Reviews of JF (1993)
by Floris

I, for one, do not share the hate.

"Bathroom cleaner" is indeed a description I'll toss with abandon at the meaningless horde of scents smoke'd and mirror'd onto us innocent fragrance consumers.

But no so, JF.

It does have some similarities to the Creed and Davidoff, sure. But Floris just does what they do so damned well, I find it hard to make comparisons when one of the choices is so clearly superior.

Where JF really gets me hooked is about 30 minutes in to its evolution. The citrus opening lingers, like the vibrations from a tuning fork, but that Floris undercoat really nails it. Wood and moss heaven. There's a strange waft of clean garden dirt to me. The image drifts to the Devonshire Mitford, smart tweed with soil clinging to her elbows after a morning in the garden.

Thus, I think that JF would work very well on the fairer sex, also. Perhaps the upper class male really is just effete.

Longevity? well... what do you think? It's a citrus fragrance, but I do get a full morning or afternoon of British civility from it.

Overall, another winner from Floris.

This is my idea of the perfect "office fragrance"--an English office at that. With its lemon top notes and descreet woody/amber drydown, this is not going to offend anyone. Perfect for the summer months, this is one of the few fragrances that I think warrants layering--I use the aftershave as well as eau de toilette. Good linen and Panama hat fragrance. While I am a traditionalist and wish that Floris would return old classics like Tantivy and New Mown Hay, I think that this is a great effort for an old house to launch a new classiic. Yes, fleeting similarities between this and Green Irish Tweed, but the ambergris in the Creed offering really sets that one apart.

This board is full of unimaginative dismissals of fragrances. Everything is a GIT/Issey/CK clone. To me, such posts lack imagination.

JF has bright bergamot and mandarin topnotes that are a delight after shaving. The shave soap is has a little more backbone than the cream, and is subtle enough to transition to other aftershaves and EdT's, if you're not inclined to use the full Floris set.

But JF on it's own dries down to a warmth that discloses itself only to those who get close enough to enjoy it. One could always lather it on if the projection is needed, but the best thing about JF is the subtle warmth that is shared with the wearer and close companions all day long.

And if no one gets that close? Their loss.

GIT? CK? Issey? Sorry, JF is not quite as sweet and feminine. But then ... no, I'm not sorry.

Stop describing great products by referring back to cheap labels, guys. JF is wonderful. And rare enough to be a signature. It's mine.

There are obvious comparisons with Green Irish Tweed and Cool Water, but JF seems a slightly sweeter and muted blend. There is no brash opening, and all the phases, slide in seamlessly.Normally, I would take a Deer Rifle to anything with this much Amber in it, but the balance of components in JF is excellent. Floris have a habit of doing things without fuss and fanfare, this is a prime example. Top notch.

(Cool Water comparisons are fairly straight on but I'll ignore that fact since there are major differences).

Wonderful light and zesty citrus opening that lasts for the first 30 minutes of the life of this fragrance. The middle is a subtly sweet and refined. Not synthetic smelling, not abrasive, just all around pleasing. A sandalwood-ish drydown supports the overall experience making this a fresh but not over the top laundry/shower/I-just-cleaned-something scent. Ultimate class with a touch of youthfulness. Amazing.

Floris JF has been my Floris fragrance of choice for quite some time. There is something profoundly dignified about JF that is difficult to put into words. Time and again I have been complimented by males and females alike. I have yet to find someone who dislikes the unique JF signature. Sheer class.

A classico modern fragrance that combines zests - woods and greens in a sophisiticated cocktail that is full of life and energy.

A real wave of sunshine in the morning that lasts all day - and this a plus for a zesty fragrance.

Easy to wear am/pm - office - sport etc.... it will not carry its wearer and it will never give the wrong signals at a meeting

An ageless winner in my taste

A very strong thumb up

Laurent

This is very good and fresh, but with a slight twist in the heart: the artemisia and cypress here give a really strange woody accord; or possibly it's the "exotic woods" listed in the base. This scent reminds me (in a good way) of the stuff my granddad used to wear. It smells, masculine, refined, European, and ever so slightly bitter. I think its' a keeper!

Beautiful scent! Agree with all the others that it has a GIT/Cool Water opening. But after an hour or so it becomes pure Floris, unique and not chemically offensive. The drydown definitely has a positive sour note reminiscent of fresh laundry. To get the best possible advance-reaction from people, try spritzing some on a light bulb and waiting a few seconds. That's probably what others will experience when you heat up around mid-day.

Oh wow! This is an insanely wonderful scent for everyday and the office. Cooling citrus without being wet-nappy or chemically. It has a nice melony bass. Two enthusiastic thumbs up.

Another fragrance riding on the coattails of Green Irish Tweed. J.F. comes much closer in spirit to GIT than Cool Water, however. The bright lemony opening to this scent is really about all that differentiates it. Any debate beyond that would simply be niggling. I can't say as I give it any higher marks than GIT for longevity. That alone would give it an edge. Otherwise, it's hard to knock one of my favorite scents on earth. Definitely worth a look if you've missed on sniffing GIT. Worth a purchase if you don't have GIT. And probably not worth your time if you do have GIT.

A very elegant, fresh and long lasting scent. I like to shave with musgo real. JF reminds me on the scent of this classic shaving cream.

I came into the smaller bottle via an ebay auction, and what a score it was. A very elegant citrus composed of lemon, orange and subtle mouth watering spices. The base of woods and amber are sumptuous. Do not deny yourself this olfactive experience, sample if you can....