Description
Maison Frapin presents a new fragrance with unique dreamy atmosphere from tastings of the award-winning cognacs Frapin. The challenging assignment to create the fragrance that presents atmosphere from the tastings was accepted by French perfumer Bertrand Duchaufour.
Frapin 1697 announces the new composition as very luxurious and sophisticated, modern but more valuable that the already presented fragrances of their collection.
Top notes offer the intoxicating bohemian game of notes that accentuates resins, spices and rum. Rum absolute from Jamaica is combined with dark rum, labdanum and pink pepper, touched with davana accords.
A heart highlights floral notes decorated with spices. Sambac jasmine, hawthorn and ylang ylang are combined with a mixture of fine spices – cloves and Ceylon cinnamon. The scent of dried fruit embraced with a veil of rose essences inflames the imagination.
Base notes are warm, comfortable and very casual. Amber, tonka, vanilla, cedar, labdanum, patchouli and white musk leave a perfect trail on the skin and give a hot and more sensual sound to the whole composition.
The new fragrance Frapin 1697 arrives on the market in 2011. Name of this fragrance (1697) is connected with a year very significant for Frapin. The Frapin family received the coat of arms by Louis the Fifteenth that year.
nike – :
I knew this is going to be a dislike from the first spray. I am not sure what combination of notes provided this result , but I smell oil, plastic and a lot of sweetness. It’s almost gag inducing and it’s terrible. I am trying to hold myself from smelling it, but I get whiffs of boozy vanilla which wasn’t so bad if it weren’t extremely sweet and paired with that oily plastic; but as if this wasn’t enough, there’s also a milky consistence that makes it even more gross.
This is not a dislike, it’s pure hate. I eventually had to wash it off when I got home.
1/10
ovf557speagoessenda – :
Smells like just like cognac when first sprayed then spices, amber, vanilla and lovely dried fruits. The ylang ylang comes through in the drydown. This is lush as…less sweet and thick (transparent) than Havana Vanille, which is more milky and chocolatey in texture/smell. Another love…
kirivnik55 – :
First of all: Frapin produces Cognac therefore it would be very incomprehensive to say 1697 opens with a Rum like accord! Pleeeease!!! Have any of you ever smell Cognac or Rum? Frapin 1697 opens with a dry acidic Cognac/Brandy note as you would smell it from a “Ballon verre” or snifter then sandalwood and coffee bean flambé. The Cognac brandy accord is meant to be there until the end but allowing other notes to escape the ethilic dominance in which they are trapped releasing an orchestrated symphony of gourmand notes like vanilla, toffee,woods and resins all blended to delete your nose and palatal.In many ways Frapin 1697 is also a culinary experience as plays very closely to the olfactive dégustation of Cognac.This is the Dandy sybarite scent by definition .More like a private scent to enjoy at home rather than an scent to complement your outfit or social circumstances.Beautiful composition that needs to be sipped little by little just like a Frapin’s Cognac. Sublime and intellectual fragrance.
witasq – :
Gorgeous, but requires a very light hand. It does smell like the now-impossible-to-find Vanille Absolument.
VALET24 – :
I agree about the vomit. At first it went on like baby puke and vomit. As it dried down, I liked it. It became a dry fruit, cinnamon and amber scent.
brilank – :
Boozy dried fruit with spices and a vanilla amber background. The spice (only the spice) reminds me a little of spicebomb. This should only be warn in cold weather IMO. I do enjoy it and will use up my decant but wont buy it. Simple because I have to be in a mood to wear it and the spice boarders on sinus headache inducing as does spicebomb for me. Its sad that spicebomb does that. The few times I have worn it I have gotten positive reactions.
pwmaufd – :
Beautiful rich vanilla scent with spices and dried fruit notes. And woody. Exactly my style of perfume, love it. It’s very expensive though, and there are similar styles out there, so won’t be on my buy list. But it’s a love.
One thing I noticed it’s not particularly intense. Very sutble. I wish it were more intense though some days I think I’m more numb to scents. Will retest.
Timor – :
A blast of fine vanilla that last for hours ,
Scent 10/10
Sillage 10/10
Long lasting 10/10
Thanks,
Anna1235005 – :
Let’s see what does this smell like? A little fruity, lots of syrupy sweetness, very boozy, a little spicy…..I don’t get the vomit reference that others have mentioned, rum maybe-I do get a fresh laundry aroma that envelops like crazy. Similar to the laundry aroma from Prada infusion d’homme…..I like it!! i like it ALOT!
