La Panthere

Sophisticated and regal. It turns a beautiful floral/oriental on me -- which was a very pleasant surprise. And the longevity! This lasts all day on my very dry skin, and lasts forever on my clothes. It has pretty strong sillage -- No more than two sprays or people on the elevator will start sniffing you, lol. I consider this a good value because so little goes such a long way.

(Comparison of the modern EdT and EdP by Mathilde Laurent) Cartier has never truly given much of a damn about their perfumes. They have always been lower priority than their jewelry and watches, but then again they’ve never needed to. When you have the likes of Mark Buxton, Jean-Claude Ellena, Alberto Morillas, and Mathilde Laurent helming your fragrance department you know that people “in the know” are going to be paying attention to what you release. Attention was certainly sparked when Cartier announced they were going to let Laurent “modernize” the Morillas classic Panthere, which had been long discontinued by that time. What Laurent achieved is nothing like what Morillas composed, and, just as curiously, the EdP and the EdT are quite different between themselves as well. The EdT and the EdP open the same way with very sharp, glassy, and sparkling aldehydes and neroli. It smells like inhaling citrusy and metallic glass. They are nearly identical, save for that the EdT smells a bit drier than the EdP - a difference to carry longer and even more strikingly through both perfumes’ lives. They diverge quite noticeably after this. The EdP pushes fleshy, ripened, saturated tree fruits of peaches, pears, apricots, nectarines, and bananas. These are all facades of gardenia, rose, and ylang-ylang with their fruit notes pushed far forward of their floral notes. It is quite sweet, jammy, and thick, but pleasantly so. In the EdT the fruity notes of the florals are far less significant compared to the floral notes of the… erm… florals. There is proper muskiness to the honeyed gardenia and the rose is fleshy and dark as opposed to jammy. Being drier than the EdP, the lack of fruitiness equates to a lack of sugary aromas. In the EdP the fruity side of things calms down quite quickly to let the animalic-honeyed-musky qualities of gardenia be more forward, but the fruits are still there, the starchy tropical banana ylang-ylang holding on hard as well but a bit more texturally than aromatically at this point. The ending of the EdP is more of the gardenia, this time flecking sour, thick and leathery musks at the final skin scent and more of an earthy character (patchouli-like) than the heart. The dry down of the EdT is virtually the same, except, still, drier, focusing still on the musky and leathery side of gardenia and a dry patchouli note. Longevity is as you’d mostly expect with the final skin scent holding on longer in the EdP, but they curiously arrive at their dry down stages at roughly the same timeframes. Whatever La Panthere is, it’s not a panther. There is no dark, slinky, sauntering cat wandering through the tropical underbrush to be found in either of these perfumes. And yes, sure, they are probably a bit safe. Typical. Mundane. But what sets them apart from the rest of the fruity floral pack in the genre is Laurent’s abilities to keep them well behaved. No, they do not smell like a jungle cat, but they do smell the way Cartier’s jewelry looks: full of various colors shifting away in bright light, throwing the rays in various directions with their myriad of fruits and florals. That is the best trick with La Panthere in both versions: its minimalism is somehow quite complex when all of the spectrum-bleeding light waves are overlayed with each other. All of this said, I feel that the EdT is better due to its greater juxtaposition of dry versus sweet, fruits versus florals, and textural musks versus the more deadpan-style musks of the EdP. But both are great. Just don’t go looking for anything resembling the Morillas original… or a panther for that matter.

It's very long-lasting. The scent stayed on my jacket for days. It has a distinctive vintage smell that I really like

La Panthere is a remnant of belle époque of the 90s, a deep and beautiful chypre (flowers and fruit sitting on a bittersweet oakmoss base). It is a mature, sparkly special occasion scent most suitable for going out. Probably opens best in cold or cool weather. If you love Paloma Picasso, Clinique Aromatics Elixir, Salvador Dali Gold Lips, Dior Dune, Sisley Eau du Soir, you would dig La Panthere. Sophisticated with vintage appeal, daring in a sea of today’s gourmands.

