Macassar Rochas for men

Tipically, on fragrantica or other frag sites, the reviews for vintages are very positive from the ones who own the specific fragrance, and particulary neutral or negative from the others who do not own the product.

I had the pleasure to test this fragrance, did not owned It or give It a full wear, and what i cant Say from testing It on a blotter and hand ...It is the Best or at least one of the Best men fragrance ever created...

A smoked wood, some weird plants and Something sweet undernith It, feels like coconut but not sure....creates the most amazing depth in a fragrance, at least from what i used utill now.

Maccasar, along with the two Jean Patous pour Homme, and Derby by Guerlain are the ones that are very hyped by vintage lovers around the world, with a holly grail status...but in my book, Maccasar beat those mentioned hands down, no question about It, like Tyson wiped his 80's opponents.

This is not a fragrance for mass apeilling, yet in my opinion is one of the Best out there in history.

I have long feared that if I were to finally sniff Macassar it would simply be all over for me, that the compulsion to possess a bottle at whatever price would seize me. I held on to my sample for long enough, setting it aside for over a year now. I finally broke down and donned it on my skin this morning, bracing myself for defeat.

It's a bold, oily, stark, austere woody leather, with the usual pungent herbal trappings. This would actually be revisited in Lancetti Uomo, with arguably more gusto and its oily, slick leather would be found in the more somewhat forgiving aromatic Fendi Uomo a few years later. That's it. It's quite nice, and if it were selling these days for even a hundred bucks for 50ml, I'd say, why not? It would make for another piece of history to add to the already swollen repertoire. I don't drop 400-500 on stuff like this, though. It isn't worth it, when that can go towards traveling and a new winter wardrobe, or, God forbid—savings.

Smelling Macassar comes at a time where I can appreciate without owning. It also comes at a time where I've smelled so much that I can recall other fragrances that may lend the same effect(s) but can do one or two more. I even think of fragrances like Annick Goutal Encens Flamboyant, Anatole Lebreton Bois de Lumiere, L'Artisan Parfumeur TImbuktu, that are comparatively better to my nose. Macassar is great, but to say that Macassar 'is the GREATEST fragrance ever created for the male body!" would be hyperbole. It is not singular in design. 

I have a 1980s 25ml After-Shave spray im perhaps willing to sell/trade. Smell is identical. 😊

Woods, castoreum and oakmoss. I can’t tell if my mind is playing tricks on me after I read the pyramid, but there actually seems to be coconut underneath this thick crust of dry and austere woods and moss (but macassar leaves have a “coconut-y smell so to speak - and macassar leaves are edible, by the way). The perfume opens with the driest mixture of absinthe and bitter artemisia with macassar oil - and who knows what else greenness might be here - and ends up like an oak barrel filled with moss.
Macassar smells… unfriendly.

An aromatic, prickly, sweet, woody scent. It is truly hard to describe this one as it was quite unique. Its overall impression to me was that of a stained, teak dresser turned into a fantastical fragrance. It is sweet, resinous, and has a sawdusty/woody quality. I haven't smelled the "smell alikes" above. To my nose, Timbuktu is in the ballpark, though it is drier, woodier, and fruitier than Macassar.

I stole Macassar from my father in the late 80s early 90s cause it was love at first sniff. Its an amazing fragrance, pure class and elegance. I wish they still made them like that. Timeless

The notes listed here look incredible, I wish I could get my hands on this.

If SirMasterpiece's list of notes is anything to go by, I WANT IT EVEN MORE.

Fume dreams are made of that stuff.

Anyone has tried the new version in the square 75ml bottle with silver cap?

The real green Hulk is not Envy, it's Macassar!! This is the epitome of the 80's powerhouses, to the point of unwereability mostly in the opening (at least for me); after an hour or so the green harshness fades away a bit and we're left with a leather/moss/patchouli base not far away (both in character and quality) from what we've got in let's say, Fendi's Uomo. In fact I'd much prefer the latter over the Rochas: less pungent, more floral heart and a great 'black seat' leather base.
I may be in the minority here but I'm glad I've only got a mini of this discontinued piece (glad to be able to smell it anyway)

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El verdadero Hulk verde no es el Envy, ¡es Macassar! Este es el epítome de los powerhouses de los 80, hasta el punto de lo 'inusable' principalmente en la apertura (al menos para mí); después de aproximadamente una hora, la dureza verde se desvanece un poco y nos quedamos con una base de cuero / musgo / pachulí no muy lejos (tanto en carácter como en calidad) de lo que tenemos por ejemplo en el Uomo de Fendi. De hecho, prefiero mucho más este último que al Rochas: menos agresivo, con un corazón más floral y una gran base de cuero negro de "asiento".
Puede que forme parte de la minoría aquí, pero me alegro de haber recibido solo un mini de esta pieza discontinuada (me alegra poder olerla de todos modos)

5/10

BCHAVI, you are more than welcome !

