Halston Z-14 (1976)
by Halston

One of my favorites--I loved it in the 70s and love it still. Elizabeth Arden has done a good job of keeping this one going--the new version that you can get for an absurdly low price at Marshalls still has oakmoss (and treemoss). It is heady, masculine and a true powerhouse but with a surprisingly feminine underbelly--it does have gardenia in it after all..... This has Vincent Marcello's fingerprints all over it, especially when you consider some of his other works like Private Collection and Yatagan, yet this is a very wearable scent--ahead of its time in '76 and still going strong. I always preferred this to its brother I-12 although I am coming to appreciate that one as well. Ironically, considering what I have paid for other bottles in my collection, this is the one I would grab first if I was running out of a burning bouse.

13rd January, 2012.

Many Basenoters have mentioned how much is going on with Z-14. I couldn't agree more. Jtd describes the symphony perfectly. I think it is maybe one of the most note packed masculines I've ever smelled. It makes me think of Burt Reynolds. But in a good way. I think we forget how popular he was there for a while. When Z-14 came out I believe he was the top male box office star. Anyways, I always thought old Burt was underrated. He had a huge range as an actor. He was menacing and tough in "Deliverance", fun and frisky in "Smokey and the Bandit" and just plain old sexy in everything. 70's sexy. Again, in a good way. Remember that centerfold he did for Cosmopolitan magazine? I'm losing my train of thought--
Z-14 has a huge range. It came out in the 70's. It's Burt Reynolds in a bottle. In a good way!!!
It never seems to smell the same way twice. Which is maybe why I don't wear it that often. But sometimes I'm reaching for something without my mind made up and my hand lands on the Z-14. And didn't he drive a Camaro Z-14 in the "Smokey" movies? Maybe Sally Field didn't like his cologne. Or maybe she had rocks in her head?

30th December, 2011. (Last Edited: 9th January, 2012.)

I got rid of the new version of Z-14 recently because I wasn't impressed. It felt flat, plain cheap cinnamon aroma. I give it a 5 out of 10 overall. It ONLY had treemoss listed as the ingredients, NO OAKMOSS.

Fast forward to today, I found at a discounter what I believe to be "old stock", as oakmoss is indeed listed on the box. Even before spraying, I smelled the nozzle and it smelled really dark and deep. I just sprayed this "old stock version" of Z-14 with oakmoss listed in the ingredients. Immediately after spraying I get intense natural smelling citrus with spice in the background. In the "non oakmoss version", I didn't get this flavorful bouquet of citrus, instead I detected a strong astringent/biting scent that was rough and sharp. All smooth so far in the old version though.

With my nose up close to this (oakmoss included blend), I literally feel the scent tickling my nose hairs (with a heat-like feel) as it rises off my skin. Again, this was non-existent in the treemoss only blend. Now I'm getting a heavy leather & spice smell with citrus in the background. No cheap cinnamon (Big Red Gum) aroma either.

This stuff is unbelievable. WHYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY did they have to put restrictions on Oakmoss (I know why, but I'm just sayin). This old version might have just rocketed to my # 1 favorite fragrance already.

Well, there's only one thing left to do. Stock up on this "old stock" version of Z-14 before it is gone forever. I'll be going back to do just that. You should do the same.

23rd November, 2011.

I can't believe nobody has mentioned this yet, but Z-14 smells a lot like the original Chevignon, and therefore also like Polo Crest (I think someone did reference that one below). I mean a lot like them. From the citrus/evergreen/cinnamon spicy zing of the opening and heart to the warm mossy/amber base. I'd say the main differentiating point is that Z-14 is a bit "thicker," with a touch of leather, and a more literal mossy cyphre structure underneath.

Yes, it is loud, and yes, that big mossy amber 80s cyphre structure is the very definition of "that 80's cologne smell," but you can hardly blame Z-14 for that. Z-14 invented "that 80's cologne smell" in the 70s, and was copied because it does a good job of it. Support your local fragrance discounter and buy a bottle.

25th October, 2011.

Major thumbs up on Z-14 from me. This is a excellent scent that belongs right beside the greats out of the mid 70s through the 80s. I get a very nice cinnamon opening, then the heart is a sublime herb blend including basil and coriander (among others), mixing with jasmine, patchouli and more cinnamon, ending with an nice leather base. Great stuff that is potent but smooth at the same time. I find Z-14 to have earned its superior reputation and should be considered a classic. The other positive about Z-14 is it is oh so inexpensive at about $20 for a large bottle... To me, this is blind buy worthy for sure.

13rd October, 2011. (Last Edited: 2nd November, 2011.)

There is a lot going on with this fragrance. At times, the earthy/woody elements remind me of Polo, which I like a lot. Sort of a smoky, damp-earth scent (thanks in part to the patchouli, I believe). Very nice. The floral mix is what I'm not so sure about. Sometimes it is very strong; the Geranium in particular. Other times, it is more subdued, and not as noticeable. I can't quite figure out why. I thought that it might have something to do with the old-school atomizer, which is perhaps not spraying evenly. I really like the smoky-glass bottle, which is unique, and quite artistic. Definitely one of my favorite bottles! I just wish that Z-14 was a little more consistent on my skin.

19th September, 2011.