Knize Ten 100th Anniversary Review – Francois Coty & Vincent Roubert; 1924

Perfume databases on the internet aren’t 100% accurate. And although many state that Knize Ten first appeared in 1924, it’s important to point out that some claim the launch date was 1925. However, I’m partial to big anniversaries on my YouTube channel, so I decided to go with the earlier date and take the opportunity to review this beloved classic in a recent episode of Love At First Scent. Here’s a link: Knize Ten, Knize Two and Lady Knize reviews.

It’s difficult to know what to add to the many words that have been written and spoken about this true giant in the realm of olfactory achievement. But I suppose one thought that comes to mind is how surprising it is that it remains relatively unknown. Many of the other greats from this era are pretty much household names – No. 5, Shalimar, Habanita, Cuir De Russie, Arpege – yet dear old humble Knize Ten hasn’t quite managed to attain the same status. Well, it certainly deserves to. For one thing, it has inspired countless other perfumes — indeed, it’s probably responsible for defining what we now consider to be the dry leather genre. And for another, it still smells so darned good. The juice in my recently-purchased bottle positively glows with the brightness of the citruses at the top, before making way – with heart-quickening finesse – to the suave spices and florals in the mid-section. And then, of course, there’s the leather spine, running through the entire composition, lending it the sort of unashamedly emotive, Gatsby-esque air of conflicted cool that most perfumes couldn’t even hope to emulate. If you’ve never come across it, then its 100th anniversary year is the time to make amends.

Persolaise

PS In the video, I also touched on Lady Knize, an attractive rose composition from the 1930s, as well as Knize Two, a floral masculine released in the 1970s.

[Review based on samples obtained by me in 2023.]

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