Reviews of No. 88 (1981)
by Czech & Speake

intrigue and mystery . . . I like this one alot - good sign is that it is always sold out

My day with No. 88:

The top note is a bizarre medicinal open that smells similar to Cuba, even though the substantial underpinnings are completely different. I wish I could identify the top note - I don't know the smell. A bit earthy and sour. It may be some chemical they use in all fragrances, I seem to recall the opening of Oxford & Cambridge featuring the same stripe.

Then it just melts into this fascinating, encompassing bouquet of rose. It's a brighter rose than Lyric, friendly and approachable, excellent sillage and all-day longevity. At points it smelled sweeter, sometimes more dry rose, sometimes the geranium. I will say that the longevity on my skin was medium-long, it had pretty well died down by the end of a 10-hour day, but on my clothes it was still loud & clear... and brilliant. This is a brilliant and impressive fragrance.

Czech & Speake #88

Are there floral scents that are masculine? There are certainly men who can wear floral scents but is there a floral scent out there that any man can wear? There are probably many but I would gues that at the top of many colognoisseur's list would be the 1981 creation of John Stephen, Czech & Speake #88. What is remarkable about Czech & Speake #88 is that out of seven listed notes only three are non-floral and to my nose I don't really smell two of them. This is a highly skilled composition which mix a number of floral notes in a very muscular style. The top comes across first with geranium, there is supposed to be bergamot here but I never get any hint of that. In many ways geranium comes off as a lighter rose and that leads perfectly into the heart as rose does take over. This gives the effect of a slowly ripening rose accord as you move from top to heart. Just as the rose begins to recede in comes a mix of cassie and frangipani to keep things on the deeper side. The scent finishes off with a huge slug of sanadalwood and the mix of the rose and sandalwood is marvelous. This last part of the scent, the mix of rose and sandalwood, lasts for a very long time and it is what you take away from a day of wearing this scent. So go ahead guys while you might not put a flower in your hair, spraying some Czech & Speake on your skin is not so scary.

Figure there is little more for me to add taking into account the number and earnestness/intensity of reviews. What I can add to the discussion is that for me personally, the hype matched and even exceeded my expectations. Not that I ever could have imagined ahead of time what I was getting into. Think about fragrances in general, and how many you have tried over the years that made you stop in your tracks and honestly say WOW! Love it or hate it, No. 88 is original, assertive, maybe even a bit strange. It doesn't smell like anything else that I know of on the market today. What IT exactly is I can't say for certain, but it does go great with black! Very long-lasting, yet my wife says that it smells like the cheap perfumes her grandmother used to wear. Not much you can say to that! (Yes of course, it's the rose.) Regardless, I love it!

yes Yes YEs YES!!! I saved this for the last of my C&S sample voyage, and I am so happy that I did, as this is by far my favorite of the entire line. Ever since I received a sample of Montale Attar from Dimitri I have had a bit of clinical obsession with rose scents, and I never thought that anything would trump that glorious masterpiece... well I was wrong. This is, in my opinion, an absolutely perfect study in synergistic moderation. There is a bit of citrus, there is a bit of rose, and there is a bit of soapy buttery sandalwood, but the additive composition as a whole is much greater than the sum of its parts. Due to previous reviews I was almost prepared for a nose wrinkling blast of geranium and herbal bergamot, but my sicilian skin soaked it up so fast it danced beautifully right into the heart notes, where the rose masterfully envelops the weaker florals without becoming too astringent or pronounced. I am a sucker for strong heartnotes, and through its development 88 might derive a bit of creaminess from the sandalwood, and a bit of earthiness from the vetiver, but the blend is so well contrived that the linearity is absolutely welcome. I'm four hours into this experience, and the waves of sillage are still pulsing as strongly as the initial drydown. Although it is considered unisex, I feel as if this is more a masculine fragrance, although I would love to smell this on my girlfriend (in fact I would probably love to smell this on a couch, a towel, a dog, a television, or anywhere else the overspray landed). My bank account was really hoping that I would be hohum about any new fragrances, but my water bill assured me that it wouldn't mind if I paid it a month late this year. Please sign up and get your free samples from C&S... you might have to wait a month to get your package, but I am very interested in your opinions, and it's FREE!!!