Can I join the vintage Macassar fan club? For colder months, there's not much out there that can compare.

Admins, please... upload the real notes of first edition of Macassar !

Head: absinthe, bay, ginger, green notes, artemesia, bergamot

Heart: pine tree needless, lignum vitae (palo santo), carnation, cedarwood, geranium, jasmine, patchouli, vetiver

Base: macassarwood, guaiacwood, sandalwood, tobacco blossom, musk, ambergris, oakmoss, leather, castoreum

Bloody gorgeous. The best definition. The drydown is incredibly smooth, a leather you can't forget if you can smell it properly. It's a scent to enjoy quietly, not for the masses. Vintage version, of course. Thanks God, I could grab one.

I suspect that Roja Diaghilev is a copy of this masterpiece. They are very close. The fragrance is the best male fragrance from Rochas, no doubt. Almost inexistent, a true gem.

As an additional extra to my other review comments
I wanted to add some other details
about the differences between the old vintage 1980's spash on and the slightly newer spray 75ml later edition of
Macassar Rochas EAU DE TOILETTE POUR HOMME and the differences BETWEEN THEM

I have both types here i will describe as best i can
OK the old version 1st it is much much nicer ,its a fact .it also has the same colour as runny honey
it starts in with green notes a hint of pine so far removed
it has a deeper figgy datey fruitiness a old full brandy or dark rummyness from ancient barrels
that's the type that could be in a old xmas pudding
or cake of some kind
its scrumptious and its patchouli is more defined not hippy or to musky or worn
the carnation is stalky not flowery and not just freshly crushed either which makes it much classier haunting
the leather is new and real
the coconut and the amber are deeply oppressed rubbed together not just sploshed on top
and only there at the last whispers along with the jasmine and bergamot the amber is sweet and heady

but the newer version 75ml vaporisateur natural spray type that i think was a remake because it is no way near as wonderful as the original ,its colour is a very pale yellow like cold camomile tea
ok it starts on the amber and cedar which then breifly blows through coconut and carnation
but its carnation flowers not the stakes,
which is much too fresh to be like the original
then it barks geranium and jasmine the dark rich sticky fruitiness is not there its missing and that's an important ghost not to be present for me it was sadly missed
the pine needles are a bit sickly
the vetiver also is to marked .
there is something else about it the coconut comes across very synthetically
the newer version is harsher
and although bergamot is one of my very favourite aromas
it comes across in the newer version as too lemony

I have to tell every one that the older version cost a fortne now days is a rare catch ,
but it is worth the extra cash ,buy it .
cos the newer version you may get more for the money
it may cost less but its not the real deal,,

I grant you is almost the same ,
but i also warn you it is most inordinately
not the same no way
its the difference between a real leather chesterfield classic chair ,made to last and as comfortable as the day you bought it 40 years ago
and a new MDF wood chip fake pvc chair the lost its padding the same year you bought it and then the fake leather pvc started to flake ,and the wood inside it went crunch once when you sat in it and it was never comfortable after that ,but you always was going to find a bit of foam to repad it but never did ,,lol

well actually the new version is not that bad ,
but final word is after an hour the old stuff smells like you want to kiss your skin it lasts longer and it bloody gorgeous ,the new stuff where is it??its gone
i can't smell it ,
but i am trying to make the point that there is a big difference
and the original version is the one to get your hands on ,
or if your like me buy both
and use the newer one when your travelling through town
and the real stuff when your out on the real date later on I hope this helps every one to make choices .
i have got a life time supply of it now
happened to find both types and spent a fortune on it too but i can not bare to not have it ever again,
frankly if i could have the old version of it piped in to my nose 24/7 i would ,& i almost do ! lol

Frankly this is my very favourite top ten of must have's
hidden in a very special place not in the bathroom wear it could be used by any one else its all mine ,
I bought a 50ml splash on bottle in 1981 and i had to make that last until when it only had a tiny drizzle in the bottle i could smell it but not use it and for years and years and years i just open the cap and smelt it wishing i could find it and use it again ,
it took me more than 36 years to located another bottle of it
while i had just that 50ml bottle thinking all that time it would turn up soon it never did until i was desperate and it was very expensive but i have it in stock again
i wish i had bought more of it in 1980 as i just thought at the time it would be every where for ever little did i know it was discontinued in 1882 i believe.it made me very unhappy to run low on it and that will never happen again
of course we all have our addictions ,the only one i have is collecting and wearing wonderful smells ,i can not be with out the ones i love , I admit there are a lot hundreds in my collection but the ones like this ,are really the very best of the best ,and the sadness i felt not having enough for years to wear it gutted me every day for all those years i could not find it ,

This is magic! I only wear this sparingly since it's so rare (check Ebay - very little) and expensive, and I never know where my next bottle will come from. I have some nostalgia tied to this fragrance, but that aside, it's just that damn good!

