Quorum by Antonio Puig

I refuse to follow the crowd. Quorum is a masterpiece. If you want to boost a vintage style, love classic masculine archetypes, and despise ‘effortless elegance’, this fragrance is for you. It smells entirely of the 80s without falling into the cliché of ‘old man smell’; it has a supersoapy opening that lasts until almost the end before settling into a musky, animalic dry-down that isn’t even repulsive. If I had to compare it to characters, it would be Steve from Stranger Things or Dean Winchester from Supernatural: masculine to the maximum, but with emotional stability and care, not chaos. It moves step by step, not seeking that instant stimulation of mediocre modern fragrances. If you’re looking for ‘dad vibes’ or something cool with zero effort, Quorum doesn’t fail.

I don’t know this perfume; I’ve never tried it. I came out of curiosity after reading a comment online: ‘My grandfather wore this to take his trousers down in front of three ladies, one of whom was my grandmother, and he had another family and a mistress’.

A characterful and personality-filled perfume. For men who wear leather jackets, not oversized jumpers. It has weight and density; it makes itself known. I recommend it for going out on the street, not for offices or enclosed spaces, as it can be overwhelming.

I usually wear it after shaving or when going to the barber’s, which is why I associate it so strongly with those places. Just closing your eyes makes you feel like you’re in an old-fashioned smoking barbershop, chatting and waiting your turn calmly. Quorum smells exactly like that: tradition, classic masculinity, and mature elegance. It is a mature perfume, yes, it may remind you of the scent of ‘a gentleman’, but of an elegant one, with presence and history. It’s not easy for the young, but collectors understand its value: it transports you to another era. I love wearing it at home after shaving to travel back to that memory. Would I recommend it? Yes, especially for the price. It’s a distinct olfactory experience from the sweet perfumes of fashion. Is it for everyone? No. It’s difficult, the typical ‘grandpa perfume’, but not because of a bad smell, but because it belongs to another era. Advice: try it on your skin and don’t just rely on reviews. Let it speak for itself.

My grandfather gave it to me when I was 12 years old; I was the most radioactive kid in town.

Well, I was gifted this yesterday – that belated Christmas present – and I must confess I was dying to try this legend. It smells like nothing I’ve encountered before, yet it recalls the style of Ted Lapidus Pour Homme and Azzaro Pour Homme. To me, it’s far too mature, easily suited for someone over 60; my partner said it reminded him of his grandfather, so I’ll have to wait another 40 years to wear it. It lasts well and projects nicely. I’d recommend it for those who’ve reached that age or are seeking vintage scents, and regarding quality/price, it’s quite good: 7/10.

Quorum by Antonio Puig. Reading that it has been reformulated brings back my adolescence when this wasn’t for young people, yet my mother insisted on buying me adult perfumes smelling of tobacco, leather, and wood: Paco Rabanne, Agua Brava, Armani, Carolina Herrera, and so on. Quorum was no exception: an explosive opening of wood and leather that seemed to invade the room. Once dried, it revealed patchouli and grapefruit, with six hours of projection and a trail reaching two metres. It’s for adult men, spicy aromas from the 70s and 80s. Not suitable for spring or summer. Like Agua Brava, it’s excellent value for money. Rating: 7/10.

