Reviews of Opium pour Homme by Yves Saint Laurent
“The Roaring Nineties” was the fitting title of a book on the zeitgeist and economics of that decade. “Winning” the Cold War opened up the entire world and set the stage for spectacles of every thinkable inspiration and both real and imaginary journeys to any place on the planet, with an ever accelerating pace.
Little wonder, then, that between 1989 and 1995, amidst the first war on European soil since 1945, a need to create a mental escape room from it all emerged — a feeling that inspired soothing yet sexy music albums such as Morcheeba’s Big Calm from 1997.
Jacques Cavallier’s Opium pour homme captured that notion impeccably, and released already in 1995 it was my companion to the latter half of the decade, when we all spiralled faster and faster towards a new millennium. Gifted to me for Christmas I was immediately stunned and the setting of just that season was its perfect backdrop. Yet it smelled of nothing I was used to in men’s perfumery, because "Oriental" does not mean Christmas spices in this context.
Opium pour homme is in a sense the powerhouses of the 1980s adapted to a new, global reality where everything was new and familiar at the same time. It is more sophisticated and more traveled; well trained and muscular but calm; eager, curious and open eyed, but learned at the same time.
It gives off just enough barbershop associations to make it palatable for a daytime office environment when you cannot escape the person sitting next to you in a meeting room for up to several hours, and with the rounded sillage of a 20th century eau de toilette it does not fill the room either. Having said "barbershop" it should be mentioned that these vibes in OPH are somewhat exotic and new, even to this day. Where scents such as Jaïpur pour homme layered oriental spices atop the classic barbershop base, OPH integrates it all in a manner that feels innovative 30 years on. Perhaps it is the tolu wrapping itself around the experience, I would not know.
And while we talk about spices: some of Cavalier’s stroke of genius here is to use galangal and other aromas that are not quite the everyday orientals every one was and is familiar with, adding to the blend of the new and the known.
There are also some animalic nods in the direction of Aramis, and perhaps Dalí pour homme, but executed like it was an elegant fantasy beast from a Japanese manga universe or the winning album of the French cartoon festival in Angoulême 1995. All in all, OPH is not easily categorised, but that is also the point and a great strength.
Performance is perfect, if you prefer a strong EDT performer to the “beast mode scents” that have gotten popular in the current millennium. I should also mention that OPH is by far my most complimented scent through the years, yet it is absolutely not a versatile scent you can use for summer. I mistakenly brought an unlabelled small bottle with me for a summer’s holiday the other year, and OPH became in that context as misplaced as wearing an ushanka — the Russian winter hat with furry ear flaps.
A note on vintage, reformulations etc.:
I bought a bottle in 2018 that was perhaps slightly off compared to the original. But my 2023 purchase brought me straight back to my last “vintage” bottle from 1998. Do not hesitate to try.
Little wonder, then, that between 1989 and 1995, amidst the first war on European soil since 1945, a need to create a mental escape room from it all emerged — a feeling that inspired soothing yet sexy music albums such as Morcheeba’s Big Calm from 1997.
Jacques Cavallier’s Opium pour homme captured that notion impeccably, and released already in 1995 it was my companion to the latter half of the decade, when we all spiralled faster and faster towards a new millennium. Gifted to me for Christmas I was immediately stunned and the setting of just that season was its perfect backdrop. Yet it smelled of nothing I was used to in men’s perfumery, because "Oriental" does not mean Christmas spices in this context.
Opium pour homme is in a sense the powerhouses of the 1980s adapted to a new, global reality where everything was new and familiar at the same time. It is more sophisticated and more traveled; well trained and muscular but calm; eager, curious and open eyed, but learned at the same time.
It gives off just enough barbershop associations to make it palatable for a daytime office environment when you cannot escape the person sitting next to you in a meeting room for up to several hours, and with the rounded sillage of a 20th century eau de toilette it does not fill the room either. Having said "barbershop" it should be mentioned that these vibes in OPH are somewhat exotic and new, even to this day. Where scents such as Jaïpur pour homme layered oriental spices atop the classic barbershop base, OPH integrates it all in a manner that feels innovative 30 years on. Perhaps it is the tolu wrapping itself around the experience, I would not know.
