L'Eau d'Issey pour Homme Wood & Wood
Issey Miyake (2019)

There's nothing remarkable about this fragrance. While I can detect a hint of the original DNA upon close inspection, it doesn't strike me as being similar to the original scent. It still falls within the woody fresh category, which makes it generally appealing to the masses. If you're interested, you can test it out at your local department store, but personally, I would pass on this one.

Issey Miyake L'Eau d'Issey Wood & Wood is a flanker from 2019 that has woody/citrus smell, primarily, with key notes being grapefruit, cedar, and sandalwood. There are also spicy hints, likely the cardamom, vetiver, and patchouli, to add some intrigue and balance.

It's a reasonably safe if mostly uninteresting designer year-round men's release, and so I can see how the reception to it has been more lukewarm than, say, to Noir Argent or Pulse of the Night, which feel more deliberately risky and genre-specific. Wood & Wood, by contrast, while perhaps as versatile as most options in the Issey Miyake catalogue, is pleasing, but misses the mark as far as creativity.

Overall, though, I like and feel that it's worth trying, and surely worth buying if you like it a bit more than I do and can get it a good price well below retail.

Retail pricing is $98 for 100ml EDP (at retailers like Dillards) but it seems to be available in a number grey market sites. Jomashop, for example, has a gift set with the 100ml size and shower gel for $41.

6 out of 10

Unisex and universal fragrance that initially reminds me a bit of Bvlgari Aqva Amara, but in the drydown it gets a more woody, mainstream character in the spirit of this vaning decade.

Could've been better. With so many flankers and many other similar designer frags, it's very redundant. I do sympathise to a degree, though.


Decent, casual and universal.

Originality 3/10
Scent 6/10
Longevity 6/10
Projection 5/10
________________________
matemathical grade: 50%
subjective grade: 6,5/10

The opening reminds me of Eau Sauvage Parfum (2017) but lighter, fresher and way more modern. That goes away about an hour into the drydown and you're left with a very young, fresh and sweet scent that is typical in today's masculine fragrances. I don't get much if any, woody notes.

Not outstanding or unique but should be good enough for compliments. I will admit there are better options.

Projection is adequate for 4-5 hours. Afterward, you can still smell the scent on skin 10+ hours later.

I tried this today, after thinking it sounded wonderful in reviews; in fact, I nearly bought it blind online a few days ago - now having tried it, I'm very glad I didn't:

As soon as I smelled the tester on my skin, I was taken straight back to the mid and late 90s, when this could have been any number of men's fragrances: grapefruit and sandalwood dominate Wood & Wood, which remind me of Jazz and Live Jazz, though overall, I am reminded of Quasar by Jesus Del Pozo and Voyageur by Jean Patou. And boy is it strong! After aproximately an hour I had to try to wash it off - which was not easy, and I am left with the horrible, and still strong, smell of stale white musk on the back of my hand.

I can't get my head around Wood & Wood, unless this was a deliberate attempt at 90s nostalgia.

In conclusion, Wood & Wood isn't at all unpleasant: I actually like it (for the first hour at least), but it was done many times in the 90s, and is nothing new. The worst thing about it has been the nasty stale white musk that appeared when I tried to wash the tester off.

Let me tell you a brief story:

- I have enough Issey Miyake fragrances.

And surely, I had the complete intention of buying something different when I met this perfume.

I tried it without desire... Along with all the new fragrances of the store, and some great perfumes that I still don't have and I was really eager to buy.

Well... For me, it was love at first sniff.

Of course I bought it and also, in a way, I got what I wanted: I didn't buy "another Issey Miyake fragrance", because this one is quite different.

That probably discourages the die-hard fans of the L'Eau d'Issey pour Homme... But I believe that it perfectly represents the style and distinction of the brand, in this beautiful interpretation of the most current perfume fashion trends; I celebrate the incursion of Issey Miyake in them, and in my view, it has done so brilliantly and elegantly.

This fragrance is modern, cool, seductive, addictive...

Like a beautifully designed Super 180'S suit: Easy to wear and easy to enjoy.

Isn't it a work of art..? Does that matter..?

What it is, is a coooool pleasure. Simply that.

Sillage: Moderate. Perfect for:

- Professional & Personal meetings (It projects confidence and empathy).

... And romantic dates (invites to approach).

Longevity: Good. +/- 8h.

Mood: Uplifting & Relaxing at the same time.

Scenario & Lifestyle: The scent of a modern and stylish executive.

I am not a person who cares about compliments, but I have to say that in the few days that I wear it for now, I received a lot.

So for me, in this fragrance game, this is a winning hand.