FRAGRANCE | Polo Crest EDT by Ralph Lauren: A classic, dignified chypre for the preppy gentleman
It's always a joy discovering fragrances that had escaped me in my younger years, more so when I'm not even hunting them. Ralph Lauren came out with Polo Crest in 1991, a time when I was still in my early teens and knew very little to nothing about fragrances. The fashion house has long ceased its production but no matter how belated our meeting, I'm glad I now own a bottle.
Polo Crest comes in the standard Polo bottle design but is clear and is missing the familiar Polo logo. In its stead is a, well, crest in the mold of classic logos of prestigious universities and esteemed institutions. How fitting, of course.
I get a stinging alcohol sensation in the opening but as it burns out, a fresh, green accord surfaces. It's redolent of pine and a slew of nondescript herbs. As it wafts around, a sweetish oakmoss slowly appears. Having the pleasure of owning a couple of oakmoss-heavy fragrances from the 70s to the 90s, the scent feels familiar. Some spiciness joins in but only as an accent, providing the overall scent with just a touch of sharpness. There's also something musty and musky although it's faint and doesn't stay very long.
After several minutes, leather slowly builds up but stops itself short of taking over. It's not as dominant as, say, Tom Ford's Ombré Leather, as it's kept at bay by the oakmoss and green notes, but it adds a very mild smokiness to the composition. Or at least it comes off as that to my nose. Either way, the interplay is beautiful, with the leather, oakmoss, and herbal-green freshness alternating in prominence. The drydown later introduces a mild, woody character, along with an equally mild musk, that mix seamlessly with everything else going on.
Ralph Lauren Polo Crest is often likened to a less abrasive Polo Green. The similarities are there but Crest is a bit younger and more behaved, evoking preppy gentleman feels like another discontinued Ralph Lauren creation, Safari for Men. For one, it's not a loud performer although it can go on for several hours. I wouldn't say it's dated but its scent profile isn't something you'll find among contemporary releases. I consider it a classic that I'm happy to have scored. However, if you're one who's not used to chypres and are unwilling to expand your taste beyond blue frags, don't bother.
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