And while we talk about spices: some of Cavalier’s stroke of genius here is to use galangal and other aromas that are not quite the everyday orientals every one was and is familiar with, adding to the blend of the new and the known.
There are also some animalic nods in the direction of Aramis, and perhaps Dalí pour homme, but executed like it was an elegant fantasy beast from a Japanese manga universe or the winning album of the French cartoon festival in Angoulême 1995. All in all, OPH is not easily categorised, but that is also the point and a great strength.
Performance is perfect, if you prefer a strong EDT performer to the “beast mode scents” that have gotten popular in the current millennium. I should also mention that OPH is by far my most complimented scent through the years, yet it is absolutely not a versatile scent you can use for summer. I mistakenly brought an unlabelled small bottle with me for a summer’s holiday the other year, and OPH became in that context as misplaced as wearing an ushanka — the Russian winter hat with furry ear flaps.
A note on vintage, reformulations etc.:
I bought a bottle in 2018 that was perhaps slightly off compared to the original. But my 2023 purchase brought me straight back to my last “vintage” bottle from 1998. Do not hesitate to try.
Opium Homme is to be categorized with Egoiste, in the category of "masculine" perfumes that launched a style. Chanel came out first and is softer and velvety, this one a few years later and in a certain sense follows in its footsteps but with the necessary differences since the spices here are used to make the perfume more sparkling. Opium Homme is a French oriental, very spicy and hot, in which anise and balm give a combined note of fresh and balsamic with a slightly vanilla base note that, however, never becomes sweet and cloying but remains delicate and very pleasant. The scent is always very present but it is not a "modern niche" style perfume, because it is "right and composed", it is not gaudy and not invasive but can be felt at the right distance, never heavy but tends to remain ethereal and transparent, very beautiful.
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Opium for men or how Cavallier excelled!
I remember when i first bought and smell Opium Pour Homme edt, back in 2018. Oh, boy, spectacular fragrance, i remember from that moment that my perspectives and vision about fragrances was changed, a lot!!
First of all, this is a classic and perfect oriental! Why perfect?
Because this enlightened mind and this good nose created only hits, namely Jaques Cavallier.
He worked a very good part of his life at Firmenich, alongside Morillas and the big noses there.
Cavallier manages to create a perfume in which amber, vanilla, and sweet resins intertwine perfectly with the spicy, astringent and fruity area of it.
You guys knew or if you re not, the fruity accords are the most difficult to achieve in a perfume, because if you don't invest a large budget in raw materials and in the best quality material and if you don't dose the compounds millimetrically and perfectly, you can achieve a total failure or in the best case, a generic and very synthetic perfume.
Thats not the case with Opium.
Cavallier manages not only to create a hit, but to create a new Opium, completely different from the one that originally appeared in 1977.
The older formulation have an extra depth and roundness, but the recent versions are not bad either. A correct, good and pleasant perfume, with a unique vibe of the 90s.
To top it off, this perfume appeared precisely in the year of my birth: 1995! In fact, we were both born at the same time!
Opium pour homme is for lovers of classics and correct orientals, not clichéd, bombastic orientals, full of tonka and unjustified ouds.
I remember when i first bought and smell Opium Pour Homme edt, back in 2018. Oh, boy, spectacular fragrance, i remember from that moment that my perspectives and vision about fragrances was changed, a lot!!
First of all, this is a classic and perfect oriental! Why perfect?
Because this enlightened mind and this good nose created only hits, namely Jaques Cavallier.
He worked a very good part of his life at Firmenich, alongside Morillas and the big noses there.
Cavallier manages to create a perfume in which amber, vanilla, and sweet resins intertwine perfectly with the spicy, astringent and fruity area of it.
You guys knew or if you re not, the fruity accords are the most difficult to achieve in a perfume, because if you don't invest a large budget in raw materials and in the best quality material and if you don't dose the compounds millimetrically and perfectly, you can achieve a total failure or in the best case, a generic and very synthetic perfume.
