Zizan (2008)
by Ormonde Jayne

After the deceptive disappointment of Isfarkand pour Homme (i.e. a great opening but a generic and weak cedar drydown), I wasn’t really expecting much from Zizan (and if the listed notes were anything to go by, it sounded more like a hybrid of Ormonde Man and Isfarkand pour Homme). However, trying to be as open-minded as possible, I decided to give Zizan a chance.

Upon the first application, I was met with the usual citrus, pepper and juniper top notes that I’ve come to expect from most Ormonde Jayne offerings for men. Yes, it certainly smelt sophisticated but there was also a noticeable degree of déjà vu about it. Undeterred, I remained patient for the next stage of violet and jasmine, which (to be honest) completely escaped me. Instead, Zizan quickly moved to the base notes with strong whiffs of an almost creamy vetiver greeting my nose.

Within less than a minute of applying Zizan, the fragrance had morphed from a typical Ormonde Jayne offering to something I had smelt before. The scent was unmistakeable but it took me several moments before reaching the conclusion that it smelt very similar to Montale’s Red Vetyver. Although its longevity and sillage were very admirable (easily six hours) the association with Red Vetyver was impossible to dispel (even after the clichéd cedar accord became more evident). After several hours, the vetiver and cedar were faintly present with traces of amber and musk, working hard to sustain the fragrance during its final moments on my skin.

Although it smelt of quality, Zizan still came across as unnecessarily synthetic and lacking the degree of originality I was hoping to discover. If I had to describe more accurately what Zizan smells like, I would say this: where Terre d'Hermes is transparent and Red Vetyver is opaque, Zizan is translucent.

Unfortunately, for me, Zizan has proven to be the final nail in the coffin, with regards to my interest in this house.

[Original submission date: 10 December 2008]

For me this was love at first whiff and I would say that TPer, said it best: this is definitely nostalgic comfort food. Yes, this somehow feels to me like the best of the 80s -- strong, clear, masculine, elegance, all somehow wrapped in a translucent warmth. I haven't reached for any other bottle since mine arrived a few weeks ago. Good sillage, but as this is Ormonde Jayne, one still feels that it could project a bit further. If I learned to like Vetiver thanks to Lalique's Encre Noir, Zizan has taught me to love it.

I have to take issue with Trebor about Isfarkand. I still think this is one of the most interesting and compelling and likable fragrances ever: it's as sparkling and wonderful and addictive as they warned.

I think this is a poor showing from Ormonde Jayne. Nothing outstanding which I expect. This has a similar quality to Rochas Lui with a peppery citrus and cedarwoods. Sometimes it goes into a fruity cedarwoods. Ormonde Man and Isfarkand were very good fragrances but Zizan just doesn't cut it.

I found this to be reassuringly nostalgic without being a blatant copy of anything else. There is a very warm floral heart amid the earthy spiciness. It is not high art, but there are times when I enjoy a scent like this, the olfactory equivalent of comfort food.

Hmm I so much want to fall in love with this. It's one of my first advances into the niche world and I really loved the notes. But alas it just isn't that great. The opening is sharp....really sharp I love the pink pepper and berry notes but something in it makes it smell to off. The middle notes are actually the best in my opinion. Just like Trebor said I too missed the violet and jasmine notes in the middle but something was spot on. Then something very weird happened. After about 3 hours i smelled myself and could have sworn I was wearing Terre D' Hermes. I like the vetiver...but I dont love it. Just like Terre D' Hermes its so strange. Overall just a so so fragrance that to me isn't close to the $90 it costs. Medium sillage and good longevity i'm going on 6 hours strong. Fragrance gets 5 out of 10 stars and longevity/sillage gets 7 out of 10.

Just got my free sample of Zizan - the best things in life really are free!!!
IT is fantastic - it's true love at first sight - although I think I need it for me - my husband, not a perfumista by any account but appreciative of beautiful things - immediately loved it and i suddenly saw a side to him never seen before - somewhat spoilt, materialistic, possessive, territorial and VERY DEMANDING of a FULL BOTTLE all of his very own!!!!
I blame it on Zizan - it is exactly what the blurb on the ormondejayne.com site says - a Burst of Sicilian lime and then quietening down to something wholly irresistable!