Final analysis? overall, a nice fragrance from this house; dark booze, some spices, some Ylang Ylang, Cinnamon, Dried Fruits, some Tonka Bean, Patchouli, Cedarwood, and Vanilla. This is just a few of the notes that make this fragrance what it is.
I am not at all surprised with this fragrance’s performance and all due to the close resemblance this has to 1270, Speakeasy, especially Terre de Sarment, that take on that boozy vibe.
Fine and common to their spirited products!
[Side note: By the way, I am not sure if there are 3 different types of this fragrance:
1697 Absolu de parfums?
1697 (dark bottle)? I have this one…..
1697 (light bottle)?
please, if someone knows share with the community]
(…..dry down is similar to Terre de Sarment; sweeter, maybe more syrupy than Terre de Sarment)
So I’ve realized after giving this a few wearing’s, this fragrance changes greatly than when I initially received and sprayed. Once you get past the initial opening you are left with a woodsy, fruity, oriental aroma that’s really nice.
Again, getting past the initial spray is the key; the first spray is not bad it is just full of fruit and alcohol and perhaps you would think that might be all you’ll get, but wait, wait for it, wait for it…..when you put your nose to the sprayer it is rather off putting, and many assume this is what you are going to smell like. I assure you this fragrance it not what it seems; spray and allow to macerate, you will not be disappointed-ahhhhhhhhh, at last there it is, a sweet, almost gourmand, a little fruity, even woodsy, fragrance that is simply MARVELOUS-just marvelous my dear!!!
spamispower1 – :
Fragrance Review For 1697 Frapin
Top Notes Labdanum Pepper Rum Artemisia
Middle Notes Jasmine Ylang Ylang Cloves Cinnamon Hawthorn Rose Dried Fruits
Base Notes Musk Patchouli Cedar Wood Amber Tonka Vanilla
Fragrances with years like 1697 just make me think oh the noses behind this fragrance are trying to make it sound as vintage as a year 1492 red wine lol And yet inhaling this scent it did take me far back in time. The year is 1697 and we are in the Caribbean islands. This is a rum drunk by pirates who plundered and looted and amassed a fortune in spices, jewels and expensive textiles of the aristocracy who owned lands and tobacco and sugar plantations in the islands. This is a scent of a long ago time when the islands of Haiti, Martinique and Jamaica were owned by French and Dutch plantation owners who enslaved the island natives. I’m not suggesting this is a bad thing to smell. It’s just so exotic, so Caribbean, so tropical and sweet but with a lot of spiciness. It’s a strong fragrance I was punched in the nose at the first spritz and other times it wore on my fragrance. So right off the bat you have to be ok with strong perfume and apply with a light hand. The opening to 1697 is that rum. It then turns into something green and herbal must be the partnership of artemisia and patchouli. I could pick up on the patchouli and it’s leaves. There is also cloves which always smell earthy and a tad like oak moss. A vanilla and cinnamon keeps everything sweet but spicy at the same time. The flowers are subdued and they are mostly rose hawthorn and jasmine. The jasmine gives it the right island touch as it almost but not quite turns into a gardenia. The scent dries down to musk and an aromatic patchouli that smells like tobacco. The tobacco. Tobacco leaves. It’s totally unisex. None of the notes wear like either men’s cologne or women’s perfume. It’s not sweet enough or summery enough for the beach but it is definitely a summer fragrance. It’s got booze and dried fruits which evoke the Caribbean, an exotic getaway. I would even wear this on vacation but it’s definitely an evening cologne to wear at night. This may not be for everyone. Depending on your skin chemistry this could turn bizarre and odorous. But I found it fascinating. I’m fortunate. My skin chemistry can handle anything even the scent of a tobacco plantation in Jamaica in 1697.
sibiriak_3990 – :
As its a new year ive been going through all my old hundreds of samples trying things out again to see if my nose has changed at all. And nope, to this day the opening of this and first so many hours is one of the most disgusting and off smelling fragrances ive smelled in my fragrance journey to say. Theres just something really unpleasant about this mix. Its really curious to me as to how people dont think this doesnt at least smell a little bit funky…
It still has a nice dry down, and i actually think the dry down smells GOOD even on clothes or something else. But who wants to spray their clothes and then come back the next day to smell the leftovers?
