As an anniversary gift for my dad, I was looking for a classic cologne similar to the legendary L’Eau d’Issey Pour Homme Issey Miyake. Because he is obsessed with this fresh & alluring scent and used it for years as his signature cologne.
Fortunately, I’ve found some fantastic substitutes for L’Eau d’Issey Pour Homme with some modern twists.
And, if you’re in the same boat, the given alternatives will surely amaze you.
So, let’s delve into it.
What Does L’Eau d’Issey Pour Homme Issey Miyake Smell Like?
L’Eau d’Issey Pour Homme is a woody, aquatic fragrance that starts with a fruity aroma, along with yuzu’s sparkling citrusy touch. Within a few moments, you can sense a floral aroma with a spicy hint of nutmeg that settles with a woody, musky tone of vetiver and musk.
Issey Miyake produced this sensational gents scent in 1994, which offers marine serenity on terrific summer days.
Jacques Cavallie formulated this creation by using some unique and interesting elements, such as yuzu, cologne, blue lotus, etc. Let’s check out the other ingredients to get a detailed concept of the rich-smelling tone:
Top Notes: Yuzu, Lemon, Bergamot, Mandarin Orange, Cypress, Calone, Coriander.
Middle Notes: Blue Lotus, Nutmeg, Lily-of-the-Valley, Bourbon Geranium, Saffron.
Base Notes: Tahitian Vetiver, Musk, Cedar, Sandalwood, Amber, Tobacco.
The opening of L’Eau d’Issey Pour Homme is clean and tantalizing, which exudes a fruity pungency of yuzu and other citric fruits.
Meanwhile, the herby, spicy tint cypress & coriander combine with the ozonic notes of calone, making the top more striking and enthusiastic for both genders.
Slowly, you will feel the floral core that is filled with a fresh, blooming aura of lotus and lily-of-the-valley. A spicy richness of saffron and geranium leaves a sensual aura that is hard to resist.
During dry-down, the fragrance reveals a grassy, woodsy fusion of vetiver, cedar, and sandalwood layered with an evocative musky undertone. The warm, powdery tone of amber and tobacco built the most passionate closing that captivates girls with its opulent vibe.
Plus, this cologne stays up to 7 hours with moderate projection.
That’s massive for a summer fragrance. Plus, given the aura this cologne offers, I’d definitely recommend the Issey Miyake iteration as a must-have cologne for men.
With all the advantages, it also carries a slightly old vibe, which doesn’t bring much pleasure for those who wanna try something trendy. Keeping this in mind, I’ve suggested some substitutes for L’Eau d’Issey Pour Homme in the following segment.
What Colognes Are Similar To L’Eau d’Issey Pour Homme Issey Miyake?
For me, L’Eau d’Issey Pour Homme is the most refreshing scent for gents. Because of its enormous popularity, multiple brands produce cheap replicas. Finding the top-notch dupe from this huge perfumery world can be tiresome.
After immense testing of several summer fragrances, I found 10 amazing alternatives & clones of this timeless piece.
Let’s explore my selected substitutes for Issey Miyake’s L’Eau d’Issey Pour Homme:
1. Mister Caviar Paris Elysees
Top Notes: Herbal Notes, Lemon, Tangerine.
Middle Notes: Nutmeg, Cardamom.
Base Notes: Vetiver, Sandalwood.
In 2020, Paris Elysees created a woody, aromatic fragrance named Mister Caviar.
A potent, herby, watery fusion tickles your nose with a citrusy fruitiness as you pump this fragrance for the first time. The opening is soothing yet energizing and gives almost the same stimulating feel of L’Eau d’Issey Pour Homme.
Within a few moments, the fresh aroma transforms into a sweet, spicy blend of nutmeg and cardamom.
As the fragrance grows, you will get the warm, grassy smell of vetiver with the dense, timbery effect of sandalwood. This bold, evocative nuance offers a perfect masculine tone for modern gents.
This fragrance also lasts more than 6 hours, depending on the individual’s body temperature.
When to Wear
Summer and spring are the perfect seasons to use Mister Caviar. The fresh, bright aura of this cologne keeps you calm on a hot sunny day.
Why Should You Buy
- Reasonably priced.
- Soft and fresh rendition of L’Eau d’Issey Pour Homme.
- Best for warm, humid weather.
- Suitable for office wear.
- Great performance compared to the price.
- A good option for summer vacations.
2. Bois de Yuzu Karl Lagerfeld
Top Notes: Yuzu, Ginger, Bergamot, Grapefruit, Mint, Rosemary.
Middle Note: Nutmeg.
