Mazzolari Mazzolari
by Mazzolari

Stand back! It’s a big green monster!

Like every other Mazzolari scent I’ve tried this one is a powerhouse. This time the theme is green. Green so sharp it stings your nose. Green that’s acidic, abrasive, and astringent all at once. Green that’s seasoned with black peppercorns. (Figuratively speaking.) Green that says “I dare you to wear me.” But you know what? It’s good! Mazzolari does for green what Yatagan does for aromatics and Knize Ten does for leather: presents it without compromise, without apologies, and without any concern for the conventionally pretty. It’s a fantastic scent, but only for the brave.

As Mazzolari ages it reveals a dry, smoky note below its surface, leaving the impression of a parched meadow that’s just caught fire. I hand it to the folks at Mazzolari, this stuff is unique. Mazzolari is pretty linear on me once its middle notes settle in, but it runs a long course, with some astringent cedar wafting up from the depths.

I can definitely smell the similarities to Yatagan, though it's nowhere near as daring or animalic. Very woody like Yatagan, but some floral notes and I believe a little mint and citrus give some sweetness and a Mediterranean feel to Mazzolari. I like this scent a lot (it took me a few wearings to get into it), but it doesn't strike me as very unique, as it smells a lot like an 80s style fragrance I wore a long time ago but can't quite put my finger on new (Portos? Gucci Nobile?). Mazzolari is a very good pick if you like Yatagan's aromatic qualities but not its iconoclastic boldness.

Not Yatagan light, Yatagan arid, just as stark and dry, stronger than vintage yatagan (black cap, white labell) and reformulated yatagan (silver cap, white label).

Compared to Polo Green it's dryer.. more pessimistic if i may call it that... SHARP.. just as long lasting

Now, why would you buy it? Because you would buy Palais Jamais (this is not as wearable as the reviews tell, a true hidden gem), Yatagan, Knize Ten, Lui from the same house or Jacomo, Bel Ami Vintage, GG vintage, etc. In the very end, it's another take on the same subject. If you think mathematics is boring, don't think to trade number theory for algebraic set theory. It might work. Usually, in 90 % of the people, the subject won't work. If you like the scents i listed above, you probably like this one too. Green, dry, stark, even not comprehesible in notes for me. If you don't like the subject, don't choose the scent.

1 part Baie de Genièvre + 2 parts Yatagan = 1 Mazzolari Mazzolari.

This is the first masculine Mazzolari fragrance I've liked after trying all three that are offered for men. For a few years I've really enjoyed Baie de Genièvre on occasion during the cold months, especially around the holidays. I've worn Yatagan several times and it's just ok; as is sometimes the case here on Basenotes I read reviews of some "too rough & rugged" juice that has every metrosexual's panties in a twist and I order a sample of the stuff only to be underwhelmed. After not caring much for Lui or death-by-floral-asphyxiation-before-you-get-to-enjoy-the-Vetyver, I wasn't expecting much from this. But I like it. While not as bright, rich and uplifting as BDG I think the similarities to Yatagan keep it a bit earthier and less likely to develop the slight soapy note that BDG can hint at on the drydown.

First sniff, it hit me... Yatagan. This is Yatagan Lite with more green and citrus.

Yatagan with a little less pain, I think. Mazzolari is strongly aromatic and medicinal. I can’t find anything in the listed pyramid that accounts for the aromatic potency, so I can only assume that it has something to do with the green notes. It features what smells to me like a wormwood note – I guess that might be called a green note, and to my nose that note hangs on for the run of the fragrance. The aromatic accord pushes my tolerance to the limit, but I must admit that six hours after application the softly aromatic skin scent that is left is incredibly good… but the journey getting there was just too harsh for me. No, I can’t handle this one – I admit that I’m not man enough for it. I surrender...