Either this reformulation is off the mark or or my memory is because this seems different to the original. When I say 'different' I don't mean vastly but after a couple of wears I'm starting to perceive those differences. I did have Jazz many years ago and enjoyed it but this new version is amazing. Well maybe that's going a bit OTT or perhaps just appealing to a fickle taste fad I have at the moment for masculine aromatics? Anyway... I love this! The corriander and geranium are obvious but I don't get any of that minty vibe from the original formula. (I'm not getting confused with Live Jazz honest.) It's a herbal, refreshing brew of patchouli and cypress but surely with some citrus top notes...No? Never sharp and very classy stuff kinda reminds of RL Safari (another thing the original didn't do!) but less obvious. This is a top scent and good lasting power too, can't fault it I'd rather smell like this than many newer releases.
Interesting review below. I'm saying something similar but perhaps a touch more gung ho! I think this new version is very similar to the original to the point I wouldn't waste money on a vintage bottle for the mistake of rose tinted nostalgia. Not a criticism of anyone that does mind you, I'm guilty of it all the time. I too owned this during the 90's (perhaps not the original formula anyway) but I'd say it's pretty much as I remember. I think the references to Pasha and Tsar, Safari or New west etc... are valid in the drydown especially, it's a kind of open, light, resinous, 'leather' if you like. However, key differences in the opening is the cooling, soapy effects of geranium and the quite pungent, obvious spice hit of coriander, which persists as a top note for the first hour or so. Making it completely valid as a different option to the ones I mentioned above and not redundant next to them in a wardrobe. (I have all tjose perfumes and still revisit this with glee!) Is it as powerful? Well I genuinely recall all those perfumes of that era as being stronger but this... I'm not sure? It's mellow. I'm wearing plenty of sprays on skin and clothes today and the volume is pitch perfect. I think it's underrated in the scheme of vintage men's perfumes, it smells fantastic and something I wish to wear.
I blind bought this very cheaply, purely out of curiosity as I heard it smelled like D&G's The One. Well, it does and it doesn't? When I first sprayed it didn't think it opened the same but then sure enough a similarly sweet warm vibe starts to develop. For this reason Villain might just be a little more complex as the opening is bergamot freshness and an almost green quality (like galbanum) which The One doesn't have. Villain hints at a warmer amber and vanilla base much like Rochas man but with that citrus and greens to trick you a bit. Which actually has the effect of making it smell a bit cheaper (which it is) and less 'sexy'. (as The One is often labelled) Again all this was from memory so I tried them against each other when I got home and The One is so much warmer sweeter and more vanilla like right off the bat and in actual fact superior to my nose. They do dry down pretty similar though and I certainly enjoyed the experience, maybe this is what The One Sport should been like? Anyway lasting power is a similar story to D&G not great but passable really. There's been a bit of a backlash against the Ed Hardy brand especially among tattoo enthusiasts who perhaps don't the sell out, commercial aspect to what used to be quite an exclusive group, fast becoming mainstream. Unashamedly, What I really do like about this scent is the packaging. The tattoo design on the bottle is a bit of fun and there's not quite enough of it around for my liking.
A strange enigma for me this one. It's somehow very classic and also blazing a new trail. I can't quite work it out? The opening is citrus and an aloof violet accord leading you into a herbal heart which apparently is sage?...something I'm quite familiar with and I can't say it's immediately evident just what it is. Herbal is about the best description I can give. The base and main theme of this scent is a creamy sandalwood and clean vetiver with a spicy hint of nutmeg. It's such a well blended concoction that is the best I can do to pick out the notes aided by having the notes in front of me. The flacon is superb and very striking what with the reintroduction of the vetiver in the same style bottle, I really liked that. So all in all not a bad scent, just not for me, I can imagine wearing this would get on my nerves slightly. You might think that is a bold statement considering my review is largely positive. However, this is purely based on a first impression of the aroma, I'm going to have to revisit it but I just have a hunch, anymore than an hour with this scent and I'd be sick of it.
