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Hello, ladies and gentlemen! I hope everyone is having a wonderful day today. I am doing fine myself. Sitting here with my cup of Earl Grey and writing has become one of my favorite parts of the day. Sharing ideas over a hot cup of tea...That is how it should be done.
I previously did an article on fragrances for James Bond, which is still up here, but I am not happy with it. I keep all of my articles up though. I never want to forget where I came from. I have seen a few Bond lists from other reviewers and some of the choices make me scratch my head. I mean no disrespect to them, but I am not sure if they have read any of the books or watched any of the movies. My first list was pretty scattered and not entirely accurate to Bond's personality, so I am hoping to improve on it here for Bond fanatics such as myself.
Floris No 89 and Limes were mentioned in the books, so I will forego those two. Besides the fact that I have never tried either. If anyone knows a good source for those two, which seems to be difficult to find in the US, please let me know. Also, Bond never used Eucris. I am sure Bond would use it, but the novels only say it was on a counter in a restroom he was in. One of my English friends pointed out that it was likely a hair styling product because it was next to a comb. I agree with him.
I will be including Pierce Brosnan, Daniel Craig, and Sean Connery for most of these, since they are my favorite Bonds. I am not too keen on the Moore/Dalton era, so you might or two for them.
These are not the fragrances that Bond actually wore. These are the ones that I think we could add to his repertoire of gentlemanly items.
Okay, I will stop yapping now and get started. Let's get into it!
Guerlain Vetiver
Main Notes: Vetiver, Black Pepper, Nutmeg, Tobacco, Lemon, and Oakmoss
Bonds: Sean Connery and Timothy Dalton
Situations: Any
Seasons: Any, but it favors warmer weather.
Classy, elegant, and suave. Vetiver embodies Sean Connery so well. Vetiver is as classic as the Bond franchise itself. Grassy and woody vetiver with lemon give way to a heart of earthy tobacco and spice that defines your style while cruising around town. Well, cruising might be a bad word for it. Bond was sometimes reckless. Okay, he was often reckless. I don't think Bond ever returned a car in one piece. Have no fear though, you can still encapsulate his style without the aftermath.
Guerlain Jicky EDP
Main Notes: Lavender, Vanilla, Lemon, Coumarin, and Leather
Bonds: Sean Connery and Roger Moore
Situations: Any
Seasons: Any
Guerlain Jicky was actually the signature scent of Sean Connery. Yep, a "woman's" fragrance. It's actually what made me start exploring women's fragrances for myself. If it's good enough for Sean Connery, then it's good enough for me. Someone in the Guerlain group also told me that he introduced Roger Moore to it as well, so that is why I included him in there.
Yes, I know there are two Guerlains on here, but the house does fit the Bond vibe. Jicky is a sweet and powdery lavender with herbs and citruses and the signature Guerlinade of powdery and floral vanilla. A masterfully blended masterpiece that was the first fragrance to use synthetic vanilla and started the Guerlinade.
Zaharoff Signature
Main Notes: Lavender, Vanilla, Myrrh, Incense, Patchouli, Pepper, and Sandalwood
Bonds: Daniel Craig
Situations: Any
Seasons: Any, but it favors colder weather
Zaharoff Signature harkens back to old school fougeres with modern ingredients. It's very balsamic, but not over sweet. It's woody, creamy, a bit spicy, and resinous. This is the sort of class that Daniel Craig would exude. A modern man with a taste for the finer things, while still holding the classics in high regard. This smells like Bond in the casino in Casino Royale to me.
Ferrari Bright Neroli
Main Notes: Neroli, Orange Blossom, Bitter Orange, Grapefruit, Rosemary, and Vetiver
Bonds: Any
Situations: Casual to slightly dressed up
Seasons: Spring and summer
Ferrari Bright Neroli isn't expensive, but I don't think that would dissuade Bond from using it. This ie Bond in Italy in a white button-up. Citrusy and clean floral elements meld with herbal rosemary and vetiver to create a classic Italian scent with modern ingredients. Any of the Bonds would appreciate the quality here and would love wearing it while cruising on a boat and investigating those bad guys.
