Jako (1997)
by Lagerfeld

To really appreciate Jako I believe you need to be true, dark redhead. My brother and I are both dark redheads and as Jako dries down, it cools down and warms up at the same times and releases the most intoxicating blend of spice, citrus and musk. On me, a female, a wonderful hint of mandarin hovers above the spice but on my brother the musk and spice are underpinned by the barest touch of citrus.

A few of my girlfriends have tried it and to be honest Jako was awful. It smelt cheap, dried down badly and faded out of existence quickly. On me it lasts all day. My brother still laughs about wearing it and being accosted by women strange women. A man described it on me as being mysterious and unusual.

People either love or hate redheads, there is rarely an indifferent attitude towards us and I think Jako brings out the same attitude in people, you will either love it or hate it.

I'm so surprised at the vitriol here! I loved this as an older teen (I'm a girl) and wore it with great success, to my mind, in cooler weather. I hesitate to spritz now simply because it's too linked to that time. But I'd love a man to wear this for me to sniff at. I remember it as deeply spicy-citrus, not very 'masculine', clean and warm. Ignore all these nay-sayers and try for yourself! Before they discontinue it. I'm not seeing it in stores...

The opening is a citrus, fruit, touch-of-cinnamon accord combined with “Indian Davana Essence,” whatever that is. This opening accord is extremely sweet, and it seems even sweeter than it actually is. There is a little of the rosewood from the middle and incense from the base reaching up to add a bit of a smoky dimension to the sweetness and I think that is a very good touch: I believe this combination of notes would have worked, had the opening not been so overly sweet. The spicy / rosewood heart is almost successful as far as I’m concerned, although it still suffers a little from a sugary afterburn. It’s quite ‘90s, but somehow it doesn’t annoy me nearly as much as most of those ‘90s sweet fruit-bombs — I think I’m still impressed by the judicious use of the rosewood and incense. Some of the sweetness is carried into the drydown and the drydown is quite subtle and definitely close to the skin, but it lasts for a just barely acceptable period of time. I’m ambivalent about Jako —I think it has more complexity than would it would at first appear to have. It’s the unrelenting characterless sweetness that keeps me from liking this fragrance that comes somewhat near to being a good one.

Nasty stuff, and very much a nasty one on the feminine side, to boot. (Don't get me wrong -- hell, I wear Shalimar sometimes.) Still, this one's just cloying -- reminds me of cheap women's perfume. Very like Salvatore Ferragamo in its figginess -- ICK. Hands down, this is Lagerfeld's WORST.

I positively like this fragrance. It starts off very uniquely - slightly fruity and fresh, but in such a different way. It smells very elegant and distinctive, is not overpowering and has tremedous allure. I almost feel intoxicated when I catch a whiff. After having worn it for a while, the fragrance evolves into something smoky and mysterious. Very different from the initial impression. Could almost be mistaken for a cigar-like smell, but certainly a very refined one. It most definitely has longevity, but once the basenotes have come out, it stays rather close to the skin. I can only recommend this fine fragrance to anyone.

Do not buy! This has no staying power and smells for girls. It is not worth it. Lagerfield classic is good, but jako is a waste of money, belive me.