Recommend me a violet leaf fragrance.

[NettyYeti]

Been on a bit of a violet kick lately, and I’m looking to scratch an itch. I’m not sure I completely get the difference between violet flower (powdery ionones) and violet leaf (grassy metallic cucumber), especially since note lists (and reviewers) seem to muddle the two.

@Sloth posted a similar thread recently but was seeking violet flower, and I think I’m after violet leaf. Regardless, I’ve found several violet-forward fragrances I really enjoy, and I’m hoping to discover more.

Based on the following observations, which fragrances do you recommend I try next?

• Fahrenheit: Let’s start with the obvious one. I find I can wear Fahrenheit about anywhere for almost any occasion. It’s a classic, I love it, and not much more need be said. I also own the Parfum flanker, which for the purpose of this thread isn’t as violet-forward as I’d prefer. I also sampled Fahrenheit 32 years ago; That one smelled nice but was quite heavy-handed (almost cloying), from what I remember.
• Brioni Eau de Parfum: More understated than the Dior and arguably more elegant. This is the fragrance that prompted my violet quest.
• Carven Pour Homme: To borrow from @pince_nez ’s review: “This fragrance would be the equivalent of the French word ‘soigne.’ Well-mannered, and dressed elegantly. Suave in an affable and nonchalant way.” Very similar in style to the Brioni and quickly becoming a favorite all-around, dumb-reach fragrance.
• Gucci Pour Homme II: I missed the boat on this one, else I’d own a bottle. Tea notes are not a favorite, but I don’t find Pour Homme II a literal interpretation of tea. Again, understated and very elegant.
• Lalique Hommage a L’Homme: Less versatile than the above, but no less suave. Perhaps not the style I’m aiming for overall, but the violet here is lovely.
• Grey Flannel: It’s not a love for me, but a strong like, and I get the itch to wear it on occasion. More boisterous than some of the above (and also more “soapy”), but that’s part of its charm.
• Amouage Portrayal Man: The first couple of hours are an excellent violet salvo, but it doesn’t last long. The drydown is just okay to my nose - sort of old school but not very dynamic, perhaps reminiscent of Narciso Rodriguez for Him (which I tried years ago, but don’t recall exactly what it’s like).
• Lalique Pour Homme Equus: The dry woods overpower the violet, and I wouldn’t consider it a violet-dominant fragrance. I own it, but hardly reach for it.
• Burberry Touch: Tried this years ago and almost bought a bottle. Tried it again recently and wasn’t as impressed. I remember it being more focused on a powdery violet flower, but the bottle I recently sampled was a bit heavier on an almost-sour violet leaf; It was not as smooth as I remember.
• Zegna Uomo: Found this one synthetic and somewhat generic.
• Green Irish Tweed: On top of the dihydromyrcenol, I don’t get along with Creed’s house ambergris accord. I don’t hate it, but I’m thoroughly underwhelmed.

With the Brioni and the Carven as benchmarks, which fragrance do you suggest I try next? Please limit suggestions to currently-available fragrances (unless they can be had for reasonable prices).

 

[JBHoren]

Molinard Violette EDT

(see my ShaveOTD photo, 15 April 2022, for the "action figures")

 

[hednic]

Eau d'Aviateur by Atelier Flou

 

[Foxsbiscuits]

I wasn't sure if this was violet leaf but turns out it is. Really beautiful scent - Aleksandr by Arquiste

 

[HMan]

Narciso Rodriguez For Him EDT.
Violet, Musk, and Patchouli, lovely stuff, no idea why they'd discontinue it. Not nearly as edgy as reviews want to make it out to be, if you like Fahrenheit, you'd have no problems with this
Still can be found at OK prices, but it's getting more expensive, as discontinued frags do.

 

[thrilledchilled]

Narciso Rodriguez For Him EDT.
Violet, Musk, and Patchouli, lovely stuff, no idea why they'd discontinue it. Not nearly as edgy as reviews want to make it out to be, if you like Fahrenheit, you'd have no problems with this
Still can be found at OK prices, but it's getting more expensive, as discontinued frags do.

This is a great suggestion.

 

[Brian5701]

Eight & Bob Cap d'Antibes. It's a very strong violet leaf a la Fahrenheit, but with little else. I don't think its as good, but its as pure a masculine violet leaf as I have found. You should definitely try to sample it. If it had the complexity that Brioni EDP did, I would buy it in a heartbeat. But this has what Brioni doesn't have - strength.

 

[RedRaider430]

I noticed that you mentioned you missed the boat on Gucci Pour Homme II, or else you would own a bottle.

Just wanted to say that Hanae Mori's HiM is known for being VERY much like the overall smell of Gucci PH II, and some have reported that they even like it better. And perhaps best of all, HiM is very inexpensive.

 

[N.CAL Fragrance Reviewer]

I'd add Serge Lutens De Profundis

 

[Redneck Perfumisto]

TDC Sens et Bois is a nice woody, peppery violet. This one may go disco in the next few years. Many of the original line are wobbly or gone.

https://www.thedifferentcompany.com/collections/juste-chic/products/sens-bois

 

[mr. reasonable]

Mona di Orio Violette Fumée is a personal fave - apparently she composed for her husband not long before she passed away. Magical take on violet in a 'gentlemanly' way - imagine a great lavender fougere but with violet . . .

 

[rum]

@Sloth posted a similar thread recently but was seeking violet flower, and I think I’m after violet leaf. Regardless, I’ve found several violet-forward fragrances I really enjoy, and I’m hoping to discover more.