I really wanted a bottle of La Panthère , and by that ,I mean I wanted THE bottle of La panthere . I found the bottle design breathtakingly beautiful and unique. So when I glimpsed the Eau de Parfum on marketplace for $30 and 3/4 full …I jumped on it. I almost didn’t care if I liked the perfume or I didn’t, in fact ,I was convinced that I would probably hate it. Anyhow, I got the perfume and I sat in my car and I sprayed it ,and at first I was …oh no, I’m not gonna be able to handle this ,and then all of a sudden, as if the very gates of heaven were opening, I found myself smiling. It was if somebody was giving me a warm hug . It made me wonder if through all the hundreds of perfumes that I have sampled ,on a journey in search of an experience that I had when I was very young ,a destination might have been reached. Perfumes like the original Anais,the original Nirmala by Molinard , Fracas and my signature scent, my love, the original angel all sent me somewhere very unique and pleasurable. I cannot even explain to you what note it was that captured me ,although I suspect it was the tuberose , if it’s even in there. It was so well blended and so dynamic and so ethereal ,as it sat on my skin , one small spray on each arm ,it filled my car with this gorgeous floral ,just a hint of spice , an otherworldly warm ,angelic scent. I couldn’t believe that I had been transformed once again. I have been searching for something that really moves me ,that is evocative of something that I can’t even put my finger on , for a very long time. The next morning, I made my coffee ,and there it was again, as a whisper of a warm delicious musk . This perfume evolved through all of those hours , in the most amazing way ,as if to say no no, our affair is not over. Had Cartier bottled it in a Windex bottle , I would have bought it. Now, I am extremely excited to try both the toilette and the parfum version. I don’t know why I can’t leave well enough alone , ..,.an addict, an explorer , call me what you may. I’m sure this perfume is not for everyone , just like angel was not for everyone and doubly with Fracas or God forbid Michael. It is however one hundred percent for me . I was in search of a bottle, a trinket, a bit of beauty in this sometimes so ugly world , and instead It gave me an experience that I have been in search of for a very long time . I encourage anyone to give it a try ,if only for having another beautiful bottle on your vanity. Do not judge her for initially slapping you in the face, spend the night with her and see if she whispers in your ear. This bottle, may be the only bottle on my vanity for quite a while.

Even though this perfume was envisioned and created only 14 years back, La Panthere EDP reminds me of everything I DISLIKE about VINTAGE, floral-centric, designer fragrances. To my nose, La Panthere EDP smells OLD & DATED & LOUD & VAMPY & TRASHY. For me, La Panthere EDP epitomizes VIEJA CUCHI, actually. Please keep in mind; I am 68 years old. I am NOT young... La Panthere EDP is a clamorous, overly-dramatic, over-bearing, oak moss heavy, chypre fragrance with lots of mixed floral notes and musky, dried fruits. Ylang-ylang is prominent, as is gardenia. To me, La Panthere feels cold, stealthy and discordant. When I smell La Panthere, I imagine a borderline narcissist who is hardened, emboldened, mean and aloof...someone like a difficult boss-lady. For me, La Panthere EDP is not a warm, cozy, or comforting fragrance. There is zero about this perfume that resonates with me. I cannot imagine myself wearing this fragrance. La Panthere EDP just does not suit my personality, or my demeanor. It's an easy pass. Apologies in advance for anyone I've offended who likes this fragrance.

Ganhei um decant dele e me surpreendi. É uma porrada vintage! Com poucas borrifadas ele já dá seu nome. Ele é vibe mulher opulenta, que tem uma presença forte, usa hermés e não faz ideia do que seja um bilhete único. O Chipre não agrada a todos então alguns podem achar que tem cheiro de perua velha. Eu gosto de perua velha, então acho um perfume muito interessante e que não passa despercebido. Não é uma fragrância pra dar blind: teste primeiro.

@Halemmm: Persolaise (youtube video from a few years ago) featured Panthere as a suggested ‘summer sultry scent’. Worth a try… I’d agree with him.

reminds me of opening my mother's makeup drawer as a young girl - lipstick, face powder, talcum, leather pouches. definitely vintage glam, and i can see it working well for a certain kind of woman and a certain kind of look. unfortunately for me, while i enjoyed the opening, somehow the dry-down was screechy & sour on my skin. i got a small sample, but i don't think i'll even be able to finish that.

