Lui Rochas by Rochas

If you live in Argentina and are interested in this fragrance, look for it in Buenos Aires at Fragancias B&W; they sell a clone that smells almost identical to Rochas Lui, and the resemblance is striking.

I got it at a chemist-perfumerie in my neighbourhood, the old-fashioned kind. Really cheap for what is asked elsewhere. When you wear it, you realise why they stopped producing it; it is a timeless classic that surely remained for exquisite noses that appreciate quality and seem to have avoided the best-selling aromas. Those who like Givenchy Play Intense, L’instant de Guerlain, or Kokorico by Gaultier will find this a sibling to all of them and will love it. With very high quality. A masterpiece, which projects just enough and lasts longer than an office day. Wonderful.

Although I wasn’t captivated at first, a few minutes later that clean green cedar truly hooked me; then it became sweeter and more enchanting thanks to the patchouli and amber. It’s not for everyone, but without a doubt it’s a great work. The performance is very good.

I was let down by this Rochas Lui. The blend of neroli and wood reminds me of old-fashioned smells, like a neighbourhood barbershop or an after-shave type Floid (which I can appreciate, but not as a personal fragrance). The ingredient quality is impeccable, but it just doesn’t work for me. Keep in mind that it changes a lot on paper (I prefer it) or on skin (on mine, it smells stale). To me, it’s a very vintage scent. Longevity and sillage are above average. Lui will be pour lui, not pour moi. Goodbye.

Normally I end up disappointed with discontinued perfumes, because people tend to overvalue them due to nostalgia and the difficulty of finding them. Of course there are good fragrances, but few are authentic masterpieces. With Rochas Lui, I must say it is one of the few that truly deserves the hype. Although I never used it, the scent feels familiar to me; I believe a family member or friend once owned it. The opening is lemony and woody with neroli as the protagonist. Gradually, the vanilla enters, creating a creamy sensation. The cedar is very evident in the dry down, dry and bitter, similar to Terre d’Hermes, although the perfume has little to do with it. The neroli and lemon are noticeable but fade away, giving way to the cedar alongside the vanilla and a subtle, almost imperceptible touch of patchouli. The finish is a mix of cedar and vanilla with almost absent citrus nuances, but they are there. It is the creamiest part. As Pedjalazaro says, it has a retro touch, but it does not smell old or outdated. The cedar gives it maturity, but it could pass for current. Performance is good, especially in longevity. I wish it had a bit more punch, but it delivers and is easily noticeable. If I had to assign a gender, based on the cedar I would say it is masculine; I cannot see myself wearing it, but every skin is a world. I have used it in cold or temperate climates, not with much heat. A good perfume, well-made with good performance, I liked it very much, though I would not pay what they ask online. If I find it at a bargain price, I will take it.

Neither do I like nor do I dislike it. Starts citrusy-green where the neroli is noticeable, with a sweet vanilla base and woody cedar. In the heart, nuances of patchouli and a woody-ambery dry down. Spicy woody, with a citrus touch at the start, sweet in evolution, masculine, retro, and high quality. Very good performance. Versatile. For spring, autumn, and winter. Day and night. Long-lasting longevity. Heavy sillage.

My friend Bofifa offered me to try this charming scent. It conveys delicacy, is well-constructed, elegant, and sophisticated. The opening is good with neroli, lemon, and a constant woody-sweet presence. The sum of components shines with class and has satisfactory durability on my skin. I don’t think it’s suitable for summer; it has an old-school vibe adapted to modernity. It’s surprising its low presence in the market; perhaps only a few were excited by this avant-garde proposal of its time. It could have been stronger to my taste, but if you like sweet fragrances and are tired of extreme, innocent, and party scents, it’s probable you’ve grown up to arrive at ROCHAS Lui without realising it.

I share what my colleagues say. Le Male, Habit Rouge… It seems the house tried to blend past and present. Although it declares few notes and isn’t a torrent of nuances, it has mystery and charm. Upon smelling the opening, I was thrilled: a dusty neroli with citrus and a woody touch, all of very high quality. But as usually happens, that sparkling effervescence disappears quickly to give way to heavier notes. You can feel the cedar and amber (not like the current ones), forming a combo with the citrus that gives it character. It’s like a citrus sweetness with the serious counterpoint of cedar wood. The performance is quite decent.

After reading MarcusRS’s review, I found a 100ml bottle at an old haberdashery. It is a sought-after and pricey fragrance on eBay, but mine cost a fortune. I asked Marcus if it was worth it, and he confirmed it without a doubt. I would have been heartbroken to part with it; it is one of the best olfactory experiences of my life. It was discontinued because by 2003 it no longer met public demand, who were looking for fresh or aquatic scents. Lui is magnificent, uncompromising, and a testament to mastery. The opening is intriguing with bitter orange and robust woods, while the heart features a dry, talc-like vanilla, very masculine and classic. It reminds me of Guerlain, specifically Habit Rouge or Heritage, and even Terre d’Hermes. It is majestic, refined, complex, and traditional. The quality is excellent, everything is balanced like clockwork. Projection is just right, strong but not overwhelming, and the longevity is out of this world. I felt a bit inferior wearing it; it is simply too good. Ideal for cold weather or summer nights. Not for everyone; it requires personality. It smells like a writer frequenting bars. 10/10.

Another one of those that should never have been discontinued! Upon smelling it, it evokes a fine cognac and a cigar, a Bolivar No. 5 with an old typewriter. The scene: an apartment in a mega-city, the character is a bar writer. This fragrance, highly valued in the UK, is beautifully disconcerting, potent, and could be the mother of perfumes like Le Male or Joop, thanks to its explosive sobriety and maturity. Imagine a younger Hermes Rocabar, with the force of Versace L’Homme and the elegance of Terre d’Hermes. It is unique, with magic and character that demands character in return, offering a unique trail. It is a persistent citrus subjected to an intense cedar wood that never abandons, allied with an amber vanilla where lemon and neroli hide, giving an almost creamy result. An atypical chypre, nothing ethereal, with force; an over-application could be fatal. Its intensity and longevity escape current standards; the notes are absolutely natural. Discontinued and pricey, it is a purebred Rochas: if you find it at a good price, do not hesitate, it is a jewel. Perfect for autumn and winter, or a discreet night application in summer. Ideal for dates, meetings, or bars, for existential chats as night falls. 9.5/10.

It is an exquisite fragrance; I have had it for some time but have not yet used it as it deserves. I like to collect exclusive and non-mass-market perfumes, and this is certainly one of them. I managed to perceive the cedar, neroli, and lemon. Those I let try it loved it; not a single person did not want it.