One must distinguish between the formulations. Here they are almost two different scents. I’m only talking about the last two. The old one has ‘Puig’ on the box; the new one does not. The penultimate version is wild, green, soapy, and loaded with oakmoss, something that has disappeared from perfumery. Is it a drop in quality, or was it the cornerstone? It requires personality and a tolerant partner to handle five sprays; you need a strong stomach not to overwhelm your senses. What power! After a citrus flash, a lush forest with scrub, flowers, mud, and holm oaks within. Then it gains a rancid class, in a good way: very soapy and resinous. I love it. It could be the cousin of Badesa soaps or Magno Negro. It makes me crave cold days, not necessarily cloudy ones. The sensation of a clear winter walk with this is unique. Then there is the latest version, the easiest to find. What surprised me most: it’s a very pleasant cologne, wearable by everyone and almost in any circumstance. It smells citrusy, green, and has everything else but light. Did anyone say untamed? Undoubtedly. It’s like going from three to two dimensions, or listening to heavy metal without the bass, without the oakmoss. It still seems beautiful and interesting… if it were another fragrance. It’s a bad joke that it keeps the same name. Do you know the band Dover? Exactly that. Those who had previous versions might think I’m comparing a copy to a copy of a copy. That’s all there is; with these bulls, one must plough. I bought the old one after having half of the new one; although I feel I’ve moved up a category, I still enjoy the cold shower in the heat. Very poor, Puig, or whoever reformulated it. There is more difference between these two than between Prada L’Homme and L’Homme Intense.

Very strong at first, even unpleasant due to the tobacco and leather, but once it settles, the aroma improves. It’s quite masculine; at 24, I like to wear it for the personality it adds. A well-defined masculinity, although it is old and suits men over 50 better. But I believe with confidence it can be used in certain environments where it might be well received. It doesn’t project much, doesn’t last long in summer so it’s not cloying; now I’ll have to try it in winter.

IT IS THE INSPIRATION FOR QUERCIA BY ACQUA DI PARMA.

I love talking about fragrances; it’s a beautiful universe. But this time I won’t go into detail, except with passion. Quorum: that old, cheap, classic, deathly Spanish and very worldwide-colonial cologne, something exaggerated and necessarily exaggerated to be itself and to be tasty enough to spray with gusto, as if one were going to immolate oneself with fuel and a lighter, which as a child made me smell bad, but rather smell like a man. Beloved Quorum, beloved times. Full identity.

I won’t go into emotional details or historical associations. This is MALE BEAUTY. Absolute sexuality and class. No matter how cheap it is, it’s a TOTEM created by undisputed masters working for PUIG. This house, with its flaws, is a world reference. I don’t work for them, but they earned their prestige by launching marvels like this. There are very few fragrances so well-constructed. Quorum is always there. It’s a classic fougere example. It belongs to another era and smells classic. What? It’s one of those few perfectly recognisable perfumes: “That smells like Quorum”. Could there be a greater compliment? Regardless of purchasing power, if you’re a sincere lover of perfumery, Quorum is essential. I’ll always keep a bottle in reserve. Soapy and green affordable fougères of this quality, I only know two more: Jaguar for Men and Gray Flannel. Whoever doesn’t appreciate Quorum is a nouveau riche snob or an uneducated person. It’s an ABSOLUTE green and exciting scent. I remember a nearly fatal kick years ago, of uncontrolled emotions. Today it’s not as potent or long-lasting, but it’s almost the same. If it’s a reminiscence, it’s very well done. Perfume culture. Something you must know.

Dear ones, I’ve had over 40 perfumes of all kinds, olfactive families, and price ranges. I just say that Quorum is in my top 3. The magic lies in its dry-down when others smell it. That’s when you realise how pleasant and masculine it is. I’ve had two bottles and I’m going for a third at 36 years old. In Chile the price is spectacular, 15-16 dollars. Best regards.

I don’t have it in my vintage collection, but I’ve tested it a lot at a perfumer friend’s house. Curiously, he despises vintage scents except this one, which he says he likes a lot. He’s not wrong: for those who like to smell classic without beating around the bush, Quorum is an excellent option cheaper than Polo Green. I note similarities except it doesn’t have that prominent tobacco note of Ralph Lauren. A proper gentleman’s perfume.

I tested it in a perfumery. I didn’t like the opening: dense and aged-smelling. I declined the purchase. When I got home, I followed my routine and at night I rubbed my forearm across my face; the scent returned, different. It smelled of leather, woody, with exquisite citrus reminiscence. I had to return with my tail between my legs to buy it. I love it. A fragrance that gives you security.