Frapin 1270 Eau De Parfum Review (2024): Superstar from The Yesteryear

Frapin 1270 Eau de Parfum is an unisex woody oriental fragrance released in 2010 and was created by Sidonie Lancesseur.

Released in more innocent times of the YouTube fragrance community back when there was no product shilling, lies, and deception, the only thing that drove the original reviewers was their passion for perfume.

Oh, how I missed these times when true fragrance gems were discovered, and almost every perfume had its real meaning and genuine excitement.

Frapin 1270 Eau de Parfum in three words: WARM – FRUITY – TAME

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Over a decade ago, I had the pleasure of sampling this fragrance. It left such an impression that I’ve been yearning to add it to my perfume collection ever since.

Much time has passed since then, and my taste in perfumery has changed more than once.

How does this blast from the past still hold up in the 2020s? Here are my thoughts about why you should give it a try.

FRAPIN 1270 EAU DE PARFUM ESSENTIAL INFORMATION

The Frapin family, with a history dating back to 1270, has been a beacon of excellence and quality.

Originating in the Cognac region of France, they were initially celebrated for their exceptional Cognac. Today, the Frapin name is synonymous with a remarkable range of fragrances.

1270 is named after the year when the Frapin family first established itself.

The fragrance is centered around gourmand richness and oriental opulence, drawing inspiration from the luxurious world of Cognac.

It incorporates notes that capture the essence of a fine aged spirit, evident in its warm and inviting aroma.

The scent combines the sweetness of honey and dried fruits with the depth of spices and woody undertones, resulting in a decadent and comforting fragrance.

This perfume is still in production and is available in a 100ml Eau de Parfum bottle for $185.00.

PERFUME THEME

A NOTE FROM THE BRAND: “The first perfume in our collection was conceived as a tribute to the origins of the Frapin family, who settled in the Charente in 1270. This fragrance is a distillation of gourmand pleasures that will turn your skin into a sensuous feast.

Re-orchestrated by Sidonie Lancesseur, its warm-hued palette runs from golden pineapple to candied orange, ambery raisins, purple prunes and russet hazelnuts to the roasted duskiness of cocoa and coffee. Facets of vanilla and smoky guaiac wood evoke an outbreak of vine branches in the fireplace…”

PERFUME NOTES

• Perfumer: Sidonie Lancesseur
• Perfume oil concentration: Eau de Parfum
• Fragrance type: Woody Oriental
• Release date: 2010 (2008)
• Target audience: Unisex
• Masculine/Feminine: 50% – 50%
• Most dominant notes: Pineapple, Spices, and Vanilla
• Age group: 25+
• Seasons: Fall and Winter
• Occasions: Night Out and Leisure
• Longevity and projection: 4 – 6 hours with moderate projection
• The recommended number of sprays: 4 – 6
• Compliments: Moderate
• Likeability: High
• Uniqueness: 3/5
• Presentation: 5/5
• Value for money: 8/10
• Price: $$
• Accords: Fruity, Sweet, Woody
• Reviewed batch code: n/a
• Reformulated: Yes
• Holy Grail Scent Rating: B
• Sample/Buy/Pass: Sample
• Testing period: 4 months
• Production: Available
• Possibility of discontinuation: Low

PERFUME NOTES
Top notes: Pineapple, Orange, Prune, Hazelnut, Raisin, Cocoa, Tonka bean, Coffee
Heart notes: Spices, Immortelle, Pepper, Grape blossom, Linden tree
Base notes: Gaiac wood, Precious woods, Vanilla, White honey

PERFUME PRESENTATION

Before we start with the presentation, while I purchased this fragrance without a box, I previously owned a complete presentation of L’Humaniste, and I am fully aware of what the Frapin presentation feels like.

The high-quality glass bottle boasts a sturdy, slightly curved design that recalls the rich history of the Charente region and pays homage to the brand’s origins in the industry.

One of the most striking features is the cap, crafted from a dark, polished wood that contrasts beautifully with the glass bottle.

This wooden cap adds a touch of rustic charm while emphasizing the connection to natural ingredients and Frapin’s artisanal approach.

The label on the back of the bottle is understated and sophisticated. It features an elegantly engraved insignia and the prominently featured name “1270” on the front.

The Frapin 1270 packaging is impressively designed with attention to detail. A sturdy red cardboard box offers excellent protection for the bottle during transit and storage.

The outside of the box features subtle and elegant artwork (Maison de Parfums) that embodies the brand’s French heritage.

The box design includes a brief description of the fragrance and its inspiration, providing the careful craftsmanship behind the perfume.