Beautiful. I don't think I will ever wear it again, but it is gorgeous. Rose incense sticks is what I get. I always liked rose incense, but I like Nag Champa better. Kinda the same here, I appreciate a good rose scent, but I wouldn't choose to wear it regularly. The women I work with thought that it reminded them of their grandmothers, Tabu one said. It has decent sillage, and great longevity, and is beautiful, but I guess that I'm not ready to wear a rose scent out in public yet. If I was spending the day alone, I wouldn't dislike having to smell it on myself all day at all, I actually enjoy it a lot, I just like to smell a tad bit less girly than all the women I work with, and this one isn't it.

No 88 is a rich, elegant and sophisticated perfume. To me this is a very nicely done, well blended sandalwood based fragrance. The rose, while prominent is not the main focus of the fragrance; it combines with the other floral notes bring out the delicate perfumey aspects of the sandalwood. This is fairly linear once the top notes dissipate, but this is not really a problem because the dry down is very nice indeed. No 88 has decent longevity (6+ hrs) and has a noticeable but very subtle sillage. I think if you are searching for a rose heavy fragrance then keep looking, this will probably not be what you are looking for, but if you are looking for a scent that would be at home in the office or the theatre then you may be very happy with No 88.

This is a magical and very distinctive scent! It is boldly new and yet it has a quirky old-school aura about it. It opens with a perky geranium blast, and then moves into an opulent floral heart which is balanced by a somewhat sharp edge. Many have identified oud at work here, and I agree. Oud combines so well with rose and the other languid flowers. At times, this reminds me of Harris’ Arlington, with a sharp yet addictive quality. Might be some moss here too, and incense. Lovely drydown, good longevity.

What an odd fragrance this No.88 is and totally gothic in feel. Totally got me by surprise. I am not one for rose scents. And the debate is still out if the rose is principally a feminine or a masculine note. Personally I believe it to be a perfect unisex note, all dependent on the notes blended with it. Unfortunately for me, I always associate the smell with little old English ladies on their way to the Chealsea Flower show (which always spoils it for me). However here I have found a rose that is totally unique and not "old ladyish" at all. I would say this is the perfect fragrance for a vampire.
The opening accord that instantly assaults your nostrils is the heavy strong smell of crypt dust. Not powdery dust, but thick dry earthy kinda dust. Mingling with this dust is a citrusy/ insence note with the dark dusky rose sitting quietly behind. The rose then becomes stronger and deeper as the scent progresses comming to the fore for the heart, The dust note keeps moving in and out and because of the addition of the citrus and floral notes becoming more mettalic or wet cold stone like almost, going from the dust to cold "wet cement" like smell. At heart its very much a rose / insence scent layered heavily over a classic base of sandalwood and vetiver. It lasts and lasts and lasts. Though the notes pyramid does not mention musk. On the drydown a mixture of musks enter the scene to play with the vetiver. Starting off smelling just like those pink musk sweets they used to make. Then at the very end a little mild animalic beasty musk rears it head. So finally ending up with subtle rose petals stuck in day old , unwashed butt crack.
All in all a very interesting and quirky fragrance, and I recommend it, but only if you enjoy roses, with a ditinctly gothic bent...(and ultimately don't mind the slightly 'whiffy' musky end.)

I have never been assailed by Geraniums before, but the ones in the opening gave me quite a kicking. This starts off as a fearsome fragrance. Once you have lived with it for a while it settles into something very cultured and masculine. This is not for the nervy or timid as the sillage is prodigous. I have entered this into my weekly rotation, for the days when I am feeling bold and confident. One could consider this one of those scents that requires more than one try before you get it. It is well worth the effort.

Czech and Speake No.88

This is not like I imagined it to be but is a pleasant surprise. The rose is the fragrance is muted and does not take center stage. Instead, the rose remains as in the background but I would not call it a supporting act. I would call it an elusive anomaly that uniquely resides in the shadows. No.88 is, to my nose, a sandalwood fragrance much like the sandalwood in Santal Noble without the vanilla. The rose that lurks is comparable to Montale’s Black Aoud but just enough of it for you to want more. No. 88 could be described as Santal Noble with a hint of black Aoud in the back. If you love that rose and you want it in full force with noting to hold it back, Black Aoud is the way to go as it is more savage. If you don’t like so mych rose and enjoy sandalwood, No. 88 is the choice. Both are very different. In fact as others have said, they are different enough to warrant ownership of both. No.88 is a great fragrance!

