Victrix
by Profumum

Pink pepper, coriander (see below), laurel, vetiver, oakmoss (see below).
This has a very green, grassy opening – a bit of surprise but I appreciate it. The pepper gives a slight tingly-warm aspect to the green notes. As an EDP this is substantial (even rich) but not heavy. The notes are seamless and cannot easily be distinguished. My impression is of a grassy field in the sun. The scent is so green in a low-key way that I suspect that coriander leaf (cilantro) as well as coriander seed plays a role. The leaf adds a minty, perky note; and the seed gives a faint sweet-nut whiff. Great dry-down – slightly grassy and even hay-like. Subtle, sits close to the skin. Note, the final element is oakmoss (muschio di quercia), not musk.

I’m really not too sure what to make of this one...

With notes such as pink pepper, vetiver, laurel, coriander and musk, Victrix is a crisp, green and somewhat dry fragrance. It starts off with a sharp freshness but calms down on the skin within a matter of minutes. However, its longevity and sillage are very deceptive...

At first, it appears to have no staying power at all (especially after the first 30 minutes) – even sniffing the area of application gives this impression. However, throughout the day, traces of Victrix can be detected emitting from the skin completely unannounced. In some ways, I find this beguiling but, at the same time, very frustrating. It never really leaps off the skin but, instead, teases the wearer at irregular intervals.

Personally, the performance of Victrix is too coy and flirtatious, with no firm reassurance of offering something more substantial or worthwhile during its lifespan. Granted, it’s yet another high-quality offering by Profumum Roma but its performance is certainly not as consistent (or tenacious) as I was expecting.