Oh well still a big time pass for me.
Влад84 – :
J’ai enfin trouvé le successeur de Havane vanille / Vanille absolument !
Il est très beau lui aussi. ils se ressemblent beaucoup. Je revis
kuselev – :
I completely agree with the reivewer below me about this smelling like rum and vomit. There is a strong scent of puke in this one and I find it extremely unpleasant.
I’m not a Duchafour fangirl. I really enjoy some of his scents, don’t care so much for others. But usually the worst reaction I’ll have to his scents is “Meh”. But this one is the first of his creations that’s made me go “What were you thinking?!”
This is honestly the most unpleasant perfume I’ve ever smelled. I’m sorry to be so harsh about it and I truly don’t mean to offend anyone out there who loves it, but I’ve struggled and wracked my brain trying to find at least one positive thing to say about it, but I just can’t. It caused an extremely negative reaction in me and made me feel queasy because it smells so much like vomit.
Not for me, I’m afraid.
Alcovacap – :
In a fire-warmed pub somewhere, a man chases fruit preserves on toast with shots of rum. Predictably, this combination doesn’t end well and he vomits on the carpet. An apple pie is baking in the distance.
Frapin 1697.
More personally, this fragrance reminded me of the smell of the inside of my childhood lunchbox if someone had spilled rum in it. There’s a lot to like but I also find there’s something stomach-churning about it. The way-deep dry down, what remains after a night’s sleep, is the best part but it’s faint and it takes a long time to reach it. It is very original and I’m happy it exists for that reason alone, but it is not for me.
If you’re loving the spiciness of this one but the sum of the parts has proved problematic, I recommend checking out Costume National Homme. It forgoes the booze but manages the spice and warmth in a way that doesn’t make me feel sick to my stomach.
redifi – :
Smells like plastic
evgenii lapeto – :
I can’t find it now but someone here totally said that this stuff smells like a drunk old man’s mouth and I seconded it. I gave this a few tries but I couldn’t endure it for long enough to see if there’s a good drydown.
sanek.yura – :
When I blind bought 1697 a few years ago I was hopeful that it would be the boozy rum fragrance I was looking for. I made a huge mistake in not testing it first. It was definitely boozy, maybe too much so.
In my youth I was really into partying until the early hours of the morning. Rum and Coca Cola was usually my drink of choice, and it remains a favourite even to this day. Smelling a glass of aged rum on the rocks before consuming it is a guilty pleasure, however the tables turn when it comes to smelling like an aged rum on the rocks.
1697 is an unforgiving fragrance with bold sillage and unrelenting lasting power. You’ll be smelling of rum for days. On my skin this scent unfortunately becomes a nightmare. I don’t know from where it originates, but some horrid milky note appears out of nowhere. Milk, rum, patchouli and vanilla does not smell pretty on me whatsoever. I honestly smell like an alcoholic.
I gave 1697 a fair chance and seeing that I paid a lot for it, I really did want it to work for me. For two years I wore it on and off, but it was my boyfriend telling me to scrub it off which was the last straw. I have since sold this fragrance on to someone that I hope will love it more than I.
In conclusion all I can say is please, please, please try before you buy. It’s not a fragrance for everyone although it is admittedly a masterpiece. On a scale of one to ten in terms of boozyness, 1697 is definitely a ten.
kirill1973 – :
UPDATE: 2 days into wearing it, i love it now. not sure if it’s the weather got colder or…but cant get enough of it now.
one thing is that it does last longgggg. tried to wash it off twice and cover it with hand cream, but i still wake up this morning with it lingering on me.
MaroKardviare – :
This creation is overcomplicated and overthought and all the effort didn’t pay off. Smells like mess, to me anyway. I love boozy fragrances, but I like nothing about 1697.
energyaxel – :
Well… Its interesting I guess…
The opening and 5 or so mins of it remind me a rock and rye pop from as a kid. Its just a drink that at that time it doesnt smell like anything else. It has a very distinguishable smell and taste to it. And thats what this reminded me of. Very random but hey….
Now after that, its a mess on me for probably a good 4 hours or so. I felt bitter and bored while wearing this. It smelled funky, and thick. I really wanted to scrub it off. I kept trying to find something to liken it to, but at the end of the day I was just like whatever, I would never buy this and ill probably never even test this again. So I just kept it on to see how long it lasted.
