Azzaro pour Homme L'Eau
Azzaro (2011)

This is much closer to the original Azzaro pour Homme than I expected. I heard a lot of comparisons to Tuscany, which I've owned in the past and I get the reference but, to my nose, this is more of a toned down version of APH. The opening is very close but not as intense, whereas Tuscany has a very clean lemon opening -- similar to Bowling Green by Geoffrey Beene. There is a lot of geranium in the middle notes in Tuscany and in L'Eau -- I think this is where folks are finding the similarity. But L'eau has a much stronger lavender note, akin to ADH and the vetiver is very close to APH. Tuscany is a very linear, lemon/geranium/patchouli to me, with some spiciness. L'Eau smells like APH with more citrus on the top, more geranium in the middle and less anise. I don't get the caraway here or the sharpness of APH. It's like they kept the freshest aspects of APH and ditched the rest.

I love it for warmer weather. I'm one of the few that prefers APH in warmer weather than cold anyway (in colder weather I like something warmer) and this really shines when it warms up. APH is a bit unpredictable in the heat but this stays smooth throughout. Fantastic fragrance for those that get bored with the standard citrus aquatic stuff marketed for spring and summer. Excellent value as well. I'll be buying some back up bottles for sure.

I was iffy about buying this, even at a discounted price. I kind of like Azzaro Pour Homme but it's really rough around the edges and smells crude. A lighter version sounds ideal. However, not too many people talk about the L'eau version so maybe there's a reason for that, right? But curiosity got the better of me and I pulled the trigger.

The opening immediately is deceptively modern and fresh but If you're looking for it, you can find the original's DNA under all that yuzu.

After the opening dissipates and it begins to dry down it immediately smells like a 10-15% fresher take on Aramis Tuscany. I like Azzaro Pour Homme but I don't like Tuscany. Tuscany is okay but a bit warm and there's even a hint of a sweat note somewhere in there. Azzaro L'eau though is like Tuscany perfected.


Now the problem with L'eau is that it doesn't last too long, maybe 3-4 hours, and it seems to stay close to the skin. However, taking into consideration the fact that it's extremely fresh smelling, I think that may be the reason why there's not enough chemicals to make it stay adhesive to the skin for a long period of time. And I'm okay with that because this usually goes for a discounted price, and the scent itself is very good.

SIMILAR TO:
Quite similar to Aramis Tuscany.
L'eau is cleaner, Tuscany is more daring.

CONCLUSION:
I enjoy Azzaro L'eau. It wasn't quite what I expected but it's a nice old school feel to it while still being wearable and versatile. I love classic fragrances from the 80s but I've always been disappointed that they seem to all have a "dirty" aspect to them, which makes them hard to pull off, especially in warmer weather. The only light ones I can think of are Armani Eau Pour Homme, which itself is kind of basic and still not very fresh. This one though is kind of what I've been looking for.

Can't wear the original Azzaro?
Try this one. A Light and Fresh take on the original. Easy to wear, non-offensive. Masculine.
Great stuff is in this bottle. I like the original but it can come off as too in your face. L-Eau says "I'm here and we will get along just fine". Decent sillage and longevity on my skin.

Fresh and bright is the start - full of light, but a bit ethereal and not very intensive. Soon the drydown adds a lavender impression that is equally light and not very intensive. It is mixed with a white floral sideline, including some carnation and geranium.

The base has a fresh undertone due to a vetiver component, but the rest is the usual mix of woodsy mites, a soft and smooth patchouli, as well and the nigh ubiquitous whites musks that are so popular these days.

I get moderate sillage, adequate projection and five hours of longevity on my skin.

This is a freshened up, sexed-up and diluted and altered shadow of the original. Quite agreeable to wear, but the components are rather generic at times. 2.75/5.

The original was way better and all i can say is that i smell a soapy commercial freshness. After the dry down some small hints of jasmine appear but..that's all.

Very fantastic yuzu and grapefruit opening that's sweetened by a bit of lavender, and the drydown smells like Pinaud Clubman (lavender and anise) or the original Azzaro pour Homme. Very barbershop. Great fragrance if you like the drydown of the original Azzaro pour Homme but hate the opening (like me). However, not full-bottle worthy for me due to the just ok longevity and sillage. It seems like it's a watered down version of the original, and the opening doesn't last long.

4/5