Perfume discontinuation and reformulation are just a regular part of our hobby now. I think I was happier when I didn’t know that this was a thing.
Saturday Question #273:
Which Discontinued Perfume Do You Miss the Most?
This is a broad question. You can talk about perfumes that you still have in your collection but know that you wouldn’t be able to replenish if you finish them. Or you can name one of those perfumes that you used to have and wouldn’t mind wearing these days, but it’s gone and cannot be bought any longer.
My Answer
When I looked through my database trying to figure out my answer, I realized that many of my current favorites belong to one of the two camps – reformulated or discontinued (and some of them were first reformulated and then discontinued – so, it would make it even harder to search for any vintage offerings in the secondhand market). But for most of them, I still have some juice left, so they will last me for a long time. So, my choice is one of those that I do not own any longer.
Gucci Rush for men. That was perfume I bought for my vSO, I never wore it myself. But I loved it on him. And I still miss it. If I knew it would be discontinued, I would have bought a couple of backup bottles.
How about you?
Undina's Looking Glass 
I could choose the same one as you, Undina. Rush for Men is a good one. But, I’ll choose Bottega Veneta Pour Homme. It’s a spicy, leathery scent with a distinct green pine-like facet. It’s discontinued, but If I search hard enough it can still be found. At this point, I’m not yearning for too much, though.
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I didn’t know it was discontinued. I liked it too! (Again, for my vSO.) And I have a mini bottle of it.
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Yes, it’s gone from their website and in all their boutiques and dept stores too. The only men’s scent I saw in the store last time I was there was something called Illusione for Him. It’s pretty ordinary in comparison. Cherish that mini bottle.
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I could bore everyone by banging on about the loss of Cristalle EdT, but won’t.
So I’ll say a couple of Guerlains. Terracotta Voile d’Ete from 1999. Dry, spicy carnation that smells how the colour red looks. Impossible to make now due to the perfumery regulations currently in place.
Aqua Allegoria Lys Soleia is another. In heat, all tropical ylang, in cool weather a stunning lily. The strangest AA as it has huge throw & the longevity of plutonium.
Sorry (not sorry) couldn’t choose just one
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I gave away my bottle ly lys sole, and I really really regret it. Loved your description of it.
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Oh no! Don’t you just hate when that happens? I wonder why AA LS was d/ced it’s so loved
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I wish they’d bring it back-it was so gorgeous, and pretty affordable.
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Me too!
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Lys Soleia! I treasure mine so much that it never gets worn anymore. What a perfume!
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I still see Cristalle EdT on the Chanel US site. I don’t understand these games with distribution limited geographically.
I think I tried Terracotta when it was reissued (some anniversary?), but I don’t remember much.
If brands are not ashamed to reformulate perfumes that are currently in production, why don’t they re-release their previously discontinued perfumes more often?
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I checked the US, UK & EU sites & the US has the “new” Cristalle tall bottle. On sniffing the juice is closest to the EDP.
On the UK & EU sites the EdP is now in the Chanel square EdP bottle & Eau Verte is in the tall bottle.
I have seen or heard somewhere that Eau Verte has taken the place of the OG Cristalle edt
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Just too many to mention ……. perhaps reformulation is the worst crime, it’s like a lie, deceiving the loyal customer …. Agree with Alityke especially on Cristalle, which was my wedding perfume and spookily today is our anniversary!
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Happy Anniversary! (belatedly)
I would not mind reformulations that much had the brands put the vintage on their perfumes – maybe not each year but each time they tweak something in the formula. I don’t think it would prevent people from buying the next bottle, but at least there will be no gaslighting (I remember my confusion earlier in my perfume hobby when the next bottle didn’t smell as I remembered, and I always thought it was me!)
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I’m going to say the original Lauren, as it was in about 1989 or so. I loved it so much. Sometimes I wonder-I think I want what’s in my memory, which may now be different from the scent. It has been about 37 years since I smelled that version.
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I also miss this one. Such a classy perfume, different than today. Also from RL, I miss Tuxedo. Loved it, but it had a very short time on the shelves.
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This is one of the things I would love to be able to check! I want to smell perfumes from the past, as they were back then (not in the “vintage” form) to see how I perceive them today. I wish I could.