• Amouage Portrayal Man: The first couple of hours are an excellent violet salvo, but it doesn’t last long. The drydown is just okay to my nose

[...]

• Green Irish Tweed: On top of the dihydromyrcenol, I don’t get along with Creed’s house ambergris accord. I don’t hate it, but I’m thoroughly underwhelmed.

Honestly, if this question were asked 15-20 years ago, it would have been an easy answer and without hesitation: Green Irish Tweed. But this has been so screwed up recently, that it's not even worth considering. Moreover, I have not found a good enough copy that accurately represents the violet, verbena and ambergris notes.

Amouage Portrayal is an interesting suggestion. I think Amouage Imitation is another one worth considering. It has a lot more going for it than just a plain old violet note, but definitely worth sampling in my opinion.

Would be interested in hearing what you go for in the end, so do report back.

 

[maksidrom]

Kiton Black
Dsquared2 Original Wood (by proxy, since OG He Wood is discontinued)
Joop Wow Fresh

 

[Brian5701]

One other suggestion that just dawned on me is Givenchy Gentlemen Only Casual Chic. Also discontinued, but I think you would like it. Classier (and lighter) than Fahrenheit, smoother than the Zegna. Pretty close to Gucci PHII.

 

[ihxb01]

L’Envol de Cartier EDP beats everything but Fahrenheit.

 

[Deleted member 26220441]

.

 

[hednic]

Eight & Bob Cap d'Antibes. It's a very strong violet leaf a la Fahrenheit, but with little else.

This is a very good suggestion!

 

[andym72]

Eau de Cartier has taken over from Paul Smith for Men as my Violet Leaf frag of choice.

They are both very light. But I don’t want to go powerhouse with Violet Leaf.

 

[Airegin]

Hermès Eau de Narcisse Bleu is supposedly very similar to Grey Flannel. Might want to check that out.

 

[NettyYeti]

Molinard Violette EDT

(see my ShaveOTD photo, 15 April 2022, for the "action figures")

I see peach is listed as a note. How prominent would you say it is?

(Also, fun ShaveOTD thread! I wet shave, but haven’t tried pairing my scents to that degree. I really don’t need another thing to spend money on, but that looks like fun. Appreciate the look into your routine.)

Eau d'Aviateur by Atelier Flou

Likewise, with this one, the orange?

I wasn't sure if this was violet leaf but turns out it is. Really beautiful scent - Aleksandr by Arquiste

Reviews on this one certainly are interesting! Hard to get a feel for it. Some reviews mention “booziness”, which gives me pause. What’s your experience?

Narciso Rodriguez For Him EDT.

I almost don’t want to seek out a sample and fall in love with something discontinued. I smelled this long ago, but I don’t remember what my impression was then. I picked up the Blue Noir flanker at TJ Maxx a couple years ago. It smelled nice, but performance was abysmal. I sold it. Are any of the other flankers in the same spirit as the original?

Eight & Bob Cap d'Antibes.

Intriguing!

Just wanted to say that Hanae Mori's HiM is known for being VERY much like the overall smell of Gucci PH II, and some have reported that they even like it better.

I own this one already, but thanks for the suggestion! It does have similarities to GPH II. I also get a fair amount of sweet spices which at times call to mind Spicebomb, oddly enough.

I'd add Serge Lutens De Profundis

I’ve tried half a dozen Lutens; None so far have clicked with me, but this could be fun. Folks seem to find De Profundis rather melancholic. Petrichor and rotting flowers and such. Would you say it leans more formal or casual (personal)?

TDC Sens et Bois is a nice woody, peppery violet.

I’m unfamiliar with the house. Reviews bring to mind Lalique’s Equus with some added pepper. Is that a fair comparison? How prominent is that neroli?

Mona di Orio Violette Fumée is a personal fave - apparently she composed for her husband not long before she passed away. Magical take on violet in a 'gentlemanly' way - imagine a great lavender fougere but with violet . . .

This sounds splendid. Thank you!

I think Amouage Imitation is another one worth considering. It has a lot more going for it than just a plain old violet note, but definitely worth sampling in my opinion.

Would be interested in hearing what you go for in the end, so do report back.

I’ll add it to the list; Thanks!

I’ll be sure to note my favorites when I get around to sampling. For the past month or more, I’ve only been wearing samples and haven’t really made a dent in the ones I have, so I’m determined to curb my full-bottle purchases and focus on just enjoying moments.

These woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.

Kiton Black
Dsquared2 Original Wood (by proxy, since OG He Wood is discontinued)
Joop Wow Fresh

I saw the Joop at discounters a few months ago and Dsquared2 shows up every now and then. The hunt is on!

One other suggestion that just dawned on me is Givenchy Gentlemen Only Casual Chic. Also discontinued, but I think you would like it. Classier (and lighter) than Fahrenheit, smoother than the Zegna. Pretty close to Gucci PHII.

Thanks! Sounds nice; I’ll look into it.

L’Envol de Cartier EDP beats everything but Fahrenheit.

Is the violet very prominent here or more in a supporting role?

Eau de Cartier has taken over from Paul Smith for Men as my Violet Leaf frag of choice.

They are both very light. But I don’t want to go powerhouse with Violet Leaf.

Agreed. Restraint is sometimes more elegant. Which version would you suggest seeking out? Concentree?

Hermès Eau de Narcisse Bleu is supposedly very similar to Grey Flannel. Might want to check that out.

I actually already have a sample of this and never put the two together. I did a quick side-by-side the other day and I wonder why I never noticed it before. Great suggestion!