This appears to have been launched as a 'new' fragrance in the UK despite the fact that I was positive I'd tried both this and the pour homme before. Anyway, this is an interesting vetiver blending the expected citrus top notes with a slightly green, earthy vetiver. The difference here is that the citrus gives way quickly and focuses on a more unusual marriage of benzoin, which lends a different dimension from the typical vetiver scent. (if there is such a thing?) The base is joined by other dry woods and a definite cedar note. It still has enough of those 'typical' qualities however for a vetiver fan to really enjoy it. I found that after than fresh clean opening and first couple of hours the scent turned darker, very sour and woody. Oddly I found this quite appealing and either an extra layer in the composition or just a bad interaction with my skin...one or the other? Lasting power was an acceptable 4-6 hours, sitting quite low on the skin. Worth checking out and creates a bit more interest than some vetiver out there...a wild card perhaps?
I enjoyed the original and looked forward to seeing what this one would be like. Well, I didn't have to wait very long to try it as I only learned of extremes existence last week. If anyone ever wanted an 'Extreme' version to do exactly what the name implies then you're in luck. I found this fragrance to be a heighting and amping up exercise which opens with a strong bitter juniper and violet accord which is stronger but just as mystical and aloof as the original version. The base has a musky leather quality and as it settles starts to give an occasional bitter slightly earthy kick of vetiver in the heart. It just seems immediately denser than the original but still overall very similar, if you're expceting something vastly different...it isn't. That's kind of a good thing because although I haven't trialled them side by side I do still have plenty of samples, I think I instantly prefer the extreme version, because the elements that have been 'turned up' make it slightly more appealing. I also got the pine and incense elements slightly more and at times this reminded of comme des garçon Zagorsk but sweetened up. Lasting power is good I can still smell it after a 8 hours. The silage is moderate, to low but from memory the originals longevity wasn't to bad either. I have to say I really like this fragrance and actually enjoy wearing it.
I can see the comparisons to MFK Oud, a scent which I am inexplicably in love with. Seriously I'm not even sure I like the smell but I find it additive it's the oddest thing. Anyway...I find Aoud Melody maybe slightly more complex and in truth quite different to MFK Aoud which just seems like similar notes but from different sources making for a more bitter medicinal delivery. This scent is one of the lighter, brighter aouds from Montale, it has playful top notes sing like...well like a Melody. Somehow this fragrance evoked the colour pink. Maybe it's the combination of rose and jasmine that does it? Again they are subtle and by no means big players but this opening makes me think this is a perfume better suited to a lady. Perhaps it's that 'pink' feel, exotically floral with a beautiful clear rose and heady incense. This juice is uplifting. I think the elemi which is a lighter almost plastic resin smell and the waxy exotic addition of ylang ylang. Sandalwood is in the base for sure another note which can air on the fresh/spicy side then become creamier later on. (which it does here and similarly with saffron and elemi) This is for certain a perfume in which these notes in peticular develop in the drydown. The fragrance has the kind of longevity you would expect from Montale but is all together a very subtle affair and make no mistake the drydown smells SO GOOD! I have to say I fell in love wit AM after several hours...it became very low in the 8-10 hour mark but the smell that just clung to my skin was pure labdanum, amber and sandalwood magic! I'm tempted to get this fragrance, I really am. There's quite a few perfumes I want with stark (and a bit off putting) openings but great drydowns that I want but can't say are a priority.
This fragrance is absolutely outstanding! I had just managed to track it down and was actually looking to test the popular Rose one in this calligraphy range but somebody had broken the tester bottle the day before, according to the SA. So I thought I'd try the saffron considering it's one of my favourite notes and I had recently revisited Jo Malone's saffron which is very good. Calligraphy saffron is a tale of two halves.. Horrendous opening. Majestic drydown. When I say 'horrendous' I mean strong, sharp, earthy but sweet and even boozy. I found it smelled strongly of the marigold and styrax and when combined with a very real, fiercely strong saffron comes over a little like honey. Actually more accurately beeswax and amber and I thought....'oh no! It's MFK pour le soir like.' Then as it settles the saffron and styrax get more creamy, more opulent, less earthy but still with balance and luckily this process is fairly quick. This being said the transition is long going from good to great on my skin. Some may not like the soft skin like scent it becomes after that powerhouse opening but I'm glad of it. Projection is subtle but longevity is very good. I can't convey how much I loved the drydown, it's incredible...saffron is just magic.
