Piment by Parfums Payot, launched in 1978, emerged at a moment when men’s perfumery was redefining itself—moving away from overly baroque sweetness toward cleaner, more assertive expressions of masculinity. The name Piment was a deliberate and intelligent choice. A French word, pronounced “pee-MAHN” (with a soft nasal ending), piment carries multiple meanings, all of which reinforce the fragrance’s identity. As Payot noted in its U.S. trademark filing, the word can refer to pimento, red pepper, capsicum, Jamaica pepper (allspice), bayberry, and even, in archaic usage, a spiced honeyed wine. This semantic richness gave the name depth: not merely heat, but warmth, aroma, spice, and refinement.
The word Piment evokes vivid, tactile imagery—crushed peppercorns between the fingers, sun-warmed spices laid out in a wooden box, the dry snap of aromatic herbs, and the polished sheen of well-worn leather. Emotionally, it suggests vitality, alertness, and controlled intensity rather than raw aggression. It is not the burn of chili, but the aromatic warmth of spice—stimulating, confident, and subtly sensual. For a men’s fragrance, this communicated individuality and discernment: spice chosen for character, not shock.
The late 1970s were a transitional period in men’s grooming and fragrance, often described as the bridge between classic masculinity and modern freshness. Fashion reflected this duality: tailored suits softened in cut, leisurewear gained refinement, and men became more attentive to personal presentation without embracing excess. In perfumery, this translated into aromatic, spicy, and woody compositions that emphasized cleanliness, structure, and natural materials. Heavy sweetness and overt florals were increasingly viewed as dated, while freshness, herbs, and leather conveyed sophistication and self-control.
Men encountering a fragrance called Piment in 1978 would have immediately understood its promise. It spoke to the self-assured, demanding man—someone confident enough to wear spice, yet refined enough to prefer balance over intensity. Interpreted in scent, Piment becomes an interplay of fresh citrus and aromatics, warm spices, and dry woods resting on a leather base. The spice is aromatic and dry rather than sweet, the woods structured rather than creamy, and the leather polished rather than animalic. This restraint ensured that the fragrance functioned beautifully as a lotion or aftershave, refreshing rather than cloying.
Within the context of its era, Piment did not radically break from trends, but it represented their most disciplined and elegant expression. It aligned with the growing preference for freshness and spice while distinguishing itself through its avoidance of sweetness and its emphasis on aromatic clarity and leathered depth. In doing so, Piment positioned itself as a fragrance of quiet authority—timeless, composed, and unmistakably masculine.
Fragrance Composition:
So what does it smell like? Piment is classified as a spicy fragrance for men. Described as spicy, fresh, flavorful, an original and distinguished note, reserved for the demanding and self-assured man. A harmonious emphasis is placed on freshness. It draws inspiration from wood and spices on a base of leather. This lotion lacks the often overpowering sweetness that some aftershaves suffer from.
- Top notes: aldehydes, bergamot, petitgrain, lemon, lavandin, marjoram, rosemary, bay leaf, coriander, pepper, eucalyptusMiddle notes: Virginia cedar, patchouli, clove, cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, cardamom, ginger, pimento berry
- Base notes: guaiac, pine needle, rosewood, oakmoss, vetiver, musk, sandalwood, leather, birch tar, isobutyl quinoline, castoreum, styrax
Scent Profile:
Piment opens with a brisk, bracing freshness that feels immediately purposeful and self-possessed. A flash of aldehydes introduces a cool, metallic sparkle—clean and airy rather than soapy—amplifying the freshness and giving the opening its sharp definition. Bergamot, sourced from Calabria and prized for its refined balance of citrus and green-floral facets, brings elegance and lift, while lemon adds a crisp, almost icy brightness. Petitgrain, distilled from the leaves and twigs of the bitter orange tree, contributes a dry, green bitterness that keeps the citrus from becoming sweet. Aromatic herbs unfold quickly: lavandin, more robust and camphoraceous than true lavender, merges with marjoram and rosemary, evoking crushed leaves warmed by the sun. Bay leaf adds a spicy, slightly clove-like warmth, while coriander contributes a dry, lemony spice. A measured bite of pepper sharpens the composition, and eucalyptus injects a cool, almost mentholated clarity, reinforcing the fragrance’s emphasis on freshness and alertness.
As the top settles, the heart reveals a dense, flavorful core of woods and spices—rich, but never sweet. Virginia cedar, dry and pencil-wood sharp, gives structure and masculinity, while patchouli adds earthy depth, smoother and darker than its later, sweeter incarnations. The spice accord blooms fully here: clove releases its unmistakable eugenol warmth, cinnamon adds a dry, woody heat, and allspice—true to its name—echoes clove, nutmeg, and pepper in one aromatic gesture. Nutmeg brings a soft, woody roundness, while cardamom contributes a cooler, slightly lemony spice that lifts the heart. Ginger adds a fresh, biting warmth, and pimento berry—the aromatic heart of allspice—ties the entire spice palette together, reinforcing the fragrance’s name and identity. Modern aroma-chemicals subtly reinforce these natural spices, smoothing transitions and extending their presence without diluting their character.
The base of Piment is where its authority truly settles in—dry, leathery, and quietly powerful. Guaiac wood introduces a smoky, resinous warmth, while pine needle adds a green, forested freshness that echoes the aromatic opening. Rosewood lends a refined, slightly rosy woodiness, and oakmoss—earthy, bitter, and damp—anchors the fragrance in classic masculinity. Vetiver, dry and rooty, adds verticality and restraint, its grassy smokiness more austere than sweet. Sandalwood softens the edges with creamy, polished warmth, while musk, in its clean synthetic form, provides a subtle skin-like trail rather than sensual sweetness.
The leather accord emerges with quiet confidence. Birch tar brings smoky, tarred leather depth, sharpened by isobutyl quinoline, a powerful green-leather molecule used in minute doses to create crisp, aristocratic leather tones. Castoreum adds an animalic warmth, lending realism and sensuality without excess, while styrax contributes a balsamic, resinous sweetness—subtle and dry—that binds the leather and woods together. These materials, both natural and synthetic, work in concert to create a leather base that is polished rather than raw, assertive rather than loud.
Altogether, Piment is a masterclass in balance and restraint. Freshness is sharpened, not sweetened; spice is aromatic, not gourmand; leather is refined, not aggressive. The careful interplay between natural ingredients and classic aroma-chemicals enhances clarity, longevity, and structure, resulting in a fragrance that feels composed, confident, and unmistakably masculine—an original and distinguished signature for the self-assured man.
Product Line:
In 1984/1985, Piment was available in:
- Presentations: Eau de Toilette
- Shaving Products: Aftershave Lotion; Aftershave Cream
- Ancillary Products: Shower Gel; Deodorant
Fate of the Fragrance:
Discontinued, date unknown.