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Like jilliecat, I find it difficult to narrow down my list. If I had to choose, my first would be Kouros by YSL. I recently acquired a vintage sample that, unfortunately, made me painfully aware of why I adore this perfume. My second choice would be Vanille by Mona di Orio.
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Vanille is my favorite as well. I was surprised that the brand hasn’t survived. I understand that without the perfumer it’s impossible to produce new scents. But i hoped that they would continue producing the existing lineup: it seemed to be quite popular.
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From what I understand, Undina Jeroen Oude Sogtoen, the creative director of Maison Mona di Orio, carried forward the vision of Mona di Orio after her passing in 2011. However, let’s be honest, Mona was a true genius. I could have easily owned every perfume she ever created. While I enjoy all of her fragrances, I have a special fondness for three in particular, which I own. These fragrances belong to the Les Nombres d’Or collection: Cuir, Oudth, and Vanille. Vanille, in particular, remains the most exquisite vanilla perfume I’ve ever encountered. You can read my post on PER FUMUS about it.
You’re absolutely right, Mona di Orio is incredibly popular. For instance, as a member of Parfumo.com, I’ve received numerous requests from people worldwide asking if I’d be interested in selling any of my three Mona di Orio perfumes. It’s a simple answer for me: No!
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GAH! So many Undina.
Most of the things I loved I’ve been lucky enough to hoard a lifetime supply. The one that I’m really sad that there are only drops left in my bottle is Van Cleef & Arpels Pour Homme. The most beautiful men aimed fragrance I ever smelled. Rich, smoky and brightly iridescent, it was amazing.
Portia xx
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I don’t think I’ve ever even smelled this one. The brand isn’t represented well around here, so I had just a cursory exposure to their perfumes.
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This one was from the 1970s Undina. It was a department store perfume that was phased out in the early 2000s I think. If only I’d bought 5 liters then.
Portia xx
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Guerlain Plus Que Jamais. I wish I had bought a bottle while I still could, but I had no idea of its imminent fate.
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I knew you would name this one! I remember your post about it, and since then this perfume that I’d never smelled has been strongly associated with you :)
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The one I have and love most that has been discontinued is Penhaligon’s Ostara. I have backups! I’ve never understood why they discontinued it so quickly. The “one that got away” that I never got to try before it was discontinued is Nicolai’s Le Temps d’Une Fête, which I think I would have loved!
I’m confused about Cristalle edt. It’s still available in the US, on the Chanel website.
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I so regret not buying another bottle of Ostara while it was available. I find it the perfect spring scent. And the cut paper box was stunning,
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Yes! So beautiful.
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I am glad it worked this time and you got a backup of Ostara. I remember it suddenly went on sale (and I bought my bottle as well), but I was also surprised they discontinued it that quickly. I am always curious how some perfumes survive while others fade in non-existence. Do they really sell much worse? Do some ingredients become too expensive? Something else?
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Hello, all, I realized this past week that I lost track of my blogs, thanks to Apple mail app which decides what is important… just rejiggered everything so I can see posts. I haven’t been doing perfume long enough to have used up much but I do wish I had purchased L’Artisan Seville a l’Aube when it was available. My decant is evaporating/being used up too quickly.
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I mentioned 2 RL’s above, but in addition and more modern — Bottega Veneta for women. I don’t understand why they discontinued such a popular scent. The only leather I’ve ever really liked. And also Balenciaga, the one from the early 2000’s.
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I can’t believe Bottega Veneta wasn’t popular! Why else would you discontinue it?!
I see that now they have new perfumes in their online store. Much more expensive. I wonder if they killed their great original creations not to compete with the new (with a high probability mediocre) creations?
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I was lucky enough to revisit most of my old loves, and either they had changed or I had, so I think I’m done mourning the past in terms of perfume for now. However, Drive Them Wild by 4160Tuesdays is getting discontinued, and that’s one of my favorites by them, so I’ve just bought a backup bottle.
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Well… Your disappointments are still ahead :) I think you’re at least 5-7 years behind (time-wise) most of other commenters :)
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Probably true!
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For Meir is Organza Indecence. The original had a wonderful cinnamon note and was very long lasting.
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I know that I tried it many years ago, but I can’t remember how it smelled (I liked the original one).
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