Wonderful review below! I have to say it has the same effect on me. I first tried this when the cologne intense range were launched and despite living it, saffron kinda got lost in the mix as the Oud & bergamot still shines with a unique clarity. Upon re inspection this fragrance is a lot more up my street, very warm oriental and natural. It sits on the skin so well, enhancing a kind of natural skin aroma without being animal. That's the scentual quality of saffron, and it really is one of my (if not 'the') favourite notes in all perfumery. I had previously overlooked Jo Malone saffron as starting out very earthy and rough, super accurate basically. It soon settles though to a familiar soft and gorgeous saffron aroma which smells to me like its blended with various woods, mainly creamy sandalwood and a hint of vanilla. It's absolutely beautiful stuff...very long lasting and subtle projection which last very well indeed on clothes. I can't fault it and I think I may have to get it to satisfy my saffron fetish.
As Sawira was a greatly anticipated fragrance for me but has failed to deliver slightly just based on the note breakdown I was expecting. I should've known really with Penhaligon's scents it's all about the blend and they are seldom heavy with one note. I was hoping for tons of saffron, myrrh, oud, amber etc... and although it contains these rich ingredients they are blended into obscurity. Don't get me wrong this is a great smelling fragrance, really, really excellent and I would be lavishing praise on it had I not smelled and subsequently bought Levanthium at the back end of last year. They are just different enough, but still extremely similar I get a mixture of florals and rose with oud and woods. Very elegant and delicately put together and vaguely reminiscent of Tom Ford Noir de noir. The main difference here is that the woodiness and oud has been amped up slightly and the whole thing just comes over slightly more masculine and oud focused that Levantium. If they were the same price I might have been kicking myself that I didn't wait for this one (had I known they would be quite similiar.) however I feel slightly vindicated as this is considerably more expensive at £150 for 100ml's. For this reason I don't think you are getting quite the value compared to other oud/rose and high end luxury scents that are out there for the same price. I can't fault Penhaligon's on the fragrances themselves because they smell great and are inventively blended (especially the men's) but this one has let me down slightly just because I was expecting something magical and the results were just okay. Lasting power is good but so is Levantium I'm happy with that and it's slightly more herbal, sourness.
When I read the notes on the news page I was excited at the prospect, now I'm looking here and there seems to be quite a bit of white florals going on...neroli, orange blossom and jasmine. This is obviously not going to be a true reflection of the fragrance, these notes could be minimized and I kinda hope they are. The kulfi comparison is intriguing, I hope this one will be a delight...I have a good feeling about it already...roll on May!
As many have mentioned it's not even remotely like Noir, which I had already guessed months before it's release due to the COMPLETELY different notes. Many don't like Noir personally I'm a fan but I was even more tantalized by the prospect of Noir Extreme and some super sounding notes. Frankly I'm a bit disappointed after all that waiting...here's why. The opening spray evoked an instant 'quality' and EDP sensation that you get with something of real potency and I have to say I was impressed. A luxurious blast of almost leathered, gourmand and spicy creamy, rich earth from saffron and cardamom. I'd say the nutty kulfi, vanilla and nutmeg are instant crowd pleasers...was for me anyway and I could of knee jerked and bought this one. I'm glad I allowed it to develop though before committing to that decision. I don't what Tom Ford does in terms of briefing a perfumer but he loves to build up a dense complex base with florals poking through the mid in total opposition to the over all creaminess of the fragrance. It's actually quite clever to be fair and Noir Extreme exhibits this quality in abundance...think black orchid. There's a sweet tropically exotic note of orchids and jasmine which (as much as I love it) makes the whole composition a pretty feminine affair. I don't think Noir Extreme is overtly feminine and due to it's gourmand quality, just on the cusp of wear-ability for me. I'm telling you guys there's a reason women will be keen on this fragrance, it won't be because they find you irresistibly macho it's probably because they aspire to smell Noir Extreme and will steal it from your wardrobe given the opportunity. It's unisex at best and this is coming from a guy who wore black orchid unashamedly for a long time. The drydown is very vanillary, it lasts and projects little poofs of fruity flowers at you from time to time. The more I sniff at the drydown I can still get the nuttiness, spices and sandalwood which works with my skin incredibly well. I said I was disappointed at the beginning of the review and I still am but have to confess, I actually love the smell of Noir Extreme but I know that similarly with Black Orchid I will tire of it quickly. Perfume to me is about making a challenging fragrance with depth which is reminiscent and familiar but throws in a few surprises along the way aswell. In fairness Noir Extreme does that...it's just not for me. I would ADORE it on a woman. update: Had this on for 10 hours now and it lasts well although very faint but hasn't disappeared at least. The saffron has really come out to play in the deep deep drydown transforming this fragrance yet into another dimension and one I have to say I love. It smells very much like My beloved Versace Man now creamy but Earthy and close to the skin, Noir just playing an extra warm cozy trick before it dies a death entirely. I'm going to sample this again and wear it more extensively before I absolutely make up my mind. Tom Ford's normal or designer range of fragrances tend to be more interesting than the private blend which process undeniable strength and quality but tend to rely on fewer notes, whereas the likes of Noir and for Men (also a host of ladies frags) have a symphony on notes and truly complex compositions.
