Description
In honour of the 30th anniversary of the house of Ralph Lauren, a new perfume for men, Polo Modern Reserve, was presented with hope that steady customers as well as new generations will become interested and attracted by quality fragrances of this house.
The new fragrance was created in cooperation with Carlos Benaim of IFF to celebrate timelessness, heritage and tradition. The choice of this perfumer did not happen by case, since Benaim has already worked with Ralph Lauren on their previous edition. The goal of the new creation is a blend of old, quality compositions of Polo fragrances with modern trends.
The perfume belongs to woody-leather olfactive group and it opens with aromas of cardamom, freshly cut basil and pimento. The heart encompasses vetiver, jasmine and myrrh, while the base introduces woody accords, suede and patchouli.
The perfume is available as 120 and 240ml EDT. Larger package, 240ml EDT, is a limited edition and it arrives in a luxury leather package with 24 carat gold details.
Polo Modern Reserve was launched in 2008.
chopot – :
Polo Modern Reserve is a masculine aromatic. This limited edition formula is a total revision of the original Polo classic. Retaining the Ivy League theme‒based upon deep, evocative green notes‒Modern Reserve replaces the brooding dark greens, with a bright, vivid arrangement of sweet and tangy botanicals.
Can’t speak on how fresh my sample is with it being ten years since the original release (speaking on natural ingredients)‒but the formula is definitely in its Senior Year now.
What I get most prominently is a lush basil‒Holy Basil—deepened and darkened with myrrh, pimento, tobacco, and olive tree (although they’re not listed in the notes). It adds a brooding, high society connotation. Very heavy, and suggestive of majeure.
The botanical essence is sweet and tangy. It has a complexity to it beyond just basil—with characteristics of sage, thyme, and cilantro. I get a touch of coriander and cardamom at the heart too, it provides an abrasive, masculine texture to the classy green essence.
Vetyver, leather, and suede seem to take their place at the base of the fragrance. They provide the finishing touches of class, finalizing the sense of majeure with one of the ultimate symbols of luxury‒leather.
Modern Reserve invokes a cascade of feelings with these collective attributes. It gives you the feeling of class, the happiness of wealth, and the inspiration (or hopefulness) of something like your first day back to school. All this between the sweetness, freshness, and uplifting stimulation of its pungent green notes.
I have to say, Modern Reserve is quite an exquisite piece of work. It takes something very hard to tolerate, and turns it into something easily tolerable. Putting a sense of universal appeal into a genre that’s everything about special tastes. And anyone with a taste for sophistication is sure to find a gem in this one.
RedDragon – :
I want this so bad. Italian cypresss sucks smells like halston not polo. This modern reserve looks great.
rqx351intitytek – :
نسخه مهار شده و کنترل شده پولو سبز قدیمی
———–
Scent & Qualiy: 9/10
Longevity: 8/10
Sillage: 7/10
Creativity & Uniqueness: 8/10
Affordability: 8/10
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Overall: 8/10
sanitarka – :
Why did Ralph Lauren have to discontinue their best men’s scent?!?! This is my favorite green fragrance. It reminds me of walking through a shady piney forest with a weathered leather jacket on and happening across an old log cabin with a recently extinguished campfire nearby. Green, smokey, spicy, leathery, and gentlemanly. This one lasts 12+ hours on me. I get the comparison to Polo Crest and I also agree that Chevignon is similar, but it’s not quite the same.
alexdance – :
I’m not a Polo enthusiast per se but I do have Polo Green, Red, Black, Double Black, Blue, and Sport. Add to that now Modern Reserve. Although all different, I think Modern Reserve might be the best of the bunch. Pity that it’s discontinued. I got a decant from a trusted source within the fragrance community and might have to go back for more. This is nice. Really nice. So now based on what I own my order is:
Modern Reserve
Green
Black
Blue
Double Black
Red
Sport
psih_06 – :
Dark, complex, spicy, and masculine.wearable and very very long lasting.sad it has been discontinued……..No offence guys i found it better than classic PG…
Immuddefoddes – :
Personal taste is a funny thing. I acknowledge that the original Polo fragrance, in the classic green bottle with the rider on the front, is one of the best masculines ever composed. It was and still is extraordinarily distinctive – nobody copied this fragrance particularly well, even Ralph Lauren…how many lame Polo (black, blue, red, orange, puce) variants have they released?
My one exception to that comment is Polo Modern Reserve. This fragrance takes everything good about Polo and skews it slightly towards millennial taste. Gone is the slightly sweaty caraway so prominent in the opening, replaced with a peppery pimento. The new fragrance inserts a softer suede accord instead of the black leather of the original, and replaces the loud pine note with a more subtle vetiver. While I tend to favor vintage fragrances – they are often more complex and have much more personality than their modern counterparts – this is satisfying and uncommon enough to feel special.
