Description
The new fragrance from the fashion house of Oscar de la Renta, Oscar de la Renta Gentleman, comes out in September 2016, dedicated to the late designer. The design and concept is inspired by the game of dominos, his favorite pastime game, while the name is derived from his nickname “Gentleman of fashion”. It is advertised with the tagline “Life well played.”
The fragrance is said to be Bold, invigorating, smooth and captivating. The woody – fougere composition begins with a chilled bergamot, sparkling grapefruit, cardamom and champagne accord. A blend of Egyptian geranium and rosemary, together with black oolong tea, leads to the base of intense amber, labdanum, vetiver and leatherwood.
The fragrance is available as a 50 and 100 ml Eau de Toilette.
Vetrofan – :
This is a campy, outré fragrance in a kitsch bottle. This smells like New Years Eve in tuxedos, with champagne and cigars and old money. There is definite spice, definite amber, and a fizzy quality that can be headachy in some scents but does not step over that line here. It’s just really hard to imagine this as anything even approaching daily wear. I think it could be worn regularly by a person with a flamboyant personality and lots of retro pizzazz. It was just a bit loud for me, and I rarely wore it. The bottle is also a but clumsy and top-heavy, and I dropped it twice (fortunately the glass is thick.) Definitely worth a decant if you can find it.
NAMO98 – :
If you already own a bottle of Ungaro III, then this is a redundant purchase.
I have just tested both fragrances on my wrists and the scent is like 90% similar
If I had to choose one of them, I would probably choose Oscar Gentlemen
женёк – :
I would agree that it does smell a bit strange but that changes. It basically is a dry sort of arid citrus with cardamon and a slightly leathery feel scent. It’s not a Versace por homme kind of citrus it’s more of a citrus peel.
It’s a very well crafted fragrance that smells modern and different. It’s not an old man’s scent or dated at all. Performance is average similar to everything out there right now. Cool bottle as well
eclipze – :
I’m on a tropical beach drinking ever so slightly sour, but creamy, coconut milk. Suddenly, I’m sheltering from the blazing heat under an open marquee, sipping champagne. Moments later I’m freshly bathed, wrapped in a gown, sipping black tea on a veranda with a backdrop of beach and sea, inhaling the late-afternoon aromas of shoreline flora.
The opening gradually gives way to oolong tea, cardamom, amber and labdanum. A lot of cardamom in fact. The vetiver presents after a few minutes and as it warms on the skin it all becomes drier and a little spicier, and linear too.
I’ve been wearing this through the warmest UK summer in a very long time. The dry down is solid so that even after hours of exertion in the garden there is no staleness or degradation.
Consistent with other Oscar de la Renta creations Gentleman has much better than average projection and really good longevity, lasting hours on me. Definitely great for warm weather. But I could wear this year-round. And, I also think this is a scent that transcends all ages.
The domino bottle is substantive – more so than pictures portray. The great man was known to play the game. So the packaging concept, even if subjectively gimmicky, has a connection. Where it fails for me is that it seems needlessly big, making it bulky for travelling or even an overnight bag. It would work better visually too if scaled-down to nearer half the size. It has a solid heft for sure. But in its current proportions I’d choose not to have it on display. A case of so nearly so good.
I’ve encountered broadly similar scents in the past, which can be said of many perfumes. Lanvin’s Avant Garde for men vaguely comes to mind. Could be down to the cardamom, amber and vetiver.
Versatile too, being good for office and casual use, but also evening wear. Seems to work especially well in warm weather. I am impressed by the quality of the offering as a whole, especially at its price-point.
This is one of just three scents Oscar de la Renta currently offers men. In terms of quality, value and variety, I applaud what this unpretentious designer stands for.
Not for the first time, nor hopefully the last, Oscar does it again!
ferrari_vip – :
I tried this one on a paper today. To my nose it smells like a spicy-peppery vetiver scent. I don’t get champagne and tea notes, but it might be because it’s on a paper. Overall, what I get on the paper reminds me of Bang by Marc Jacobs or Terre D’Hermes-maybe a lighter version of it.
