Gentleman Réserve Privée

Gentleman Réserve Privée, inspired by Givenchy Gentleman Réserve Privée (2022)

Whisky sets the theme, but it leans towards malted grain more than a glass of spirits, lifted at the start by a little bergamot. Chestnut gives the middle a toasted, nutty roundness. Orris, the powdery note made from iris root, keeps that from becoming heavy, and benzoin, a vanilla-like resin, adds a smooth amber layer. Cedar and vetiver dry everything out towards the end.

About the original

Givenchy launched Réserve Privée in February 2022 as an Eau de Parfum within the Gentleman Givenchy line. It was developed with a whisky master distiller alongside two master perfumers, whom the launch press did not name. Its central material is a natural whisky absolute produced in Grasse from aromatic barley supplied by a Scottish distillery. The amber juice comes in a bottle styled like a hip flask, and Givenchy describes the scent as one where floral sophistication meets woody depths.

Our version

Ours is an independent eau de parfum made to evoke the same character. It is not Givenchy stock, not an official relaunch and not the original formula.

Who it suits

Its boozy theme is the main point, so a buyer who dislikes alcohol notes in perfume should look elsewhere in the Gentleman line. The powdery orris and resin make it richer than a fresh woody, yet there is no gourmand sugar.

Related scents

• Givenchy Gentleman Society
• Givenchy Gentleman

Notes of the original fragrance, as given in the launch information.

Top notes: Bergamot, Whisky

Heart notes: Chestnut, Orris, Benzoin

Base notes: Cedar, Vetiver

Bergamot and the whisky accord appear together in the first moments, citrus peel over something grainy and malty.

Chestnut and orris form the heart, nutty and powdery at once, while benzoin starts to round the edges.

Virginia cedar and vetiver take over in the base, leaving a dry woody trail with a trace of the resin underneath.

Does Réserve Privée really smell of whisky?

The original is built on a natural whisky absolute, so the boozy, malty character is the centrepiece rather than a passing note.

How is it different from Gentleman Society?

Réserve Privée is whisky, chestnut and orris over resin. Gentleman Society (2023) is greener and more aromatic, built on sage, narcissus and vetiver.

Inside the EU, delivery is free on orders of €49 or more. Below that it is a flat €4.99. Outside the EU, delivery is a flat €4.99 on every order. We send every order in 1 to 2 working days. It arrives in 3 to 7 days across the EU and in 7 to 14 days outside the EU. You have 14 days to return an unopened bottle.

Givenchy and Gentleman Reserve Privee are trademarks of their respective owners, and all rights remain with them. Parfumour is not affiliated with, endorsed by, sponsored by, or connected to Givenchy in any way, and no business relationship of any kind is implied. Our product is an original interpretation created to evoke a similar scent profile, and the trademark names are used purely for honest, descriptive comparison, so that you can quickly identify the style and fragrance family you are looking for. We make no claim to sell the original product, and we do not use the same ingredients or formula. Any similarity lies in the overall impression of the scent as interpreted by our own perfumers, not in the source materials.