Citrus top notes in here are very well rendered and pleasing much like the majority of Creed fragrances. I have to say that the cedar and woody notes are not nearly as dry and prominent as I had anticipated but definitely a big factor and come over slightly clean more like vetiver. The opening is all about the delicate interplay of sharp citrus and that bay leaf note and a white floral/blossom type smell which is just freshens proceedings up enough, without overbearing or becoming too floral. The third factor in that opening is the greeness which is achieved through the use of Galbanum, and not to be understated, again a major factor in this scent. The drydown is a really pleasing and lasting citrus which sits on a nice light woody base. This is quality stuff but not exciting in anyway to me. Lasting power is okay and I suspect might even be one of those which last longer for others than the wearer...if you get what I mean? 'Not bad' is my verdict.
This fragrance has received quite a luke warm response by the looks of the other reviews here. Maybe I would feel the same way had I got a sample to try at home or whatever and I conduct this review having only sampled this fragrance the once. I tried it at Jovoy Paris and that might not be the best setting for clear thinking either due to fragrance overload or being swayed by the unfamiliar and slightly romantic setting. Anyway I was pretty blown away by this fragrance at first, although I didn't feel it was special enough to warrant a purchase so perhaps I agree with the consensus here? The opening came off as a superbly warm, boozy, woody musk with masses of spicing but still not too in your face I was very impressed. This was one of the few I actually tried on my skin and The drydown was more of the same but with a slightly drier, smokey, incense turning to a natural musky, amber. I loved it, however my search was for something unique and although I couldn't site anything this smelled like off the top of my head, it just didn't wow me as much as MiN Moon Dust the fragrance I eventually purchased. Noir Obscur is great, a long lasting and high quality fragrance containing all the elements I love in perfumery...can't fault it really.
Oh Versace Dreamer! This was another one deeply buried in the vaults, the dark recesses of my olfactory memory. I remember trying it years ago and not being blown away, I just thought it was a JPG Le Male clone and it kinda is. I also have vivid and turns out slightly rose tinted memories of the Versace Jeans fragrance range, fondly remembering the quirky packaging and not the quality of the fragrance. It has taken me an age to get Dreamer but I decided to take a risk and order a bottle and the truth is...it's paid off. Just aesthetically, Dreamer is very pleasing great name, great flacon. It has a very synthetic feel from the get go, the lavender, sage, the milky haze of vanilla and tonka beans, to the classic element of spicy, powdered carnation. I think dreamer is an appropriate name just from the point of view that nothing feels real but not at all in a negative way. Also there's a main difference between this and classic vanilla/lavender, oriental/fougere's and that's the slightly darker edge of tobacco which again doesn't smell very accurate or strong but instead sits quite nicely with the tonka bean. Somehow this combination works incredibly well on my skin and that is a major difference between Dreamer and Le Male which turns horrendous on me. The Dreamer reminds me of an old flatmate who used to regularly wear (douse himself in) Le Male and the trail he left behind when he had gone would be quite pleasant but even that became nauseating after a while. Not that The Dreamer does mind you, it's a little unsettled to begin with but soon mellows. Once it does settles the cheapness kinda fades away and you're left with something which seems classy and elegant. After wearing this a few times now I have to say I really like it, I think it's a brilliant composition which has an elegance about it. For me I'm quite happy which a budget fragrance like this to satisfy this genre. Lasts okay, projects subtly and I received an instant compliment from my partner...she loved it! If you enjoy the likes of MDCI Invasion Barbare or By Killian A taste of heaven or even Amouage Reflection but want something on a shoestring the Dreamer is worth a sniff.
