Bon Viveur

Bon Viveur is the second release from Naughton and Wilson, composed by English perfumer John Stephen as a fresher follow-up to Gravitas Pour Homme. The brand calls it a citrus and chypre scent that celebrates the enjoyment of the finer things in life, with a twist of British gin at its heart. It opens bright and zesty with lime, lemon, mandarin and orange, lifted by basil, bay and lemongrass, and a press review compares the start to a quality gin and tonic. Clove and pepper warm the heart around the gin, and the base settles into Haitian vetiver, oakmoss, cedar and patchouli. Wearers find the lemon and lime, the grassy green notes and the gin; several cannot find the watermelon the brand lists, and the earthy vetiver stays with the wearer to the end. Many connect it to the classic fresh men's colognes of the past. Performance is moderate. Most votes report long wear and projection that sits at arm's length, though a few find it faint or fading. It leads in spring, holds up through summer and autumn, and suits the office and everyday wear far better than a late night. It is a masculine scent on the votes. The brand sells a 100 ml bottle at 125 pounds, and it suits anyone who wants a restrained, refined citrus fougere with a playful gin note, although the plain vetiver finish divides opinion.