L'Eau d'Issey Pour Homme Summer 2013

The Verdict

Issey Miyake's L'Eau d'Issey Pour Homme Summer 2013 is one of those limited editions that the community wishes had become permanent. Created by Alberto Morillas, this fruity-aromatic twist on the classic Issey Miyake DNA built its cult reputation around a brilliantly executed kiwi note that fragrance enthusiasts still talk about over a decade later. Now discontinued and increasingly hard to find, it has become a collector's item for fans of tropical summer scents, though some dismissed it as an unnecessary flanker that added little beyond sweetness to the original.

What It Smells Like

The opening is an immediate burst of tropical fruit that distinguishes this from its parent fragrance. Kiwi is the undisputed star, and the community is nearly unanimous in praising its execution. One reviewer stated that "rarely does a kiwi note get executed so well." Grapefruit adds a tart, sparkling citrus bite alongside the kiwi, while Coriander provides a subtle herbal edge that keeps the opening from reading as purely fruity.

The heart brings Pineapple forward, amplifying the tropical character with juicy sweetness, balanced by the warm spice of Nutmeg that adds unexpected depth. There is a subtle lime-like accord that several reviewers detect, even though it is not listed in the official notes, contributing an extra layer of freshness to the mid-development.

The base of Cypress and Vetiver grounds everything in a dry, woody finish that connects this flanker back to the original L'Eau d'Issey DNA. The progression from tropical fruit to aromatic wood is smooth and natural, creating a fragrance that feels both playful and composed.

When to Wear It

This is a warm weather specialist through and through. Spring and summer are its territory, where the bright kiwi-grapefruit opening and breezy vetiver-cypress base feel perfectly calibrated. Beach days, outdoor gatherings, weekend brunches, and casual daytime outings are where this flanker thrives.

Avoid it in fall and winter, where the tropical freshness will feel out of season and the relatively light base will struggle against heavier ambient scents.

Longevity & Projection

Performance is the one area where opinions split sharply. Optimistic reviewers report 7 hours of wear with adequate projection, rating it around 8.5 out of 10 for overall quality. Others are less kind, with one critic comparing it to "water" and claiming the scent vanishes within 15 minutes.

The realistic expectation, based on the weight of community feedback, is 4 to 6 hours of moderate longevity with close-to-moderate projection that fades to a skin scent within the first couple of hours. This is consistent with most Issey Miyake releases and most summer-oriented eau de toilettes. Three to four sprays is standard, and reapplication may be necessary for all-day events.

The Community Says

The praise is enthusiastic when it comes. One reviewer called it "one of the best fresh fragrances in existence," while another described it as "an absolute superstar for the money" and believed that "as a standalone fragrance, this would have been revolutionary." A blind buyer was thrilled, declaring it his "new signature citrus summer fragrance."

The counterpoint is less dramatic but consistent. Some found it "a bit sweeter than the original but nothing special," rating it as a decent buy but nothing more. Others criticized it as "very linear from initial whiff to drydown," with the kind of longevity issues typical of the Issey Miyake line. One particularly harsh review called it "cheap and synthetic," though this was clearly a minority opinion.

Who Should Buy This

If you love the original L'Eau d'Issey Pour Homme and want a more tropical, fruit-forward variation, this is the flanker to hunt down. It also appeals to anyone who values a well-executed kiwi-pineapple combination and enjoys lightweight, easygoing summer scents that prioritize freshness over projection.

Skip it if longevity is a dealbreaker for you, if you find fruity men's fragrances too juvenile, or if you are unwilling to pay collector's prices for a discontinued limited edition. The secondary market markup may test your dedication.

The Bottom Line

L'Eau d'Issey Pour Homme Summer 2013 is a masterclass in tropical fruit composition that deserved a permanent spot in the lineup. Its kiwi-pineapple-grapefruit opening is among the best executed in the genre, and the vetiver-cypress base gives it just enough structure to feel adult. The limited edition curse means finding a bottle now requires patience and deep pockets, but for warm-weather fragrance enthusiasts, the hunt may be worth it.