Cravache by Robert Piguet c1953

Cravache by Robert Piguet: launched in 1953, may have been reformulated in 1963 to include more masculine notes. The name means "whip" in French and it was inspired by Robert Piguet's love for horseback riding through the countryside and the invigorating scents he would encounter.

Fragrance Composition:

So what does it smell like? It is classified as a fresh leather chypre fragrance for men. It begins with a fresh top o bergamot and petitgrain, followed by a woody floral heart blended with geranium, patchouli and cedar, resting on a sweet, powdery base of amber and musk.

• Top notes: verbena, lemon, Italian bergamot, lavender, petitgrain, rosemary, basil, citron, mandarin, orange
• Middle notes: Italian geranium, patchouli, cedar, Italian orris, Grasse jasmine, rose, carnation, sandalwood
• Base notes: Bourbon vetiver, oakmoss, Russian leather, tonka, vanilla, Tibetan musk, amber, benzoin

Fate of the Fragrance:

Discontinued, dates unknown.

In 1960, Jacqueline Cochran became the distributor for Robert Piguet perfumes in the USA. The boxes and bottles may only be marked with the "Robert Piguet Parfums" name was used until around 1982.

The Robert Piguet fragrances were owned by Alfin (Irwin Alfin/Adrien Arpel, Inc.) from 1982-1995. In 1985, the company formed a subdivision, Orinter Geneva Switzerland, to handle the Parfums Robert Piguet. The Company owned the exclusive worldwide manufacturing, distribution and licensing rights for Fracas, Bandit, Cravache, Baghari and Musk Blanc. The company also initiated mass marketing of other popular Robert Piguet fragrances.

Cravache was reformulated and relaunched in 1990 by Alfin, Inc. and unfortunately, this version are the worst according to online reviews.  The company also released Cravache Femme in 1990.

So what does it smell like? It was classified as a woody fragrance for men.

• Top notes: lemon
• Middle notes: lavender
• Base notes: oakmoss, vetiver and patchouli

Then the Robert Piguet brand was acquired by Fashion Fragrances and Cosmetics, Ltd. (FF&C) in 1995 and brought back several of the original classics as well as launching new ones.

Cravache was reformulated to closely match the original feminine version by Aurelien Guichard and relaunched in 2007. This is the current version seen on the Robert Piguet Parfums website.

From Robert Piguet:

"An aromatic infusion of citrus and woods, Cravache embodies Robert Piguet's sense of refined sophistication and sensitivity to quality."

So what does the reformulation smell like? It is classified as a woody chypre fragrance for men.

• Top notes: mandarin orange, petitgrain and lemon
• Middle notes: lavender, clary sage and nutmeg
• Base notes: patchouli, vetiver and moss tree