Issey Miyake Wood & Wood: The Review

Image of Issey Miyake L'Eau d'Issey Pour Homme Wood & Wood Eau de Parfum Intense Spray

The spotlight is on our #MyEscentual Fragrance Blind Trial line-up! Now that the results are out The Candy Perfume is sharing why they made it into our ‘Best Fragrances of 2019’.

A few weeks ago, I gave Issey Miyake’s L’Eau d’Issey Rose & Rose the review treatment. It recently topped our #MyEscentual Fragrance Blind Trial, and this week I’m following up with its masculine counterpart: L’Eau d’Issey Pour Homme Wood & Wood. Hereafter referred to as “Wood & Wood” because that is one mouthful of a name. It was rated best for masculinity, so expect some seriously manly stuff, maybe some grunting, beer drinking and dodgy DIY in the rest of this review (just kidding).

In the same way that Rose & Rose centred on the interplay of two varieties of rose, Wood & Wood focuses on a blend of two woods, specifically Virginia cedar essence and sandal essence. These two rich and complex wood accords come together to create an effortlessly smooth masculine fragrance that boasts an unexpected twist of citrus.

bottle image of issey miyake wood wood aftershave

What are the notes in Wood & Wood?

Top Note: Grapefruit Essence.

Heart Notes: Virginia Cedar Essence, Sandal Essence.

Base Note: Patchouli Essence.

How does Wood & Wood smell?

Like Rose & Rose, Wood & Wood shares little with the original L’Eau d’Issey fragrances. Where L’Eau d’Issey Pour Homme was a groundbreaking, abstract aquatic fragrance with a distinct signature, Wood & Wood is a modern ode to woods that is more subtle and pared back. Opening with a tart grapefruit note, Wood & Wood is instantly refreshing, boasting a dewy, mouthwatering burst of joy.

At the heart lies the cedar and sandal essences. Cedar brings warmth, a hint of spice and a dark, knotty warmth. The sandalwood is the contrast, adding smoothness, a soft, nutty vibe, and a creamy, cosy texture. Together these two woods create a new wood – a solid, beige wood with dark, vertical veins. It feels structural and tailored but also soft – the result is elegant and handsome.

Wood & Wood strikes me as an easy masculine fragrance. It’s a people pleaser that makes a safe bet when gifting a scent to the man, or a man, in your life. I like how comfortable it is, and I feel like it’s one of those incredibly versatile fragrances that would work with casual wear as well as it would a suit. Wood & Wood is elegant, simple and clear. It’s the perfect masculine signature for the man that wants a fragrance he can throw on and enjoy without thinking too much about it.

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Find out what more experts thought of Wood & Wood in our fragrance blind trial…

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