This is Him

***Update 1 Month later*** So, when Id initially received my bottle and sprayed some on my skin, the performance/longevity was pretty poor giving me just about 2 hours on skin. Now after Maturing for about a month its GREATLY improved as far as staying power, Projection and the actual scent has also improved over-all! Im getting a good 7 to 8 hours on skin with slightly above average projection. Its become smoother, just a tad sweeter and a tad more smokey which makes it even more "Masculine" and alluring. An excellent pick up, and I would say NOW is the time to grab a bottle, spray a bit out and let it mature a couple months so it's performing and smelling how its meant to when Fall/Winter arrives.Now, if anyone reading this HATES smokey fragrances, Id probably stay away from this one. The smokiness is NOT over-powering and is integrated very well, but uts definately present.. With a little bit of patience/maturation, Zadig & Voltaire's This is Him is an EEEASY 9 outta 10 Nathalie Lorson cteation in my book. I am (NOW) so so glad I got myself a bottle...A total blind-buy SCORE!😉🫠 ----------------------------------------------------- ***Original Review*** I LOOOVE that I can totally pick up on one of my ALL TIME FAVE perfumer's hand in Zadig & Voltaire's-This Is Him (Nathalie Lorson). A very unique, somewhat "Serious/Austere" fragrance, and honestly not what I was expecting, but even better bc of Lorson's "Signature Black Pepper note" which is done so differently from other perfumers (IMO). This scent rides the line of being ever so slightly Gormand, yet the intensity of the Inscence and Lorson's "dry" black pepper note keep's This is Him from being too playful. Its sexy, aloof, masculine and sorta mature yet most definately NOT dated or "Old Man-ish" (Which I also enjoy btw). This is NOT a "BeastMode" fragrance, and when Id first rec'd my bottle and sprayed some on my arm, I was NOT impressed with the performance bc it didn't seem to last more that a couple hours and sat pretty close to my skin. Im very glad to report that after introducing air into my bottle and letting it "Mature" for a couple weeks this fragrance's performance really has improved.. For an edt it does now have slightly above average performance as far as longevity goes clocking in at around 5 maybe 6 or so hours on skin with Moderate to intimate sillage, and ofcourse much longer on clothes. This may be on of THEE BEST "Date Night" fragrances in my 150+ bottle collection. An 8 outta 10 fragrance, but with more wears, it may just climb the ranks in my collection.. Thanks to whomever took time to read my thoughts on Zadig & Voltaire's-This Is Him.. CHEERS!😉

I’m not quite sure I’ve encountered a perfume like This is Him!. Have you seen the note pyramid? It makes zero sense; it shouldn’t work. Just like less-than-truly technical or well-trained rock musicians - sloppy guitar work, drums lazily behind the beat, a bassist chunking away at the strings in standard 1-m3-4-5 progressions, a singer slightly out of key - each part can still manage to come together to create a swaggering and infectious music track that makes you belt along out loud in the car. In the opening of This is Him! every accord is present and accounted for. Bracingly sour, oily zesty, and sulfurous grapefruit is the most quickly noticeable but you find ample amounts of black pepper, incense, and vanilla working in concert. Like a track fading to the ending, each accord departs in stages. The first to fade out is the grapefruit leaving the black pepper, incense, and vanilla to play on and carry the heart. The pepper is piquant with a waxy fruity and woody facet to it that black pepper should naturally have. It keeps the rather generic incense note alive and kicking; the incense is not allowed to meditate or hum a prayer in a temple, as it often smells like, instead the black pepper gives it a slightly grating, rhythmic drone. The vanilla is on the right side of sweet and gourmand, and provides hip-grinding swagger. Eventually they all calm down to a low din, with the pepper and incense ceding very easily to a peppery and aromatic cedar and the vanilla to a slightly-lactonic sandalwood. Assuming a strong structure and compositional handling, perfumes that smell very “natural” - whether they use natural materials or not - smell like jazz or classical music: everything is in the right place and at perfect tempo, with perfect timbre and pitch. This is Him! revels in synthetics that are rough around the edges and certainly aren’t handled like a piece of intricate classical music. Can you really call rock ’n roll “good music”? Like the Stones said, “I know it’s only rock ’n roll, but I like it.” Yeah, I really like this.