Thats not the case with Opium.
Cavallier manages not only to create a hit, but to create a new Opium, completely different from the one that originally appeared in 1977.
The older formulation have an extra depth and roundness, but the recent versions are not bad either. A correct, good and pleasant perfume, with a unique vibe of the 90s.
To top it off, this perfume appeared precisely in the year of my birth: 1995! In fact, we were both born at the same time!
Opium pour homme is for lovers of classics and correct orientals, not clichéd, bombastic orientals, full of tonka and unjustified ouds.
This oriental starts out kind of sweet then there's a sour note in there that makes it a deal breaker. Not a bad scent. Just not my type of scent.
20 years ago this was my signature scent for a year, and recently got a April 2023 batch bottle on my local perfumery. As i was (wrongly) influenced by some YouTubers saying that the current formulation is a "shadow of his former self", was expecting a disappointment: but for my surprise, and by my taste, the present formulation is amazing: certainly more freshness on the opening, retaining the original "oriental" character and the uniqueness of his combination of sweet warmth and soapiness/cleanness of the scent, as also having a very good performance on me, lasting a all work day. This is actually for my consideration one of the best signature scents available on the market, and certainly one of my current personal ones: unfortunately his production and commercialization seems very limited, only sold on Europe it seems(and who knows, with his days counted: which hope will not be the case...).
Opium PH is nowhere as oriental as its feminine counterpart. The notes I get are blackcurrant, anise, and vanilla. It's a tad spicy, a tad creamy, a tad sweet, a tad powdery. I don't like my fragrances sweet and I don't like them powdery. Opium PH is as far as I'll go on those fronts, and I don't reach for it often. Strangely I find the dry-down quite similar to that of Lagerfeld Photo even though they don't share many notes, and both are cloying in the heat.
This 90s bottle projects decently. Longevity is good.
Masculinity Level: Robert Pattinson in Cosmopolis.
This 90s bottle projects decently. Longevity is good.
Masculinity Level: Robert Pattinson in Cosmopolis.
Opium Pour Homme opens with blackcurrant and anise notes and there is some sweetness from the vanilla but the cedar keeps it anchored and more masculine. The fragrance dries down to a powdery floral and vanilla scent with the fruitiness of the blackcurrant still in the background. This fragrance is a strong performer, it projects very well leaving a good sillage trail so this is not one to overspray. It lasts all day on my skin. Opium Pour Homme by Yves Saint Laurent smells sexy and slightly old school. This is a strong, bold fragrance that would be suitable for more dressed up occasions. I think it would work for formal occasions as well as a date night. The opening is the best part for me, that blackcurrant and anise blend well and create a nice sexy, sort of oriental accord. It's a very nice fragrance by YSL and I hope that they keep it around. 4.5/5.
A gorgeous black currant heavy fragrance. Has a lot of spices, and a barbershop feel. Pretty unique, and a bit dated, but a classic at this point. Very heavy men's fragrance, so be careful on the trigger. One of the last survivors of the old school YSL men's line up, I'd say to give this a try before it gets discontinued.
I really like this. Spicy oriental notes, really noticeable pepper. Letdown by poor longevity at least on my skin, I tried this years version and I'm pretty sure it was incredibly potent in the past, perhaps reformulation. Also overpriced for what it is.
Starts off vanilla sweet and spicy on top and with some powdery mature notes to round it out. Reminds me of a slightly less fresh and clean Old Spice body wash scent. The drydown is still sweet and you still get the powdery anise but some of the spice is gone. Feels smoother than the opening. Still mature but not as much as the opening. Starts to remind me of Lolita Lempicka au Masculine in the drydown.
Good projection and longevity. Lasts about 6-7 hours with just a few sprays.
Good projection and longevity. Lasts about 6-7 hours with just a few sprays.
