Greenergy

The Verdict

Greenergy is one of Givenchy's forgotten children. Launched in 2000 by perfumers Alberto Morillas and Ilias Ermenidis, it was likely developed for the Asian duty-free market, quietly discontinued, briefly resurrected in 2007 as part of the "Les Parfums Mythiques" collection, and then shelved again. Today it haunts eBay listings and collector forums as a "unicorn" -- though whether it deserves that status depends entirely on what you expect from a fragrance called "Greenergy."

What It Smells Like

If you are picturing a sharp, bitter, classically green fragrance, recalibrate. Greenergy opens with a bright cocktail of Grapefruit, Lemon, Orange, and Mandarin, alongside Basil and Mint that give it a synthetic-but-appealing freshness. One Basenotes reviewer described it as "like a synthetic spin on Green Irish Tweed, with a lush accord of basil, cardamom, mandarin orange, lavender."

But here is where it confuses people. The green you get is less "freshly-cut grass" and more "greenhouse with the windows open." Mimosa and Marigold in the heart introduce a sweet, honeyed floral dimension that many did not see coming. In the base, Vetiver and Styrax with a touch of Sandalwood try to anchor things in earthy chypre territory, but the overall impression remains soft and flowery rather than assertive.

One colorful Fragrantica reviewer called it "Green Irish Tweed in Extravagance d'Amarige drag." Another, less charitably, described it as "a somewhat sad affair of one-dimensional green, lacking flair or complexity."

When to Wear It

Spring and summer, daytime only. The community voting at 28% day versus 7% night tells the full story. This is a casual, light, undemanding fragrance that works for errands, office hours, or a walk in the park. It does not have the weight or presence for anything after dark.

Longevity & Projection

Performance is modest. Fragrantica ratings sit at 3.10 out of 5 for longevity and 2.19 out of 4 for sillage. Expect 3-5 hours of wear time with close projection. Several reviewers noted the sillage is "on the weak side," which may actually be a virtue in close office quarters.

The Community Says

Greenergy is genuinely polarizing. Fans call it "a clean, effortless vetiver-based chypre" and "an outstanding Green fragrance" with "a somewhat calming effect." One blogger recently elevated it to "a benchmark for modern green fragrances that few have managed to match."

The detractors are equally vocal. One Basenotes reviewer said Greenergy "knows not where to go or how to develop," while another hoped for a masculine green classic but found "none of the sharp, bitter elements I associate with green perfume." The sweet, floral drydown catches people off guard if they came looking for Chanel Pour Monsieur territory.

Adding to the intrigue, multiple community members believe Greenergy is simply a rebottled version of the discontinued Monsieur de Givenchy II from 1993. One reviewer was adamant: "Givenchy just rebottled the MDG2 and gave it a new name -- it smells identical."

Who Should Buy This

If you collect discontinued fragrances and enjoy the crossover between green, floral, and soft chypre styles, Greenergy is worth hunting down. Bottles can still be found at reasonable prices -- around twenty dollars an ounce -- making it an affordable curiosity. It also works well for anyone who finds modern fresh fragrances too aggressive or chemical.

Pass if you want a bold green statement. Greenergy whispers when you might want it to speak up. Also pass if you already own Green Irish Tweed, as the comparison will not flatter Greenergy.

The Bottom Line

A pleasant, softly green, floral-chypre hybrid that never found its audience during its brief shelf life. The cult following it has gained since discontinuation is somewhat overstated, but at its current aftermarket prices, it remains a charming footnote in Givenchy's catalog -- worth a try for the curious, but not the lost masterpiece some collectors make it out to be.