I've had a mixed relationship with #88. I've always recognized its quality, but found it a little odd and heavy for my tastes. It reminded me of grape crush or cough syrup mixed with Nag Champa, albeit a well done rendition of that accord.

This evening I decided to give it a thorough wearing, and applied it more heavily than I'd done before. The result changed my mind.

This is a heavy, deep and rich fragrance centered on rose and sandalwood. There is a fruity tang particularly prominent in the top notes - I assume it comes from the bergamont, though both frangipani and mimosa are naturally fruity florals and are listed in the blend.* The top notes soon modulate into a fuller and more distinct rose with sandalwood smoke billowing through its heart.

It is very hard to describe the nature of this fragrance, because while it is rose and sandalwood, it's so much more than that implies. Sweet, rich, thick, voluptuous, smooth, heavy - these are some of the attributes that come to mind. It's the olfactory equivalent of wading through a knee-deep pool of red velvet, and subtle is certainly one adjective that doesn't seem apt.

This is a big fragrance with a big and somewhat disconcerting personality. It's definitely a "character" scent; the perfect scent for the extrovert eccentric of either sex, or just someone who feels like attracting attention or showing off.

The sillage is good; the longevity is moderate.

#88 now takes its place among my other two favorite roses, being totally aesthetically removed from both the dry refinement of Paestum Rose and the limpid naturalness of Sa Majeste La Rose.

*The cynical side of me says "Really? Frangipani in an ELIZABETHAN recipe!?" But I'll forgive a good fragrance highly dubious ad copy.

The opening is very unisex, almost a feminine scent. The geranium is very prevalent, much like the scent of Meyer’s geranium cleaning products, but with a blast of incense. My roommate smelled it and said it reminded him of an old ladies house. But then it settles down very quickly into a dark rose and sharp leather with just a tickle of the sandalwood to keep the edge off it. After a while the sandalwood & vetiver come forward. I picked up the vetiver as a slight woodiness but not as traditional vetiver. You can smell the rose there but it’s certainly not a “ROSE!” perfume but anyone's stretch of imagination. However they did it, it’s so well blended it, it comes off luxurious and a little antiquated – but in a good way.

I don’t see this as a men’s fragrance. The closest analogy I have is that it’s like slipping on a Barney’s black cashmere turtleneck (thick, sumptuous, and darkly romantic). I think this may replace Bandit for me. And like Bandit, I’d leave it to the over 35 crowd. On a younger woman it would smell too contrived.

No.88...this is the first time I sampled it, and I have really been wanting to know more about this one. I didn't know what to expect, however, the men have been talking about how it is a "masculine rose", so that is the impression I had before today. Having been disappointed by many so-called "rose" fragrances, I am open to trying almost anything where rose is the main attraction.

No.88 is really pushing me out of my typical zone of knowledge--the combination of notes is very unusual. At the start, I smelled rose, soap, patchouli, and leather. It was not the castoreum type leather I wrote about yesterday, but rather a sharp, astringent leather similar to what I have smelled in some from Parfumerie Generale and a few other scents such as Ambre Russe. As the scent developed, the rose stayed strong, and the soap faded. The leather became stronger, and along with it, a smoky, incense smell which often comes with birch tar. The drydown is soapy again, and musky. the rose has pretty much faded, and a tiny bit of the leather and incense is also still present. The musk is soft and sweet, and reminds me of the musk in Chanel Eau de Toilette drydown. I don't smell any patchouli at all now.

This scent is quite interesting. The rose is very important, but works together with the other notes, so it is not really all about rose. Rose with leather and incense is a combination I have never smelled, but I have blended my own oils using rose, sandalwood and frankincense, so it makes sense to me that a combination like this would work. Longevity is pretty good so far, but the most interesting middle phase has already gone after a few hours. I am not sure why the guide gave it only 3 stars...I think it is better than that.

Afterthoughts on the late drydown...sweet fougere, not unlike Acqua di Parma Colonia Assoluta. No.88 is a strange, dark, incense rose with a wonderful top to bottom composition and excellent longevity. I know nothing of the house C&S and what they were aiming for with this scent, but I think what they got is sort of like a steam-punk victoriana scent (a la Wild Wild West). I will enjoy wearing this again!

