Zegna (1992)
by Ermenegildo Zegna

Tangy, earthy, unconventional. Something for former hippies seeking a bold, natural redolence that says I am of the Earth. Yet there are no hints of floral softness; it is herbs and spices that belong on a thick, meaty steak. Women will smell this and want to lick and gnaw on you.

At first I thought it was mild pipe tobacco instead of herbaceous tea. The sage, hay and vetiver accord gives this illusion. Crazy and confused accords.

Wandering through the labyrinthine corridors of his mind, how often did the great philosopher Immanuel Kant resort to Zegna to stimulate his thought! In that darkened alcove, where unfathomable grey met impenetrable brown, where only the merest shadow of lemon flitted elusively through the dim phenomena of his study, this perfume, like some dark matrix of the brooding possibility of being, formed an enigmatic pool enticingly veiling the absolute.
"It seems to me, guvnor," said his servant, "that this must be the most metaphysical scent that we've encountered so far. When it comes to serious, no-frills professor's perfumes, this must be the thing-in-itself!"
"Yes, indeedy," murmured Professor Kant absentmindedly, "clearly beyond categorization, possibly beyond space and time. Although I find it somewhat strange that it has an abstract aroma of stale tea about it. Could it be that the universe is in reality a giant tea bag?"

I'd also like to say that I thought Essenza di Zegna was MUCH, MUCH better.

Yes, our Russian friend can certainly paint a pretty picture, even if the fragrance turns out to be not so good. The original Zegna tries hard to fit the ultra masculine mold, but comes up short. I agree with Marcel (du Charles) stale tea comparison. It makes me think of drinking a cup of Earl Grey with lemon. This is a smell that does not belong on human skin. If you want hardcore masculinity, give Trussardi Uomo a try.

Smells like this - you just had a shot of expemsive cognac, and now are chewing on a slice of lemon in a room where someone just finished smoking an expensive cigar. Or - enter the boss, employees please stand up. The fragrance that conveys an aura of certain authority. Great alternative for the people who can't stand the recent crop of sweet and tender fragrances.