This is not my usual cup of tea at all a super floral scent for folks who love that sort of thing and you know what? To my surprise I can appreciate it too. The opening is a naturally musky scent which is far too off putting for me but still screams quality. My mum often keeps hyacinths in her house when she has trouble with the drains, hoping the pungent smell will mask it but I think it just combines and makes it worse! They always smell very 'wet' with a kinda bittersweet bouquet which is not entirely unpleasant but teetering on the brink. There's a hefty dose of green notes in here too initially, supplied by the galbanum and that wetness and musky natural floral is both accentuated and balanced by the powdery iris. The saving grace here is that the drydown is really good and works alright on my skin. I also sprayed some on a card and could smell it clearly, upto a week later. I was surprised how much I actually liked it in the end but the opening and scents like this are just not my cup of tea. If you're a lover of florals I think this is another excellent composition and well worth checking out.
This one is yet another blind buy for me and I was intrigued enough to get this and the original because of continued mentions on this site. I can't believe that Tea isn't listed among the notes here because Him is an obvious ringer for GPH II. With the exception of the opening 15 seconds or so it might as well be the same scent...but maybe nano-hint warmer. Right off the bat though it opens as a very hot spicy amber more towards V&R spicebomb with pronounced cinnamon and tonka bean. This subsides to unearth fresher notes of violet and tea which give it a more dry, mellow, metallic and woody drydown. Just like the Gucci this one always keeps all that spiciness at the back, becoming a very subdued theme in the end. Personally, I love it but I'm a little disappointed with just how similar it is. On the upside there's not that many copycats of this type of fragrance out there so enjoy if you're finding it hard to find GPH II (and vice versa.) Update: Upon wearing this fragrance properly I've deduced that there is indeed a difference with this and GPH II. It wears heavier and more oriental, warmer and sweeter with less bitter aloofness than the Gucci. It's worth having both at your disposal I'd say. Projection and longevity are working well so far. Re:Update: I tried this side by side with GPH II last night and as I suspected although similar are not dead ringers at all. Gucci is cooler fresher, more musky, less sweet more aloof where as HiM is warmer, cozier and thicker. It actually gave me facets of yet another sexy, spicy scent Lancome Hypnose.
Wow! I can't believe I hadn't tried this one until now and it took something I thought I'd got passed (blind buying) to do it. I have to say that although it's reminiscent of a few flavours I could happily reel off, HM for men is unique enough among scents of this type to have real alt-classic status. The combination of a definite blackcurrant and sharp lemon/grapefruit smell in the opening is very sweet, tropical and quite synthetic, giving an almost jelly baby type of smell. Luckily I enjoy that and it does settle rapidly to something more refined. Just while we're still on the top notes there's a hint of lavender and even a detectable touch of white floral, perhaps the jasmine and iris which all together makes for an interesting opening and heart. The drydown is generally a creamy base of tonka bean, touches of vanilla and white chocolate. I actually really like the soft development of this fragrance into a sweet and calm skin scent. One thing I can't make my mind up on is the quality or refinement of this juice? On the one hand it seems cheap but still quite captivating and wearable on the other. So not bad then lasting power is average and projection dies down after the first hour to a cosy skin scent. This was a good blind buy and I suspect I will wear it.
Wrote this review ages ago and have only just got around to posting it...I think that says it all really. Was I blown away? Not really, because this is more reminiscent of Full incense/Avignon/Cardinal etc... with a bright, sparkling white frankincense note. Don't get me wrong here I adore the smell, it's a wonderful thing It is like the scents I mentioned above but just different enough to be unique, deeper well rooted and less floaty. I certainly wouldn't describe this as amber and spices though, a complex church incense fragrance is more appropriate. It has that fresh uplifting thing but with a heavier wooden base which gives it good lasting power. The opening to gives a stronger sense of woods and resins, perhaps not 'amber' (which I associate as being a warming benzoin/vanilla) but a something sharper. So yet again Armani's prive range has taken a traditional perfume in a slightly different direction and come out with something which is mildly derivative and by no means 'new' but still more than worth having.