Base Notes: Moss, Papyrus.
Bois de Yuzu by Karl Lagerfeld is a citrus-based fragrance that appears with a similar opening and closing to the iconic L’Eau d’Issey Pour Homme.
Emilie Bevierre-Coppermann composed this male cologne in 2018.
From the first sniff, you will feel a fruity explosion of yuzu, bergamot, and grapefruit, where the citrusy accords take the lead stage.
But the starting became more appealing to me when I smelt the herby pungency of ginger and rosemary, with a mild minty flavor on top. The smell is so mesmerizing that I can’t even describe it with words.
Moving to the core, it spreads a spicy, nutty essence of nutmeg.
As the savory essence fades in the air, away, you will get a then comes at the base with a woody-earthy smell of moss. The closing becomes more uplifting when you feel the dry, aromatic tone of papyrus in it.
Overall, the perfume leaves a sultry effect, just like the fall beach days. And you can enjoy this aroma for more than 6 hours with noticeable arm-length sillage.
When to Wear
The fruity, juicy aroma of Bois de Yuzu works great in warm tropical weather. And due to its strong citrusy tone, it suits better in daytime events than the night outs.
Why Should You Buy
- Good value for money.
- Best scent for fruit lovers.
- Brings a clean vibe on scorching sunny days.
- It can be used as a go-to scent for warm seasons.
- Suitable for teenage boys.
- Perfect gift for your young brother.
- Luxurious packaging.
3. Perfume ME 336
Top Notes: Yuzu, Lemon, Bergamot, Cypress, Calone, Coriander, Tarragon.
Middle Notes: Blue Lotus, Nutmeg, Lily of the Valley, Saffron, Ceylon Cinnamon, Bourbon Geranium.
Base Notes: Tahitian Vetiver, Musk, Cedar, Sandalwood, Tobacco, Amber.
From top to bottom, you will feel the same scented formulation in this inspired cologne.
Like the original, this fragrance begins with a striking citric blend of yuzu, lemon, bergamot & mandarin. Where you can experience a serene vibe of calone that surely impresses you with its opulence.
After a few while, the cologne propagates a floral-faceted, spicy fusion of nutmeg and cinnamon with saffron’s richness.
From this core, you will feel a cheerful yet addictive aura at a time.
Eventually, the crowd-appealing scented journey draws a passionate closing line with a woody, musky combo. Within a few moments, you’ll feel the tobacco hint in the base. That exact aroma makes Perfume ME 336 a close replica of the legendary Issey Miyake cologne.
When to Wear
The duplicate shines perfectly in daytime events in summer and spring. You can also use this fragrance in beach casual parties as well as formal office meetings.
Why Should You Buy
- Exact dupe of L’Eau d’Issey Pour Homme.
- Standard projection & longevity.
- Affordable price tag.
- Easy to apply.
- Can be a perfect cologne for a short coastal vacation.
- Suitable for every outdoor activity.
4. L’Eau d’Issey Pour Homme Fraiche Issey Miyake
Top Notes: Grapefruit, Rosemary, Bergamot, Mint, Cardamom.
Middle Notes: Pink Pepper, Mate, Lavender, May Rose.
Base Notes: Vetiver, Musk, Patchouli.
L’Eau d’Issey Pour Homme Fraiche is a new rendition of the 1994’s L’Eau d’Issey Pour Homme, which mirrors the soothing and energizing vibe of mountain flow.
Issey Miyake produced this woody aquatic fragrance in 2015. Christophe Raynaud is the rich nose behind this outstanding composition.
From the first sniff of this cologne, you can sense a delightful, luscious, fruity smell of bergamot and grapefruit. Where the herby, spicy essence of rosemary and cinnamon decorates the opening so well with a slight touch of mint, it becomes more powerful.
After 30 to 40 minutes later, the sharp nuance changes into a peppery, blossomy tone, along with the hay-like powdery accords of mate & lavender.
At last, the fragrance finishes off with the woody-musky blend of vetiver, musk, and patchouli, hinted by the potent earthy tint as the background.
Luckily, this updated edition lasts up to 10 hours and projects remarkably within the arm-length area.
When to Wear
During terrific hot summer & spring days, you can apply this refreshing scent. Plus, it goes perfectly in every formal and casual party, so you can use it everywhere.
Why Should You Buy
- Modern interpretation of L’Eau d’Issey Pour Homme.
- 10+ hours of satisfying longevity.
- Perfect for warm seasons.
- A good option for office and formal meetings.
- Offer a relaxing aura on hot summer days.