Yves Saint Laurent has had a weird penchant for making men's iterations of their famous feminine perfumes of ages past for quite some time, and all that arguably started right here with Opium Pour Homme (1995). YSL at this time was still independent and contracted out to Sanolfi for their perfumes, after a disastrous experience developing, marketing, and releasing Jazz (1988) entirely on their own once they were freed from their contract with Charles of the Ritz, who had become so reliant on the YSL brand that they were practically owned by the house anyway. Sanolfi reached out to Firmenich, who employed the immense talents of Jacques Cavallier at the time, and did the composing of Opium Pour Homme. A full-tilt oriental like its older sister would have never flown in the 1990's, so Cavallier cleverly incorporated spiced elements into a fougère base, but kept the balance favorably towards the oriental side to maintain the theme. As a result, Opium Pour Homme feels like a slightly richer and more sensual take on the theme of Jazz Prestige (1993), itself somewhat of an expansion of the ideas present in YSL's own Jazz, with Opium Pour Homme feeling like the more complete fragrance of the two and a bridge of sorts between Jazz and Rive Gauche Pour Homme (2003) also composed by Cavallier.
The scent opens with sweet lavender and a star anise note which is particularly indicative of this bridge, moving through with a juicy blackcurrant and boozy note not present in the later Rive Gauche Pour Homme. Opium Pour Homme bears little resemblance to the original femme fatale outside it's use of patchouli and tolu balsam, but that's okay, because the smoother and slightly sweeter bourbon vanilla vibe this has was more in line with the soft-spoken discretion masculine semi-orientals from the decade favored, and I doubt Opium Pour Homme would have survived had it been a more-masculine take of an already notoriously sweaty perfume. The smooth galanga/Chinese ginger note heading into the heart is particularly inviting, especially when coupled with an early use of pink pepper. The spiced semi-oriental fougère base of oakmoss, tonka, the aforementioned vanilla, patchouli, and cedar are the final payoff of Opium Pour Homme, presenting a romantic, confident, and elegant glow for evening use. Jazz Prestige goes in a fruitier direction with additional apple and mandarin notes that didn't make it into Opium Pour Homme, while Rive Gauche Pour Homme went for a shaving cream vibe with a stronger fougère base with clove and additional spices. I wouldn't consider this stuff for wearing outside the romantic or formal setting because it's just too "come hither" with its combination of notes, but where you use it is up to you.
It's hard to believe that something like this was the main money maker over the fresher and more broad-appeal Live Jazz (1988), but Opium Pour Homme was successful enough to carry things along until Tom Ford took over operations in 1999 and tapped Cavallier again to make Rive Gauche Pour Homme, in addition to releasing two limited flankers of this in the 2000's. Performance-wise, the standard eau de toilette has rather mild "typical 90's" rounded sillage, with good all day close-to-skin longevity, while the limited and sadly discontinued eau de parfum variant offered a more-intense and pronounced presence that better competes with modern aromachemical sillage monsters. Opium Pour Homme undoubtedly inspired a good number of clones, from Fragonard's Siecle (1996), to Michael for Men by Michael Kors (2000) and Penhaligon's Endymion (2003), each which added something "extra" or tinkered with the formula just a bit to stand out. Opium Pour Homme was definitely better late than never, and worth trying for anyone who loves a good, sleek, rounded masculine perfume that simply reeks of class and allure. It gets pretty hard to find something this robust without paying an arm and a leg for a luxury house brand trying to repackage the same idea as something only the socioeconomic elite deserve, so cut the crap and put down that Parfums de Marly bottle so you can try this instead. Thank me later. Thumbs up!
The scent opens with sweet lavender and a star anise note which is particularly indicative of this bridge, moving through with a juicy blackcurrant and boozy note not present in the later Rive Gauche Pour Homme. Opium Pour Homme bears little resemblance to the original femme fatale outside it's use of patchouli and tolu balsam, but that's okay, because the smoother and slightly sweeter bourbon vanilla vibe this has was more in line with the soft-spoken discretion masculine semi-orientals from the decade favored, and I doubt Opium Pour Homme would have survived had it been a more-masculine take of an already notoriously sweaty perfume. The smooth galanga/Chinese ginger note heading into the heart is particularly inviting, especially when coupled with an early use of pink pepper. The spiced semi-oriental fougère base of oakmoss, tonka, the aforementioned vanilla, patchouli, and cedar are the final payoff of Opium Pour Homme, presenting a romantic, confident, and elegant glow for evening use. Jazz Prestige goes in a fruitier direction with additional apple and mandarin notes that didn't make it into Opium Pour Homme, while Rive Gauche Pour Homme went for a shaving cream vibe with a stronger fougère base with clove and additional spices. I wouldn't consider this stuff for wearing outside the romantic or formal setting because it's just too "come hither" with its combination of notes, but where you use it is up to you.