This kind of milky lavender fougere is an elegant and lovely thing but ultimately I find it a little boring. I can't understand why people rave so much about Caron Homme? Lavender is a lovely smell, especially when it smells natural but that perfume is far too linear and I don't get the comparisons to this. Luckily this outing from Creed follows more in the footsteps of Invasion Barbare or a taste of heaven, just smelling expensive & warm without any need for heaviness. Well, firstly...wow! This might even be my favourite Creed fragrance in first impression terms...Aberdeen Lavender is nothing short of stunning. The opening is magnificent, almost smokey lavender which is so well balanced and with slightly darker appeal to it, similar to Dior Eau Noire. This is typically well presented in the style of a classic fougere but has elements of citrus/herbal/leather/resin/vanilla/musk everything but blended to perfection. The fleeting very top notes of bergamot and lemon turn quickly into a natural and almost perfect lavender. The lavender and rosemary have dare I say, a slightly minty quality at first which freshens up proceedings further. This instantly combines with a soft, yet deep, leather heart note which is the main theme of this perfume. I honestly thought the longevity sucked as it does die down rapidly and actually turns to a very subdued skin scent but is still there. The base turns out to be a kind of ambery vanilla, supporting the soft leather and in the end longevity isn't too bad. I couldn't ask for more than a fougere fragrance with a oriental base, this stuff is smart and I really like it. However, I think it's the kind of fragrance most will think is okay and nothing more but something about Aberdeen lavender really speaks to me personally. I'm not sure whether I can justify this as a purchase priority because it's not a powerhouse in longevity or projection, however those attributes are not always synonymous with quality, because that's what you have here... A quality scent. I definitely think it's worth a sniff because I was pleasantly surprised.
I just gave a sample away for christmas to a female friend of mine and thought, that prompted me to try my sample again and I loved it. Really fresh opening of watery melon with sweet florals, jasmine and magnolia. Usually I'd think something like this was nice but ultimately feminine, thin and lacking depth and quality but this is Amouage and Maurice Roucel we're talking about here. The slightly ambery base and drydown of sandalwood is classy and adds a bit of warmth to what is a fresh and flyaway type of scent without it. Don't get me wrong though this is not something I'd wear and maybe those woods come out a little more on my skin than they would on a womans? Still if you're a fan of lightly floral stuff that's a cut above in longevity and projection terms then look no further.
I still have this down as a 'dislike' on here from a brief flirtation with the idea of it a couple of summers ago. The reason I came to that conclusion was Joop Splash is a syrupy, synthetic, fruity scent which annoyed me, the way it lured me in at first just to realise it had many shortcomings. The primary one being longevity, very poor and with no depth or base notes to speak of, just a sickening and short lived, generic and ultimately cheap accord. However I have to concure with the superb review below from teadot...There's something I liked initially about this fragrance despite the fact that it's a Joop and as such can almost be dismissed off hand. On a cruder note I remember seeing a vile documentary a while back about 'Dogging' (for the uninitiated or americans that's people who meet for sex in public places, car parks, truck stops etc...) Anyway, one of the masked participants being interviewed said he swore by 'Lynx' (Axe) or 'Joop' (Homme probably?) because 'It's drives the ladies wild' I'm sorry but the kind of 'ladies' (pfffft!) we're talking about here are not exactly fussy judging by the state of the depravity and the quality of men involved and I can't say I wholly trust their judgement on fragrance. Anyway...It's that kind of sigma which makes me even more wary of Joop but nevertheless there's something so ugly about the brand that I kinda want to like at least one of their fragrances in a guilty pleasure sort of way and Splash comes the closest for me. The top notes are a strange candy/fruit kind of almost tropical vibe on a generic bed of semi aquatic 'blah' but nearly likable. The bottle is brilliant as well to be fair giving me hope that one day Joop might actually make a half way decent fragrance.