This thoughtful touch boosts the overall experience, turning the unboxing into a moment of luxury and exploration.

Overall, the perfume presentation cannot get much better than this, so it gets my highest score.

TOP NOTES

• Pineapple
• Orange
• Prune
• Hazelnut
• Raisin
• Cocoa
• Tonka bean
• Coffee

From the opening until the far dry down, one thought inside my mind always seemed to surface.

That is, 1270 is a perfume that is visibly a creation from the past that has started to show its age, but in a good way.

Thus, I wouldn’t expect anything modern inside this composition but a perfume meant to stand the everchanging test of time.

First, let me answer the question everyone is probably wondering about. Does 1270 smell like a cognac?

Well, yes and no. Nothing is boozy inside, but the overall feel of the mix gives you that warm experience cognac provides.

I get the most creative use of fruits, spices, resins, and woods in a single fragrance.

The opening is undoubtedly dominated by a pineapple that smells like the ones in a pineapple juice drink.

It’s the same and has zero connection to the one in the more popular Creed Aventus.

Besides the lovely pineapple, the candied fruits(mostly plum) share the opening and distinct touches of warm notes, such as semi-sweet hazelnut and ground coffee.

For an oriental niche fragrance, I’m yet to see another scent that does this kind of mix so well.

HEART NOTES

• Spices
• Immortelle
• Pepper
• Grape blossom
• Linden tree

The middle stage seems to come quite quickly. I wish that the fragrance was more substantial and lasted longer since, in that case, I would easily place it in the Holy Grail category.

This is where the fragrance could have truly shone, but unfortunately, it falls a bit short. The notes start to blur at this point, so I think it should have performed better.

Regarding its ‘Extreme’ flanker, many perfume lovers have reported that they are two different products with few similarities.

This is an important distinction, as it could significantly impact your perception of the fragrance.

The heart is dominated by generic spices and honey, which provide a natural, golden sweetness that feels comforting.

The honey note is not overly sugary or cloying, offering a smooth and lush sweetness. It complements the initial burst of pineapple and dried fruits, smoothly transitioning from the top notes.

Other faintly perceivable notes from the opening include cocoa and coffee, which add a subtle gourmand depth and enrich the overall complexity of 1270 Eau de Parfum.

The cocoa note brings in a delicate aroma of dark chocolate that is both luxurious and slightly bitter, creating a lovely contrast with the sweetness of the honey.

Experienced individuals will find it easier to detect these contrasts with repeated wearing.

BASE NOTES

• Gaiac wood
• Precious woods
• Vanilla
• White honey

The base is like a warm scarf that guards you from the coldest winds during the winter. Yes, it is nothing special and overused to death at this point, but it works.

I detect gourmand vanilla, honey, and tonka beans, with spicy residues from the heart notes. Now, 1270 deserved all those praises more than a decade ago.

Probably because it was something new. These days? I’m over with these vanilla/tonka bean scents and have moved to something more interesting.

Either way, few will be unsatisfied with its opening and heart, but the base will probably disappoint seasoned noses.

Last but not least, this would have been a tremendous fragrant candle during the ‘festive months’ to warm up the mood.

PERFORMANCE

1270 has a bad reputation for its performance—or, better said, its lack of it. Sadly, I have to confirm these statements to be true.

On my skin, the fragrance typically lasts between four to six hours. The scent’s evolution is rapid, with the top notes dissipating within the first 30 minutes and the heart notes following suit shortly after.

As already discussed, the base is meh.

Regarding projection, it is relatively intimate after the base notes kick in. This makes it suitable for close encounters and environments where a strong scent might be inappropriate.

But other than that, don’t expect much. Lastly, the sillage follows the projection, and after a while, few can detect your fragrance.

LONGEVITY: 4 – 6 hours
PROJECTION: Low – Moderate
SILLAGE: Low – Moderate

TARGET AUDIENCE AND COMPLIMENTS

Frapin 1270 is a versatile fragrance that can be worn by both men and women, transcending traditional gender boundaries.

It features a well-balanced combination of sweet and woody notes, appealing to individuals seeking a sophisticated, gender-neutral scent.

Fragrances like this one typically receive positive feedback from those who notice them, so it’s likely that you will receive compliments when wearing it.

However, I am still waiting to receive input on wearing 1270.

AUDIENCE: Unisex
AGE RANGE: 25+
COMPLIMENTS: Moderate

WHEN & WHERE

The warm and spicy notes of 1270 are ideal for cooler weather. Even with the inclusion of tropical pineapple, I can’t see anyone pulling it off during the spring and summer.