It's hard to believe that something like this was the main money maker over the fresher and more broad-appeal Live Jazz (1988), but Opium Pour Homme was successful enough to carry things along until Tom Ford took over operations in 1999 and tapped Cavallier again to make Rive Gauche Pour Homme, in addition to releasing two limited flankers of this in the 2000's. Performance-wise, the standard eau de toilette has rather mild "typical 90's" rounded sillage, with good all day close-to-skin longevity, while the limited and sadly discontinued eau de parfum variant offered a more-intense and pronounced presence that better competes with modern aromachemical sillage monsters. Opium Pour Homme undoubtedly inspired a good number of clones, from Fragonard's Siecle (1996), to Michael for Men by Michael Kors (2000) and Penhaligon's Endymion (2003), each which added something "extra" or tinkered with the formula just a bit to stand out. Opium Pour Homme was definitely better late than never, and worth trying for anyone who loves a good, sleek, rounded masculine perfume that simply reeks of class and allure. It gets pretty hard to find something this robust without paying an arm and a leg for a luxury house brand trying to repackage the same idea as something only the socioeconomic elite deserve, so cut the crap and put down that Parfums de Marly bottle so you can try this instead. Thank me later. Thumbs up!
A sublime smooth spicy perfume. One of the best a man can get (where have I heard that before?)
A nice pleasant fragrance. I don't think the name matches the juice. With a name like 'Opium' you would imagine a mysterious powerhouse but it's really quite tame. Very nice all the same if a bit underwhelming. Something about it reminds me of LIDG.
Opium was a staple in my wardrobe when it first came out...I remember the first time I smelled it...it blew my mind back then...i was still a beginner collector exploring the world of fragrance and marvelling at all of my olfactory discoveries...Opium was instant love...it was like doing a drug...that initial zingy fresh blast of spicy freshness would give me a rush...a truly elegant and sophisticated oriental...close friends with Jaipur Homme...they both give me the same overall vibe/aura/feel...nice sweetish quality throughout its life...dries down to a thick comforting spicy vanilla that seems to last as a skin scent forever on me....IMHO - a must for any afficiando or collector of orientals...
A classical spicy masculine fragrance, with some fresh, unusual, twist. Good performances. I can recognize it's Opium.
A clean, classic, balanced fragrance from YSL. There is a timeless quality to Opium that makes it suitable for the contemporary user, both for casual or even formal wear, preferably in cooler weather.
Opium has an old-school vibe to it with its citrus-oriental-spice formulation, reminding me of great scents like Carven pour Homme (original) and Mediterraneum.
Unless it's overapplied, Opium is a safe, pleasant cologne to wear without coming across as overpowering nor cloying. Glad to own a bottle! ;^>
Opium has an old-school vibe to it with its citrus-oriental-spice formulation, reminding me of great scents like Carven pour Homme (original) and Mediterraneum.
Unless it's overapplied, Opium is a safe, pleasant cologne to wear without coming across as overpowering nor cloying. Glad to own a bottle! ;^>
This gets a slight thumbs up due to the weak projection and longevity (EDT version). Other than that this is a nice masculine scent, blended well with a slight spicy edge and some sweetness. IMO this will be a good layering scent to add spice to some that are a little too sweet. Worth the price. Enjoy!
A spicy, oriental, clean and sweet masculine scent.
This is one of the under the radar fragrances that are not much hyped by the fragrance community. I am glad i got to know it earlier this year. what a lovely fragrance this is.
It opens up with a slightly classic / old school type smell that gives off a barbershop/shaving cream vibe with a fruity touch from the black currant. then it starts to get more sweet due to the vanilla.
