Pot Pourri (1828)
by Santa Maria Novella

Resin with super aromatics… immediately. What really strikes me first is its resinousness. These are not just some lightweight, vaporous aromatics – there is real substance behind and supporting those medicinal tones. The resins and spices and flowers provide a strong background and give the fragrance a depth that I have never before seen in a similar “classic” potpourri or spicy scent. Those supporting accords also provide a much better longevity than I have seen in similar scents. This is a very admirable fragrance. Actually, I don’t know how the potpourri concept can miss: Potpourris are so lively and spicy and bright, and they so quickly invoke pleasant memories of the past. Santa Maria Novelle’s Potpourri is likely the most classic and the best potpourri fragrance I’ve come across.

Santa Maria Novella produces the best pot-pourris. I was afraid to wear "Pot-pourri" as a frangrance, but it's wonderful. It's aromatic and spiced, quite medicial at the opening, but very sweet and smart : a classic fragrance, as Eau de Cologne "Santa Maria Novella" in another way.

This does not appeal to everyone, but you must give this scent TIME. It changes throughout the day and becomes less like potpourri and more like incense mixed with some spice. It really is like stepping back in time. I have had numerous compliments while wearing this fragrance. At first it does not smell like anything except potpourii. You must let it dry down before judging this. This fragrance is timeless and I can FEEL the history when wearing this.. it's quite upscale, well-made, and really does in fact change, like a fine wine, throughout the day. Again, numerous people have complimented this fragrance, so it's not just me that likes it. It's overpriced a bit, but a small amount goes a long way. This fragrance is enchanting, even "haunting," because I can sense the history of others that have worn this.. meaning it's simply GREAT to wear something that has been around for so many, many years, two centuries ago! It smells, to me, "European..." Charming and elegant, yet a bit contemporary. Not everyone will appreciate wearing this, but I've yet to encounter someone who has not liked it on me.. including myself! This is an amazing fragrance.

Splendid juice, but sadly lacking in longevity. Very old fashioned stuff, so don't go in looking for aldehydes and synthetic musks and sparkling floral notes. This is earthy, dark, spicy, astringent stuff -- VERY old school. Wonderfully unisex find for lovers of true "old spice."

Another bizarre offering from SMN. It starts off as an unbearable mess of bitter, caustic herbs and fruits. Like Marescialla it is almost a weapon in its potency. As it dries, it softens considerably, and while not unpleasant, doesn't strike me as a skin scent so much as it seems a house scent. I would much rather burn this in a candle or spray it in a room than wear it on my skin. It smells like...potpourri. Dried, almost fermented fruits, and sharp, pungent spices (is this the mace...again!?!). Not bad, but just doesn't make sense. Maybe it's just too dated to be pulled off nowadays.

When I first went to the SMN shop near SoHo in New York to purchase their wonderful shaving creme, I sampled Pot-pourri and thought it was terrible. Too strong, too petroleum like, and it was unimaginable that anyone would wear this. Having read the reviews here, however, I was very intrigued and went back. I put some on and went out to lunch. Ten minutes after application, the frag opened up to a magnificent incense like oriental spiced fragrance. Later in the day, I thought the scent had completely disappeared from my skin, but was occasionally present around me, a foot or more away. A little spooky. This is totally different from anything I have ever worn. It is challenging, and transformational in regard to first impressions and what one ultimate experiences. I am sure will be loved by some, hated by many. To me it is olfactory nirvana.