Well thankfully after 4-5 hours or so and gets more into the dry down. And it smells alright. And again I got almost more of a cream sodaish vibe to it, but not quite. And even at this stage its hard to liken it to something exactly but its at least wearable with out feeling annoyed.
Performance wise this was light, like all frapins that ive tried. But longevity was probably 12 hours or so.
Id also like to mention to my nose 1270 gets compared to pure malt I see in reviews.. Which is lost on me. However although this one doesnt smell anything like pure malt to me, the “boozyness” to it, is more similar to that of pure malt. Where as 1270 the “boozyness”(I really hate this word but anyway), is more straight up alcohol like straight to heaven or a fragrance of that nature.
All in all another pass from me. Even if there wasnt that 4 hours of funk I just didnt like it very much.
12345gjkl – :
Smells like mosquito repellent. Exactly like Off! Honestly, I don’t know how the hell Bertrand keeps finding work. Not one of his fragrances have worked for me in regard to a fragrance that is both niche and wearable. If I want to smell like Off! or like candy or like an autumn bonfire I’ll be sure to spend the money, but until then I’ll just settle for Nicolai’s New York and Chanel’s Antaeus.
boychenko1985 – :
ouuuch.. it smells exactly like a mouth of a drunk hungry male, quite the annoying filthy alcohol essence. not for me.
akhvitalya – :
Based on the notes and the reviews of “1679”, I was expecting some grown up, boozy decedance…
But this perfume was a gooey mess from start to finish. It opens smelling strongly of a whiskey stained carpet. “That’s fine”, I thought, “the notes said rum, just let it settle…”, but what follows is a bizarre clash of green earthiness and a strong, almost sickening sweetness, as though someone had served me a plate of garden weeds and soil with melted black chocolate poured over it.
Very strange. Not appealing at all. Forget about the notes list, because you won’t smell any florals, or spice, just indistinct, murky blobs of chocolate covered soil and weeds.
Vend01 – :
I always thought of myself as of a gourmand lover, and this one just fortified that. 1697 opens with a well-mannered spicy-boozy note of rum and added cinnamon. With dry fruits coming into play, this scent’s heart easily reminds me of chocolate candies filled with cherry and liqueur I used to love when I was younger, even if it doesn’t really share a connection other than being boozy and fruity in a way. I feel like there is a dash of chocolate or cocoa in this fragrance, enhancing the sweetness of heart. The drydown stays pleasantly sweet with amber and vanilla surrounded by the same boozy rum accord from the other phases.
Frapin somehow made a sweet gourmand with a very thin scent cloud. 1697 doesn’t last or project as I’d expect it to. It’s there, but in a subtle form, with a small aura diameter and maybe six hours of longevity. That being said, those who come close enough will like it or love it, most likely. To me, it’s a good way to manner such a sweet, potentially cloying perfume, although I wouldn’t mind if it either lasted longer or projected farther. Also, I think it’s worth mentioning that it’s the most expensive one in Frapin range, with its price being a solid obstacle for a person like me.
It’s only fitting for this to be one of my all-time(with a lot left to explore, though) favorites, as it has pretty much everything I’m searching for in a perfume. Consider this a phenomenal choice for winter, evening or intimate wear.
9.25/10
Legenda – :
Such cozy scent! Smells like autumn leaves.
hnr505speagoessenda – :
Frapin 1697 is gorgeous.
Nemflivafefar – :
I rarely felt myself as stunned as I felt when I smelled this one for the first time.
And, since then, I’m under his spell.
Frapin 1697 is gorgeous.
Just one word: gorgeous!
Better (and more persistent) than its brother 1270, more profound than its sister Caravelle Epicée, more mature than the youngish L’Humaniste and more “serious” and full-bodied than Speakeasy, 1697 is so far IMO the strongest and deepest scent in Frapin’s portfolio (I don’t know yet the latest one, Paradis Perdu).
An extraordinary amber & vanilla & patchouli… a boozy… warm… spiced… not so sweet… once again boozy… resinous… slightly fruity & peppery… and above all boozy fragrance. A truly delight!
On Fragrantica, the sole person who has 1697 as a signature scent – until now, at least – seems to be a lady (bravo, Arsenik!). With envy, I’ll say that 1697 is more on the masculine side, and definitely for the mature ones (30+). But, who knows…?
