Zino Davidoff (1986)
by Davidoff

Zino Davidoff starts out with a very bold lavender and citrus accord that recalls old-school standards like Bois du Portugal, The Third Man, and even Jicky (without the civet). Some sweet spices and woods join in over the next few minutes, followed quickly by a very rich and rounded rose note. Settling into its heart, Zino Davidoff becomes a sweetened rose and wood scent, seasoned with geranium and resting on an oriental base of vanilla and smooth sandalwood.

Zino Davidoff does not turn soapy as it dries down, as does Bois du Portugal, nor does it veer toward hyper-masculine leather in the manner of, say, Antaeus. It seems to me instead quite balanced - even classical - in its poised approach to the woody oriental genre. Granted, Zino Davidoff is potent, especially in its first few minutes, but it evolves into a versatile and wearable scent that's far less overwhelming than its oriental successors Opium, A*Men, Le Mâle, and Pi. These days Zino Davidoff is underused, under-rated, and deserving of a wider public.

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Fans of rose and patchouli scents will drool over this. As such, I am drooling over this scent.

This is a spicy and woody rose-based oriental that starts off very powerfully with a very dominant rosewood. The opening will make you think you just sprayed on a powerhouse scent, but after about a half hour Zino really cools its jets, mellowing out into a lovely smooth rose-based accord, which is darkened and given a slightly dusty feel from patchouli. This accord lasts for hours, and you can still detect the rose even in the drydown, where it joins up with a subtle and slightly sweet vanilla note. Zino reminds me a lot of Moods Uomo, but a tad sweeter and with much less radiance than Moods.

One would think that a scent like this would be overpowering, but Zino is actually quite discreet because it stays very close to the skin, which is unusual for an oriental fragrance. This is no A*Men. Though it doesn’t radiate far, Zino is very long lasting; I can still smell this on my undershirt when I wake up the next morning, 24 hours after I sprayed it on.

Though my description of this scent seems a bit dry and clinical, I have to say that Zino is one of the best fragrances I have ever worn. It is very masculine, but this would also smell great on a woman, and could easily be marketed as a unisex scent. It is stunningly beautiful, and is very close to being my personal holy grail scent. It's that good.

Unlike the chillingly, neutrally antiseptic watered-down Cool Water or the much too sweet balsamic notes of Good Life, Zino Davidoff is truly a fascinating male scent.
Dark leathery notes, a hint of tobacco, a proper quantity of musk, vanilla and wood mingled with lighter touches of citrus and herbs. Carefully crafted robust evening scent, slightly heavy but well balanced after a few minutes. Exclusive partly chypre, partly Oriental mix of timelessly masculine notes somewhat reminding of lavishly costly Davidoff cigar. A true indulgence, especially if combined with an equally indulgent formal evening wear.

zino is a true masterpiece! rebus scent.

Along with Bois du Portugal and Heritage, Zino completes my "holy trinity" of rich, woody, complex fragrances that I reach for time after time. I wish I could merge the three into my idea of the perfect fragrance. Zino's bergamot/lavender opening and the tonka/vanilla finish perfectly bookend the floral heart and woods that run throughout. Yes, now that you mention it, there is that "wild, almost sweaty abandon" note, but it is so well hidden by the bespoke suit and inlaid humidor that you don't notice it until you are right in the middle of it... and by then it is too late to matter.