Longevity and projection are good. This is a well done perfume from a designer and proved to be better than what I was expecting.
shadow502 – :
Odd…my nose does not pick up the fresh or champagne notes mentioned by others. what I do get is a very masculine leathery, spicy drydown which isn’t too heavy… making it a perfect evening scent year round and a nice day scent in winter or fall. nice longevity.
bomka – :
I don’t really get champagne from this. I do get the citrus, amber, tea, and more than anything else, cardamom…which I love. This is sweet, creamy, and spicy. By far, this is my favorite men’s scent from Oscar De La Renta.
It’s fresh but not aquatic, sweet but not a gourmand, spicy but not pungent. To me, this is an unusual scent but still really easy to wear. Good stuff (…and I like the bottle).
vizza – :
Good strong aromatic moderate silage and Longevity don’t always trust the reviews that you read.. it’s a very nice smelling scent…And yes the bottle itself is very cool…Nice strong naturally smelling AmberGris Driving the scent
scumpic – :
Interesting! I blind bought this one at an outlet store for very cheap as it’s been screaming at me every time I’m there. Does nobody buy it because it’s bad? Bottle is tacky? I wasn’t sure. I wasn’t even sure of de la Renta’s reputation in the community. I was destined to find out. So, a supreme impulse blind buy. Expectations being extremely low, I was pleasantly surprised with this one.
The opening, to my nose (despite having almost no similarities in the note breakdowns), is about 90% similar to Bond No. 9’s “Marriage Equality”. It’s missing the plum note for sure but whatever is used for the “champagne” accord must give it the same aura as the Bond. I like it. Just like the Bond (which I don’t perceive as unisex) it has a very unique masculine fruity and spicy aroma. Although not listed, somewhat musky as well. Cardamom is a major player here. Nothing in this screams synthetic to me, quite the opposite. The drydown is quite different from the Bond, though. This goes to a more fruity, soapy vibe (I can see the perception of a medicinal smell but not in a bad way). The vetiver gives it a bit of a green tinge but only moderately noticeable. Fairly linear throughout. You definitely never lose the cardamom, which I like. However, I was expecting maybe more of an ambery base which would have really nailed this one for me. Fantastic scent overall.
Longevity, surprisingly good. Sillage is moderate to heavy for the first 2 hours or so. I must say, I might have to dig deeper into this house especially since their offerings are very affordable. The potency of it’s ingredients really can’t be compared to the Bond but it smells of quality in it’s own right. I would say this one is extremely versatile but eccentric at the same time. Unique. I could see someone like Johnny Depp appreciating this way more than I would ever suspect he’d actually wear Sauvage. It doesn’t really have a seasonal, age specific or situational vibe. It’s just there. Pleasant surprise and I think a home run by the house of Oscar de la Renta.
trapdoor – :
It is a romantic sweet smell kinda addictive. It takes time to develop on skin but once it does it’s there.
BuSS – :
Sharp, modern opening. Very similar to Sexual Tendre pour Homme by Germain, but kinder and gentler with slightly better blending.
As a fan of vintage pour Lui, there is nothing here for me.
igor_yarko – :
Acquired this fragrance today based on the reviews, and I must say that while I’m not prefferably in love with it, it’s a really nice scent- especially because of its uniqueness. A gentleman’s frangrance that’s smoothly sophiscated and sexy at the same time. To my nose it starts off herbal, then gets aromatic and ends with a warm powdery sweetness. Smelling this fragrance puts me in mind of a formal event or a romantic dinner with a glass of champagne in hand. I believe that applying sparingly at night or on a cooler day will amplify the wonder of this manly cocktail.
shandares – :
This was a blind buy, it really took mme by surprise. At first I just thought it was an “ok” scent and I liked it. But than after wearing it, giving I a full wearing I fell in love. Projection is decent could be better. Someone’s description of an alcoholic-grapefruit is pretty good. You get the champagne accord in the opening combined with the tea note. Very interesting. For some reason this reminds me of bleeker street. It doesn’t smell like bleeker street but behaves like it, without the lasting power. I would rebuy this if I ran out for $20 online. But I picked my bottle up at tj maxx a 3.4 oz for $24.99. A unique scent so I recommend buy.
zavitt – :
Boozy, sweet, fruity, citrus, with a slight hint of tea in the fragrance.