If the perfume is gorgeous, the bottle – in solid red-brown glass, with a wooden cap – is per se an “objet d’art”. It also could be a weapon – for a furious wife, for instance 🙂 The brand new bottle that I bought was produced in 2012. All of you, from Frapin & Cie, don’t even think to reformulate this marvel!
Bref, 1697 is, in my opinion, one of the greatest perfumes of our time.
A must have.
Honored to meet and wear that enchanted scent, I’ll give him a 9++/10
bmsaxwovbxk – :
1697 seems familiar in a comfort and welcome manner. The scent has a cozy, autumnal aura of rum, dried fruits, spices, vanilla and patchouli. Bertrand Duchaufour takes here some of his accords used in Havana Vanille but instead of creating a tobacco faded harmony he seems to do a more vivid rum aura. The rum is my first impression, sweet but not intensively sweet, and it`s followed by the fruits, that seems like dried fruits fermenting on the rum. The combination could be a mess, but it`s orchestrated to produce a delicious harmony. Close to skin there is some restrained pepper aroma, that balances the sweetness of the first accords. The dried fruits, spices and rum is reminiscent in sensation with Ambre Narguile, but lacking the tobacco and amber accords. Instead of them, you have a patchouli and vanilla predomination, with more patchouli than vanilla. The patchouli is the bridge for me between this one and Terre d’Sarment. It has the same earthy, dusky, sunset aura of Terre d’Sarment. The difference here is that combined with vanilla the sensation seems to go slightly into a chocolate territory. It`s a kind of chocolate aroma that reminds me of Nestle Cocoa Powder, which is neither sweet nor bitter. I`m pleasantly surprised with this, i expected something like 1270, but to me this one seems to have it`s own charm. Perfect for slower temperatures.
feu986elipseskism – :
1697 is an excellent choice for people who enjoy boozy vanilla fragrances!
It opened very harsh as others have stated, very natural smelling rum/cognac, full bodied with spices and extremely sweet dried fruits. There is a tonka bean overload I am not a fan of, though it would work for some – it even gives the “old lipstick” vibe. As you live trough the harsh opening, you will be greeted with a wonderful sweet, full vanilla with boozy accords. It stays this way for more than 7 hours. 1697 has a rather nice silage, it does not become overpowering or cloying.
Even though this is supposed to be a unisex fragrance I do not see how this would work on a man as this is VERY sweet.
Pentax – :
ACK! Couldn’t stand it, and oh, how I tried… It smells like a relentless roach insecticide spray on my skin! To think that this and my beloved 1270 come from the same house! Blind buy is not recommended, no-no.
vab309JeomiWogkig – :
1697 is beautiful. It’s a thick creamy and heavy scent which will be great for autumn and winter. It is sweet and boozy and offers excellent longevity and above average projection.
This has Bertrand written all over it! So much so, that it is a little too familiar…. It is a beautiful fragrance, but one that is almost identical to BD’s Vanille Absolutment for L’Artisan…
The differences begin at the start, where there is a much stronger booze note at the top. After this dies down you have some floral heart notes in there which instantly reminds me of Penhaligon’s Amaranthine (also BD) …that strange ylang and milk thing that it has… After this, it’s pretty much a dry down that is 99% Vanille Absolutment….which is probably the best Vanilla out there, so this is a very good comparison if you ask me!
If you love boozy, masculine Vanilla’s and Bertrand’s other work, then you must check this out. You will not be shocked or surprised by what you smell, but you will enjoy it. A must for any gourmand lover.
It’s not cheap and I already have enough bottles of Vanille Absolutment to keep me going, so I will not be buying a full bottle of 1697…maybe a decant in winter, but that’s it. If money was no object I would snap it up, but its just too similar to what I already have. Saying that, as VA has been discontinued, this could be a great substitute if and when Vanille becomes harder to find…
juriihot – :
I am really surprised by most of the reviews here. I received a sample of this one and only just sprayed it on a card.
This is the first time in a long time that I just couldn’t take the card away from my nose. And this even though I don’t drink any alcohol, lol.
I love the warm notes, without trying to distinguish each individual one. I will try it a couple of times and then decide whether I need a bottle. Doesn’t seem like it’s a scent you will come across at every corner which makes it even better.