Its a very masculine clean and mature scent.
Longevity and projection are very good 8/10
overall score 8.8 / 10
This is one of the under the radar fragrances that are not much hyped by the fragrance community. I am glad i got to know it earlier this year. what a lovely fragrance this is.
It opens up with a slightly classic / old school type smell that gives off a barbershop/shaving cream vibe with a fruity touch from the black currant. then it starts to get more sweet due to the vanilla.
Its a very masculine clean and mature scent.
Longevity and projection are very good 8/10
overall score 8.8 / 10
Stardate 20161023:
Sugar and spice and everything nice.
And this one has good spices (none of that chritmasy shite).
The Vanilla and Balsam give the sweetness without making it cloying.
A perfect scent for this Fall
Sugar and spice and everything nice.
And this one has good spices (none of that chritmasy shite).
The Vanilla and Balsam give the sweetness without making it cloying.
A perfect scent for this Fall
Masculine, mild spice, hint of vanilla. I love this cologne. Bought a used bottle of it on eBay.
Opium Pour Homme is, by far, the most cloying and "aggressive" male fragrance I've ever smelled!
I admit there's great quality in the making of this scent and, of course, the ingredients that make part of it are high level ones; the point is that, unlike Jaïpur Homme, Opium Pour Homme is completely disbalanced and somewhat chaotic. When I got my new bottle last year (I blind-bought it based on reviews, I'd read), I thought it wasn't quite my thing, but still I decided to give it a few more tries; two weeks later, nonetheless, I couldn't stand smelling it, even from the bottle capped, as it made me dizzy and gave me headaches, so, I offered it for sale...it was just too much!
I once said that I'd give a try to Opium Pour Homme again because your tastes change over time--let's see what happens. Meantime, DO MAKE SURE you try this fragrance before you purchase a full bottle!!!
I admit there's great quality in the making of this scent and, of course, the ingredients that make part of it are high level ones; the point is that, unlike Jaïpur Homme, Opium Pour Homme is completely disbalanced and somewhat chaotic. When I got my new bottle last year (I blind-bought it based on reviews, I'd read), I thought it wasn't quite my thing, but still I decided to give it a few more tries; two weeks later, nonetheless, I couldn't stand smelling it, even from the bottle capped, as it made me dizzy and gave me headaches, so, I offered it for sale...it was just too much!
I once said that I'd give a try to Opium Pour Homme again because your tastes change over time--let's see what happens. Meantime, DO MAKE SURE you try this fragrance before you purchase a full bottle!!!
Sweet n' Spicy...
Opium pour Homme is a wonderful balance of sweet notes and spices. Sweet as in Bourbon Vanilla and Blackcurrant... and Spicy, Woody & Aromatic in the Galanga, Atlas Cedar, Tolu Balsam, Pepper and Star Anise.
It's one that I really enjoy wearing. Of course I prefer the Eau de Parfum, but the Eau de Toilette is still very good. It's everything I want in an oriental really, just enough spice, just enough sweetness. It's luxurious, sophisticated... I don't find it too dated, but it has been called that by some people. I also find it more of a cooler weather fragrance, but as long as it's sprayed with a light hand, it could work in the heat too.
After a while, Opium pour Homme turns into a very nice skin-scent and the rich combination of Vanilla and Tolu Balsam comes out, and it's really something! I have no problem recommending this fragrance for someone who is mature in spirit but also young. It could work on the right person with the right attitude. Similarly on older men it would work fantastic. Again, everything I want in an oriental fragrance. A really underrated choice for men I think. One to try out and wear before deciding to buy, it really grows on you!
Opium pour Homme is a wonderful balance of sweet notes and spices. Sweet as in Bourbon Vanilla and Blackcurrant... and Spicy, Woody & Aromatic in the Galanga, Atlas Cedar, Tolu Balsam, Pepper and Star Anise.
