Shogun
Alain Delon (2001)

This reminds me of the smell of folding sweaters in a Benetton. It's a 90s holdover aromatic, crisp, fresh musk that neither offends nor delights me. It's the feeling of indifference.

If there were Youtube fragrance content creators in 2001, this would make it in a top 10 "dumb reach" of its time.

Alain Delon's Shogun is a slightly bitter, floral woody musk for the summer side of things. Unconventional and conventional in its scent and feel, Shogun is a bit of an oddball that is crisp, fresh and oriental at the same time. The quirkiness starts with a well placed note of the ever fashionable tomato leaf, adding its tarty ‘verte' to a herbaeous basil, mopped in tangy citruses, particularly bergamot, that comes across like a silvery green tea essence before entering the heart and soul of Shogun. This bitter green airiness makes its way to a middling lavender that is shaken in light pepper, rolling towards warm florals of orange blossom and jasmine, tinged with cinnamon, that surrender to a shobu note, the Nippon variant of calamus, releasing a spirited, spicy, woody, sweetness onto a decorative base of cool vetiver, dry wood resins, toned leather, and customary musk; essentially providing Shogun with an uplifting freshness along side an exotic balance… A fun fact or myth to note, given the theme, the shobu flowering plant in Samurai folklore, basically sweet flag, was valued for its apotropaic properties to offset superstition and ward off its supposed evil. That said, each spritz of Shogun may safeguard your inner emperor from demonology in its wearing; an added plus that probably no other freshie can address! All kidding aside, this crisp chilled tonic with an oriental twist, simply invigorates with freshly, bittersweet sophistication that is elegant, casual, light in its feet and reach. Shogun is a minor revelation, like most under the Alain Delon designer name; a house that might as well be niche in this era, given its ‘under the radar' mystery and its creative tags sliding onto the vintage stage at exorbitant premiums on secondary markets… Zen wearing indeed!

Shogun is another one of Delon's fresh yet, mysteriously unsual creations which do not really follow any trend but set their own style. This style makes the enitre line of AD fragrances (with probably the exception of Pharos and AD Plus) unique and recogniseable. Shogun takes a special turn on freshness with a nice manly touch. It comes across energizing and pleasantly sharp (I like sharp) and it stays that way. Not much development happening but the whole start up experience stays with you for a long time. When I first tried this, I was worrying regarding longlivety but with a few spritzes more (5-6 in total) you are set for the day and can even feel the scent the next morning on your shirt without knocking out anyone around you. Price / quality is very very competitive and the uniqueness of this fragrance makes it a sophisticated choice for an energy loaded signature scent. Shogun is a worthy part of the amazing AD Classic, Iquitos and Samourai family. Very well done again. Due to its availability, this will remain an under the radar fragrance and therefore perfect for individuals who dont want to stand in the same line as many others. Merci beaucoup Alain!

Acqua di Gio -> Mugler Cologne. That's what the evolution reminds me of. Opening is a fresh, sweet citrus. A little more lively than good ol' AdG. The drydown, which I'm enjoying even as I type this, is a slightly steam clean style vetiver and sandalwood like Mugler Cologne. Actually, it's more like Paul Smith Story minus a bitter accord. Also, a little goes a long way with this. I overapplied this and sneezed all day, but just a few sprays and no sneezing!

I just love this scent , its amazing .... so fresh and clean ...true it only lasts about 4 hours but that means I can put some more on ....

Shogun, I've decided, must be Japanese that's been translated into the French and come out meaning "boring as hell."This one masquerades as a member of the Oriental fragrance family and yet should be proud to stand alongside the best of the most mediocre in that teeming horde of "fresh, aquatic" men's frags out there.Save your money for a GOOD Delon, such as Delon's Original (AD) and/or Iquitos -- leave this one for your building super or your teenage nephew.