Creed Green Irish Tweed
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Main Notes: Lemon Verbena, Mint, Sandalwood, Violet, and Iris
Bonds: Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig
Situations: Any
Seasons: Spring and summer
The rolling hills of the countryside of the UK, that is what Creed's Green Irish Tweed embodies. A small moment of solace for Bond between missions. This classy and timeless green fragrance features a minty lemon verbena pop with ozonic violet, and clean iris, This classic would be most fitted for Pierce Brosnan, given his Irish roots, but it would work for Daniel Craig too. This fragrance exudes the classy sophistication of modern-day Bonds.
Creed Viking
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Main Notes: Peppermint, Black Pepper, Pink Pepper, Rose, Lavender, and Sandalwood
Bonds: Daniel Craig
Situations: Any
Seasons: Fall and winter
Another Creed? Why John? Well, this one is a fiery and classy barbershop style aromatic fragrance with floral and slightly spiced pink pepper, rose, spicy peppermint, and clean lavender. The reason I put this on here is that it fits Craig's persona perfectly. It's elegant, but it also represents his personality. The spiciness represents the time that Craig lost his temper and the minty coolness represents how he always gets his head clear and gets the mission done. I don't think this fits any other Bond. Craig brought more emotion to the role and that is why this fits him.
Houbigant Fougere Royale
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Main Notes: Lavender, Oakmoss, Geranium, Clary Sage, Coumarin, and Patchouli
Bonds: Any
Situations: Any
Seasons: Any
Houbigant Fougere Royale is one of the most legendary gentleman's fragrances ever and it's still made today. Many people have forgotten about this gem. It was the first fragrance to use a synthetic ingredient, coumarin. It also paved the way for fougeres and barbershops that followed it. A powdery lavender with clean geranium, herbs, woody patchouli, and oakmoss. It's clean. classy, and elegant. Just like Bond is. I have no doubt that Bond would wear this one, given that he always had a fresh shave and a nice haircut...Well, except the time when Brosnan was in prison, but we won't talk about that.
Tom Ford Tobacco Oud
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Bonds: Daniel Craig
Situations: Semi-formal to formal
Seasons: Fall and winter
Tom Ford's Tobacco Oud isn't like the others on this list. It's ashy, boozy, and dark. It represents another part of Craig's Bond. Bond was known to smoke both cigars and cigarettes, so the ashy part fits. We all know Bond was an alcoholic. We see that in full force with Craig's character. The dark past that he holds onto in his quest for revenge fits the darkness of Tobacco Oud.
Craig also wore a lot of Tom Ford clothes in his movies, so I had to feature a Tom Ford fragrance since Craig seems to enjoy the brand. This one was fitting in other ways, so I think it's perfect.
Serge Lutens Santal Majuscule
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Main Notes: Cacao, Sandalwood, and Rose
Bonds: Daniel Craig
Situations: Formal, romantic, and semi-formal
Seasons: Fall and Winter
Serge Lutens Santal Majuscule is a more modern scent for the romantic gentleman. This would be what Craig would wear when he is trying to impress the Bond girl. Sandalwood lends itself to dark and bitter cacao to soften it up and give it some creaminess, while a sweet rose sits underneath it all. I am pretty certain that this would be Bond girl approved.
Dior Eau Sauvage EDT
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Main Notes: Lemon, Bergamot, Basil, Rosemary, Oakmoss, and Vetiver
Bonds: Any
Situations: Casual
Seasons: Spring and summer
Dior's Eau Sauvage is another legendary fragrance for a gentleman. A bright citrusy fragrance with herbs and a green and woody backbone. I have no doubts that this would embody Bond on those scorching hot days in Africa. This is the fragrance that would keep him cool and collected...for around 10 minutes.
Conclusion
I hope you enjoyed this one. Let me know how I did! I thank all of you for stopping by today and I hope everyone has a wonderful day. Don't forget to say a kind word to someone. It costs less than a bottle of a Cuba fragrance and you can really help people by simply being kind. Keep being great and smelling great. Live to "Die Another Day". The wording worked, but the movie was terrible...
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I always say that if one strives for perfection, they will always be unhappy because perfection is impossible. Only God is perfect. Now excellence...another story, because one can always DO better, be better. This is what you just reminded me of when I read your intro, of EXCELLENCE. Thank you John for the inclusion - funny you mentioned the Casino ROYALE....did you know a Zaharoff once owned the Place du Casino in Monte Carlo? Thank you again.
ReplyDeleteI did not know that. Yes, we must strive to be better every day :)
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