GreyUGGSr – :
I didn’t get the lovely boozy notes or any of the complexity promised by the huge list of notes. It’s mostly a citrus-toned powdery wood on me. It’s quiet pretty, with those light notes on top and a developing heavier wood base with light spices. But not the boozy rum-fest I sort of wanted it to be.
eihsiedler – :
I must say, I understand what people talk about when they mention a boosy opening. But if you can get past that, it has some good stuff going on.
order viagra – :
BOY HOWDY! I purchased one of the original run of 1697 in the square bottles and I understand that it is a little higher concentration than the current one. I agree with Jack Hunter. This is one perfume that comes rushing out of the bottle in a blaze of notes, takes you by the shoulders and shakes you. You can’t miss it and I really enjoy it.
The most dominant first note is the booze. Think of a truly fine dark rum married to a fine old cognac. Loud, alcoholic, dark and heavy. A real stomach warmer. Mulling spice, dried fruit come next. Sweetish, jammy and wonderful. Next a bit of wood-the patchouli probably-starts to temper and round it. Less sweet and more spice. Dry down has a hint of tobacco and the alcohol comes back a bit making it seem that you have reached the end stage of a fine meal.
One to try a sample of for certain. Mr D. is one very extremely talented nose who manages to have a very diverse stable of fragrances. Truly wonderful.
matvey55 – :
Was so looking for rum, instead was suffocated with something very blunt, way too sweet and complex… This smell is so complicated that the collection of notes seems to be a mistake of the designer. It is not a pleasant scent to me at all.
Blind buys are not recommended. Rum note is very deceitful altogether in this fragrance.
Mezyn841Bessinepome – :
Jack Hunter’s review +1
Except to add that during the first 10 minutes or so I get an interesting impression of unripe, almost tart apples being sliced open on a freshly cut tree stump mixed with an overly ripe fruit compote.
It all smells very natural and complex. Very nice.
serenja22m3 – :
On first application I am getting a shot of rum which gives way to a peppery dried fruit accord. It’s spicy and boozy then it becomes more sweet and flowery.
As time moves forward the flowery sweetness becomes a little musky and I can smell patchouli coming into the mix. The fragrance is now becoming soft on the skin and starts to smell like a very soft vanilla with just a hint of pepper and rum.
This is a very complex fragrance with a lot of notes. When you first spray it onto your skin there is a lot of notes coming at you from all directions. But when it settles you get a slightly buttery boozy vanille accord on your skin.
It’s a nice fragrance but just a bit all over the place with the different notes before it settles.
vitio4ik – :
Imagine spilling whiskey all over yourself and a granny smith apple exploding in your face. That is what the opening smells like.
After a few minutes the spices come through with the tonka and amber.
The labdanum is bitter and makes this a no go for me…
Too much going on in this fragrance. Some of the notes are in conflict to my nose.
Mejlc968JeomiWogkig – :
I’ve worn Frapin 1697 a couple of times now, and it invariably evokes memories of Sonia Rykiel RYKIEL WOMAN. It’s not the boozy opening of 1697, which RYKIEL WOMAN lacks, but the later sensation of something like leather fruitcake. There is something about the dried fruits mingling here with the woods and spices which is reminding me of the odd date-leather complexion of RYKIEL WOMAN.
Frapin 1697 is a lot less flowery than RYKIEL WOMAN, which in a side-by-side comparison I realized that I rather like. I used to think that I did not really like RYKIEL WOMAN, that it was an acquired taste on my “yet to acquire” list. But I have to admit that I prefer the scent of that to this. My favorite part of 1697 is the boozy opening, but it is all too shortlived.
fenix2076 – :
I want it..but sadly I cannot find it!! :@
Vlandser – :
My first impression of this fragrance was of COCOA! While it’s not a listed ingredient …it’s the first thing comes to mind… a sweet dreamy chocolaty experience. Possibly the most luxurious of scents!!
Zxerfefer – :
I adore this perfume, I could not wait for my full bottle to arrive. Woody, boozy, spicy with a gorgeous dry down, this is nothing like 1270 but I would say if you liked 1270, the chances are you will love this one. Both full bottle worthy to me.
brother57843printer – :
I luv “Frapin 1270”, therefore I so looked forward to “1697”, with it’s lovely list of notes, and expecting something along the richness of it’s sublime sibling “1270”. … Well, my advice is NOT to expect anything along the lines of “1270” and then you might actually enjoy it for what it is all the more. Whilst “1697” is certainly pleasant enough, personally in comparison I found it rather disappointing, thin and sort of unsubstantial. All I got was a refined, fine yet thin (not rich) booziness (more “oaked-vodka” than dark-rum) floating atop a silky white-musk diluted diet-tonka and pale-woods. (Where’s the spices ??) And pretty much little else.