This is one of the "big woods" of the 80s, super retro, very masculine, is one of the most sought-after discontinued and the little bit that is found on ebay and sites of the style is terribly expensive.
It cost me, but I got a couple of 5ml miniatures.

It smells very but very well, it is a fragrance quite curious, very well structured, I find very good composition, semilineal, with nuances, the herbal initiation and the abrotano already brings that eighty character so retro, on the other hand the pine, the vetiver And the cedar that feel almost from the beginning contribute that dry and woody character that you can feel in a carpentry. In short, it smells of a cognac barrel, but to the dry wood with a slight sweet point as if it had been put a touch of liquor, in addition, it does not resemble anything of which it had smelled previously.

I emphasize the point of the leather that gives depth, but it is a soft leather that remains of background of aroma similar to the leather of Russia, and the note of oak moss that I like so much and that contributes texture and complexity to Macassar.

The excellent duration and the very good wake, no doubt that it is an eighty fragrance.

The best I've tested of Rochas.

Rating: 8.5

Not my first time reviewing this fragrance. It's a cool autumn-like day here in the Northeast today and I thought I would wear my favorite transitional fragrance - Vintage Macassar. Be warned - it doesn't come cheap, but if you're a fan of old school leathers with heft, you'd be remiss not to make the investment.

Today I am wearing Rochas Macassar. It is a rainy spring day.

The perfume smells deeply woody and leathery. To me, to a certain degree, it has some similarities with Aramis Aramis, with Aramis being more bitter, synthetic and with Macassar smelling more like an old wooden desk.

It is a powerful fragrance and it is distinctive. I like it a lot. I could picture a 40 something mafia boss wearing this while being cleanly shaven, with dark hair and suit, just like the man in the advertising. It is a dominating fragrance and not playful and gives an old school vibe. It gives the impression of being intensely woody, of something like and old wood smell. In my opinion, it smells better than Aramis, because it's not that dry and synthetic and it is more complex. It smells like a medieval mansion, furnished in wood which has been painted with wood preservative.

If I were to describe it in one word, it has the smell of the dried outer green shell of the walnut, but less piercing to the nose and with a note of wet musk and leather in background.

In the end, it is an alpha male fragrance, it shows status and seriousness, it is bold and intense, it is quite complex and well blended, woody and spicy.

For those who like old school retro powerhouses, it is a nice one, strong and pretty unique, used more for fall and winter. Recommended.

Keywords: Man, dominate, strong, elegant, character, bold, woody, spicy, old sophistication.

Rating: 7.5-8 / 10

I was able to obtain some of the vintage aftershave and I can see why it is highly valued, another in the Patou Pour Homme vicinity, though they don't smell very similar. However, they are both smooth yet rich and deep. This one is more floral but it's a complex blend and I don't get any one note or accord as dominant here. This formulation seems to be at least as strong as an eau de cologne - I'd be curious to experience the strength of the EdT! Now is it worth the current prices? I'd say you could get something not too far off with vintage Bijan for Men, but again, that's just in the general vicinity of this one, and it isn't as smooth. Longevity was excellent, better than a traditional EdC for sure!

NOTE: I have Lancetti Uomo EdT and don't find it similar to this one's A/S formulation.

I was sniffing right now Macassar, and I was so concentrated about the oils about the composition and on the sensations and aruond similarities with other scents that I have forgot something... this scent immediately made me think of patchouly in eau de Rochas and woods of Mystere.. then I suddenly realized that Macassar IS a Rochas! I was forgetting that little detail.
When you say The Griffe..
To me this is a pure patchouli perfume, where this essence has made lighter with a lot of bergamot some leather, pine and little tropical effects.
A great job, very natural and niche style.
Not so dated just weird, smell like "stone", but elegant.
Masterpiece in balance.

why rochas stopped the production of this wonderful scent? go and ask why???

It has been a year since any posts on Macassar, my all time favorite night-on-the-town cologne. It was a complex powerhouse that always set a sophisticated mood.

I have never smelled nor heard of another cologne that came close to its exotic spiciness with a dark wood base. Does anyone know of a similar fragrance??? I know the question has been asked before, but perhaps there are some more recent scents.

Many thanks.

Notes pyramid of the

1.Original Macassar (1980) by Nicolas Mamounas (Rochas) in collaboration with Roger Pellegrino (Firmenich):

Top notes: Absinthe, Green Notes,Artemisia, Ginger
Heart notes: Pine Needles, Carnation, Geranium, Jasmin, Patchouli, Vetiver
Base Notes: Amber,Musk,Oakmoss,Cedarwood,Guaiac wood, Macassar wood

2. Reformulated Macassar (2004)
Top notes:
Laurel, Wormwood, Fruity notes
Heart notes:
Tobacco flower, Geranium, Carnation, Patchouli, Vetiver
Base notes:
Sandalwood, Oakmosss, Guaiac wood, Cedar wood, Musk, Amber, Coconut, Macassar

So the coconut was not present in the original composition.

