Portugal (1938)
by Geo F Trumper

On principle, I rarely judge a fragrance by its price. But Portugal is such a total ripoff, it's offensive, and deserves a major league thumbs down. Does the world really need yet another boring Jean-Marie Farina clone, only less long-lasting? If this were only $15 or so, I'd leave it alone because this isn't a bad smelling scent. But charging $65 for a completely unoriginal, yawn-inspiring eau de cologne that has the longevity of a TV commercial is simply insulting. Booooooo!!!

This is a good neroli scent, here freshened by more lemon than is usual. Thus, it is less gorgeous, less softly cloudy, than some nerolis. The bitter orange adds a woody – soapy note, even slightly metallic. This is a simple, dignified masculine scent. It doesn’t wow me but I appreciate it.

Absolutely beautiful citrus top notes dominated by a bitter accord of bigarrade and lemon mellowed with a little neroli. Sweet and bitter orange in wonderful harmony. This really does sparkle initially. It moves rapidly forward into a herbal tinged musk accord where it stays. This base holds a little of the top notes within it...and fades.

The top layer is good, the base less so and they do seem a little incongruous together. The musk smells a just a bit cheap and ordinary. I understand that it is there fundementally to extend the life of the rather nice top notes but what about some nice moss guys?

However, like many of these Trumpers, the flaws seems to diminish over time. They get overidden by sheer practical wearibility.

Simple, enjoyable, unpretentious.

Strong citrus opening led by the bitter orange: Impressive. I’m impressed by the drama and bitterness of the accord, and yet the herbals that are ghosting the accord make the citrus smell a little synthetic. The herbals move to the fore to form a rather dry and rather bland herbal heart. Not impressive, nor is the drydown – a straightforward musk with some herbals still left from the heart. Portugal is not exciting – it’s competent, but I’m afraid that that’s as far as it goes.

Blustery orange-citrus opening. Neroli/orange blossom heart. Musky base. Citrus throughout, Very nice.

Citrus opening, followed by a bitter orange-musk base. Vaguely reminds me of Penhaligon’s Douro. It is shorter lived than Douro and the dry down of Eau de Portugal seems a bit stuffy to me.