Ungaro I (1991)
by Ungaro

The Baron de Charlus once told me: "It has been some years since last I sampled Ungaro I, but I am left with an indelible impression of mature, almost rotting fruits, a whiff of delicate potpourri, damp castle dungeons, and an elderly Duke's undergarments - ancient body odour too long confined by the warmth of a velvet chair. I believe that my friend Naed Nitram has declared the much less famed Vendetta to be the perfume that Ungaro I could have been, should have been, and I concur. Indeed, I believe that I actually gave my bottle of Ungaro I away to my valet, thinking to myself: unusual, faintly poetic and slightly obnoxious as you are, when shall I ever wear you again? (In spite of this, how I admire the masterly review of this scent by the admirable Scentemental)."

5th July, 2011.

Ungaro is a song with a quiet, subtle melody you don't really notice until it's hopelessly stuck in your head the next day. Rose, patchouli, artemisia, and honey are the key players here, but the body in general is like a classic lavender fougere starring in a film noir. It's staid, stoic, and borderline threatening, but somehow made all the more attractive for it. I wish I didn't have to resort to niche outfits to find modern scents with balls like this. Easily my favorite of the Ungaro line.

19th January, 2011.

Ungaro I, in a word, is refined. A bit dark, some might say because of the strong wormwood note, but stately and elegant nonetheless. Here's a replay of the notes:

Top notes: Lavender, Pine, Bergamot
Heart: Patchouli, Wormwood, Precious Wood, Jasmine, Geranium
Base: Sandalwood, Tonka, Honey, Amber

It opens with a definite citrus/booze introduction, but the bergamot (citrus) fades fairly quickly. Gratefully, I don't smell one trace of the opening pine note. ( Pine, in these nostrils, equals Not Good.) Darker notes begin to emerge (thanks to the wormwood and, probably, the geranium) and the wormwood remains into the drydown. I do get just a hint of amber, but I'm not a big amber fan and so the "hint" is okey dokey by me. Sillage is good and longevity is also good.

Very nice fragrance from Ungaro, but probably not so much for young guys. Ungaro I has been discontinued for some time, so any stock which might be floating around the world is now commanding premium prices. Ungaro III is superb, more powerful than Ungaro I, and is readily available. I sense little connection between the two, other than sharing the connective name. I haven't yet had a chance to try Ungaro II.

13rd January, 2011.

Another dull fragrance that receives much rave without deserving it. Ungaro I seems the typical fougere scent, with aromatic lavander, a pinch of cloves, some patchouli, a green, slightly minty floral accord and a coumarinic base. Ungaro I seems like a cheap copy of Gucci Nobile, less grand, less daring, less intense, with less woods, less sweet, less classy. While it`s not bad, it`s not that great either. For the price that I got my bottle (15 dollars for 50ml) this is quite ok, but for the fortune that they use to charge it, it`s not worthy. Get Rive Gauche if you want a fougere like this, but darker and more refined.

9th September, 2010.

Amazing !!!
Reminds me a softer Terre D'Hermes combined with the screaming opening of Versace Black Jeans , but at the same time a unique scent... beautiful !
One of mine top 5.
So sad that is discontinued !

TWO THUMBS UP !!!

21st January, 2010.

This scent opens with a smooth blend of sweet citrus and aromatic lavender with a little bit of spice in the background. Soon enough, a bouquet of lush floral notes start to reveal themselves and one is most likely to identify the rose and jasmine. One gets an impression of lovely floral scented wood. The scent then settles into a sweet, incense-y amber accord that earlier complimented the other prominent notes so effortlessly and masterfully. The oakmoss also adds a sour-bitter herbal touch to the amber base. Simply delightful. Everything seems to be in just the right portion, with nothing overdone or lacking. Such a beautiful scent should never have been discontinued.

11th January, 2010.