Burberrys for Men (Original)
Burberry (1981)

In 1981, society was much different in a clear positive way. Men were men and there was a new fragrance launched from a popular British house known more for clothing. However, a masculine fragrance called Burberrys for Men came into the scene and it simply was a masterpiece that wasn't too loud and not brutish at all. The fragrance I think lasted until 1991 when another scent, for whatever reason, replaced it.

Burberrys for men (1981) was/is a stunningly high quality fougere that surrounded the wearer with high quality through and through. It's not a powerhouse, strangely enough, but it's a steady performing classic that sadly is very hard to find, but I was determined to have it so I searched and searched and finally located a seller that had an 8oz brand new bottle in the original box for just north of $100.00!! I couldn't believe my luck so I quickly pulled the trigger and within a week it was MINE.

This was the very first fragrance launched exclusively for men so to me that's something special and I wear it very sparingly in the fall/winter and with each sniff I'm sadly reminded that these types of fragrances are no longer made. No perfume house even comes close but at least I have it in my possession.

One final note... If you look into the history of Burberry fragrances you will NOT find any mention or information in this classic pilot fragrance. Why is that? Lord only knows but it's simply unfortunate because out of all of the masculine offerings from Burberry, THIS one is EASILY the best one that contains the highest quality.

10/10

Was it Keat's "soft-dying day" or Yeat's "October twilight" that was preferred by this man in his walks in the Autumn sunset? Did he wear an Ivy cap to really warm his head or to appear well-read? Is he always cultural and clean or secretly damaged and sometimes mean? So many questions, so few answers at the "other end of the telescope" as Elvis Costello sang.

He wore Burberrys for Men, redolent with marjoram, that one herb that is the question mark among exclamation points. Mild and sweet, much like his demeanor, like spearmint-scented oak wood, more intensified when the herb is dry, much like his sense of humor. Its smell reminds me of a walk in the Vermont woods, when you can almost smell the fauna among the flora, the smell of warm sheep's pelt, and then tang of juniper berries can be made out among the lash of mugwort bushes.

It simmers down to a soft round patchouli awash in musk, firmly planted in the twilight comfort of a leather base. It is a welcome relief from the strain of dialectics, as this man takes off his cap and undoes a couple buttons of his Oxford shirt to just feel comfortable in his own human vulnerability for a while.

This gem was only on the market for about ten years, subsequently replaced by an entirely different Burberrys for Men in 1991. Sadly, it's become quite scarce and is therefore a treasure in my collection. For those who may want to seek a similar sensibility, there is also the lovely original (not new) version of Perry Ellis for Men cologne, which lies in the same vicinity.

A fougère from a time when the position of Western Male at the Top of the Heap was more or less assured - for better or for worse - and his perfume didn’t have to work too hard.
Burberrys for Men was released in 1981, the year that Indiana Jones ran rings round the Gestapo to secure the Arc of the Covenant in Raiders of the Lost Ark. But that’s not to say this is a complacent old fougère living on War Stories, there’s a piquant touch that perks it up in a most contemporary way.
1981 was the year in which the ZX81 and IBM Personal Computers were released, and the first Stealth Plane took to the air; so as you can see, it was a foundational year in ways that were less significant than the emergence of a new style of Men’s Cologne...
But, coming back to the topic in hand.
Burberrys for Men is piquant, but it isn’t like today’s generation of savages where everything is stuffed with aggressive chemicals. It uses nothing more invasive than juniper, black pepper and some green notes.
It’s a more or less standard fougère with piquant, herbal-green, and dark woody elements, and - crucially - it uses the anisic note of Azzaro pour Homme (1978).
It is fair to call this a peppery Azzaro clone, but I find it quite well done - even if a bit of a Powerhouse.
It’s very modern for its time, and it seems to be a departure from the late seventies fougére (which was dominated by Azzaro) and a move towards something more penetrating; a dark and woody-peppery style that anticipates the Spiky Woods, which is still the dominant masculine trope today.
In fact, I would argue this is one of the steps on the way to the Spiky Woods.
But unlike many of today’s masculines, Burberrys has some of the urbane chic that the fougère always aimed for - but often failed to achieve. It also has the vibrant modern feel of the Spiky Woods, but without the drawbacks.

A classic, refined and gentlemanly leather scent, perhaps the best Burberry has ever made for men.

Moderate projection and reasonable silage for a few hours (in both the after shave and the cologne), after which this stays close to the skin.

The opening reminds me of Bogart Pour Homme (1975) but this lacks the green and smoky power of Bogart's first opus as it is ultimately a classical leather scent, undoubted manly but without loudly proclaiming its virility in the same way as Knize 10 or Moschino Pour Homme do.

I pick up very little in the way of floral notes in this, although I acknowledge that my 30 year old bottles may have deteriorated over time, but the earthy moss, subtle musk and irresistible leather base are still very pronounced and the combination equates to a nigh on 40 year old composition which is as well blended a leather scent as I have come across in 3 decades of olfactory exploration, this is wonderful stuff.

The opening displays a traditional mix of bergamot, artemisia and juniper - with the latter in the background on me. Delightful

The drydown develops themes of a rather soft patchouli - no harsh edges here - together with a jasmin that is integrated seamlessly into this mix. A leather impression evolves and gradually takes Centre stage: a slightly dark leather, which is not sharp and only has a minimum of smoky characteristics.

The base develops the leather theme further, and touches of amber are present. A whiff of oak moss is traceable, but it is very much an afterthought and never in the foreground. Moments of nonspecific woodsy components enrich the leather towards the end.

I get moderate sillage, very good projection and six hours of longevity on my skin.

This is a beautiful classic autumn scent for daytime as well as evenings, which is beautifully blended form high-quality ingredients. It is not really very strong, but definitely refined. One of Burberry's finest. 3.75/5.

I am a fan of men's fragrances from circa 1981 based on the several I have tried, and Burberrys for Men is further confirmation that something was going right back then. I think it has to do with moss adding a dimension and making the fragrance develop into something even better than the initial half hour. From the other notes listed here on Basenotes, amber is one that sounds right to me, adding a sweetness to the base. A full bottle would be tempting.