ways, restrictions mean that some ingredients do need to be changed or synthesised. M7 and Jazz have both been well blended, Jazz was so familiar in my youth, my dad wore it for years. The bottle design is great. It feels very masculine, and oozes quality, a pleasure to handle, and use. I'm glad YSL have kept up with the classics, and I hope they don't vanish, they're important. Longevity and projection are surprisingly good.

It's a difficult one, because this was my dad's signature, as a child I'd dowse myself with his Jazz aftershave, so personally it's a scent of pure nostalgia. My current bottle, La Collection, square bottle dated 2020, it's terrific, it's such a masculine fragrance, it's warm, spicy and fresh, it just makes you feel clean and good to go. Performance is tremendous, on my skin it radiated well and lasted ages. I love the bottle design, it's so chunky, it feels great in the hand. Sadly, I think it may be discontinued along with M7, so my advice, grab a bottle, it's going to become hard to get. Terrific.

Possibly the very first fragrance I ever owned (the original zigzag black and white bottle), I went through 2 of those bottles beginning in the early 90’s until I finally ran out in the 2010’s. I now own the new 80ml square shaped bottle and can honestly say it smells 100% the same as the original Jazz. Scent 9.5/10. Fresh & spicy, I don’t know anyone who dislikes it. A must own fragrance imho. Longevity 10+ hours on my skin, all day sprayed on clothing Sillage 8.5/10. 5 or 6 sprays and everyone within 10 feet will smell you! Definitely best in warmer weather but can be worn all year round. 9.75/10

All that Jazzzz.... this is a fantastic fougere. Starts off really harsh, green and bitter. The coriander here is really amped up, so some might be put off by this as you’ll indeed catch whiffs of chopped cilantro. Need no worry though as this soon dries down to a smooth and polished shaving foam aroma. It’s similar to a lot of fragrances, but I think the Tsar comparison is somewhat pretty accurate. This could actually be a cross of Tsar and Drakkar Noir. Which is a fantastic thing. I’m sure this one will be next for discontinuation so grab a bottle while you still can. See you at the Jazz club.

Goodness knows why, but my local chemist was throwing these out at $10 a bottle. Batch 22X71DU, which I guess means it’s 3 years old. Wore to church on Sunday evening. Smells just like the piano key bottles I used to buy. Yum! Took my shirt off when I got home and changed into pyjamas. I could still smell Jazz on my sleep shirt until I washed it a couple of days later. Jazz is one of my all-time favourites and to my nose, this La Collection bottle is faithful to the original. Only $10 - what a find! When I returned to buy another bottle, it was unsurprisingly sold out.

Awesome perfume. French, refined, long lasting and signature for sure ! Beware, you won't be impressed at first, but wearing it your will understand that you can't live without if it is your kind of scent. It's a woody, spicy with a great "creamy/fresh" base very difficult to describe. This is a scent you can't get tired of it, very reliable. Here in France this is not discontinued, but sometime hard to find. So if you are visiting France, don't forget your bottle of Jazz (you may help lasting its production). My signature scent, all year round except for summer.

Great Fragrance. Tested it in a Department Store and the smell took me back to the Mid Nineties, when I was in my late Teens, so just had to get for nostalgia's sake. As Students we would douse ourselves in it before Hitting the Pubs. The modern version is not as strong or long lasting as I remember, but it used to have to cut through the Smoke in the Bars, thankfully banned now. That being said, it is now subtler, so quite safe for the Office, without smelling like you're on The Prowl. You can also wear it on a Night Out, too, if dosed heavily. Recommended.

A magnificent piece of art Such elegance such masculinity I have the clear square bottle and I love it It’s a close relative of pasha by Cartier I think it’s the mark of excellence in YSL collection Nothing from the designer side comes close to how good this is Pretty sad it’s harder to find most probably discontinued Performance is excellent projection is very good It’s a man in a bottle

My dad used to wear Jazz in the early 90s. I just picked up the clear cube bottle. As much as this is just a shell of its former self, the scent is still there. Probably won't wear this much, but I'm really glad I own it. Whenever I want to slip into the memories of the best times of my life, its right there. I would have paid 3 times as much just for that.

I have just received my new cube bottle and I can say with hand on heart that this smells exactly as I remember my old black and white zig zag bottle back in the 1980s. I went through endless bottles and its gorgeous. I am a woman just turned 53 and loved this so much in my teens. It was on offer on YSL website and I took the plunge . Old skool classic 👍🥰