Reviews of Kenzo pour Homme Boisée / Woody by Kenzo
Interesting combination of woody, herbal and citrusy & spicy blend, not the most amazing projection, but a very warm skin scent. Don't get the sharp synthetic-ness (not a bad quality if intentional people!) and detergent similarity other users mention, this feels very warm, sweet and subdued. If anything I wouldn't mind a bit more spice and prickle, but this is definitely worth having in your collection.
I just picked up a bottle at a wholesaler by mistake, (I thought it was Kenzo Pour Homme) and I am pleasantly surprised. It's sweet, herbal, with just a touch of wood. The longevity is more than decent, and it smells wonderful and expensive. I am going to go back and buy a few more bottles because I read here on Basenotes that it is discontinued and it needs to be my wearable cologne rotation.
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Minty woody air
Who would think that it would be
Strangely addictive?
Who would think that it would be
Strangely addictive?
Boisee starts off with that mojito accord of mint and lime that we're always reading about - the difference here being that Boisee actually does smell like something in the region of a mojito, and rather well done and pleasant too. The heart notes are where the herbal character of the scent comes through, though, characterised by rosemary, and possibly other garden herbs too, certainly sage. Finally, Boisee reveals the eponymous woods, not least a good rendition of vetiver. The components are sound, then, but they don't completely come together. Much as I like Oliver Polge's work, I can't profess to really admire this one right now, so I will give a neutral rating and the promise to come back to it in the summer, when its combination of accords might render it more refreshing, suitable, and coherent.
I love this stuff. I sits right smack in the middle between two generations..old school, and "new" school. The herbal-ness, is definitely new school. And the aromatic-ness, and LOUDNESS of it, makes it an easy entry in the catagory of those powerhouse scents, from the 80s.
Olivier Polge, is a genius.
Olivier Polge, is a genius.
I used to own a bottle of this, but recently sold it. I can see it being fitting for somebody, but it just isn't me. First off this fragrance shouldn't be called "woody", it should be called "herbal".. by far one of the most herbal, if not, the most herbal designer fragrance I have ever smelled. The dry down I get more of the woods, but this is dominated by basil and rosemary. It also projects pretty big in the opening, so be careful, because you will smell like a spice cabinet.
Again, I'm sure it has a purpose for some people, as it caters to a specific crowd. If you're looking for an inexpensive herbal fragrance, and don't wanna spend all that money on niche, this could be for you.
Again, I'm sure it has a purpose for some people, as it caters to a specific crowd. If you're looking for an inexpensive herbal fragrance, and don't wanna spend all that money on niche, this could be for you.
This is a nice fragrance which has a good balance between both modern and classic elements.
At the start scent is very fresh.
I can smell lemon with it's tart and energetic aroma plus lots of pepper, some woods and a green kind of smell.
The pepper note is a bit strong at the start and may turns you down but give it a few minutes and it will settle down and goes into it's right place.
I can also smell some cedar plus a green and kind of minty smell that increases the freshness.
The opening is fresh, citrusy and green but dry, peppery and woody at the same time that you can say right from the start this is a masculine fragrance!
As time passes that tart and fresh lemon scent starts to get weaker and at the same time vetiver kicks in and gets bolder and bolder until dominate over all other notes.
In the mid I can still smell lemon but now softer beside much softer pepper note and some woods.
Te vetiver note is green, mossy and deep but still very fresh. the vetiver note in this fragrance kind of remind me of "Guerlain Vetiver" with that lovely classic feel. it's has almost the same feeling but not as dark, deep and complex as Guerlain. scent also has a soft clean and I would say soapy aura that it gets a little stronger in the base.
In the base I can smell almost the same thing but now vetiver is the strongest note of the fragrance with it's deep green and slightly smoky aura (not earthy at all) plus a fresh clean soapy smell and some woods in the background.
Also in this part scent gets a little sweet and slightly powdery which is a nice and interesting add.
Overall it's a solid fresh scent with very mature masculine aroma and also extremely versatile. you can rock this all year round easily but the best seasons to wear this are spring and summer in my opinion.
Projection is good and above average and longevity in the summer that I'm testing it is around 6-7 hours which is a very good number for a fresh scent.
At the start scent is very fresh.
I can smell lemon with it's tart and energetic aroma plus lots of pepper, some woods and a green kind of smell.
The pepper note is a bit strong at the start and may turns you down but give it a few minutes and it will settle down and goes into it's right place.
I can also smell some cedar plus a green and kind of minty smell that increases the freshness.
The opening is fresh, citrusy and green but dry, peppery and woody at the same time that you can say right from the start this is a masculine fragrance!
