WHAT I SMELL:  Grand Cuir opens with a citrus like orange blossom twist.  It’s not what I was expecting as it’s not to heavy and there’s something rather salty, and tangy about the finish.  I’m not quite sure what it is, but there is something here that reminds me of 1968 and going to the barber shop where the combination of sweat, oil and Brylcreem and dirt seemed to permeate the shop.  Soon enough a slight soap makes an appearance along with this dryish birch and light petroleum note.  After around 20 minutes or so, the florals come to surface and help to warm the fragrance, helping to even out the sharper tones of the opening.  Then after a little more time, a bit of spice comes to play, but it peeks in an out rather than comes to the forefront.  What I like about this fragrance is that Grand Cuir’s note are completely harmonic and therefore, none of the notes tends to dominate although you are always acutely aware that this is a leather fragrance.  In the end, you’re left with a long-lasting fragrance that rides evenly and comfortably on your skin.  There is something very nostalgic about Grand Cuir that I find appealing where it feels a bit forbidden, but at the same time by today’s standards comes off as rather innocent.

From Parfums Retro:

A fragrant composition in four parts:

• A leather soul from start to finish
• Spicy and herbaceous accents
• A multi-dimentional floral heart
• A comfortabel, relaxed base.

Grand Cuir Notes:

Cistus-labdanum, birch tar, clary sage, orange flower, lavender, carnation, rose, violet leaf, geranium, cinnamon leaf oil, tarragon, pine moss, sandalwood, rosewood, patchouli, musk, rosewood

WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME:  I keep going back to the 1960s.  It’s manly without being brutish and it’s comfortable without being sloppy.

THREE ADJECTIVES THAT DESCRIBE GRAND CUIR:  nostalgic, easy, vintage

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT GRAND CUIR:  Kafkaesque, Scents Memory, Perfume Project NW

BOTTOM LINE:  As many of you know, leather is not one of my favorite notes. Grand Cuir is about as close to changing my mind that I have found.  The leather isn’t hard, but instead is just slightly naughty…in a nostalgic way.  I have noted that a couple of bloggers have named Grand Cuir on their “best of 2013” lists, including Kafkaesque and Eyeliner on a Cat, so I recommend that if you like leather fragrances (and even if you don’t), that you check Grand Cuir out!

• Bone Rating: 4 out of 5 possible bones
• Scent: Leather
• Nose:  Hugh Spencer
• Classification:  Leans masculine
• Expense:  $155 for 100ml EdP

Disclosure:  Product for review provided courtesy of Parfums Retro.