Fragrance Reviews by nasolino

My favorite cologne, ever. And I've worn, over the years, many, including Green Irish Tweed, Annick Goutal's Lavender, Eau de Hadrian and Vetiver, Erolfa, Ted by Ted Lapidus, Fahrenheit (look, it was the 80s), Eau Sauvage, Armani, etc.

The top note is grapefruit. A clean, intense grapefruit with nothing synthetic. Neck and neck with the grapefruit is bergamot. As the cologne settles, the dry down is astonishing. The best version ever of vetiver emerges, tempered by the citrus, which complements it perfectly.

The overall effect after an hour or so is clean, spicy, intriguing. At times it even smells a bit like drying paint but in a good way--it's the vetiver.

This is a vetiver scent that is complemented by citrus and bergamot, which work with it like tomato with basil. It is a light scent, and no matter how much you apply it's never overpowering. I like it so much I tend to put on a lot as it wears very close to the skin. Hours later, though, I still can smell it on my clothes.

I can't recommend this highly enough. It's the first cologne I would describe as flawless.

On a recent trip to Paris I sampled this at the Annick Goutal store. Like all of the Goutal fragrances, the initial impression is bizarre. Cognac, seaweed, iodine. And like all of the Goutal fragrances, the dry down is invigorating. Vetiver, of course, is abundant with its grassy, herbal presence, mingled with a peaty Scotch (hence the iodine) and notes of patchouli and vanilla. The effect is astringent and exotic. It smells like no other vetiver, and like no other cologne (though there are some similarities to AG's Sables, which I dislike). Adjectives: tropical, herbal, exotic. Good for any season. It wears close to the skin. And my wife likes it, which is unusual.