As time passes that tart and fresh lemon scent starts to get weaker and at the same time vetiver kicks in and gets bolder and bolder until dominate over all other notes.
In the mid I can still smell lemon but now softer beside much softer pepper note and some woods.
Te vetiver note is green, mossy and deep but still very fresh. the vetiver note in this fragrance kind of remind me of "Guerlain Vetiver" with that lovely classic feel. it's has almost the same feeling but not as dark, deep and complex as Guerlain. scent also has a soft clean and I would say soapy aura that it gets a little stronger in the base.
In the base I can smell almost the same thing but now vetiver is the strongest note of the fragrance with it's deep green and slightly smoky aura (not earthy at all) plus a fresh clean soapy smell and some woods in the background.
Also in this part scent gets a little sweet and slightly powdery which is a nice and interesting add.
Overall it's a solid fresh scent with very mature masculine aroma and also extremely versatile. you can rock this all year round easily but the best seasons to wear this are spring and summer in my opinion.
Projection is good and above average and longevity in the summer that I'm testing it is around 6-7 hours which is a very good number for a fresh scent.
This woody flanker of Kenzo Homme is one of those fragrances you can't really go wrong with. It has for me a remarkable balance of generic safeness and decent quality, and above all, it is really pleasant to wear. You won't keep sniffing your wrists and you won't hear underwear garments fall at your side, but you'll smell nice, fresh and effortlessly, discreetly classy. Plus this fragrance is also extremely simple and clean, which is another added value in terms of versatility and wearabilty. Basically on my skin it smells literally of three or four bold and clear notes: some citrus, an initial ton of sharp minty-aromatic leafy green (the fairly realistic basil-mint accord) which will then slowly fade away, a really tiny hint of some soapy musk and a really enjoyable vetiver base which will emerge more clearly on the drydown which is basically nearly only vetiver and some musk again. The vetiver here is grassy, fresh and woody, nothing forcedly dark or inky/smoky. I'd dare to compare it with the marvelous grassy vetiver note in Guerlain Homme Intense, just with a lower quality (surprisingly not that lower though, it smells actually really compelling). That's it: nothing groundbreaking or memorable, rather the epitome of clean versatile safeness something solid (and it really is for me, quality-wise) you can generously overspray on the rush in every situation with every weather, when you're not in the mood of wearing something more fulfilling or complex.
7/10
7/10
Is this a woody scent? Well, yes and no. If you associate 'woody' with a more stereotypical image of tree trunks of the heavier robust kind, then no. Although the trunk is here too, albeit fresher and earthier, which might become more apparent when the base notes rise to the fore. But if you're thinking of twigs and leaves, or bamboo perhaps, then you will have a more accurate image.
Actually, I think this fragrance is a fine new addition to what woody might mean to be. And what do i mean with fine? Well, i must be thanking the holy noses out there when i spray this 'on', because this is another masterpiece in my experience. Many talk about Dior Homme as Olivier Polge's (single)masterpiece, but this, although entirely different, is just as much one.
You might go with the classical notion of top, heart and base to examen its composition, but you might miss its ingenuity if you do not consider the vertical aspect. The backbone of this vertical aspect is basil ( although listed as basil, i suspect it's actually tulsi). Everything in this composition is centered around basil. In the top the basil opens in an extraordinary accord with mint (and something else?). Probably not something everyone will like. I can only describe it as a fresh rubbery mixture. In the heart it transforms to an accord with rosemary (and some rests of mint?). And then the woody aspects of basil lingers in the base, not very prominent, but it gives a very interesting touch to the vetiver.
While this composition is very skeleton-like, the sheer brilliance of it is that it is not fleshed out, but left to linger or dance in a cloud /haze /mist. There's quiet a saltiness to that mist. Is it calone? It might be but it it cannot only be that. In the top that mist has notes of citrus, limonene and linalool (lavender). In the heart the pepper and the saltiness comes more pronounced, and in the base the cedar catches the mist. There's also a dash of coumarine and ionones present witch gives that mist a slight sweet woody tone.
A skeleton made of branches and twigs with the leaves left on, held together with stems of herbs, dancing in the mist along the seaside. That's the image i convey. Or smelling someone who just came back from a long walk along the seaside and the woods. Love it.
Of course there's preferences, perhaps this is not your thing, but at least even a slightly trained nose must realise this is a very finely crafted fragrance. Not for the masses, but top notch! It 'll become an overlooked classic, you'll see...
Actually, I think this fragrance is a fine new addition to what woody might mean to be. And what do i mean with fine? Well, i must be thanking the holy noses out there when i spray this 'on', because this is another masterpiece in my experience. Many talk about Dior Homme as Olivier Polge's (single)masterpiece, but this, although entirely different, is just as much one.