Got this as a sample and smelled vintage to me but the more I sat on it and would spray here and there I really love this scent. Would be great to wear to a nice dinner or somewhere out and dressed up. I might buy a small bottle in the future.

hey lovely people, I have a question: is this wearable in summer? I have found one and considering buying asap...?

This is such a beautiful perfume. Leather, makeup, wax scent. Notes are well blended. I would say soft leather scent, gardenia adds creaminess, dry fruits, ylang ylang, oakmoss and apricot which goes so well here. It's done to perfection!! One of my new faves. Edgy scent, like the name itself, I wear it day and night, but more suitable for evening, Rock concert and leather jacket with class :) Lasts all day, it does softens with time, I just can't get enough of it. Along line the scents: Bottega Veneta, Rhianna Rogue and Joe Malone Elderflower & Gooseberry, leather and makeup, yessss!!!

This is a love for me! Maybe it’s a bit of nostalgia too but I’m a chypre ish lover (not all of them) but classics like these always turn my head. Not too sweet and it leaves a beautiful dry down. Almost a little soapy in the mid but in a good way, not too much. This scratches my eternal itch for Bottega Veneta Eau de Parfum which is sadly discontinued. I’m going by a 1ml sample that was included in an online order. Definitely full bottle worthy and there’s a sale on Jomashop at the moment. I am eagerly awaiting my bottle.

Very elegant, something to wear on a fancy night. Overall to me a very seductive scent!

Is this the eau de parfume? I can see there are limited editions but I’m interested in the EDP version…

The most unique perfume everrr. This was my signature scent years ago

Wow—now I know why Sharida was saying that this scent embodies the vibe Cartier is trying to give! It is stunningly gorgeous and sophisticated. I am not quite sure what it all is although a big part of it must be the oakmoss. With my nose in my wrist I can smell a gorgeous lily—but the composition is pure composition, not any particular note... This comes from a time when fragrances were difficult and challenging. I love those fragrances although I don't know them all. I love Coco, Chanel #5, Rochas Femme, Eau du Soir and now this.... And this one is different than all of them. I am curious to smell all of Cartier's fragrances now—I would bet they are all very sophisticated. Nowadays, fragrances have cheapened (in character, not necessarily ingredients, although that too) and been dumbed down—especially some gourmand options. Although don't get me wrong I do love modern creations as well—crazy wild ones like Le Lion, Raw Gold, Rosendo #5, Dev 2. Anyway this one is welcome to my collection!

One of the most exquisite fragrances I have smelt. After smelling this, I know now why this is considered an occasion scent. However, I'll be wearing her more than on the odd occasion. This is a deep love. I smell all of the notes listed. The deep dry down is a beautiful musk, the florals, with patchouli and oakmoss. The leather is tame, it's just grounding the other notes and giving this grown woman sexiness. I think the "grandma" comments come from lack of vocabulary or those that can't relate to fragrances beyond the caramel and cotton candy genre. But fragrances are personal and this screams "woman". So yes, she's grown, for mature women, not girls. I can't see someone under 25 years old enjoying her. To pull her off, she requires a woman with confidence who knows who she is and what she wants.

Clean and opulent at the same time, like a panther in the snow. It is one captivating stunning scent, with incredible longevity. I agree on describing this as an 'occasion' scent rather than everyday, but would be intrigued to smell this on someone else rather than my wrist. I think it is one of those I would chase down the street to ask what are they wearing, because I need it too!

is fragrantica becoming a common place where age-shamers gather and attack people over commenting on scents & simply get away with that? this is sickening. And I cannot stand seeing anymore old lady, granny, old grandma scent type of comments any more. this is implicitly misogynist !!!

This is more of a fluffy white kitten than a panther. I expected something much more intense and feral but it’s just a well behaved white floral. It’s nice but anticlimactic.