So what do i think about it?
I like it… it’s different and likeable… if given the chance.
I’ll wear this at night time in club, Lounge, movie, theater, it’s a date setting fragrance.
I used nine sprays…both wrist, behind my ears, back & front of my neck, chest, front and back of my shirt.
Will I buy this again?…IDK.
SKU Number: 085715563002
Batch Number: 6284 (Production Date: 2016)
Age: 21+ (unique date Scent, for a gentleman)
From: FragranceNet
Size: 100 ML
Scent: 9/10 (alcoholic grapefruit)
Value: 8.5/10 (Cost $20.00)
Sillage: 6/10 (two feet)
Longevity: 6/10 (Six hours)
Creativity: 7/10 (Champaign, tea & grapefruit)
Projection: 6/10 (A little over an hour)
Versatility: 7/10 (Night time & anywhere)
Compliments: 6.5/10 (Head Turner)
Until next time, I’ll catch you on the flipside.
x-ray-Engine – :
This is an interesting one. The opening note is very spicy sweet, after the dry down it becomes much the same but a more subtle version. I absolutely love the bottle design, it can be a bit heavy and bulky as the lid is essentially half the bottle size but it’s a very clever design. Longevity is just ok, it could be better, the sillage is quite strong though, I always leave a trail when I wear it. To me this seems like it would be a perfect cologne for winter, or perhaps even a job interview.
molaevsob – :
When i wear this everyboy ask me the name of it that is unbliveable
Kolos1974 – :
Blind bought this, not great but not bad neither. As someone else mentioned, it has a classic men’s fragrance smell. It is spicy, musky, and mildly sweet. Definitely a masculine scent, but a tad bit to sour for me. I think I’m gonna try to return it. Just not a scent for me, I’ll stick with Givenchy’s Gentleman fragrances.
neancePaype – :
Found this in a store, haven’t heard of this fragrance before. Just one word: AMAZING smell, this one smells like a perfect classic perfume (old school one). The bottle is so original, that makes want to buy it…and I did!!!
Velokt – :
The bottle is just beyond hideous. It looks like a toy for infants and is simply way too bulky. I mean whats the point of that ridiculous cheap plastic cap? It’s just as big as the bottle containing the liquid. Every single tester that I’ve laid my hands on have had their cap broken into pieces.
A real eyesore I’m afraid.
Nevalner – :
The bottle is NOT cheap plastic as previously mentioned.
The bottle is glass, and the cap is plastic.
Makes me wonder, how many reviews are done by actual owners of the fragrance vs someone who has smelled a test spray on a card?
dimka82 – :
I did not like this one very much on first whiff. But after letting the bottle settle, I sprayed it on my shirt just below my chest. Interesting! It’s definitely in the family of Narciso Rodriguez Bleu Noir but perhaps spicier (cumin) and a bit drier. I can appreciate a comparison to Sauvage bc it’s got a dry freshness, and Encre Noir bc of its arid smell/style, but I think it’s closer to Bleu Noir. There’s a hint of something fruity or bright that I can’t put my finger on (perhaps the grapefruit or champagne??). I like it and I’m looking forward to spending more time with it.
intexs – :
This smells like Encre Noire… A lighter Encre Noire…
MrAdam – :
The bottle is in fact cheap plastic, not well put together in my opinion. The smell, well it was not my favorite. I could swear there is cumin in this fragrance. I get an overwhelming spicy note that reminded me of sweat. Pass for me.
Tyncgufffueve – :
Just got it in store. Smells like Mont Blanc Legend.
wxn946Diobtetty – :
I really hope there are different variations of the bottles, like instead of just the 8 domino maybe you could randomly get a 2 or a 10 domino and etc. It would definitely make them more collectors items. There may be problems with that however within the fragrance community “domino 5 is clearly better than 3, it has better sillage”. Still would be a fun idea. Also please let the bottles be made of glass, resin, or some other domino-esque material so it’s true to the bottle.
voroshilov- – :
Ohhhh, now this one i will have to present to my boyfriend. And a background fact on the bottle: I believe this is a tribute to Oscar. His love for this game was well known (Domino). He even created his own set of “stones”. Lovely.