• About
  • Login to comment
    • Bluesky
    • RSS
    • Twitter

Now Smell This

a blog about perfume

Menu ▼
  • Perfume Reviews
  • New Perfumes
  • Archives

Jean Patou Collection Heritage Patou Pour Homme ~ fragrance review

Posted by Kevin on 18 June 2014 21 Comments

Jean Patou Collection Heritage Patou Pour Homme

Jean Patou Collection Héritage (i.e., reformulated) Patou Pour Homme1 arrived on my doorstep (invited) last week. Patou Pour Homme, Jr., may have been shocked, and intimidated, to learn that years ago I was physically involved with his father, Patou Pour Homme, Sr., who used to cling to me from neck to stomach and points south. I can't remember how long ago it was that I owned a bottle of original Patou Pour Homme2 (it was released in 1980), but I bought it around the same time I purchased Patou Pour Homme Privé, which came out in 1994.

I have not smelled original Patou Pour Homme in ages, but I remember it as a dense and sumptuous perfume — you could really feel its embrace of spices, resins, musk, and power-hits of gorgeous sandalwood and oakmoss. I wore original Patou Pour Homme in Los Angeles, where the warm temperatures made me reserve it for cool nights and "winter" wear. When I first put on Collection Héritage Patou Pour Homme last week, a flood of scent memories came back to me, even as I realized this new formulation is different — lighter and gayer (happier feeling, yes, but less "straight" too). Original Patou Pour Homme always made me feel immature (needed more chest hair), underdressed (I was too California casual), and a bit frivolous (shouldn't I get an M.B.A.?) New Patou Pour Homme suits me better.

Jean Patou

Collection Héritage Patou Pour Homme goes on smelling mossy and slightly smoky with a strong citrus backdrop. A large dose of creamy and musky galbanum comes to the fore and...then the perfume vanishes momentarily — the olfactory equivalent of snuffing out a candle. After a minute of "silence" (what a neat effect), Collection Héritage Patou Pour Homme starts pulsating and sending out wafts of sweetish, leather-tinged incense, peppery and floral (but floral in an indistinct way); the heart notes smell slightly medicinal, but "food-y medicinal" — like a syrup or pastille you'd look forward to tasting. As Collection Héritage Patou Pour Homme enters its final phase, it presents one of the best violet leaf notes I've ever smelled, not artificial or loud or "contemporary," but natural smelling. Though moss is supposedly absent from new Patou Pour Homme, perfumer Thomas Fontaine did find a way to create the aura of true oakmoss (less dense than original Patou Pour Homme's moss, and that's a positive development for me). Collection Héritage Patou Pour Homme ends with a lovely, balmy, slightly talc-y wood-and-ambergris accord. New Patou Pour Homme has just-right sillage and good lasting power; it's more masculine than unisex to my nose.

As you can probably tell, I want a "long-term relationship" with Patou Pour Homme, Jr., but there's a problem: he's expensive and a bit more than I can handle (there's only a 100 ml option, about 50 ml more than I desire). Now, if Jean Patou sees fit to re-release my all-time favorite Patou scent for men, Patou Pour Homme Privé, and it smells like the original...I'll pay the price and take what I can get.

Jean Patou Collection Héritage Patou pour Homme is available in 100 ml Eau de Toilette, $245.

1. Thomas Fontaine, perfumer; listed notes of bergamot, lemon, galbanum, pepper, rose, jasmine, lavender, tarragon, sage, violet leaf, leather, patchouli, olibanum, ambergris.

2. Jean Kerléo, perfumer; listed notes of bergamot, pepper ("hot" and black pepper), lavender, tarragon, sage, galbanum, vetiver, cedar, patchouli, cistus labdanum, sandalwood, oakmoss.

Note: image of Jean Patou from the Jean Patou website.

Possibly of interest

Jean Patou Colony, Ma Collection & Heritage Collection ~ fragrance review
Jean Patou 1000 ~ fragrance review

Filed Under: perfume talk
Tagged With: jean kerleo, jean patou, thomas fontaine

Advertisement


21 Comments

Leave a comment, or read more about commenting at Now Smell This. Here's our privacy policy, and a handy emoticon chart.