I used to own a very small fragrance house. We had a formula that was very popular, but prohibitively expensive to produce. It was based on an accord of Bulgarian rose absolute and henna absolute. There is something in this blend that reminds me so much of that accord that it's uncanny. I smell henna flower absolute. Who knows if it's really in there or is just an illusion based on the accord of notes from other sources. At any rate, I love it. I had no idea it was so powerful. I sprayed myself three times prior to a fundraising event tonight. I was rather self conscious most of the evening with the billowing clouds of sillage pouring off me. But is was so intoxicatingly gorgeous, I ultimately didn't really care!

Art & emotion … this is what No.88 is all about!

A GOTHIC and DIABOLIC cologne - undoubtedly a perfect signature fragrance for DRACULA.

The almost unanimous opinion is that No.88 is a monumental fragrance. I was awe-struck by its grandiose status, so I timidly opened the door to its world… It was a transcendental experience that changed me forever… The emotional abyss sucked me in instantly and I woke up in a Gothic universe. I was overwhelmed by the gloomy atmosphere of a haunted castle, bathed in the blue light of a full midnight moon. Dark roses, funereally strewn all over the place, are accompanied with excerpts from Clint Mansell's Requiem for a Dream Soundtrack gravely resounding in the background. Here, a Gothic girl is lonely mourning the spiritual desert of the outer world in what seems to be the last ritual of an aggrieved soul... A warm and hallucinatory dizziness enshrouds her, as she hopelessly commits herself to the bloody count… It all seemed like a dream… Only the smell of roses remained as a memory of her sacrifice…

At the same time, it is THE ABSOLUTE ELEGANCE, THE SCENT OF THE KINGS! (which is only natural for a fragrance created following an original Elizabethan recipe)… A magical duality!

No.88... a nonpareil... a unique monument in the world of perfumery...

Hey Guys, I got a chance to sample No. 88 and boy! what an amazing frag this is. it reminded me of south india (south india comprises of states such as, Chennai, Kerala, Tamil Nadu etc)..people from Chennai especially have these mini temples in their houses...matter of fact in most cases these area of worship takes most part of a room, even if the house is small...offerings of Flowers and incenses burning is a standard part of daily morning prayer and after the pooja, there is a standard practise of applying paste of Sandalwood and Vibhuti(sacred ash, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vibhuti) on forehead and sidearms as blessing. This paste would be freshly grinded in the morning along with the rose water to create the paste...No. 88 smells a lot like this whole equation..the soapiness that one mentions is in my mind the healthy dose of sandalwood...if one removes rose from no. 88, one could almost see the framework of Tam Dao.

it's very hard for me to picture No. 88 as "English"

This to me is the standard of men's classic colognes - opening bergamot and slight rose and sandalwood in the background is enchanting. This really clings to you throughout the day - it is my favourite of all the Czech and Speake fragrances. Its not too complex and brings together a few classic smells - you dont get any chemical interference in the bouquet, as there isnt any, which is the way fragrances should be.

A friend recently brought back a bag full of resins and essentials oils and incense and what-not gathered from various spice markets during a trip through India and Nepal. We spent a delightful coffee-buzzed afternoon smelling the resins in particular, both raw and burning, and weaving around free associating about the smells. And there was a wonderful moment when, upon sticking my nose into a bag of what he thought was frankincense, I got the most direct impression of Czech &Speake No. 88.
Which I have never loved--always liked but not loved. Too big, extroverted, complex, maybe. And then suddenly I felt as though I understood where to fix my attention when listening to this complicated fragrance. The most bouyant, exuberant note, the one that is most prominent from opening to drydown, is the liquid, dry earth and flowers of raw frankincense. Or whatever was in that little bag, at any rate. There's a lot going on in No. 88: the rose is quiet and wonderful, the green in the topnotes is pure spring morning. But to me, even waking up this morning to the drydown clinging pleasantly to my t-shirt, it is a scent about temples

I get pure head shop from this one--in a glorious manner. Czech & Speak 88 is all about rose--and Indian incense. I'm not sure which incense stick I am positively identifying, but it is probably Chandan or Laxmi, maybe even a bit of Nag Champa. It is of the "masala" type, or mixture of woods and spices, very beautiful. This perfume had me singing, "When the moon is in its seventh house, and Jupiter aligns with Mars..." It shall be mine someday.

