Molto Smalto (1992)
by Francesco Smalto

Traditional powerhouse in execution with a citrus-aromatic green opening and lavender, a floral heart (jasmine, geranium, lily) and a woodsy ambery base, this one is decent and masculine but lacks of any trace of particulariry. Very similar to many other more renowned scents anyway is a confortable fresh-warm woody fragrance . It's similar, but far less complex, to ungaro lll. It lacks the dark seductive power of the last and It's a bit boring and common. Nostalgia of 80's.

26th April, 2011.

The opening is a bit much for me. I don't like these Eternity type fragrances (LeRoy de Soleil for men is another), but I was willing to give this one a chance, because of what others have written about the drydown. For me at least, the "trick" is not to spray more than once, a couple inches above the navel. That way, the top notes don't ruin it. The drydown is quite nice, a orange-tinted, soft wood and sandalwood (not powdery). One reason why I give these kinds of fragrances a chance is that because they are older, I hope the ingredients will be of a higher quality than a similar fragrance marketed more recently. I can definitely imagine myself wearing this on a warm (not hot) spring day, especially if I knew I'd be outdoors for a while. Longevity and projection/"sillage" are at least very good.

21st February, 2011.

When Molto Smalto was first introduced, I dismissed it as just another Cool Water wannabe. I've tried it a few times since, though, and there is more to it than that. It opens with the same harsh citrus-and-orange-blossoms on steroids blast as Cool Water, but settles quickly to make room for a very nice accord of woody sandalwood with warm amber and vanilla in a very harmonious blend that lasts very nicely and retains a touch of the opening freshness.

This isn't a style of fragrance I enjoy wearing often, but Molto Smalto is one of the more elegant representatives of the style.

7th April, 2010.

A very varonil fragrance with strong sillage and great longevity even in the warm climate of this side of the tropic, smells like 80s very similar to Minotaure.

13rd December, 2009.

Somewhat of an Eternity clone as far as I’m concerned, and I have about the same objections to Molto Smalto as I have to Eternity. I don’t care for the opening accord in this fragrance. It has that way of combining lavender and bergamot with some herb that makes it smell annoyingly synthetic to my nose. I’ve smelled this kind of accord in several other fragrances besides this one and Eternity and have always disliked it—my dislike began ages ago with my first sniff of Eternity. The synthetic feeling in the beginning accords of Molto Smalto diminishes after a while but there is still a tinge of it into the dry down. Actually, I find the dry down quite nice. This scent has good sillage and longevity.

29th October, 2006.

I love it! Very nice. Reminds me a lot of Cool Water, but with a darker side. It definitely had staying power, much more than the weaker Cool Water. For some reason Cool Water never stayed on me, but Molto Smalto did! I've got four small bottles that I'm saving for small occasions. What a shame it's been discontinued. When I wear Molto Smalto, it never fails, I get compliments. I like that in a fragrance, when people notice it and they like it and tell you.

2nd November, 2005.