Okay so upon purchasing my first (and I suspect my last) Roja Dove fragrance I insisted on getting some 5ml vials filled of the other scents seeing as I shelling out so much on Enigma. Thankfully I got them in the end, I'm quite familiar with Fetish and Danger already so these were the other two I wanted to wear properly and review. This yet another triumph! Honestly, although my recent reviews may tell a different story, I'm not a cheerleader for Roja parfums. One thing however cannot be denied, they are of supreme quality and transcendentally deep. This has a classic manly aromatic nature to it, doesn't last well and the pricing is quite frankly stupid...but I still adore it. Surely that is testament to how good this stuff smells? Quick mention of the name...This seems to be a theme of similarly provocative adjectives used in Roja's line like Scandal, fetish etc...and I have to say there's nothing Scandalous about this one. I accept he can't very well call it... "Fairly generic late 80's/90's masculine fare which is very pleasant and well made" aside from the fact it wouldn't be very dynamic, it won't fit on the bottle. To me this one opens with a trademark bergamot & some lemon verbena then into fresh spicy herbal type territory, something I love. There's a fruity sharpness about it and maybe even a slight rhubarb note? There's certainly labdanum and the warmth of woods, oakmoss and sandalwood... it's brilliant. This is one that just keeps getting better and better as it dries down, with more nuances coming through. I'll be honest upon application in the first few minutes I made the mistake of thinking... yeah this is some standard stuff. Not too awe inspiring, a very good masculine and like a upmarket Pasha de Cartier or Ralph Lauren Safari. Then it develops further and you realise it's so much more. I remember seeing a Youtube video review asking...'What is quality? and can you smell the difference when the best quality ingredients have been used?' Well it's a pertinent question and I'd be the first to admit...maybe not always. However this is a case in favour of the likes of Roja parfums and Xerjoff etc...where in this instance you DEFINITELY can. Does that mean I want it? Well I still feel a bit hard done by on the performance front but I except that it's not everything. I have the parfum version and it lasts several hours which is more than acceptable but I don't think it's too much to ask for to be nothing short of astonished by the performance, certainly not at this price. I'm starting to think that the EDP's might even be better on the performance stakes (My Enigma EDP is excellent for longevity) and if that's important to you, perhaps avoid the parfum versions and save yourself substantial money for twice the juice. Scandal is great smelling and luckly I have enough left for another wear at some point.
This fragrance is absolutely Majestic. Not many words are needed to describe this one, it needs to be smelled to be believed. It's a very strong, complex, indulgent musky scent which has hints of sweetness masses of animal quality and a hint of the floral. The opening is of citrus top notes but as with many Roja's they fade very quickly and you're in no doubt that this is a heavyweight fragrance. Never over bearing Musk Aoud is very refined indeed, I just wish I could afford it. If I'm honest Amber Aoud is more my kind of scent but this is equally as good quality and showstopping. Brilliant!
My oh my! Just got this one today and I have to say I'm more than happy with it. Has more than a passing similarity with Gucci pour homme II with a couple of crucial differences. This has a fearsome opening of complex notes which are sweeter, sharper and then dry. This smell of sticky dates and the overall intensity is totally different but the combination of citrus, tea, and Vetiver is very similar. The tea in this is gorgeous, metallic at first then wonderfully aromatic and slightly peppery. There's subtle stuff in this one it has the animalic qualities of tibuktu, a slightly smoky, earthy vetiver and then even a hint of violet, wormwood and maybe olibanum? The Drydown is a much softer affair settling down to a pleasing and slightly deeper GPH II. It's a stunning fragrance and that sweetness with the tea gives a great new dimension to a very well blended fresh fragrance. This EDT performs okay too, nothing rather shattering but a worthy purchase.
I'm making a point of trying 212 flankers because I'm sure some will be okay and I still like the original despite it getting little to know rotation these days. This fragrance goes through a odd transition starting out at a generic, salty aquatic vibe which reminded me quite a lot of Aqva Toniq but not quite as seaweedy. I just plain don't like this Calone business despite enjoying L'eau D'Issey and AdG. However as this settles after a few minutes it becomes less about that and more of a powdered musky vibe which isn't all that bad. I can kinda see after a couple of hours how this chocolate note appears, for me it's still just powdery musk but slightly resembling a hint of cocoa powder maybe for a moment. I thought this was the case without ever knowing the notes.) The drydown is much the same and maybe one for the masses but fragrance heads will see this for what it is, a cheap smelling long lasting scent with no stand out qualities for me.