  1. relleric says:
    18 June 2014 at 2:01 pm

    Ah, PPH ‘Sr.’ was my signature scent of the 80’s. I have a couple of decants of it and paid way too much for 40% full chipped bottle of it off the bay. Nothing else is like it, and I am too scared to wear it frequently in fear of running out.
    Was hoping that the local NM would have the new version, but alas my last few times visiting the store has been unfruitful.
    I should just order a decant, but as you pointed out, it is really expensive, and I remember paying less than $100 back in the day for the original.
    I have a decant of the Prive, love it too, all that green lavender.

    Log in to Reply
    • Kevin says:
      18 June 2014 at 2:54 pm

      relleric: pricing is crazy for Sr. Patou Pour Homme…just glanced at eBay and one bottle is up for $600! I’ve never smelled a scent I’d pay that much for! But DO USE your beloved Patou…it’ll disappear, yes, but so do we all! HA!

      Log in to Reply
      • relleric says:
        18 June 2014 at 3:07 pm

        Thanks for your great review, I want to try it more than ever now! 😉

        Log in to Reply
  2. JolieFleurs says:
    18 June 2014 at 2:50 pm

    This sounds fabulous, and I’ll try it regardless of its masculine leanings! But my God, when will this industry understand that we don’t need vats of everything??

    What do you mean my gayer/less straight? I’m curious as to how orientation plays into scents?

    Log in to Reply
    • Kevin says:
      18 June 2014 at 2:57 pm

      JolieFleur…Gay & Straight Perfumes(TM). I’ll get working on it ASAP!

      I think many “special” reissues and limited editions are available in 100 ml ONLY to push purchasing…”it’s this…or nothing!” I can resist that though….

      Log in to Reply
    • Kevin says:
      19 June 2014 at 12:14 am

      Jolie: PS — I really didn’t mean “gay” and “straight” in the sexual/ orientation sense…old Potou Pour Homme was “straight” in that it seemed “mature” “responsible” “serious” compared to this lighter, new formulation. Still…a great idea for a post.

      Log in to Reply
  3. Kelly Red says:
    18 June 2014 at 4:02 pm

    “Points south” !! You naughty naughty boy LOL

    Loved the review and this sounds like a pure winner. I want my hubby to smell like this, is he worth the price? I think yes. Would he? No.

    Half the size for half the price would be do-able, but not this. Sad

    Log in to Reply
    • Kevin says:
      18 June 2014 at 5:32 pm

      Kelly Red: yes, 50 ml would have been great…hateful!

      Log in to Reply
  4. chandler_b says:
    18 June 2014 at 4:05 pm

    This sounds beautiful! Too bad about the price and size, though I guess maybe being able to reply “Patou” when asked what your wearing is worth it. Glad whoever owns Patou are continuing on the Patou name gracefully.

    Log in to Reply
    • chandler_b says:
      18 June 2014 at 4:09 pm

      Also I finallyI smelled and tried Zegna Haitian Vetiver and loved it! Yet it’s another one that I only need half the bottle at half the price!

      Log in to Reply
      • Kevin says:
        18 June 2014 at 5:33 pm

        chandler: oh, good…glad you got to try the Zegna. I hope the Patou reissues continue…there are several I love (but they’ll ALL be in 100 ml no doubt)

        Log in to Reply
  5. Merlin says:
    18 June 2014 at 6:37 pm

    Another company with only 100mls is Heeley. I’v only tried Iris de Nuit – but it was instant love, boo hoo…

    The only Patou I have ever tried is Joy, and it was not love. But, given this review, and another of 1000 I’m definitely thinking I need to amend that!

    Log in to Reply
    • Kevin says:
      18 June 2014 at 6:49 pm

      Merlin: there are some beautiful Patous! 1000 is one of them.

      Log in to Reply
    • relleric says:
      19 June 2014 at 9:21 am

      I found a bottle of 1000 parfum in an antique store here with a little of the oil left in it, this stuff is gorgeous. I have no idea how old it is, but my guess is somewhat vintage since the title has quotes around it on the front of the bottle.
      Would love to score some more of this but when I went looking for it, it was quite spendy.
      NM used to have it on their website but I don’t see the parfum listed any longer, so will have to try my luck on eBay.