You might go with the classical notion of top, heart and base to examen its composition, but you might miss its ingenuity if you do not consider the vertical aspect. The backbone of this vertical aspect is basil ( although listed as basil, i suspect it's actually tulsi). Everything in this composition is centered around basil. In the top the basil opens in an extraordinary accord with mint (and something else?). Probably not something everyone will like. I can only describe it as a fresh rubbery mixture. In the heart it transforms to an accord with rosemary (and some rests of mint?). And then the woody aspects of basil lingers in the base, not very prominent, but it gives a very interesting touch to the vetiver.
While this composition is very skeleton-like, the sheer brilliance of it is that it is not fleshed out, but left to linger or dance in a cloud /haze /mist. There's quiet a saltiness to that mist. Is it calone? It might be but it it cannot only be that. In the top that mist has notes of citrus, limonene and linalool (lavender). In the heart the pepper and the saltiness comes more pronounced, and in the base the cedar catches the mist. There's also a dash of coumarine and ionones present witch gives that mist a slight sweet woody tone.
A skeleton made of branches and twigs with the leaves left on, held together with stems of herbs, dancing in the mist along the seaside. That's the image i convey. Or smelling someone who just came back from a long walk along the seaside and the woods. Love it.
Of course there's preferences, perhaps this is not your thing, but at least even a slightly trained nose must realise this is a very finely crafted fragrance. Not for the masses, but top notch! It 'll become an overlooked classic, you'll see...
I've tried this one twice, and it smells fine, almost likeable upon opening. BUT, about a minute after it hits my skin, all hell breaks loose. It becomes this acrid, metallic, nose-melting beast. It's a very specific smell, one I feel like I've known, and it's absolutely horrendous. It could be my chemistry, but I cannot recommend this one by any means. This is the first time a scent nearly made me narf. And, I typically like woody and smoky scents.
Nothing ground-breaking here, but a nice spicy woody smell that stays close to the wearer so it's a safe scent for the office.
Got it blindy in a swap, and I'm happy I did.
The original Kenzo was more original, but also kind of harder to wear in real life.
2014/08/07 edit:
The more I wear it, the more I like it!
I get a very nice leather feel under the spices that's great!
Got it blindy in a swap, and I'm happy I did.
The original Kenzo was more original, but also kind of harder to wear in real life.
2014/08/07 edit:
The more I wear it, the more I like it!
I get a very nice leather feel under the spices that's great!
Polite and pleasantI agree with the reviewers that classify Boisée more as a green than woody fragrance. There is an earthy citrus here, a tad of smokiness and a hint of herbs. Otherwise, almost a mild, sweet aquatic. This is going to be my replacement for Lagerfeld Man, which is no more. Edit: Have to dock it a star and a half for having serious longevity issues and being more synthetic than it seemed at first (EdT).
Personally I like it, as of the department store frags definitely a good one. While billed as "woody" it is certainly woodish but I wouldn't really classify it as woody. I definitely get more of a green from it, there is some cedar but lightly hidden behind an almost lemongrass kind of greenery. Average Longevity- nothing that really amazes but nothing that disappoints either.
Bottom Line: Good frag, easy to wear and attracts compliments, but more of a clean green than earthy wood. Embodies my idea of a fresh green scent.
Bottom Line: Good frag, easy to wear and attracts compliments, but more of a clean green than earthy wood. Embodies my idea of a fresh green scent.
This Kenzo starts out with a brazen, almost irritating detergent-like citrus blast. In this regard it reminds me of Dunhill For Men (brown). Settling a few minutes in, a pleasant saltiness peeks its head into the scene, and with the green touch of vetiver finally hearkens back to the original seaside feeling of KPH. In actuality, though, I feel it bears more similarity to Guy Laroche's Horizon. In another comparative light, the dry woods have a sweet, glowing, and slightly sharp warmth to them reminiscent of Uomo? Moschino. I much prefer the original to this, but literally all of my female coworkers approved of it. Not my style, but certainly somebody's.
The moment I've tried it I was captivated by it. So fresh and lively, yet cold in character. Unique, as Kenzo does make them that way. Do not be fooled by this one, fresh as it is, there is a great ammount of thickness, heaviness. It will project and it will last, it is not all that casual. I'm not saying this is a very formal fragrance, but it's not a kiddy or a teenage scent, that's for sure. Thumbs up.
I mostly consider it as a very fresh-aromatic-vetiver fragrance with spicy additions of black pepper at middle and soft cedarwood at dry down.
Mu first thought after I tried it on my skin was like a combination of the smooth vetiver of Lalique Encre Noir's drydown with the spicy pepper of Burberry The Beat and some strong mint/basil fresh feeling thrown in it.
