Full Choke (2004)
by Francesco Smalto

The top notes earn 5 stars, the heart notes barely 2 stars, and the base notes deserve about 3. Full Choke must catch many a buyer who feels instant attraction—at introduction, the scent is lively and reminiscent of the best part of New Haarlem: fresh coffee and sweet, burnt cinnamon toast. Within minutes, FC turns stunningly boring, like the delicious stuff exits the room, leaving nothing to smell but an old metal toaster. Surprisingly, an echo of the original scent and sweetness surfaces during the drydown. If I could freeze-frame those top notes, I'd either wear this or insist my husband do so. It's a shame that pineapple, rum, vanilla and amber couldn't maintain a gourmand heart. (Notes: gunpowder, cardamom, pepper, pineapple, coriander, jasmine, lily of the valley, rose, vetiver, rum, vanilla, musk, and amber.)

31st January, 2010.