- Suitable for evening hangouts.
5. Azzaro Pour Homme L’Eau by Azzaro
Top Notes: Yuzu, Amalfi Lemon, Grapefruit.
Middle Notes: Lavender, Geranium.
Base Notes: Sandalwood, Vetiver, Patchouli, Musk.
Aromatic fougere fragrances are the all-time men’s favorite for their summer collection. Azzaro Pour Homme L’Eau is the unforgettable cologne on this list that also carries a lot of similarities in the opening and closing of L’Eau d’Issey Pour Homme.
This male collection first arrived on the market in 2011, which captivates people with its fresh, citrusy opening of yuzu, and other tangy fruits.
The amazing combo of lavender & geranium spreads a herbal, flowery tone at the core that impressively floats around you and gives a soothing atmosphere in your hectic working day.
Eventually, the fragrance settles with the warm, timbery mixture of sandalwood and vetiver. In the meantime, you will experience a mild, musky, earthy accords, leaving a sensual, evocative aura on your skin.
This cologne also provides good performance with a moderate 6 hours of longevity.
When to Wear
Even though Azzaro Pour Homme L’Eau is a summer fragrance, you can still also use it as your signature scent on spring days out.
Why Should You Buy
- Premium packaging.
- Good for gift someone special.
- Best for outdoor daytime events.
- Perfect for office days.
- Standard longevity and sillage.
6. DIVAIN-029
Top Notes: Coriander, Cypress, Tangerine, Tarragon, Yuzu, Lemon, Calone.
Middle Notes: Nutmeg, Reseda, Ceylon Cinnamon, Saffron, Blue Lotus.
Base Notes: Tahitian Vetiver, Musk, Sandalwood, Cedar, Amber, Tobacco.
DIVAIN-029 is a promising copy that also offers the identical refreshing vibe of L’Eau d’Issey Pour Homme. So, if you want something affordable for summer, then you should opt for this dupe.
The top is fresh and cheerful with a potent citrusy, juicy hint. The aquatic effect of calone and a herby twist of coriander make the opening smoother and more appealing.
Moving to the next phase, here you will receive a complete spicy fusion of nutmeg and cinnamon with saffron’s richness. Reseda and blue lotus add some green floral tint and make this core mind-blowing.
Similar to the original one, this DIVAIN scent also dries on your body with the woodsy, musky, and slightly bitter tone of tobacco.
The finishing is so rich and dense, which is unbelievable in any affordable dupe. But I found it a bit softer than the original, so you may overspray this cologne to get a better performance.
When to Wear
This fragrance also suits every outdoor program in summer and spring. You can also carry this cologne for your coastal vacation or any type of trekking in warm weather.
Why Should You Buy
- Budget friendly alternatives to L’Eau d’Issey Pour Homme.
- Standard projection and longevity.
- Perfect for daily outdoor hangouts.
- Easy to carry for short trips.
- Rich and passionate dry-down.
- Good choice for evening beach parties.
7. L’Eau par Kenzo pour Homme
Top Notes: Yuzu, Lemon, Green Pepper.
Middle Notes: Water Notes, Lotus, Water Mint, Green Notes
Base Notes: White Musk, Cedar.
Back in 1999, Kenzo launched a fantastic aromatic aquatic gents fragrance called L’Eau par Kenzo pour Homme. During testing, I also found it a notable substitute for L’Eau d’Issey Pour Homme.
The masculine scent opens with a strong, tangy extract of juicy yuzu and lemon, where the spicy kick of green pepper makes this more exciting.
When the vibrant tone milds down slowly, you will feel the green mineral explosion in the core, where the fresh ozonic aura plays the lead role. The fresh blooming aura of lotus elevates the middle and enriches its purity.
The woody, musky warmth of cedar and white musk draws a mesmerizing closing line and leaves an evocative trail that attracts ladies.
The overall composition acts like a floating cloud on scorching, hot, sunny days. Even though it’s a gents fragrance, I still found it as a good unisex option that also provides a good staying capacity in humid climates.
When to Wear
This clean, uplifting scent is perfect for warm, tropical weather, just like the summer & spring sunny days. You can use this as your go-to office scent and also carry it for seaside parties.
Why Should You Buy
- Perfect office fragrance.
- Sophisticated & elegant composition for young people.
- Well-balanced aquatic scent.
- Best for beach tours.
- A fresh aura gives a cheerful vibe on summer days.
8. Eau de Rochas Homme
Top Notes: Lime, Lemon, Bergamot, Aldehydes, Basil, Mandarin Orange.
