Fougère Royale 
Houbigant (1882)

This is THE fougere scent. An updated version of the one that started it all, and still best in class for the category. If you like fougeres, or green scents in general, and enjoy classic perfumery ... smell this.

Fougère Royale by Houbigant

Alchymia. Perfumare. Magnum Opus.

Perfumery as an alchemical art.

I can review this masterpiece only as art and alchemy. As all great art, it is both complete enough to give us a glimpse at the Absolute, and incomplete enough to always be alive and thus give us a direct perception into dimensions both near and far. The only imperfection of this art piece is the little loud opening scene. Fortunately, it lasts relatively short and then…. oh, what follows then… Through my skin and breath my being is infused with the elixir of stars, soft and silently smiling; of warmth, cosmic and mysterious; of multitudes of embraces; of aromas of Anima Mundi; of metaphysical gardens and mystical forests; of olfactory whispers; and of an Infinity that has finally befriended me.

The ultimate quality of Fougère Royale is the astounding harmonic and absolutely mellow blend of the interplaying layers of spicy, green, smokey and sweet notes, resulting in something alchemically transmuted that cannot be reduced to the sum of its parts. A vital and dynamic infinity in a bottle.

Rich and complex and at the same time light and evanescent.

Heaven exists and beauty never gets old. Only those who cannot perceive it.

Houbigant, Fougère Royale:
Composition: 8.5/10
Complexity: 8/10
Development: 7.5/10
Naturality: this perfume transcends this criterion.

What is great about the 2010 update by nose Rodrigo Flores-Roux of this legendary fragrance is the suggestions of chamomile and lilac that prop the geranium and rose.

However, what I do love the most in this (and in other fougeres) is this synergy that is created through the pairing of lavender and clary sage. In fact, there needs to be more love for clary sage; it often fades into the mix as a supporting note and more of modifier, but when it is dosed just right, it somewhat unctuous, damp tobacco/hay effect. It is the mythical ‘fern’ note that is the summation of all the above elements.

While the sillage is rather intimate for most of the wearing experience, the longevity is impressive for a fougère—nuzzling my hand and wrist, seven hours in I detect dusky traces of oakmoss, patchouli, and tonka/coumarin (as it was famously used in the original).

Green fresh lake in the jungle with woods around and autumn leaves everywhere and you just dived a minute ago in the lake. this is an example of a typically deep masculine fougere.an unmistakable elegant masculine fragrance.it does smell like YSL's Jazz to me.mature and evoking rugged elegance,it is a welcome addition to round out the much sweeter fragrances popular today.

The bright,vivid opening of bergamot and lavender,tinged with chamomile, leads to an aromatic phase that persists over a few hours.it is fresh,delightfully reminiscent of high-quality soap, yet retains surprising crisp dryness.the dry down is uber masculine oakmoss with a hint of tonka bean that makes a scent which still manages to be both fresh and maturely refined at the same time. perfect for formal occasions and a late night encounter.a manly green fougere. well worth a try.