Cerruti 1881 Pour Homme is the Paris-based Italian fashion house’s flagship fragrance. Released in 1990, it has endured with remarkable success and even prompted flanking releases of women’s and signature fragrances
In the this review, you will learn about Cerruti 1881 Pour Homme. Read on to discover its notes, features, pricing and how wearable it is. Using Bespoke Unit’s Fragrance Formula, we will provide an impartial and full evaluation of the fragrance.
Overview
- Brand: Cerruti
- Fragrance: 1881 Pour Homme
- Concentration: Eau de Toilette
- Introduction: 1990
- Olfactive Fragrance Family: Woody Citrus
- Price On Amazon: From $30 [Buy Now]
- Price On FragranceX: From $30 [Buy Now]
Cerruti 1881 is the flagship scent of the Italian fashion house, Cerruti, that was founded in 1967 by Nino Cerruti. After his father’s untimely death, he took over the business an moved its headquarters to Paris, the international capital of fashion.
Nino Cerruti named his fashion boutiques after the year his grandfather opened his woollen mills in Italy. The fragrance is was named likewise as a continuation of this heritage.
Cerruti 1881 is in fact not Nino’s first fragrance. In 1979, the house released Nino Cerruti Pour Homme. However it was discontinued sometime in the 1980s before Cerruti 1881’s release. The nose of this fragrance is Martin Gras
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Cerruti 1881 Pour Homme’s Composition
Cerruti 1881 features a diverse bouquet of notes from an array of different families. For this reason, it has a tendency to fluctuate between various olfactive families. Some may consider it to be an Aromatic Fougère whilst others say that its notes are more citrus.
It indeed features many aromatic notes. However, its predominantly citrus accords and deeply woody base render it a closer relative to the Woody Citrus sub-family.
Head Notes
- Juniper
- Bergamot
- Lavender
- Cypress
Bergamot notes dominate the head, which is closely followed by the sweet floral essence of juniper. Lavender notes add an element of aromatics whilst the presence of cypress ensure a green, fresh backdrop.
Some may find the head particularly cloying. Its sickly sweet assortment of juniper and bergamot can be overwhelming for some, which lacks any dry substance for contrast.
Heart Notes
- Lily Of The Valley
- Carnation
- Ylan Ylang
- Vetiver
An assorted bouquet of lily of the valley, carnations and ylang ylang make a remarkably floral heart. In similar approach to the head, vétiver is used to provide green freshness. Its presence also somewhat reassures us that this is indeed a masculine fragrance.
Base Notes
- Oak Moss
- Cedar Wood
- Pine
- Patchouli
Cerruti’s base still features lingering floral and citrus notes. Nevertheless, its accord is predominantly woody with an array of various scents. The dry, spicy warmth of cedar interacts with the fresh vibrance of pine. Meanwhile, oak moss and patchouli add substance with fragrant notes reminiscent of wet soil.
The Life-Cycle Of Cerruti 1881
Cerruti 1881’s diverse notes ensure a spectrum of variety throughout its life-cycle. Some may relish this ever-evolving fragrance whilst some may find it baffling and incoherent.
Nevertheless, its overarching green theme some consistency and the notes are brought together through fresh accords.
The head is overwhelming with sickly sweets notes. However, its presence is fleeting and replaced by a more subdued heart. By the time this transitions to the base, the wearer is granted a powdery yet refreshing fragrance.
Wake & Strength
When it comes to sillage or projection, Cerruti 1881 Pour Homme is a modest fragrance. Although it features a blend that should be overpowering, it will struggle to perform unless unless over-applied.
In terms of longevity, its performance is average at best. If it’s to be worn all day, it will certainly need reapplying around lunchtime.
When Should You Wear Cerutti 1881 Pour Homme?
Reactions to Cerruti 1881 Pour Homme are generally positive but not overly enthusiastic. Feedback sometimes likened it to Christian Dior Eau Sauvage but somewhat less appeal. Generally, people would be put off by the head but enjoyed the dry down.
Cerruti 1881 is one of those Italian masculine fragrances that denotes brashness and confidence. It walks the fine line between refinement and audacity. In this light, it could be paired with either a bespoke three-piece suit or leather jacket.
Similarly, its quite versatile and can be worn by different demographics. Younger men in the early 20s could be as comfortable wearing this as older gentleman in their late 30s.
The cologne is an equally well-rounded fragrance in terms of seasonality. It tends to work well all-year around except for the colder winter months. During this time, our sense of smell tends to be weaker and may struggle to pick out certain notes. Similarly, this is essentially a daytime fragrance and not very effective at night.
Being something that isn’t very casual yet too laid back to be formal, it’s a fragrance best reserved for the workplace or similar environments. Some men could opt for this on a date but it lacks the tantalising excitement of more romantic fragrances.
The mixed bouquet of floral and citrus notes takes away the brash masculinity that this fragrance could have. However, certain woods and aromatics ensure that this is conventionally moderate as masculinity goes. That said, it is often referred to as something of a macho Italian dad fragrance.
Presentation and Value For Money
Cerruti 1881 comes in a particularly visually engaging bottle. The back and front are clouded glass whilst the sides are clear with a green tint. “1881” is moulded into the front as if by hand. The rear has a textured finish that evokes rock, waterfalls and minerals. The side has the houses name written in bold yet modestly elegant font.
Overall, the bottle is appealing, ergonomic and comfortable to hold. This makes the packaging all the more disappointing as it feel rather cheap by comparison.
1881 is embossed on the front like on the bottle with the house name beneath. The cardboard is matte with a green printed texture. This finish renders poorly and it comes across as a cheap, pixelated business card.
The atomiser performs very well. Its concealed by a large, chrome-finished plastic cap, which is also slightly on the cheap-end. However, this isn’t as crushing as the packaging.
In terms of value, it’s on the average side of things. 3.2 Oz (100 ml) can be found on Amazon for around $30. Meanwhile, it is similarly priced on FragranceX. Therefore, you’ll find it among the best men’s colognes under $30!
Closing Thoughts
Cerruti 1881 Pour Homme wants to be that brash Italian uncle with slicked back hair. It tries to flex its muscles and uses coarse language to impress the ladies. However, it inadvertently comes across as a little more sensitive with a touch of refinement.
Nevertheless, the head tries too hard and is unashamedly sickly sweet. This combined with an overly diverse range of note families can be off-putting for some.
Nevertheless, it’s an enjoyable, well-rounded fragrance for those who enjoy variety in what they wear. Its versatility will suit a variety of ages and its wearable for most occasions.
Yes I’m after the original formula with oak moss. The new version does not last
You could try looking online to find a vintage version?