Middle Notes: Coriander, Lily-of-the-Valley, Jasmine, Freesia, Carnation, Violet.
Base Notes: Vetiver, Oakmoss, Cedar, Musk, Amber.
Eau de Rochas Homme by Rochas is one of my favorite cologne that my brother always uses to stimulate his summer beach trips.
Nicolas Mamounas composed this fresh masculine fragrance back in 1993, which is still a sensational name in the perfume community.
A potent lemony freshness greets your smelling senses as you whiff this scent at first. Along with the juicy pungency of mentioned fruits, you will also get slightly herbal-floral hints of aldehydes and basil on top.
30 to 40 minutes later, it spreads a blooming flowery essence of jasmine, lily-of-the-valley, and freesia wrapped with a spicy fusion of coriander & carnation. Meanwhile, violet calms your restless mind by giving a powdery richness.
As time passes, a solid, woody, musky combination of cedar, musk, and amber arrives at the base with its warm carnality. The green, earthy tint of vetiver and oakmoss enhanced the bold, woodsy tone.
Besides the L’Eau d’Issey Pour Homme, this fragrance also holds distinctive similarities to the masculine beast Sedley. So, if you really like the citrusy, woody composition, you can check the other alternatives to Parfums de Marly Sedley.
When to Wear
Eau de Rochas Homme is a perfect summer fragrance that also suits various outdoor programs on hot, sunny days in spring. Plus, you can wear this cologne to every office party and date events in warm seasons.
Why Should You Buy
- Perfect for formal daytime events.
- Ideal for seaside parties.
- Noticeable projection and sillage.
- Addictive and passionate closing.
- Fresh bracing aura.
- Interesting fruity, floral scent.
9. L’eau D’Dua Pour Homme
L’eau D’Dua Pour Homme by The Dua Brand is the last clone on this dupe list that accurately mimics the luxurious vibe of Issey Miyake’s L’Eau d’Issey Pour Homme.
Like the original one, it opens with a fresh, citrusy blend, where the yuzu includes the maximum juicy extract on the top. The marine accords of Calone offer a pure seaside aura with a sultry effect of dewy sand.
Slowly, the oceanic vibe turns into a sweet, spicy aroma. Where the delightful floral smell of blue lotus gently elevates the core.
I personally love the transitional period more than the L’Eau d’Issey because of its masculine touch of vetiver.
Finally, it settles with the creamy, velvety texture of musk and amber. Sandalwood & tobacco finely decorate the background with an evoking eroticism of smoky wood. It takes you back to your first date evening on the seashore.
This affordable piece not only replicates the composition but also offers amazing longevity and perfume sillage.
When to Wear
The stimulating aura of L’eau D’Dua Pour Homme shines perfectly in summer and spring. And it works really great on every casual hangout in coastal areas.
Why Should You Buy
- Reasonably priced.
- Amazing 7+ hours of longevity.
- Fresh and uplifting opening.
- Cheerful yet elegant scent for gents.
- Best for beach times.
- A perfect option for daily use.
- Easy to carry.
10. Eau de Cartier by Cartier
Top Notes: Yuzu, Bergamot, Coriander.
Middle Notes: Violet Leaf, Violet, Lavender.
Base Notes: Cedar, Musk, White Amber, Patchouli.
Christine Nagel composed a citrus aromatic fragrance in 2001 and named it Eau de Cartier.
The vibrant, citrusy tone appears in its opening with the green balsamic elegance of coriander.
Soon, you can sense a very interesting mixture of violet and lavender.
From this core, you will receive a powdery blend with a green, leafy tint that impressively enriches the aura and consistently gives a comfy touch.
The warm and velvety combo of cedar & musk really exudes a sexy trail.
Within a certain time, when the creamy tone mingles with the deep, earthy blend of amber and patchouli, you will experience hard-to-resist sensuality from this closing.
When to Wear
During summer & spring, you can wear this fragrance whenever you need refreshment. Apart from that, I would recommend it for any date event in warm seasons.
Why Should You Buy
- An ideal option for regular use.
- A fantastic choice for blind dates.
- Sexy and addictive dry-down.
- Graceful composition for both ladies & gents.
- Refreshing aroma for bracing weather.
Takeaway Thoughts
L’Eau d’Issey Pour Homme by Issey Miyake offers such a refreshing aura that every man desires for their summer cologne. But sometimes, people wanna spice up their olfactory system with some modern composition.
Hence, I suggested a few classic dupes of L’Eau d’Issey Pour Homme in the above segment that provide an identical aura with some unique touches.
So give them a try and pick the one that impresses you most. Take care!
