Mazzolari Mazzolari
by Mazzolari

I was very keen on this a few yeras ago after sampling, but now that I have a bottle I find it unwearable. I think my growing interest in natural perfumery has made me highly sensitive to certain synthetic amplifications, and while I still enjoy Mazzolari Lui in minimal dosage (of course), this one is just too much for me. The green blast is not merely extreme, it also clogs my nostrils (as no natural oil ever has) and, worse, the combination of herbaceous and slightly minty notes actually adds up smelling like (fruity-green apple) shampoo on me, mixed with a cheap loud 70s fougère. And once it's there it just keeps screaming in my face, sort of like the horrific television monster in Aphex Twin's legendary "Come to Daddy" video (http://www.bbc.co.uk/collective/dnaimages/gallery/directordvd/2.jpg). All this from one careful spray onto my chest. Any redeeming features are drowned out in view of this nose-crippling horrorshow. Objectively I might give this a mediocre after some closer analysis, but personally I can't stand it for another minute. Pure green hell.

31st July, 2011.

This goes on strong and green. Crushed leaves, stems, sap - various herbs - perhaps bay, sage, mint or others. This subsides leaving a resinous evergreen - juniper or galbanum, as it dries down. I don't get any vetiver or citrus in this. It is woody in a subtle way, though I don't really think sandalwood. I do get a salty, brothy quality as it dries down giving it a savory, oddly foody element. There is also a classic men's cologne quality to it - and it is ultimately masculine as all get-out, but not particularly sensuous, in my opinion. Thumbs up, it is classy, but, I don't think it suits me.

4th April, 2011.

This is one those fragrances that I think of as "severe." In my opinion, that's not necessarily a bad thing. By "severe," I mean that it does not really compromise. Durbano's Black Tourmaline, Yatagan, and Noir Epices are also severe perfumes in my book. I like them all, and I like this as well. Lucky Scent's list of notes (Sandalwood, vetiver, spices and subtle citrus and green notes) don't really capture what's going on here, at least to my nose. I wouldn't call the green notes here subtle. And I don't think of this as a sandalwood or vetiver heavy fragrance, though they may be in the mix. I've seen Mazzolari Mazzolari listed in some threads here at Basenotes as a good pine scent. I also don't really smell pine here, as much as I smell juniper on top of some wood notes that I would guess are cedar and/or cypress. To my nose, there's also the mustiness of black pepper roaming about in the mix. All this makes it a tangy, dry, almost strident fragrance that, as Off-Scenter puts it, dares you to wear it. I can see some of the comparisons to Yatagan, but this lacks the leather of Yatagan and is tangier and less overtly herbal. All-in-all, this Mazzolari is uncompromising, very "masculine," and many would likely find it hard to wear. Still, I like it for its intensity and its uniqueness, so thumbs-up.

2nd July, 2010.

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! 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.

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.

11th December, 2009.

I can definitely smell the similarities to Yatagan, though it's nowhere near as daring or animalic. It's very woody like Yatagan, but floral notes and I believe a little mint and citrus add 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 now (Portos? Gucci Nobile?). Mazzolari is a very good pick if you like Yatagan's aromatic qualities but not its iconoclastic boldness.

29th August, 2009.

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.

28th December, 2008.