I can never smell the original without thinking of my grandfather, who wore Polo every day. As an added bonus, Polo Modern Reserve gives me a happy, nostalgic feeling without feeling like a clone of my beloved Papa.
Лёха-Лёха – :
A gorgeous fragrance! It starts with a mesmerizing opening, then settles into a classy, warm-spicy earthy-green blend with decent projection and outstanding longevity. Modern Reserve takes the best elements of Polo Green and leaves out the skanky overpowering notes that many modern users find hard to live with. It’s hard-to-find, and impossible to find at bargain prices. But for me, Polo Modern Reserve is worth the premium price, and is in my all-time top five. Highly recommended!
Scent: 10
Sillage: 8
Longevity: 10
polyarnik – :
Quite frankly the best bitter green I have come across (better than Italian Cypress, better than all the Vetivers). I have searched high and wide for a viable replacement and tried likely every masculine fougere that could even remotely approximate the masterpiece that this is. None could even begin to touch this.
Its definitely better than the original Polo Green; it loses the hazy/musky/mossy base of the original which was only serving to hold back the greens and florals and make it smell dated.
No sweetness or excessive citrus or powdery iris like all the loser frags out there today. It is so clear, crisp, and focused in a wonderfully masculine way. Sharp green forest, some blooming florals, and tobacco/woods/leather base. No tired, sweaty musks (emotional baggage from the past).
I have been searching for a suitable replacement now that it has been discontinued and nothing has come even remotely close. I finally broke down and bought a brand new sealed 4 oz for $100 on ebay (these launched at $60). I will be bringing this bottle with me to high end fragrance boutiques to see if they can pinpoint something to match it.
If you are desperate for something truly and confidently masculine, without the sweaty bullshit from all the vintage frags or the powdery sweetness from the flaccid modern ones, track down a bottle of this.
It shines in the heat, cuts through the cold with gusto, trucks on for 10 hours easy, and can last through smoke, sex, and sweat.
If thats not signature worthy I dont know what is. Its the only fragrance I have ever bothered to get a backup for (so far, 5 and counting).
andrey42 – :
One of the best Polos… and my favourite “green” scent.
Polo Modern Reserve is a wonderful modern updating of a classic. It is green and fresh and aromatic, with a wonderful line up of notes that is even better than the original!
You get wonderful additions of basil, cardamom, spicy pimento pepper, myrrh, vetiver and suede. This is sophisticated, timeless, masculine & elegant. I really love it… and it’s a shame it was a limited edition. If you don’t like the original or want a “modern” updating of it, then this is the way to go. Otherwise, the original is still fine, it’s just that this one happens to be my favourite… and probably the best flanker of the entire “Polo” line in my opinion.
opersin – :
setelah kecewa dengan longevity dari beberapa parfum keluaran RL, akhirnya bisa sedikit terobati dengan hadirnya polo modern reserve dalam koleksi saya. dgn wangi kayu2an, dedaunan, serta wangi hutan tropis dengan kekayaan rempah yg di mix menjadi 1, membuat polo MR ini benar2 maskulin, dewasa, serta sangat elegant. Longevity yg mencapai 10 jam+ di kulit saya, sudah cukup membuktikan kepada saya betapa Ralph Lauren punya barang gaib yg patut di koleksi. nice.. !
1Ivan – :
Unfortunately Ralph Lauren is phasing out Polo Modern Reserve. Why? I sniffed it once or twice so I don’t remember a scent itself, but I think I’d like to always have two bottles from Lauren’s brand on my shelf standing side by side : Polo and Polo Modern Reserve. I like the combination of notes in this one. Though I absolutely love the current formulation of Polo, I think RL makes a big mistake discontinuing MR. I’d be the one buying it bottle after bottle. I’m not going to buy backup bottles as this fragrance is already (and actually always have been) hardly available in my country.
pasha_k – :
I don’t have my Polo Crest anymore or I’d so a side-by-side. It had been such a long time since I’d sampled PMR, that I was expecting more greenery and less leather, so I’m questioning my previous treatment of it as a summer scent; now I’d say it’s a good intermediate for all seasons. It starts out as a very light, well-behaved spearmint with an Antaeus-like leather underneath, and surprisingly a bit of fruit, which to me is a lot like the banana in Acier Aluminium. This stuff, even moreso than Crest, turns the old drill sargeant’s piney leather belcher of Polo into a usable fragrance; Crest did it largely with summery wintergreen, which I can only take so much of, but PMR does it with an interesing mix of summery and wintery notes. The sweet florals in the mid-notes remind me of Van Cleef and Arpels or Hammam Bouquet, which I don’t like, but the leather reminds me of Parfum d’Habit, which I find very true-to-life. Plus there’s some wood and pine needles, but it’s from a lush, magnificent old growth forest, not the sort of “hey guys, we have a few pine trees too in New Mexico,” like the bone-dry, scrubby forests of Yatagan. I also think it nails this genre better than Eucris because it includes more sweet spices and less astringent herbs.
vadim_s – :
Absolutely LOVE the opening! Its hard to describe it because I get so lost in it. If the whole fragrance was like it I would buy this by the gallon! But it doesn’t and I wont. After that it dries down to a very dry floral with a bit of pimento(peppery smell) mixed in. Almost smells of oakmoss to me but im pretty sure it isn’t. I had high hopes for this but im glad I sampled it first. I actually enjoy the original better.