Pluran mentions No. 88 in his review of Montale's Black Aoud, and the comparison is quite apt. Both are rich, dark, woody rose scents of tremendous intesity. I agree with pluran's assertion that No. 88 is the more complex and rounded of the two. It's more polished than Black Aoud, but that extra polish makes it less arresting than the Montale scent. Both are outstanding masculine rose-based fragrances, but I prefer the blunt savagery of Black Aoud to the sophisticated romance of No. 88. Personal preferences aside, No. 88 is a great scent, and a "must-try" for anybody who assumes that roses are not meant for men.

Wonderful; though for me this can only be worn at night in cold weather. I associate, like many others, smells with colors. To me this is black and crimson. Not for everyone, it definately has an evil streak in it. Beautiful and charming on the exterior yet at the same time sadistic inside.

The no. 88 is a distinctive cologne with harmonious blend of separate fragrance paths that make for an uplifting and jazzy fragrance blend. The rose picks up the tone with warmth and pwer right off the bat. Along with the rose I am drawn into the bergamot/clove/geranium/sandalwood combination which is the type of traditional tolietries refrain you would expect from a small bespoke bath fittings company at no. 88 Jermyn St. in London. But the no.88 really departs from its safe traditional path when the jasmine+patchouli kicks in. Tradition becomes hot jazz with a big horn section - its in your face but very much in harmony. A real classic London fragrance that I can not wear everyday, but is very special when it is pulled into service.

I first encountered C&S 88 back in the late1980's in their small shop on Jermyn Street in London. I purchased both the no. 88 and Neroli because they had a similar C&S accord (probably the clove, geranium, sandalwood) that I found comforting and over time found I preferred the Neroli. But now, years later the rose of the 88 is drawing me back to it. I also really enjoyed their Frankincense and Myrrh too; however the shop told me a few years back that the F&M was being reformulated and from what I hear they took the gothic teeth out of that one - too bad.

The differences between the no. 88 and another rose heavy mix - Rose 31 (Le Labo) can be seen in the locations of their founding shop - a tale of two cities. Hundreds of years of tradition embue the mens furnishings shops on Jermyn St. in the most traditional neighbood in London while the Le Labo Rose 31 hales from the the scrappy but creatively energetic Nolita just outside of Soho in New York. The 88 is jazz combo with horns, very uptempo with nice harmony, while the rose 31 is more acid jazz but still with its own odd harmony working through some discordant back notes. I like them both quite a lot - but they are different.

As I was up the west end yesterday, I thought it would be rude not to drop by C&S's little shop in Jermyn St & give this one a go.

Starts off with bright lemon/bergamot, then quickly settles down into a quality rose scent (you can almost smell the dew on the rose)with all sorts going on in the background. To me the Rose is dominant throughout this scent, beginning to end. It reminded me immediately of the rose water they make in the mountains of Iran & brought back memories of my travels out there quite a few years ago. What I was impressed by most about this is how jaw droppingly well it's crafted. At first you can be forgiven for thinking the genius of it is it's simplicity, but think again. The real thing to admire is how well the basenotes interract with the Rose, enriching or deepening, changing your impression about what you initially thought was a bright floral. Maybe it's this aspect which has caused some people to label this a bit "evil" or "morbid". There is also a distinct lack of sweetness, again unusual for a floral.

The downside with this is that it's quite difficult to pull off as a wearer in my opinion. It's too aristocratic for everyday use, surely. Maybe there is also a part of me not wanting to wear floral notes in public, I tend to go for very masculine cologne. I purchased a bottle, but get the feeling it will be used for personal enjoyment & days spent in solitude, rather than going out or socialising.

I've been ordering 50 decants a month for the last 10 months trying to find something as wonderful as #88.

This is the scent of money, not literally, but one who has plenty. The sillage, strength and lasting power are amazing.

Smell you wrist and its not strong, but my Wife says she can smell me 20 feet away. She smells smokey rose and soap. a Upon first whiff said to order the big bottle. The only other fragrance that acts exactly like this is one my Wife wears. "Sweet Oriental Dream" by Montale. I can smell super fresh rose 20 feet from her and yet not strong on her wrist. I'm so excited I finally found something for me in the same league.