Since its lack of performance, you cannot overspray this fragrance, so feel free to apply it liberally.

I have worn it in casual situations and a couple of times during the night outs when it feels like being at home without an overpowering effect.

As for other occasions, it could work in an office, at upscale dinners, and in similar scenarios.

SEASONS: Fall and Winter
OCCASIONS: Leisure and Night Out
ATTIRE: Classic Chic, Sharp Suit, Leather Luxe, Night Out Attire

UNIQUENESS AND VALUE FOR MONEY

I have to praise using high-quality materials, even in smaller concentrations.

For a fragrance released in 2010, the notes and accords smell way above anything found in designer releases and, arguably, better than in many more expensive niche offerings.

Either way, the opening is still unique, but the rest of the composition is relatively familiar territory if we compare 1270 to other high-end oriental scents.

Bentley For Men Intense and Guerlain Homme Eau De Parfum do a better job regarding the boozy aspects.

Frapin is known for offering a fair price for their fragrant products, even at the retail price, and this is one of the rare occasions where I would suggest readers decide for themselves whether they want to pay a little more retail or wait for more affordable deals at fragrance discounters.

Hopefully, Frapin will continue to offer this high price-to-quality ratio in the foreseeable future.

UNIQUENESS: 3/5
PRESENTATION: 5/5
VALUE FOR MONEY: 8/10

PROS AND CONS

Each composition brings charm, complexities, and shortcomings to the diverse perfume landscape.

Exploring the pros and cons provides a comprehensive view, aiding fragrance enthusiasts in their quest for the perfect olfactory experience.

Understanding these nuances allows you to make a more well-informed choice, ensuring a tailored match for individual tastes.

COLLECTION & SIMILAR PERFUMES

1270 Eau de Parfum is part of the original Frapin collection, which dates back to 2007. Only one flanker has been released so far.

Unfortunately, Frapin’s website doesn’t have a separate section for fragrances, so we can only guess until when the old releases were a part of the original fragrance collection.

COLLECTION

• Frapin L’Humaniste – a citrus aromatic fragrance released in 2009. The main notes include Amalfi lemon, gin, and juniper berries. The lasting power is between 4 – 6 hours with moderate projection.
• Frapin Terre de Sarment – an oriental fragrance released in 2007. The main notes include grapes, caraway, and myrrh. The lasting power is between 4 – 6 hours with moderate projection.
• Frapin Passion Boisee – a citrus woody fragrance released in 2007. The main notes include tangerine, rum, and oak. The lasting power is between 4 – 6 hours with moderate projection.

SIMILAR PERFUMES AND ALTERNATIVES

• Frapin 1270 Extrême – a woody, fruity fragrance released in 2022. The main notes include pineapple, cedar, and tonka bean. The lasting power is between 4 – 6 hours with moderate projection.
• Histoires de Parfums 1804 – a fruity oriental fragrance released in 2001. The main notes include pineapple, patchouli, and vanilla. The lasting power is between 6 – 8 hours with moderate projection.
• Jacomo For Men by Jacomo – a fruity oriental fragrance released in 2007. The main notes include coffee, tonka bean, and pineapple. The lasting power is between 4 – 6 hours with moderate projection.

EDITOR’S CHOICE

• By Kilian Angels’ Share – a spicy oriental fragrance released in 2020. The main notes include cognac, cinnamon, and vanilla. The lasting power is between 8 – 10 hours with great projection.

FINAL WORDS

Life flies by even if we don’t realize this. To think that it has been over a decade since I first sampled this fragrance makes me wonder where the time went so quickly.

It was a nostalgic scent for me, that’s for sure.

Now that this review is over, I can understand why 1270 was such a big hit in the early days of the fragrance community and why it is now practically forgotten.

Looking at this release with more experience, I would suggest Dior Fahrenheit Le Parfum now since it offers better boozy aspects, better performance, and arguably better-quality ingredients.

Anyway, that’s just my opinion. I know that this bottle stays in my collection regardless of its downfalls since I love having something low-key like this during the colder days.

What do you think about this article covering Frapin 1270 Eau de Parfum? Let’s start a conversation, and let me know in the comment section below.

If you are unsure whether to buy a fragrance, looking at Scent Grail’s S.P.A. Signature Factor Guide is always a good decision.

It is easy to use and the most relevant perfume-buying guide on the web. This way, you can determine whether a particular fragrance is worth checking out and potentially find your signature perfume.

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Find out more Scent Grail articles about perfumery, check out top lists and other helpful reviews via the links below:

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Until next time, stay humble, and keep smelling great!

Best, Marin!
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