01-02-15 EDIT:
Trying this one again I am still amazed by the opening. Very green and bright and uplifting. The opening on this is very similar to that of Chevignon and Loewe Esencia but that’s all these three share. Into the heart, I get the same notes and smells of the original Polo. The only possible difference is the lack of patchouli in this one compared to the original.
al_mol – :
the problem with this one is that it doesn’t stay long enough on my skin . other than that , I love it . Green and daring . better smelling when drying down .
zllo30 – :
Lamentablemente compré PMR, en vez del original, pensando encontrar algo mejor y más evolucionado en su formulación, pero en mi opinión el Green original es por mucho margen, superior en aroma, proyección y originalidad. Me gusta y es claramente un Polo, pero es Eau de Polo y no tiene la arrolladora presencia de su antecesor. Le pondría 7/10. Al original, 10/10.!
tgj030InsuffBooni – :
I have a strange relationship with P.M.R. Some days I love it, on those days it has a great but strong top note and then warms down into this sexy mix of floral and spicy. Other days I hate it. On those days it smells chemical and dry and horrible. Very strange, but I do own it and wear it sometimes. I wear it more in the fall than other times.
RenShaman – :
This is the best of the dry tobacco leaf chypres. It has a hint of leather musk tucked under its masculine floral heart. The floral just makes it smell pricey (and not feminine). It smells more expensive than it is.
xBOSSx – :
I received this in the mail the other day as a blind buy but knew what I was getting. I had smelled the original polo a few years ago on an older gentalman and liked it alot. It reminded me of a simply classic smell that I had smelled for years but not knowing what it was. I read reviews on the modern reserve which is a reformulated modern adaptation of the original I had been smelling on people my whole child hood. I really like the modern reserve in that I can wear it and feel like I’m not trying to be older than I actually am. I am 26 and it’s perfect as a casual fragrance. This is not a panty dropper as some might call other fragrances but it is sophisticated and something that a confident man of any age would wear. I can only assume that females may think the way that I do when I smell it as something they attribute comfort with since it is something they smelled through childhood as well. It stays true to the original with some tweeks for the better. It is not as alcohol-like smelling which means that the ingredients are more up to date and smells very soapy and fresh on opening, but still dark and strong. The dry down smells like leather/suede and basil with woods. It reminds me of a horse stable, also a very comforting smell. I would definitely buy this again when my 4 oz bottle runs out. Figuring you only need about 2 sprays, that will be a long time from now.
Longevity – 9/10
silage – 8/10
scent – 8/10
Cherk – :
Polo Modern Reserve is a reformulated, modern adaptation of the vintage 1978 bottle. It is packaged the same as its predecessor but is marketed towards a younger audience groomed on modern softer scents that lack the stronger, louder, rawer elements that made the original Polo so attractive.
The alpine woods essence of the original is gone, so is the dirty tobacco and leather that gave it heart and muscle. The pine needles are also absent, replaced by more spice, mostly of the standard garden variety; especially basil and pimento on the top.
To those quite familiar with the original, Modern Reserve seems to have lost much of its essence, transformed into a rather woody and spicy concoction that is passable enough but lacks the darker and more foreboding range of the original.
The dry down is somewhat lacking in balance and the vetiver, patchouli and jasmine don’t seem to mesh organically, crashing into each other and creating a sour discord underneath that cheapens the overall concept around the 30 minute mark and persists well into the dry down.
This may be a revelation to those unfamiliar with anything before the 21st century, especially for those unfamiliar with the original Polo or who find many of the 70’s masculine fragrances too herbal and low in range. Given Modern Reserve’s excellent longevity (8-12 hours) and projection (6-8 hours), this is certainly recommendable to the thirty and under crowd. But for anyone more experienced or familiar with the original, this is a lighter, toned down and less organic rehash that lacks the outstanding blending and cohesive execution of the original.
DeBykoff – :
very strong and masculine smells very earthy and green kind if smells like soap but yet fasinating the dry down is beautifull and floral im a girl my father has this scent this is from a womans point of view , or point of sniff lol .
voiday – :
Lasts 24 hours plus…
viku – :
Much, much better, than original Polo. The drydown is like heaven. Modern, seductive and so classy.
