Tenaz (1994)
by Daniel de Fasson

I bought a bottle of Tenaz at clearance prices some time ago (less than $10 for 50 ml) at Perfumania, and found it a unique and very pleasant chypre. Lately I've seen it advertised for jaw-dropping prices ($150 to $300 a bottle), and I'm sorry, but it just ain't THAT good (hardly anything is, in my opinion).

According to one website, it has topnotes of bergamot, lavender, jasmine and magnolia, mid-notes of pepper, cedar and sandalwood, with base notes of tobacco and musk. The floral elements are understated, and I also notice a warm, smooth amber (benzoin, perhaps?) in the drydown. It reminds me a little of Giorgio Red for men, but smoother and more subtle, and not quite as long-lasting. Since Red has been reissued at more reasonable prices, I can't imagine why anyone would buy Tenaz at several times the cost.

My neutral rating reflects the inflated pricing. Tenaz is a well-blended fragrance that would easily rate a thumbs-up at reasonable prices, but at $150 a pop and up, it's only average.

11th May, 2011.

Great stuff -- so sad they discontinued it. I hate to pay eBay prices for the EDT, as we used to get it SO cheap at the Outlet Mall in Galveston, TX.

Will keep looking for Tenaz bargains when I can find them.

More compliments from this warm, long lasting EDT than just about anything in recent memory. Am savoring my last bottle right now, and making it last.

14th October, 2006.