Eau d'Ete 2005 l'Eau d'Issey Pour Homme

The Verdict

Issey Miyake's Eau d'Ete 2005 l'Eau d'Issey Pour Homme holds a special place in the hearts of collectors as one of the finest summer flankers in the L'Eau d'Issey lineage. Released in 2005 as a limited seasonal edition, it took the original's beloved aquatic-citrus DNA and amplified the brightness while adding subtle spice and tobacco notes that give it unexpected depth.

The community response is overwhelmingly positive, with reviewers consistently expressing nostalgia and admiration. Unlike many modern summer flankers that sacrifice longevity for lightness, this 2005 edition reportedly maintained impressive staying power, a quality that makes its discontinuation all the more lamented.

What It Smells Like

The composition opens with a burst of yuzu, mandarin orange, and lemon verbena that is brighter and more citrus-forward than the original L'Eau d'Issey Pour Homme. The effect is what one Fragrantica reviewer called "super fresh, bright Miyake" with the citrus turned up and the florals pulled back.

The heart weaves in aromatic herbs including sage, coriander, and nutmeg alongside geranium and bellflower, adding complexity without weighing down the fresh character. The presence of saffron and cinnamon is subtle but detectable, bringing a golden warmth. A faint tobacco note emerges in the base alongside vetiver, cypress, sandalwood, and musk, which reviewers describe as being "very low-key" yet adding a satisfying depth. As one community member noted, the spice and tobacco leave the bright notes free "to play with the wood in a crisp clean way."

When to Wear It

This is a pure warm-weather fragrance, ideal for spring and especially summer wear. One Fragrantica reviewer described it as evoking "the feeling of watching a beach sunset at dusk with a loved one or friends," which perfectly captures its intended atmosphere. Beach outings, summer evening gatherings, barbecues, and vacations are where it shines brightest.

The composition also works well for everyday summer wear, providing enough substance to feel like a proper fragrance rather than the watered-down experience that some modern summer editions deliver.

Longevity & Projection

Longevity is one of this edition's most praised attributes. Unlike the current crop of summer flankers that many reviewers dismiss as thin and fleeting, the 2005 Eau d'Ete reportedly lasts impressively through the day. Multiple Fragrantica reviewers specifically call out its "super long lasting" performance as a key differentiator. One reviewer noted it "smells better in the air than on skin," suggesting a pleasant diffusive quality.

The Community Says

Fragrantica reviews are enthusiastic and nostalgic. One reviewer called it "an absolutely incredible warm weather fragrance" and "a true masterpiece." Another praised it as hitting "the nail on the head" for fans who miss the original L'Eau d'Issey formulation. The consensus is that this represents Issey Miyake's summer flanker series at its peak, before the formulations became lighter and more disposable. The Osmoz review described it as "a fresh and energetic fragrance with a powerful trail of pungent herbs and spices."

Who Should Buy This

Eau d'Ete 2005 is primarily for collectors and devoted Issey Miyake fans willing to pay a premium for a discontinued gem. If you love the original L'Eau d'Issey Pour Homme and have always wanted a brighter, more citrus-forward version with better summer performance, tracking down a bottle is worth the effort. Just be prepared for inflated secondary-market prices and the need to verify authenticity.

The Bottom Line

Issey Miyake Eau d'Ete 2005 is one of those discontinued fragrances that genuinely deserves its reputation. It took a beloved original and enhanced it for summer with brighter citrus, subtle spice, and impressive longevity. Its loss from the market is felt by a community that remembers it as one of the finest warm-weather masculines of its era.