Question:
It's been like a month now, I think, since Chanel released those 6 exclusive scents that had everyone all a-twitter, so I finally got myself down to the local Chanel boutique and sniffed them.
When I walked in the Chanel boutique I couldn't find them, because when I walked to the fragrance section I didn't see them. A nice SA (her name was Yoko, and she had an extremely strong Asian accent) asked if she could help me and directed me over the Les Exclusifs 'area' - a mirrored backlit mini booth, with all 6 scents plus all 4 re-issues and all 10 of them lit in all of their 200 ml glory - with stark flourescent lighting... like jewels or expensive electronics.
I suddenly felt very underdressed.
There was NO way I was sniffing 10 scents (I didn't even see any coffee beans around...I resorted to sniffing the sleeve of my polo shirt to refresh my nose) but I sniffed about 6. Most of them are very feminine IMO (and I wear women's scents proudly), but a few stood out and those that did, I splashed on my wrist, including:
Coromandel: nice but honestly I was underwhelmed
Eau de Cologne: really refreshing scent, however I think it lasted 5 minutes on my skin and it was GONE (Bath and Body works splashes have lasted longer on me...WTF?)
Bel Respiro: this is the one that GRABBED ME. Grassy, green and verdant that lasted for atleast a couple of hours on my skin and dried down to a fairly unisex light clean finish, reminiscent of...White Linen but not in a bad frilly girly way, just that crisp almost starchy floral way.
Yoko let me have a Bel Respiro 'mini' (I was told they only give one sample per person). I plan on giving it a good full wearing, in the Spring season.
Anybody else like to comment on their Les Exclusif 'experiences' - I have not read of much about these on the Mens Discussion threads?
p.s. - all of the scents come in 200 ml bottles except the Eau de Cologne which also comes in a LARGER size bottle, about the size of a small newborn child

Answer:
I've tried them all & I can't find what is so exclusive about them?
I'm so disapppointed with these, I had great expectation on Polge!!
they don't have that strong CHARISMA as in Hermessence, Armani Prive' or Dior Homme trio.
they doesn't last long enough, so it is a waste of money.
& as for the unisex one ''Çologne'', the new ''Allure Sport Cologne'' has a stronger character , lasts longer & cheaper.
I quite like No.18, it has an intresting medical opening, but it fades in a second

Answer:
Anybody else smelled Les exclusifs?
It's very interesting to here your opinions about them

Answer:
I also found them a bit underwhelming. IMHO Jacques Polge was given an impossible task by the Werthheimers in trying to create something new with an old attitude.
My old EdT of Cuir de Russie from the mid-90's was more distinct and authentic feeling than the new one.
However, I find the over-sized bottles very cool. Chanel on steriods!

Answer:
The Exclusifs are understatement in a bottle IMHO (with the exception of Coromandel): very refined, classy and with some kind of cool chic, but very subtle in terms of sillage. I have to admit that at first I was a bit disappointed, too, but after some further trials I developed a certain addiction for them.
Bel Respiro and No 28 La Pausa are perfect for summer; no big sillage and lasting very close to my skin for a few hours - but only if applied generously (maybe that's why they filled it in that huge bottles...) Both smell very natural and evoke an atmosphere of green, wide open spaces and breezes of fresh air. BR is grassy-green with a slightly bitter touch, while No 28 is darker with an earthy drydown. The powdery, dry iris sadly disappears after a couple of minutes. Both seem totally unisex to me, just as No 18 and Coromandel:
No 18 starts with a sharp, boozy note (Gin Tonic?) that keeps lingering around on all stages of this scent's development. The big dose of Ambrette seeds makes 18 vivid and sparkling, but that note isn't everybody's cup of tea, as it also has a certain sourness and some find it smelling like pickles.
Coromandel is the most opulent of the Exclusifs, with ample sillage and remarkable longevity. Coromandel is all about Patchouli, Amber and Vanilla. The bittersweet earthiness of Patchouli is masterly softened by the vanilla note, but it never gets too sweet.
I don't care much about the Eau de Cologne, which is too sweet for my taste and the most fleeting out of the Exclusifs.

Answer:
Originally Posted by Gerald The Exclusifs are understatement in a bottle IMHO (with the exception of Coromandel): very refined, classy and with some kind of cool chic, but very subtle in terms of sillage. I have to admit that at first I was a bit disappointed, too, but after some further trials I developed a certain addiction for them.
Bel Respiro and No 28 La Pausa are perfect for summer; no big sillage and lasting very close to my skin for a few hours - but only if applied generously (maybe that's why they filled it in that huge bottles...) Both smell very natural and evoke an atmosphere of green, wide open spaces and breezes of fresh air. BR is grassy-green with a slightly bitter touch, while No 28 is darker with an earthy drydown. The powdery, dry iris sadly disappears after a couple of minutes. Both seem totally unisex to me, just as No 18 and Coromandel:
No 18 starts with a sharp, boozy note (Gin Tonic?) that keeps lingering around on all stages of this scent's development. The big dose of Ambrette seeds makes 18 vivid and sparkling, but that note isn't everybody's cup of tea, as it also has a certain sourness and some find it smelling like pickles.
Coromandel is the most opulent of the Exclusifs, with ample sillage and remarkable longevity. Coromandel is all about Patchouli, Amber and Vanilla. The bittersweet earthiness of Patchouli is masterly softened by the vanilla note, but it never gets too sweet.
I don't care much about the Eau de Cologne, which is too sweet for my taste and the most fleeting out of the Exclusifs. Is coromandel suitable for a man? or does it smell very feminine?

Answer:
Coromandel is definitely a 'light' amber scent (Ambre Sultan it aint!) - I would say it leans towards the more 'feminine' side of a unisex scent. If that makes sense.

Answer:
If you like Dior Homme, MPG Ambre Precieux and Gaultier Le Male (all marketed towards man), then for sure you can wear Coromandel. But as always, it's a matter of individual taste and skin chemistry - many men wear Jicky, Musc Ravageur and Bois des Iles without risking to appear effeminate, so Coromandel at least may be worth a try.

Answer:
I was given a sample of Eau de Cologne. I like it very much, but it
doesn't last long at all. I could see myself wearing it regularly in summer,
but I already have Acqua di Parma Colonia, which is a fantastic citus.
I think I'll hold off on these Les Exclusifs.

Answer:
I think Eau de Cologne by Chanel lasted...oh, fifteen minutes on my skin and then it was GONE.
Perhaps you're supposed to bathe in a tub full of it?