By Dane
To me, Eau de Campagne is the quintessential masculine "green" scent. EdC almost seems an homage to Chanel No. 19, but with a barbershop-fresh twist.
Created by Jean-Claude Ellena in 1974 (his first commercial release I believe), EdC does have some old-fashioned soapy elements to it, but it makes the scent feel nostalgic instead of dated. The scent is based on the tomato leaf, but I couldn't tell you what that would smell like exactly...I assume it smells like any other leaf - grassy, fresh, and herbal. There a subtle floral notes, and the typical mossy drydown, so don't expect a wondrous olfactive adventure after spraying it on. What you get is a straight-forward, clean, green smell that has since been the influence for many future men's fragrances, and set JCE on a successful path in the fragrance industry.
Sisley Paris (not to be confused with the trashy Benneton division) happens to sell some of the most expensive cosmetic products on the market, and EdC has some very luxurious (and costly) matching body products. Look for cheaper gift sets combinging the products near Father's Day (and deeply discounted after).
Year: 1974
Perfumer: Jean-Claude Ellena
Notes: Citrus, Herbs, Galbanum, Tomato Leaves, Jasmin, Geranium, Oakmoss, Patchouli, Vetiver, Musk
Dane: I just got this and it is beautiful, fresh, and invigorating. The tomato leaf note is interesting, reminiscent of geranium/pellargonium leaf, and I can only smell it very briefly in the opening, and then I get a very rapid olfactory fatigue to this note. It 'disappears' and then I get it very briefly again if I come back for a sniff in the first hour, then it's gone. This is classy, classic stuff. Thanks for the review!
ReplyDeleteAddendum: After more prolonged study, the burst of unusually dry, green fig-like smell in the top notes must be the tomato leaf; the geranium note is separate element in the middle/heart notes. Any tomato leaf experts out there? Love this fragrance!
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear you've discovered this little gem. I'm no tomato leaf expert, but I found what I referenced as TL to be mostly in the leafy topnotes. The note that comes and goes for you is most likely a synthetic (they tend to do that). Either way, I'm glad you're enjoying it!
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