Eternal longevity is an understatement. On my hot skin the original La Panthere sat for 12 more hours, including the shower and sleep. The scent is well crafted, albeit it is a little bit synthetic (guess it's the payment for this eternal longevity). In terms of the smell, you get this mossy floral scent similar to Gris Dior, but with added fruits and rose swapped for white florals (although some of the rose is still there). Best of trio Panthers

La Panthere is the most sparkling perfume there is. Cold and clean luxury. Strawberry soaked in champagne. It's strong, but still more of a summer than a winter choice. It complements jewelry and black, elegant dresses, making you feel aristocratic. If you like to wear Dia by Amouage during the day, this is a logical choice for the night. It emphasizes essential and dominant femininity. It's really strong, and I believe all the hate comes from the fact that you've used more than two sprayes.

~ If Agnes from Hamnet could wear a perfume, it would be this. ~ La Panthère is simply gorgeous. The oakmoss here is enough to give the scent a strong vintage, foresty accent, but without the note being so strong that it overpowers the rest of the aroma by becoming oakmoss dominant. This scent is for natural, feminine, earthy gals: ones that have their own unique sense of style and wear just a little bit of make-up to highlight their features.

This is the perfect perfume for me. It has a vintage air to it but not so vintage that it smells dated. It's a wonderful balance between old classy and modern vibes perfume. Absolutely stunning. I loved the Legere version even more but it's discontinued, sadly.

@cherry whatever their name is who wrote this vile comment: “Omg the most dated perfume i've smelled. Vintage, old, for very old ladies who don't accept their age and still want to feel young.” I’m a 50 year old lady & I accept my age very well & I say my age cause I’m proud of it. Consider yourself lucky if you make it to be old cause I know a lot of people who passed way before their time & they would have given anything to grow old. You talk about old people like it’s an insult, if you were my kid I would have slapped you in the mouth for being so disrespectful. Maybe you don’t get it cause you’re not classy enough to wear it obviously. Stick to the Bath & Body Works sprays, those are more your level.

A client let me smell a sample she had of this fragrance. What a downward spiral for me. I couldn't stop thinking about it. I wouldn't normally gravitate to a scent like this, but I just love it. When I went and got a sample and ran right through it, I knew I needed it. It's very light and airy, fresh, maybe crystaline. But it has a hint of vintage warmth beneath it. My first impression was daytime rockstar or modern vintage enthusiast. I see comments that say "grandma" but I don't get that at all? There is a "powdery" aspect to it, but it isn't in any way abrasive. When this warms to my skin, I find it gets sweeter and a bit hypnotic. I smell myself all day LOL. I love this as a light everyday scent. I even sometimes spray it on myself before bed because I find such comfort in it!!

This EDP version reminds me of the smell of plastic, vintage cabbage patch dolls, especially on the like dry down. It's cute yet has a complexity and elegance, as well. It's very nostalgic. The EDT opens a bit more sharp, bright, citrus, and floral, but isn't as well blended and smooth and feminine as the EDP. Seems the EDT has a very assertive, powdery, tissue paper dry down, which is extremely polar opposite of it's fresh opening. Kind of like an adolescent controversial teen. The Elixir version is the most mysterious, minimalist, conceptual, slightly unisex, smooth, cold, and high end. Seems like each flanker has a personality of their own but all same DNA. I'm curious what the Légère smells like.

Today, i put on one spray la panthere on my wrist then apply to my neck. Surprisingly the scent is subtle and strong enough to cover 5x spray of Diptyque Tamdao edpt that i apply also on my tshirt. I would say Cartier is one of perfume house that keep tradition and quality at the same time without compromise, not like other perfume houses that has been commercialized by reducing their regular line quality for the sale of launching special niche line. Hope they will keep their consistency. La Panthere is such a masterpiece created !

@lilacteeth Eye roll... I am late 30s myself, and not in the slightest triggered by the phrase 'old grandma scent'. It clearly means a vintage, dated, powdery fragrance. Get a grip. To the users that describe perfumes as 'old lady', thank you. Because I know exactly what you are referring to, and you shouldn't have to write an essay of words, tiptoeing around the fact that indeed, they smell like old lady perfume. Just say that. Easy.