      Log in to Reply
      • Kevin says:
        19 June 2014 at 1:53 pm

        relleric: yep…you have to be in the right place at the right time to score old 1000 at a good price. The “new” 1000 is beautiful too though.

        Log in to Reply
  6. Isabella says:
    18 June 2014 at 11:30 pm

    Ach — yet another scent to add to my must-sample list! It sounds heavenly, and I can never really have enough violet leaf in my life. And Patou love seems to run in my family. 1000 was my mother’s favorite perfume, and I’m currently wallowing in animal happiness with a bottle of vintage Joy.

    Log in to Reply
    • Kevin says:
      19 June 2014 at 12:11 am

      Isabella…vintage Joy is heavenly!

      Log in to Reply
  7. Rappleyea says:
    19 June 2014 at 7:30 am

    Great review as always, Kevin. You always leave me laughing!

    It seems there are enough people here who want some of this that you all ought to organize a split.

    Log in to Reply
    • Kevin says:
      19 June 2014 at 1:55 pm

      Rappleyea: thanks…but everyone is torn between Sr. and Jr.! HA! And no buying without sniffing first (don’t think anyone here in comments has tried the new version yet but me)

      Log in to Reply
  8. solanace says:
    19 June 2014 at 9:38 am

    Great and funny review, Kevin.
    I think these big bottles are also meant to turn away middle class folk like myself, creating an aura of exclusivity, as was the case with the early Chanel exclusifs. Needless to say, this is such an unfriendly, rude and just plain stupid way for a brand to relate to its consumers. If the industry wants people to get into perfume again, and considering the current rate of releases, 30 ml bottles are the way to go. And see, I have no MBA!

    Totally seconding the idea of the gay & straight frags post.

    Log in to Reply
    • Kevin says:
      19 June 2014 at 1:59 pm

      Solanace: perfume marketing often leaves me scratching my head…it often ignores classic marketing basics (as if to discourage purchases…which I can’t believe is the purpose). Never underestimate the power of stupidity.

      Log in to Reply

Leave a reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Advertisement

Search

Recent reviews

Atelier Cologne Love Osmanthus
Moschino Toy Boy
Arquiste Misfit
Diptyque Eau Capitale
Zoologist Bee
Parfum d’Empire Immortelle Corse
Comme des Garcons Series 10 Clash
Frédéric Malle Rose & Cuir
L’Artisan Parfumeur Le Chant de Camargue
Yves Saint Laurent Grain de Poudre
Régime des Fleurs Chloë Sevigny Little Flower
Chanel 1957
Gallivant Los Angeles
Amouage Portrayal Woman

Blogroll

Bois de Jasmin
Grain de Musc
Perfume Posse
The Non-Blonde
More blogs...

Perfumista lists

100 fragrances every perfumista should try
And 25 more fragrances every perfumista should smell
50 masculine fragrances every perfumista should try
26 vintage fragrances every perfumista should try
25 rose fragrances every perfumista should try
11 Cheap Perfumes Beauty Outsiders Love

Favorite posts

The Great Perfume Reduction Plan
Why I Love Old School Chypres
New to perfume and want to learn more?
How to make fragrance last through the day
Fragrance concentrations: sorting it all out
On reformulations, or why your favorite perfume doesn’t smell like it used to
How to get fragrance samples
Perfume for Life: How Long Will Your Fragrance Collection Last?

Upcoming

List of upcoming Friday projects

3 July ~ damage poll
12 July ~ summer reading poll

Back to Top

Home
Archives
About Now Smell This :: Privacy Policy
Perfume Reviews
New Perfumes
General Perfume Articles
The Monday Mail

Glossary of Perfume Terms
Perfume FAQ
Perfume Books

Noses ~ Perfumers A-E :: F-K :: L-S :: T-Z

Perfume Houses A-B :: C :: D-E :: F-G
H-J :: K-L :: M :: N-O :: P :: Q-R :: S
T :: U-Z

Copyright © 2005-2025 Now Smell This. All rights reserved.