Dunno why I haven't posted my review of this yet? I could've sworn I saw bile spitting diatribe of a review from a certain active forum member on this the otherday, doesn't appear to be here anymore? Oh well. I was going to say that his repeated remarks about this being '...nothing like Fahrenheit and anyone who says it is has a crap nose or is deliberately misleading you!' (I'm paraphrasing but that was the general gist.) Well, not meaning to pull rank or anything because all our opinions are valid and I love a good, harsh review every now and again...but I'm somewhat of a Fahrenheit devotee and have owned and still do the original and subsequent reformulations. So please when I tell you this has shades of Fahrenheit or bears a resemblance then please believe it does. It might be easy or lazy to compare this to Fahrenheit because of leather and Violet, because Portrayal is a different perfume, but to say that the comparison is ridiculous or reductive (to either perfume) is simply wrong. My review from July 2019.... Right...Amouage Portrayal Man, is the last release under the creative direction of Christopher Chong (It's actually not but it's the first to be released after the announcement he was leaving his position.) and it's a real coup de grace. Going in a floral direction again, I really liked Imitation and this treads a conspicuously similar path in terms of 'feel'. My nose detects a leather accord, some subtle caraway or cumin, a clean green note (maybe galbanum?) beautiful violet accord which isn't overly sweet, or powdery and merges effortlessly into the buttery orris/leather of this fragrances beating heart. Then there's a soft, woody note developing, that is litterally pencil shavings, some people associate with cedar and vetiver (can't say I do) but more predominantly with a sandalwood for me. If it doesn't contain these I will eat my hat. So Portrayal Man reminds me of an outfit I used to wear to sixth form (before I got kicked out :) So indulge me for a moment. So it's mainly based around a full length, sheepskin jacket, which coupled with the rest of the outfit made me feel like John Shaft, when in reality I probably looked more like John Motson. Super thick, corduroy tousers with deep piping. A shirt in a kind of peanut brown, made from an unusual fabric that I used to describe as a mixture between suede and neoprene, wetsuit material, with a kind of rubbery sheen. Then an Authentic 1970's tie of my dad's that starts off about the width of a postage stamp and flares out to that of a Manila envelope, in a kind of silky, satin material (which is likely polyester! haha) in a pecan brown with Fanta orange stripes across it in a diagonal pattern. Completing the 'look' with some supple and well tenderised, suede moccasins. Yeah you can say it...I was one fly cat! haha. This fragrance oozes suede, with a lush greeness in the opening, alluding to the freshness of floral, violet leaf, peaking out their powdery little, purple, heads. It has a vague nod to Amouages history of more heady and robust incense fragrances peppered thoughout the men's and women's lines. That slight, dirt and even petrol like effect but very minimal and barely there, adding to the Fahrenheit associations and for all it's similar theme's, Portrayal is nothing like Fahrenheit in truth. So there you have it Houdini...you actually agree with him...look at the last line!!!! Well in context when you wear the fragrance you realise just how different it is, but initial associations and mentions of Fahrenheit are crucial in understanding and processing this Fragrance. I really liked it BTW but was it a standout or even as good as the last release Imitation...not really but it's not bad either.
This is an incredible iteration of violet, and an incredible vetiver perfume. I'm surprised by the claims that it lacks the Amouage DNA, for me it was immediately transcendentally beautiful and opulent, and I perceive a direct link to Lyric Woman, notably in the violet (despite violet not being listed in LW). I will say that it is remarkably similar to Girl by Comme des Garçons, except that this one is unmistakably better, I can only imaging the ingredients used are of far superior quality. However, if you can't afford this, Girl is a very viable alternative and a perfume I already had a great deal of respect for. Portrayal has a richer depth, a sweet resiny undercurrent and lacks the dusty woodiness of Girl. Girl can become a bit relentless sometimes, whereas Portrayal is eternal while never becoming annoying. Update: god this is wonderful. There's also a very delicate, subtle sprinkling of (maybe) cumin giving it a slight body smell vibe.