This #88 creates an aura around you that never lets go. If you like smelling like you've spent the day at an expensive spa, then look no further.

Quite possibly a perfect fragrance: rather a mood of incense will not make this for everyone, but for those who can appreciate its Gothic charms, happiness awaits.
The musk and the rose conspire to make a scent unlike others available.

The 88 arrived from London accompanied by customs slips which certified that it was not intended for chemical warfare. I should have ordered from the Cambridge Chemists, but actually enjoy paying foreign exchange fees. Kidding.

There's no hiding from this one. It opens with a blast which must be akin to the Flugabwehr-Kanone, or as it is better known, the FlaK88. In retrospect, i should not have been surprised. After all, they do have the same caliber - and likely, comparable potential to destroy armor. For a moment, i lost the power of speech and completely forgot how to speak English. The scent is so simple, it's tremendously complicated. Still trying to pour the shotglass of impressions that the 88 offers into my thimble of a brain. (haha)

This is what Marquis de Sade must have worn. It's pure evil. No, wait. This is what Ghandi must have worn. It's pure good. It's a paradox, and unlike some fragrances with which you co-operate, the 88 is a tool you use. For pure evil, pure good.

Handle with caution. (no haha)

Rose, citrus, sandalwood, fire & brimstone...magnificent. It fits Ozzy Osbourne perfectly. This is what I would imagine he'd smell like. Me? I can't possibly wear this stuff. I don't have the attitude, presence, or (clothing) wardrobe to do it justice. It's just too wicked.

A pale preraffaelite rose blooming in cold moonlight upon mine own grave.

To wit: the English rose is a many facetted thing. And where Penhaligon's Hammam Bouquet represents to perfection its Victorian incarnation, imperial, orientalist and full of brimming but only indirectly acknowledged sexuality (see my review) No. 88 is a different creature altogether, as its vapors entwine John Donne's darkest moments, Burne-Jones canvasses, My Last Duchess, Aubrey Beardsley, Joy Division and the album cover of Depeche Mode's 1990 Violator. Not surprising then that I would be instantly captivated. This is the kind of scent which I have no desire to rationally understand and only feel I can adequately describe in the given associative manner.

Notes: Sandalwood and Bergamot, Geranium, Rose Otto, Cassie, Frangipanni, Vetiver.

No. 88 is a universally lauded fragrance with a celebrity client list to rival Creed. Naturally, expectations were high when I sat down to analyze and review it. Based on an old Elizabethan recipe, No.88 smells as relevant today as it did 100 years ago. Needless to say, No.88 doesnt disappoint.

No.88 is constructed around a rose note. Theres no escaping it. This is a rose scent. A manly rose scent to be sure. If you dont like florals or vetiver (which is elegantly used here), No.88 might give you a pause. Nevertheless, I suggest persevering simply because this is one of the most masterfully blended perfume concoctions around. The opening act of bergamot and rose absolute is a stunner - two notes harmoniously blended with the rose giving depth to the opening. Usually the citrus notes dissipate fast, but here the bergamot stays around for sometime - the rose then bids adieu to the bergamot, and takes no.88 further. The vetiver and rose then fuse together to create the main accord of no. 88 - an irresistable dark, woody, yet still soft and pleasant accord. The vetiver is noticeable, and its partnerships with rose absolute and a hint of sandalwood in the base creates a complex manly mossy floral drydown.

No.88 opens with fresh top notes, and then progresses to a complex floral-vetivery heart and base. Its a complex scent which I find to be very potent and quite wearable. While more suitable for the winters, it can be made to work for all situations and climates if applied lightly. This usurps Van Cleef pour homme (another excellent fragrance) as the best mens floral. While it may not live up to the unusually lofty expectations, No.88 is at the very least worth a decant or a sample for every mens fragrance aficionado. If women have Chanels No.5, men have Czech&Speakes' No.88.

If you like rose, get it, period. On me, this is like a stronger Voleur de Roses, in which the patchouli and spices are replaced by bergamot and sandalwood. Obviously, the rose takes center stage. Honestly, it's only the top and early heart notes that beat you over the head with rose stems. Mind you, these are freshly snipped, still wet with dew rose stems. If I had to choose any rose stems to be beat on the head with, these are them. But that still doesn't make it an enjoyable experience.