In fact, I highly recommend it to those who thought “1270” just far too boozy, warm and rich for them. As I suspect it will probably appeal much more to those for whom “1270” did nothing for.
At the end of the day I think it could be a really nice and even somewhat luxurious “office-scent”. But just a little too wan to be comfortably warming on cold winter evenings, as I had been expecting from it’s notes list. (It’s certainly NOT a warm “sit-in-front-of-the-fireplace” type scent like sibling “1270”. I see him rather much more like his sophisticated, yet younger, more serious and chillier no-nonsense “cold-shouldered” brother.)
~ It’s nice but that’s it, … just not as special as I expected unfortunately.
Sillage ~ Average to below average. (Sits rather close, though I suspect this could be greatly helped by spraying more liberally).
Longevity ~ Excellent (easy 8 to 10 hrs on my skin.)
atlant2000 – :
I first smelt it in a pub..I did not think that smell come from a perfume!!
Then I realized it’s a perfume!!
Can’t deny I liked it..it’s rum + cinnamon combination really good.
autizm – :
I am happy I could get my hands on a bottle of this limited scent. Nice one, gladly so as I ordered it blindly just upon researching about its notes.
What is 1697 like ?
IMHO this is a mixture of Baiser du Dragon, Spiritueuse Double Vanille and Havana Vanille, mixed with some tobacco and spices.
I do not know many fragrances which change so much from the top to the base notes.
At the beginning there is this very noticeable cognac/rum note which really smells boozy and drunk 🙂 But that fades within 15 minutes (at least on me). Then the spices and the buttery smoothness take over. It has a creamy quality to it, staying close to the skin. Powder alarm ! 🙂 If you dislike powdery scents this one might not be for you.
The final drydown (unfortunately, it comes too soon) is sweet tobacco with a vanilla hint.
All in all a very delicate and delicious fragrance but its longevity does not quite make me happy. Given the enormous price I am used to a scent that sticks around for at least 6 hours, if not more.
Anyway, I do not regret my blind buy in a way that would make me getting rid of my bottle, no no, I will gladly wear this scent knowing it suits my taste. Will have to re-spray during the day though.
This scent is limited to only 1697 bottles so you should hurry up if you would like to get a sniff of it.
It definitely made me curious about the other Frapin scents.
TeX_13 – :
I feel more relaxed mood in this fragrance, not luxury.
Woody, fruity-sweet, with liquor, but not drunk.
Small garden party like atmosphere, only with the close friends.
It is almost against so-called image of Louis #14 who lived in luxury.
Not like a story happened in the Palace of Versailles.
As for the palace, it was far from my taste, too much gorgeous almost felt danger!
But the garden…I wished I could have slept in the garden for a night!
Not sophisticated, but very friendly and cozy mood in the bottle.
Like a king’s escapism.
To fragrantica,
In 1697, Louis 15th was not born.
#14 might have been died earlier than 1715, who cares now!?
imangasta – :
Very rich and spicy it only comes in a 50ML and its $215 Canadian a crack. I can only afford to use this on special occasion. lol
Guephenny – :
1697 is super-boozy. It opens with an incredibly realistic blast of Rum that overwhelmes anything else. In a bunch of minutes it settles down leaving space to candied dry fruits, spices, vanilla, tonka bean, woods and resins with a gentle floral accord laying in the back. There’s a lot going on in this phase as 1967 is quite a complex and deep fragrance indeed, maybe too much. Everything is happening at once giving me a sensation of chaos. Don’t get me wrong, this is an interesting fragrance and surely remarkable but to me it’s kind of unsatisfying and messy.
Try it!
Rating: 6.5-7/10
icersape62 – :
Another beauty by Frapin! When smelling this fragrance I see a luxurious appartment after a good party. The appartment is empty, no people there anymore. Twilight. The room is kind of messy. Heavy gobelin pillows from the sofa are thrown all over the floor. There are some alcohol left in the crystal glasses on a heavy oak table (Amaretto liqueur, dark rum and vodka for sure), the table itself is poured all over with alcoholic drinks, there’s an ash tray with cigarette-ends, expensive cigar-stubs and cigarilles