This scent is going to the top of my top five.
5/5 without doubt. Simply awesome…
Awatasmoods – :
back in the 80’s i had an aftershave of polo in a plastic bottle. i was young and could not afford the actual polo cologne everyone was wearing.
PMR smells very similar to what i remember the aftershave for the vintage polo smelling like.
very good.
арин – :
This is a more blended fragrance than the original Polo, though you can still detect some of the notes, or impressions of them, and it’s definitely not a “blob” type effect you often get in the really cheap fragrances. I get a lot of basil and the jasmine is obvious. Mostly, the rest is quite blended. At first, it struck me as “synthetic,” but after half an hour or so that dissipates (or I get used to it). Longevity is excellent and projection (“sillage”) is at least good (with just one spray). At this point, I think I like the original as well as similar fragrances, such as vintage Quorum, a bit more, and I think it’s because they smell more natural to me and have more note separation. PMR has a more domesticated quality, which has its purposes, but it’s less of an aficionado fragrance.
vladuka – :
My signature fragrance…
A posh and manly scent! It’s smoother than polo, like an eau de polo…
It basically smells like recent cut grass with jasmine, leather and patchouli.
It’s not sweet at all, as some have stated, it just lacks the old-fashioned piney smell of polo. Woody, herby, leathery… smells like a horses farm!
Women fall for its masculinity…
Definitely a masterpiece!
Longevity and sillage are weaker than polo’s, but still decent
Congratulations to Ralph Lauren…
aaaaaa – :
Elegant and refined it’s a highly complimentary if not softer (slightly) version than the original. On me it has poor staying power. If only I could coax another few hours out of it I could easily see it giving strong run for signature scent status. Still a money/power scent after all these years…. 7.5/10
URoqewiqW – :
OMG!! SEX IN A BOTTLE. I LOVE THIS ON MY HUSBAND!
212.104.69.115 – :
just bought a bottle two days ago. this is a very green woodsy fragrance but without the tobacco ,leather , pepper of the original. after the first 30 minuets, the floral notes really start kicking you in the face! silage is very good ,well past 5 hours . according to polo.com., they might be phasing out modern reserve, just like polo explorer.
robert1993 – :
This has a slight odor and manly, but loses identity of the original intent of Polo by Ralph Lauren. The opening notes have a fresh scent inspiration, but in the dry middle notes are out of control so much that lost elegance, probably the vetiver.
It stays on my skin 9 hours, for use in temperate or cold. Still can be used for an age range from the mid-20 upwards.
bis52rus – :
What a great surprise. Not being a fan of RL and its fragrances (maybe Explorer is the only one I actually like) I have to admit that this is a hell of a good fragrance. Completely new even being announced as an “update” of he old Grren Polo. I really like the flowery touch — it gives the scent a very modern and still manish touch and makes it very pleasant to wear on hot summer days (in my city most days are really hot!). A must!
archiz – :
I love the smell! It is an excellent perfume that suits men wearing suits.
The scent is dark, chypre, spicy and woody.
This perfume gives one the feeling of absolute confidence and power.
Lush100 – :
Good at first wear. Very bad at other 2-3. I prefer original one. Ralph Lauren are making bad scent these years.
5/10
ramus – :
This cologne is the best!!! great longevity!!! sillage is great!!! make u feel relaxed and nice!!!!!
vintage26 – :
this scent is all man! i love it, it is similar but smoother than the origional with a few different ingredients. very mature 25+ i think.
Oldster – :
They have reinterpreted Polo, a good fragrance, if a bit cloying, into a stunningly gorgeous bouquet of fresh, green and spicy accords that blend to a rich resonance. It resembles Polo Crest, a discontinued beauty, but it is more complex, alluring and densely textured. This is a luxurious, masculine and sophisticated perfume. I would wear this anywhere, anytime. Kudos to Ralph Lauren. Very Impressive!
markel_1990 – :
This is a fantastic fragrance, lighter in the top notes that the original Polo (no shocking blast of tobacco and feces straight out of the bottle!), but with a very similar drydown. This very manly fragrance has pronounced woody and leathery basenotes balanced with a refreshing greenness. Far superior to anything Ralph Lauren has released since the original Polo. I am very impressed.
androleks – :
I have tried Polo modern reserve. It is a little bit more spicy than the original, especially for the cardamom and basil notes. It smells very good and elegant but I still prefer the classic one.
Herosha – :
Has anyone tried this out yet? I’ll always love Blue(despite how annoyingly feeble and short ranged it is, but thats a whole new subject)and have heard mixed things about the Modern Reserve. I am hoping MR makes up for the short comings of Blue, Black, Double Black, Explorer, etc…