I love Kenzo Jungle and hated Kenzo Tokyo, while Kenzo Air left me flat, but this one is the best creation of japanese house with the magic genius touch of Oliver Polge, of course!. My rank 8.5/10. Good stuff.
Mu first thought after I tried it on my skin was like a combination of the smooth vetiver of Lalique Encre Noir's drydown with the spicy pepper of Burberry The Beat and some strong mint/basil fresh feeling thrown in it.
I love Kenzo Jungle and hated Kenzo Tokyo, while Kenzo Air left me flat, but this one is the best creation of japanese house with the magic genius touch of Oliver Polge, of course!. My rank 8.5/10. Good stuff.
Sharp (or better watery industrial), peppery and dark-green blend of spicy and aromatic greens, citrus, vetiver and cedar. I smell it utterly synthetic and similar to the odours of disinfectants or detergents. This one is so far in each sense from the great and original (original formulation) Kenzo Pour Homme. I see the association with Bang Jacobs in the terms Andrewthecologneguy talks about. The role of pepper is prominent since the beginning and the aromatic whiff of the smell is pungent and prickly. Some astringent flowers are inserted in the composition. The aromatic touch of mint and rosemary is sheer but doesn't become bracing and natural in the chemical water. The smell doesn't take off, is boring, detergent and onedimentional. Pass by.
I think it's a very nice scent indeed, definitely a compliment getter.
Think of the woods, crushed fresh basil and mint, slightly grassy, with a touch of fresh pepper. The rosemary in the background. I smell a very clean and fresh cedar at the base. I love it. Nothing ground breaking, but something very nice and something that I would wear out. The mint is nothing that you will find in Live Jazz or Cartier Roadster, rather this is a very stemmy and woody mint which prevented from getting too sweet.
In no way is it linked to the original Pour Homme so I'll be quick to not compare and associate this fragrance with anything that Pour Homme had. Kenzo Pour Homme Boisée is a very aromatic fragrance which projects well and has very decent longevity, I can still smell it on my skin 5-6 hours after application.
Think of the woods, crushed fresh basil and mint, slightly grassy, with a touch of fresh pepper. The rosemary in the background. I smell a very clean and fresh cedar at the base. I love it. Nothing ground breaking, but something very nice and something that I would wear out. The mint is nothing that you will find in Live Jazz or Cartier Roadster, rather this is a very stemmy and woody mint which prevented from getting too sweet.
In no way is it linked to the original Pour Homme so I'll be quick to not compare and associate this fragrance with anything that Pour Homme had. Kenzo Pour Homme Boisée is a very aromatic fragrance which projects well and has very decent longevity, I can still smell it on my skin 5-6 hours after application.
This is a brother to Marc Jacobs' Bang. Bang is deeper, stronger. Kenzo PHB is a bit more subtle. Dried down to a nice powdery musk, quite similar to Armani Mania. Not bad, but not a fave. Still thumbs up though. Great alternative to Bang's nose hair singing power though.
First smelled it on paper(big mistake), I liked it, but then I was inspired enough to try it on my skin, before buying it. It s very boring, doesn last, little projection, smells flowery - in a horrible kind of way. Good lesson for paper-testing perfumes...
Kenzo Homme - Eau de Toillet Boisée
Casual scent, opening is spice, dry down woody of course, silage and projection are very good, I just don't find it appealing, do you know when everything is right about a scent, but on the back of your head there is a small voice saying Wrong!, That is Kenzo Homme - Eau de Toillet Boisée
Casual scent, opening is spice, dry down woody of course, silage and projection are very good, I just don't find it appealing, do you know when everything is right about a scent, but on the back of your head there is a small voice saying Wrong!, That is Kenzo Homme - Eau de Toillet Boisée
I love the thing and I am in my late 30-ies.
The new Kenzo is suitable for office wear in my opinion as it offers fresh and clean radiation. Longevity is totally fine with me and belive me, I am quite sensitive about that. I was not sure about that mint note that sits at the top but I grew to like it a lot. This thing smells quite differently than my other scents.
It was one of those impulsive buys that I feel happy about.
The new Kenzo is suitable for office wear in my opinion as it offers fresh and clean radiation. Longevity is totally fine with me and belive me, I am quite sensitive about that. I was not sure about that mint note that sits at the top but I grew to like it a lot. This thing smells quite differently than my other scents.
It was one of those impulsive buys that I feel happy about.
Redundant, gutless, boring, unworthy of the bottle it's in.
I guess it could be for "young guys" Jaime mentions.
Not for this one.
I guess it could be for "young guys" Jaime mentions.
Not for this one.