Zino Davidoff (1986)
by Davidoff

A classic from Davidoff. This is a wonderfully complex construction of florals and aromatic woods, and boasts a warm ambery base typical of a tasteful 80s powerhouse.

Zino represents the height of elegance, masculinity, and romance, but (on me) it is tragically short lived.

The opening is fantastic. In Zino bergamot, sage, lavender, and rosewood make for a memorable combination. The opening is more intense than the opening of Montale’s Wild Aoud (which achieves a similar aromatic/green burst), is more elegant than Caron’s Third man (in which the lavender becomes harsh), and more refined than Chanel’s Egoiste (in which Polge tames his ingredients rather than letting them burst into life—as they do in Zino).

I never thought I would be so excited to wear a lily of the valley note, but Zino has given me a new appreciation for what can be done with this flower. The lily of the valley rests on rose, jasmine, and geranium, and the overall effect is a glorious floral heart.

The base is a soft woods and amber affair with just a little bit of musk and tobacco.

There is most certainly an interesting note that one might refer to as “romantic.” In short, something in the background of Zino smells like sex. My guess is that it is either a combination of saltiness from the rosewood, sweetness from the flowers, dirtiness from the patchouli, and a hint of something fiery from the geranium, or there is a very refined animalic musk lurking somewhere amongst the florals. Whatever it is, it is very attractive.

And now for the bad news: (on me) this fragrance has mediocre sillage and terrible longevity. It is completely gone within three hours. Oh how I wish there was an EdP version of this stuff.

I doff my hat to any of you who are lucky enough to be able to wear/smell this on yourself for several hours. It is a fantastic fragrance, and I wish it projected and lasted on my skin.

This is not a fragrance that one "sums up" but one that sums things up itself. The best reviews here share at least that common experience of this tour de force casual. formal, seductive scent.

I can remember when this was readily available on most counters for testing...too long ago...Bach and Picasso...a summation!

I think one of my friend's dads wore this during my childhood, or something damn close. It's a fatherly scent: calm, reassuring and mature, and clearly masculine even though it's fairly sweet in its own unique way. The peachy-beige color and perfect smoothness of the cap, along with the rich sepia of the bottle, match the scent remarkably well. This may be the creamiest wood smell I've enountered, which I really identify with for whatever reason. It changes a lot; namely, the opening is quite dry and sharp in a desert sagebrush sort of way. I honestly don't like the first 10 minutes or so, but once that sharp topnote clears up, it gets right on track as a creamy wood with the moderate sweetness of something that remindes me of vanilla but probably isn't. At this point, Zino is almost exactly where I want to be, something that I would like to smell like, and I don't say that about as many colognes in my collection as I wish I could.

Some odd reviews: " I wouldn't use Zino when meeting a girl. "

Well, neither would I, if I just wanted to be friends with her . . .

Far higher on the machometer than Muscs Ravageur, to which it has been compared (huh?) or JHL Again that's just my subjective, personal and infallible opinion.

Quite a sophisticated juice, not for daytime--unless it's winter; there's only one downside: Guerlian's Heritage.
Now that's one that I would compare Zino to--at drydown. I agree that Guerlian must have ripped it off--I mean, um-was inspired by Zino.

I'll let you in on a secret. Zino is far more complex and interesting.
And far more romantic.

I recently purchased this again after many years, and boy, was I wowed! I'd forgotten how gorgeous this stuff is. It is a gloriously fresh and floral bouquet inspired with lovely woods and subtle patchouli. JaimeB describes the notes and character of this fragrance articulately and eloquently; this is at once an engaging and intoxicating scent. It sells for much less than it is worth on internet fragrance sites. Zino Davidoff is singular masculine sophistication at its finest, and it is appropriate for any occasion, formal or casual. I wish I could give it more than a thumbs up. Enthusiastically recommended.