Bergamotto Marino (2006)
by Gianfranco Ferré

I picked up a bottle of Bergamotto Marino after it was suggested to me by a fellow member for it's oceanic/ laundry qualities.

BM opens with notes that are very, very reminiscent of Mugler Cologne, to the point that most wouldn't be able to tell the difference. Very quickly BM becomes it's own scent, however, when the bergamot and soft floral notes emerge, and BM instantly transports me to a strange location... the small hair dressers shop that I go to to have my hair cut.

Allow me to set the scene: this shop is a small, one man operation in a small seaside town. The shop is beautifully finished with wood, and it contains two leather chairs; one the classic hair dresser's chair in front of a mirror and the other off to the side that leans back into a small sink.

It has a small oil stove to keep the place warm in the winter.

The proprietor is an easy going man who's hobby is to collect antiques. Maritime history, such as old tickets from passenger liners, which he's framed and put on the wall, old perfume and cologne bottles, porcelain and ivory, all decorate the walls and shelves.

He also finds and restores old hair dresser equipment, such as the old fashioned hair dryer which is nestled against the wall, next to an wooden table that is stacked with books on local history.

This shop has a mix of smells that come from all of these things, as well as the smell of a dozen different hair products and soap. It is a relaxing place where the crisp clicking of scissors is heard above the soft voices from the radio, which is always set to the local talk program and never popular music.

The notes in Bergamotto Marino all come together to create this little coastal shop. It's uncanny, and I couldn't believe it a few minutes after spraying. I was instantly transported there and put into a state of relaxation, almost trance-like.

That being said, if I sniff my wrist and say to myself "Laundry", my imagination takes me to a grassy field by the sea on a sunny day, where sheets are hanging on the line in the wind, but for the most part it is the hair dresser's shop.

A great fragrance that I can form favorable connections to, maybe a bit on the feminine side with its floral notes, but for myself I have to give it a thumbs up.

08 January, 2014

Cote D 'azure in a bottle

Opens fresh and vibrant, just as i expected (and happy with it) first 10 seconds are combining ingredients citrus,floral,sour.
After a few minutes the drydown comes in and oh my... i really gonna love this one!
For an EDC very good longevity with strength of a good Edt.

Its classy and by all means a bit sporty but in a yachtclub kinda way.
Its a great fresh scent maybe one of the best fresh scents i sniffed in a long while! It captivates me and presents me a scenery i try to descibe here :

IMAGINE :

Cote Azur,Cap Martin South France at the Italian border late 60's...
In a yachtclub in the port all boats and luxury yachts are lined up in the blue waters.

In this port a little marketplace with stacked up crates of fresh fruits like bergamots and citrus fruits is openened my the marketmen in the morning when the sunrises for a nice summer day.

In front of the port some bars are openened to get breakfast outside , classy women with hats and big sunglasses and gentlemen in white linen suits reading the morning paper and drinking orange juice.
Then a mild seabreeze opens and gets past the yachts,marketplace and bar with people...this breeze will captivate this scent.

I love it! it divined me a great cologne with almost eau de toilette and parfum like sillage/longevity.
It also beats my review on sunday cologne by byredo. its better in my opinion

Straight in my top 10

Pros: Fresh Vibrant and confidently dandy
Cons: hard to find here...."

26 August, 2013

great value

a great light summertime scent. very favorable and just classic. not old man smelling classic but elegant and can be worn by all ages. longevity is great for and edc. blind bought it and love it.

Pros: longevity is great
Cons: nun!!

06 July, 2013

In the top note there is bergamot, and this is the ever-present core note. It starts gently on me, no blast, no citrus, but the melon is added in the drydown. A minute floral component, marine notes and in the base a light and gentle musk round it off - not a refreshing cologne for me, but a restrained and bright-ish pleasant composition. Always close to my skin with limited projection, but a very good longevity of over five hours. That just makes the score positive.

11th April, 2013

Pretty much bergamot and neroli from start to finish. Smells natural; stays pretty linear, with some added florals, musk and oakmoss in the dry down, and lasts a while. Good stuff for sure, niche quality!

26 January, 2013

This one is a winner. Aquatic, slightly woody and the price is very reasonable. You would never think this is an EDC. I would think this a EDP. Nicely done. Light melon with a blast of bergamont. This kind of reminds me of Cartier Roadster Sport, but this is much more refined. Definitely try this one!

13 November, 2012