After that, it's much more pleasant. The woody, vetivery qualities begin to shine. As others have said, it's very well made and has a clear progression of notes through its very long life. I like the fact that it doesn't resort to a mish-mash of powder to soften the scent like so many rose scents do. It achives a solid, confident, and very manly drydown that still manages to remain refreshing and versatile. Thumbs down on the top, which is indeed very hard to pull off, and thumbs up on the amazing drydown. So, 3/4. Still a good one IMO.

This was definitely not love at first sniff. It took several times of wearing it before it really took hold of me. I found that a little goes a long way. Two spritzes are plenty. Four spritzes are just overbearing. It lasts an incredibly long time, and the basenote is a pleasing earthy rose, odd as that may seem. I don't find that it is all that similar with the Gonesh #8 incence as some do, but it does have certain elements that are similar. Personally I don't like Gonesh #8, but I do like this C&S #88. If it wasn't so darn hard to get and expensive it might become my daily fragrance.

No. 88 is perhaps the most extreme scent of contrasts one can smell. There is something citric, bright, almost ulifting about some components of this fragrance. At the same time there are notes that are somewhat cold, dank, and hard. It's got an aura about it - sillage that seems to fill a space as a cloud and not as a pungent stream. I think of spending a cloudy day sitting in an old garden with overgrown rose bushes, surrounded by a stone wall. As the heaviness of the clouds, the wall, and the decay of age starts to weigh on me, some beams of sunlight break through.

This one’s iconic All too often the actuality of these icons do not fulfill their reputation, but No. 88 fulfills with flags waving, trumpets blaring, and fat ladies singing. It’s a complex fragrance that presents so many faces. It is at once clean and dirty, dark and brilliant, ancient and modern, petal soft and rock edge hard, arrogant and subtle: It speaks to the duality of existence the way all great works of art do. No. 88 is the Sistine Chapel of masculine fragrance; however, it does require a caveat: It’s a killer scent, but it can be quite difficult to wear. I would recommend getting samples and wearing a few times before purchasing. I found that, as much as I love it, I just couldn’t carry it off.

starts off with a blast of bergamot then after a short space of time a superb rose otto fragrance which lasts ages om my skin kicks in.Finally the afore mentioned rose otto morphs into a top grade sandalwood which seems to flicker back and forth between the rose otto for the protracted bottom note.
To sum up a fresh fragrance slightly morbid for some maybe but such a change to the freshness of the usual citrus offerings for us men and consequently unlike nearly all citrus types extremely long lasting and earns a big fat thumbs up from me.

A fragrance called from me as a "grenade"! An explosion of a combination of complex ingredients. Fanstastic!!!

I am just wondering whether it was just by accident, that N°88 was designed on year before Drakkar Noir. Although quite different especially in the base notes, those two scents have more in common than just the black bottle. It sounds overexaggerating, but to me those are the first pre-punk perfumes ever made. Eager to rise controversities, but difficult to characterize it just into one direction. A somehow relaxed aggressivity.

A fragrance of cold, haunting beauty. The rose note lingers on and on,lending an air of sadness. A fragrance to admire deeply although perhaps not like.

A very aristocratic sense: abstract, clean, bright but very complex. An intelligent und very “modern” sent and a little bit eccentric: distanced but very interesting.
The rosenote in combination with the bright woody and soapy notes is morbid like an old but very cultivated castle in autumn.

Of all the fragrances I own, this is the one I have the most difficulty in pinning down, probably due to all the ingredients. But I could definitely say there is something alluring about it. To me it has a very clean edge, but not clean in the Gendarme or Cologne way. It has this soapy lemony accord that I like. It also has a very interesting rose note. There is something very "ancient" about it and I could easily picture myself wearing it to a ball in a medieval castle.If the vampire Lestat were to have a signature fragrance this would be it! It has a nice aura about it but isn't overpowering at all!

Very hard to find over here, due to import nit picking, but worth the hunt. My first impression of No. 88 was that of lemon furniture oil. Not to surprising with the gorgeous aroma of vetiver and bergamot mellowed by sandlewood, rose and geranium. Start saving NOW!!!!