This is Him! is an oriental woody fragrance for men launched in 2016 by the French house Zadig & Voltaire, created by perfumers Nathalie Lorson and Aurélien Guichard. With a bold and urban touch, the perfume stands out for its contrast between sweetness, spices and resinous depth, resulting in a charismatic and rebellious fragrance. Performance Longevity: 8 hours on the skin (excellent) Projection: Moderate to high in the first 2 hours Sillage (trail): Considerable, with a striking but non-invasive presence This is Him! has great performance for an eau de toilette, with an interesting evolution that keeps the perfume present for long hours. The vanilla and incense leave an unmistakable trail, making it satisfying. Ideal Occasions This perfume is ideal for mild to cold climates, especially in autumn and winter. Perfect for date night, social events, clubs, or romantic dinners. Its sensual and mysterious profile is perfect for more intimate moments or when you want to make a good impression. No work environment can be a little too bold if applied in excess, but in moderation it can convey personality and confidence. Overall impression This is Him! is a perfume that conveys an aura of elegant rebellion, with a rock’n’roll touch — true to the identity of the Zadig & Voltaire brand. It is sweet without being cloying, smoky without being oppressive, and woody without being rustic. A captivating balance between modern and mysterious. Final Score: 9/10 Strengths: Originality, performance, striking personality Point for improvement: Can be polarizing due to the incense note, and less suitable for hot days. If you are looking for a seductive, bold perfume with a unique olfactory signature, This is Him! may be the perfect choice.

***Update 9/22/25*** Yo, ive had this bottle for just over two months and now THIS STUFF $$$LAPS! its gotten more potent and lasts WAY longer than it did initially. I did one spritz on my wrist and one on my shirt last night a couple hours before bed just so I could sniff on it for a bit and the fragrance is STILL quite present on my wrist this morning and my shirt smells like Id just sprayed it a couple hours ago or something! I have a few other "Insence Fragrances", but This is Him smells quite unique amongst them. It smells SOOO GOOD! The slight sweetness, and soft smokey-insence/black pepper smells amazing, and this scent can now be overwhelming if over- done after its fully Maturated. A (Rare) 9 outta 10 scent in my collection, and I rarely go over an 8 or 8.5 unless I thing a scent is STELLAR! To me this EASILY smells like something Serge Lutens would put out (which I own a few of) bc although it has a touch of sweetness, its quite "Austere" and "Mysterious." Very "Niche Like" if ya ask me. (IF) this has been reformulated, they've done an AMAZING job at keeping it Potent and BEAUTIFUL! Also imo although I think its more masculine leaning, it would be super sexy on a woman NO DOUBT! ----------------------------------------------------- ***initial review*** I dont get why folks are claiming that this smells like "Burt Plastc?" Or that its "Extremely sharp and heavy?" Im NOT getting that like AT ALL! Its a warm, somewhat "Austere", sweet but not too sweet, not obnoxious, slightly smokey-BOMB A$$ fragrance! All I can say is maybe let your bottle mature a bit and the fragrance should smooth out, although my bottle was never Sharp or "Too heavy" to begin with..

My Experience After Letting This Perfume Mature for 5 Months: When first purchased, the fragrance felt quite sharp and abrasive. After letting it mature for 5 months and revisiting it now, I was genuinely surprised by how much smoother and gentler it has become. Opening Notes: Bold black pepper takes center stage, subtly accented by a hint of bitter grapefruit peel with a faint tartness. If you don’t pay close attention, you might miss this fleeting citrus nuance. Heart Notes: Sweet, soft vanilla blends seamlessly with a warm smoky accord, creating a subtly creamy, gourmand sensation that feels perfectly balanced and alluring. Base Notes: Warm sandalwood anchors the dry-down. It’s clear that black pepper and sandalwood are the defining notes that shape the fragrance’s character throughout its development. Performance: The scent lasted about 6 hours on my skin. Projection was moderate in the first hour (around half an arm’s length), then settled into a soft, intimate skin scent. Overall Impression: Truly a fantastic fragrance! The balance of notes creates a composition that is smooth, incredibly pleasant, and deeply sophisticated. The Imagery: Every time I wear this scent, I envision a polished gentleman. He doesn’t need overtly luxurious clothes – just well-fitted trousers and a crisp shirt, radiating understated elegance. The fragrance evokes an image of a man who is courteous and strong on the outside, yet conceals a warm, gentle soul within. Final Thoughts: This is absolutely a fragrance worth experiencing. You should really try it!