It's one that I really enjoy wearing. Of course I prefer the Eau de Parfum, but the Eau de Toilette is still very good. It's everything I want in an oriental really, just enough spice, just enough sweetness. It's luxurious, sophisticated... I don't find it too dated, but it has been called that by some people. I also find it more of a cooler weather fragrance, but as long as it's sprayed with a light hand, it could work in the heat too.
After a while, Opium pour Homme turns into a very nice skin-scent and the rich combination of Vanilla and Tolu Balsam comes out, and it's really something! I have no problem recommending this fragrance for someone who is mature in spirit but also young. It could work on the right person with the right attitude. Similarly on older men it would work fantastic. Again, everything I want in an oriental fragrance. A really underrated choice for men I think. One to try out and wear before deciding to buy, it really grows on you!
Despite being clearly inferior to its feminine companion, I still find Opium pour Homme such a lovely and compelling scent. Even quite unique, honestly. The opening is fantastic to me: sweet, talc, an invigorating and bold balsamic-anisic feel and a radiant accord of bright spices (à la Fendi Theorema, or feminine Opium himself) with a tiny, bittersweet fruity note on a mellow base of sandalwood and cedar so really aromatic, round and balmy. I also get something like geranium, halfway minty and floral. I admit I have a penchant for such clean scents, and Opium pour Homme surely is one of the nicest around: it's bright, fresh, vibrant but in a peculiar soft and mellow way, remarkably sweet without being a gourmand instead keeping it irresistibly airy and fresh. I get the similarities with Jaipur Homme, especially for the dandyish soapy-talc feel, but there's also a mile of difference, mostly because Jaipur is far more warm, rich, almondy, lusciously powdery. Opium instead is quite more restrained and thin (and fruitier-balmier) built around a more subtle kind of refinement, an unusual sophisticated mood played on sweet, elusive and thin notes, really aromatic yet weightless in a way, like aniseed and cedar (which is really clean and discreet here). Not a masterpiece, but still a fascinating interplay of transparencies, silences, a sort of white-azure harmony of notes with just a hint of darker shades, especially on the drydown. Probably not that distinctive but really pleasant, versatile, cozy and unisex.
7,5-8/10
7,5-8/10
Genre: Woody Oriental
Make no mistake: this has very little to do with Opium. A masculine take on Opium's huge, spicy, amber oriental formula might have been nice, but it's frankly unnecessary, as the original (used sparingly,) arguably smells more convincing on a man these days anyway. Opium pour Homme opens with a brisk lemon top note, followed by a sweet balsam and wood heart accord that spotlights cedar and Asian spices. It doesn't even remotely approach the depth and complexity of the original, which makes it much easier to wear, but also much less interesting. Shorn of Opium's monumental spiced florals, Opium pour Homme smells hollow and generic, especially once the sweet vanillic amber and cedar drydown sets in.
With so many spicy woody oriental scents available for men, I see no good reason to choose Opium pour Homme over any other. Héritage, Jaïpur Homme, and JHL all in their own way offer more substance, while among niche offerings Diptyque's Eau Lente and Nicolaï's Maharadjah cover similar territory to Opium pour Homme with far greater panache. Then again, if you're looking for a spicy oriental, you could just bite the bullet and wear Opium.
Make no mistake: this has very little to do with Opium. A masculine take on Opium's huge, spicy, amber oriental formula might have been nice, but it's frankly unnecessary, as the original (used sparingly,) arguably smells more convincing on a man these days anyway. Opium pour Homme opens with a brisk lemon top note, followed by a sweet balsam and wood heart accord that spotlights cedar and Asian spices. It doesn't even remotely approach the depth and complexity of the original, which makes it much easier to wear, but also much less interesting. Shorn of Opium's monumental spiced florals, Opium pour Homme smells hollow and generic, especially once the sweet vanillic amber and cedar drydown sets in.
With so many spicy woody oriental scents available for men, I see no good reason to choose Opium pour Homme over any other. Héritage, Jaïpur Homme, and JHL all in their own way offer more substance, while among niche offerings Diptyque's Eau Lente and Nicolaï's Maharadjah cover similar territory to Opium pour Homme with far greater panache. Then again, if you're looking for a spicy oriental, you could just bite the bullet and wear Opium.