Question:
I heard Cabochard was one of those, "originally intended for a gal, but now very unisex" frags. I bought some, sprayed it on and thought, wait, this is Aramis! I thought that I had lost my mind. Aramis/Cabochard? Aramis is strictly, for the boys. I just found out they were both created by Bernard Chant. I'm happy that I haven't lost my mind!

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Really? Then I must try Aramis. I wear Cabochard every day, plan to get Un Air de Cabochard, and cannot wait to try the latest Ambre de Cabochard...

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But are all those done by Bernard Chant? It can't be as he must be dead by now. Maybe not. He also did Devin, which is out of this world great. Cabochard is on my wrist as I write this and it is blueprint for the dry down of Aramis.

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Yes yes yes! Ruggles you're so dead on I'm pulling my hair out you're so right. Cabochard does have that heavy no nonsense very male nose snagging quality that is straight Aramis. Aramis gussies it up a bit, with some minor spices and mashed potatoes or something, but the core is exactly what Cabochard has in a pure form. Words fail ('specially 'cause I'm trunk) but the heavy spear in Cab. is dead on for an Aramis match.
This is part of the reason that I think Aramis is great in the heat of the summer. It brings out that core craziness.
--Chris

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I'm a bit red-wined, myself. But I am glad you are with me on this one. I was having one of those, "In space, no one can hear you scream" moments.

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Both are in the same family of scents, chypre, that's true. The base notes used to be almost identical. I didn't know they also had the same perfumer, thanks Ruggles! I have dismissed Aramis (mom's well behaved husband, a woody chypre, 1966) from my wardrobe as too boring. About a year ago I have adopted Cabochard (floral chypre hinting towards fruit, 1959) as a more exciting staple scent for cooler days and summer evenings. Unfortunately, they have taken the edginess out of Cabochard at some time in the past. It originally contained true oakmoss and castoreum, and both may be synthetic now. It's smoother and more 'docile' than it used to be. But what the heck - against Fleur Du Mal(e) it stands out as bastante macho, and in contrast to Aramis it still kicks.

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He also created the original Azure Fragrance for Estee Lauder - smell that one and its a dead ringer for Aramis - just a little fresher.


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Quote: Originally Posted by Ruggles [...]Aramis is strictly, for the boys.... I beg to disagree on this! Aramis is as unisex as Cabochard, Azuree, Devin, Aromatics Elixir and Bandit - all of which I wear very well, thank you.

In fact, Aramis is my choice when I feel Cabochard or Azuree may may be too uncompromising (nut cracking) for the company I will be dealing with.

If you are loving Cabochard then may I recommend Piguet Bandit - it begins with the cigar chomping ballsy attitude of Cabochard and ends as the smoothly urbane Givenchy III. A great choice for spring / summer.

I also recommend Ava Luxe Film Noir - this seems to be a wonderful soul child / fusion of Gres Cabochard and Serge Lutens Daim Blond, and is wonderful layered with both.

signed,

The Lady

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Quote: Originally Posted by moondeva I beg to disagree on this! Aramis is as unisex as Cabochard, Azuree, Devin, Aromatics Elixir and Bandit - all of which I wear very well, thank you. Wowza! I'm adding Azuree and Aromatic Elixir to my "to test" list, pronto. Bernard Chant certainly got a lot of mileage out of the Cabochard base! Do you know if he worked exclusively for Estee Lauder?
I've been on Bandit's trail for a while now.
Exploring all the, non-floral, women's scents from the past decades has become my new obsession, yikes!

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interesting Cabochard i feel is very feminine- however the impact is similar to an Aramis-