Macassar is and has been for years my most loved fragrance and a signature. What it means to me can't fully put to words. Haven't found a fragrance that would as precicely meet my taste and expectations than Macassar does.

I feel that every fragrance created by Nicolas Mamounas represent to me perfume artistry in its finest and purest form.

What i love in Macassar is its strength and unapologetic character, its originality and mystery.

A remarkably memorable, unique fragrance that has certain amount of thin hardness especially in the blasting opening, not especially "warm" fragrance - Primarily rich, aromatic, herbal, dry flowery mossy-woody concotion.

I sort of understand why Rochas don't want to re-launch Macassar. First, it has already been done in 2004 (luckily quite a successful reformulation), secondly: It's a product of it's time and place, a milestone in perfumery history, an indisputable legend and re-launchings only would do harm to it's legendary status. The struggling of the all the time fewer remainig bottles on the planet is part of the game.

Wow. To me it smells like lamp oil.
Oily and very warm.
This was the precursor of today´s Gourmand scent.
I think if the Godfather and Scarface wore a fragrance, then this one.

I thoroughly concur with the previous contributor: MACASSAR by Rochas is for my senses the GREATEST fragrance ever. It is a pure shame that Rochas has discontinued this incredible masterpiece. There is nothing else like it; however, there are three that hint of the direction of Macassar: Caron's "Yatagan"; Creed's "Bois du Portugal"; and Hermes' "Bel Ami". Let us hope that these do not become extinct as well. Wake up Rochas! Reintroduce MACASSAR - the ultimate masterpiece for men.

Macassar by Rochas is the GREATEST fragrance ever created for the male body! Inimical in its mystery; unmatched in its allure. There should be an international petition to Rochas to bring back MACASSAR.

I love it!!!
If something is really special it is named Macassar. Wearing Macassar I understand why I love perfumes because it brings me to different lost world - forgotten time when wearing fragrances was something special, when everyone was looking for signature scents.
Macassar is one of them, it can be easily recognizable as something different not typical and extremely rememberable.

There is nothing sporty, soapy, fresh and modern in Macassar you can find as typical and trendy in new era fragrances.

Macassar is like a beast treated in laboratory with tons of testosterone. The perfect man, sexy, noble, intelligent and dressed in most elegant suit. Simultaneous this man is friendly to everybody always smiling and happy. On the other hand Macassar is like Christmas time - warm with strong carnation smell and foody spices used commonly for gingerbread baking. There is also something special ... the wood that is different, warm and very sensual.
I never had chance to smell macassar wood but probably this is it. Kind of ebony darkness and sophisticated texture that you can almost touch. In few words Macassar is one of the most mysterious creations in history of perfumery, but sadly Rochas discontinued production of this masterpiece so Macassar is the song from the past. I'm really lucky because I got it as a gift for special anniversary. My lovely boyfriend was looking for months and finally he found it on Internet auction. He bought Macassar for me and now I'm in heaven :-)

Macassar it's not just a masculine fragrance, it's more like an angry male gorilla wearing a tuxedo. It's everything but elegant or sophisticated but i LIKE it. A loud, unbottoned shirt, hairchested and burping male at the Opera Premiere. Not an everyday's fragrance, but once in a blue moon it's so great to be unpolite...

Wonder how it smells? Basically LEATHER and TOBACCO (as loud as they can)!

Rating: 8/10

Gee, what a pain, cant get my hands on some Macassar in London nor in Lisbon.
Got a few bottles last year in Paris, but running low.
Does any one know the contact number, name or email for the House of Rochas customer services dep.?

Cheers y'all.

[email protected]

One of my favorite men's fragrances, very sophisticated. I was sorry to find that it is no longer available. Bad call, Rochas.

Here another myhtical Nicolas Mamounas creation!!
Even the name 'Nicolas Mamounas' is mythical.....I wish I could smell this one!!

MACASSAR was my best I realy loved it the most ... it is no comming back I wish it will while I am alive, please if anyone can help me to get it or to get simeller to it will be hightly apreciated

i miss my beloved macassar ;-(
it had all that an ex hippie needs patchouliwise, smelled a lot like moss and forest soil. there was mandarine in it, i believe. and lots of balmy cedar.
no problem to wear it in europe, but i often got remarks it was too strong when i used to work on american cruise ships.
let me know if you find it, please!
cheers to all from germany - jo

if you want to feel like a real man, you can use this perfume.
It gives the aroma of a male, strong, delicious, tender man and gentleman..
is just all what a woman can dream..