Gentleman Cologne by Givenchy

Triumph of the ephemeral. It seems simple, but why doesn’t any other cologne smell like it? With all its success and the complaints about discontinuation, why didn’t they make something similar? And why on earth did they pull the plug? It’s not easy, gentlemen. Its magic lies in its simplicity. But beware, simple it is not, it just appears to be 🙂

A masculine fragrance, clean, serious, elegant and classy. Regarding performance, I do not call them problems: it is formal and so it must be. It projects for the first hour and then stays close to you, without invading. You can smell it if you are near, it is not for bathing and calling attention. I would use it at weddings or elegant events where you need to smell good but subtly, without disturbing.

A true gem, a perfume marvel and a blessed find. It feels fresh, elegant, subtle, clean… ideal for everyday life, work… very versatile for spring, summer and autumn mornings. It does not disappoint me, I can feel it in bursts and it generates calm and confidence. Totally recommended.

Elegant, fine, exquisite, unisex and comforting. It conveys class and sophistication. The blend of citrus and iris is sublime. It makes you feel clean and refined. As a cologne it does not have great performance. The only drawback is that there are alternatives much cheaper and easier to find, although with a tiny bit less quality than this Givenchy.

I hope Givenchy discontinued it due to performance failure and not because of the scent or success. I think in 2025 the Gentleman will be a renewal of this. For sure, something fresh must come out, as we have come from two Society and the Privée, plus there was no summer scent left. For the reformulation I hope for a minimal touch of sweetness with tonka bean or amber mixed with a little cedar, more iris, perhaps rose and violet. I think it would improve the performance and to my taste. What I perceive now: the floral part and the sparkling citrus last little, they are weak, the dry down arrives quickly and ends slightly bitter and opaque.

Heading to Marrakech with temperatures at 46 degrees… a brutal choice for extreme heat if you enjoy colognes. In my opinion, the best in the Gentleman range.

Exquisite aroma. I use it for padel or football and it’s a delight. It’s also fantastic for flights or after a shower. Spectacular for summer and very comfortable for daily wear. If you’re looking for something similar but more elegant with a ‘cool’ sensation, I recommend Terre d’Hermès Eau Givre. Cheers!

From the age of 30 onwards. Without a doubt, the best Gentleman. Ideal for extreme heat. A citrus-aromatic fragrance. Pity they’ve discontinued it.

To summarise the previous reviews: SIMPLICITY, FRESHNESS, ELEGANCE and CLEANLINESS. If its performance were better, it would be perfect. What a shame they’ve discontinued it.

Probably the cleanest perfume in my designer collection (discontinued; I picked one up from 2018 without ambroxan). It opens citrusy but not effervescent, more creamy due to the iris and petit grain. It hardly changes scent, its longevity is the shortest: about 45 minutes of projection and 60 more of life. It fades abruptly and barely lingers as it’s light; it smells expensive but behaves like a cheap cologne. I paid $60 and have a love-hate relationship because I have to reapply; it’s not suitable for being outside for long. In the heat, needless to say, it’s subtle, better suited to moderate climates. I know when it runs out it will cease to exist; the first time I heard it, I imagined an old house with a garden, but it doesn’t smell old, just elegant. It’s impossible to reject, but it lasts me less than three hours. It lasts longer on paper than on skin, and on clothes is out of the question due to low projection.

I adore iris and colognes, and this Gentleman Cologne combines both. Does it deliver? Only partly. It’s a subtle, pleasant, innovative, and peculiar scent. It bears a faint resemblance to Lalique White, just in case you haven’t tried it, but the Givenchy version clearly has a superior composition. The citrus notes are restrained by the dryness and the light powdery touch of a clean iris, transforming what could have been a yellow-coloured cologne into a white/yellowish one—not dense, but delicate. The vetiver adds that earthy touch, very similar to Acqua di Parma’s Colonia Futura. The scent is polarising; it may or may not suit you, but Givenchy has dared to do something that breaks away from the ordinary. I don’t see it as a masterpiece, but it shuns popular trends. It’s highly exclusive and leaves a mark. If you’re looking for something similar, pristine, elegant, and exclusive, but with infinitely better longevity and projection, try Molecule01+ Iris, a niche masterpiece with steroids. SCENT: 7 LONGEVITY: 4 PROJECTILE: 4 TRAIL: 4 EXCLUSIVITY: 8.5

Oh, oh, oh… what a delicious yet so fleeting aroma; why did you have to torture us like this, Givenchy, eh? Well, alright then. This gem (discontinued) from the Gentleman line is one of the richest citrus-aromatic scents I’ve ever smelled; it truly smells good, although to my nose it’s totally unisex. But come on, how well they’ve balanced that iris with the citrus and aromatic notes; pity that the longevity is a disaster. 6/10.

I barely detect your presence; you deliver all your essence. Embracing without touching, speaking without listening. How many citrus notes were sacrificed to die on my nose? For a noble opening that, fortunately, has no end. Then comes the heart, the most insurgent phase, where everyone is laughter and joy; only those who know it will understand. Without those vibrant citrus notes, it’s far from being energising, showing a more versatile and discreet side. That powdery iris, praised for its achievement, is accused of being mature, not suitable for the insecure. I’m left speechless; what more can I say? Seeing this gem out of the market and discontinued, unfortunately, that target couldn’t be reached. That audience, accustomed and very hard to conquer. However, I disagree with the young who let themselves be seduced; better to be a known old hand than new scents with nothing to say. Pale green, they described it, with touches of vetiver, pure elegance they produced; it’s something to see to believe. That it’s fleeting, I don’t dispute, I can’t lie about that. It’s a tribute to quality; I can ask for nothing more. If I lose myself in my longing with my eyes closed, hints of harvested love, memories of eternal love.

Don’t be sold a pup: it smells like a classic cologne, something more refined, but with scarce longevity and projection. If it were cheap, I’d recommend it as a daily fresh scent, but with a price similar to the rest of the Gentleman line, not by a long shot. Better to buy a large format of a decent cologne; you apply more, smell the same, and it costs a fraction of the price.

One of the most elegant fresh fragrances I own, a delight. I’m fascinated by its entire lifecycle. Ideal for a sunny day with a linen suit, grenadine tie, and loafers.