Basenotes - Reviews by arlecchino

United States

Showing 1 to 6 of 6.

Domenico Caraceni 1913 by Domenico Caraceni

What odysseusm said.

I keep trying to see something in this, because based on most of the reviews and posts about this scent, it’s one I should love.
The opening is wonderful, very bright and aromatic with geranium, cypress, and citrus. This only lasts about five minutes, after which time what I’m left with is, literally, Pinaud Clubman! (I’ve tried them side by side and I say this with confidence.) I certainly would never refer to this fragrance as “dark” or “Dracula-esque”…quite the contrary. This is a gentlemanly, perfectly proper and conventional powdery floral bouquet-type scent that is rather non-descript and that I would expect my barber to slap on my neck after a couple of passes with the clippers. I give it a neutral because it’s a pleasant enough scent, but I’ll stick with Clubman.

17th March, 2010.

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Ungaro II by Ungaro

Absolutely the sexiest fragrance ever created!
This is one of those scents that you know is going to be fabulous even as you just smell the bottle! Opens with dense lavender and citrus, and you can sense civet and other rich notes underneath making up the base. As the fragrance warms up, those base notes come forward...heavy civet, deep musk, and a powdery, rich pastry-like note that reminds me of Guerlainade. This extremely satisfying base lasts a long long time - all day on me and into the next.
Even though the base is heavy, dense, and animalic with the civet and musk, the lavender never really leaves and imparts a cleanness to the overall fragrance that leaves me with an irresistible dichotomy: clean and innocent yet dirty and inviting. Wow! This fragrance is really one of a kind. Can't get enough of it.

15th August, 2009.

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Royal Briar by Atkinsons

This is a very smooth, warm, and slightly floral oriental that exudes old-fashioned charm, so much so in fact, that right away I felt it was very “Guerlain-ish”…and then I understood why: it smells pretty close to the vintage Shalimar EDC I have. It has the same slightly medicinal oppoponax/vanilla combo that Shalimar has (albeit a little less complex than true Guerlainade), but the added florals give Royal Briar a sort of classic “shave lotion” vibe on top. I think this is why some others have described it as “bracing”, and I get the same feeling. The dry down definitely has that “yummy” characteristic of Shalimar or even Mitsouko.

Overall, this is a very comfortable scent that wears like a cashmere polo shirt, casual yet classy and high-quality at the same time. I will wear this one a lot!

24th June, 2009.

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His Cologne by D.R. Harris & co.

This is a real favorite of mine, and reminiscent of rosewood prominent fragrances like Egoiste and Carven Homme, but drier, earthier, and with a more “antique British men’s product” feeling, as if it is a mix of strange botanicals not used in modern perfumery. The opening smells a lot like San Pellegrino Chinotto (which is my favorite soft drink). I agree with the linseed oil mentioned in the previous review, and as it dries down I do sense a dry bitter cocoa dustiness, with some clay like aromas as well. Very very unique fragrance.

1st May, 2009.

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Vetiver de Java by Il Profumo

Forget the name of this one, it’s much more than vetiver. This is a first class lavender-green Chypre created by Silvana Casoli and dedicated to “an elegant man, sure of himself, bold and daring, yet who knows how to appreciate the magical pleasure of fine literature in front of a fireplace, burning and freeing suggestive and seductive aromas of the forest.” (from website)

The opening is a very sharp green lavender together with bergamot, very high pitched and pure, slightly sour and herbal. This is my least favorite part of the experience, but after a minute of two everything settles down and a really beautiful herbal/forest scent emerges and joins the lavender. This is the heart, and it’s composed of birch, cypress, vetiver, rose, and patchouli. Smelling the heart of the fragrance, it really smells like those notes combined, but with a savory complex herbal feeling that I’m guessing is the oakmoss working it’s magic (evernia prunastri is used). I do get the rose if I concentrate on it, but it is very tame and integrated, a piece of the overall puzzle and lending a tanginess. This stage of the fragrance thankfully lasts a very long time, through the workday if I apply in the morning. The base (around dinner time) is gentle, woodsy, and warm; to me it seems like there is sandalwood in the basenotes, but again, maybe just the oakmoss.

Vetiver de Java, to me, is a perfectly balanced take on an herbal chypre that doesn’t overtake me and I can wear very easily. Love it!

23rd October, 2008. (Last Edited: 7th November, 2009.)

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Fou d'Absinthe by L'Artisan Parfumeur

First review here...

I received this as a sample, and I have really grown to love wearing this.
All marketing aside, just focusing on the scent: on me, copious amounts of nutmeg issue forth immediately, joined with warm spicy ginger and some cool fir way in the background. This nutmeg/ginger combo is very strong (even a little penetrating) and reminds me instantly of eggnog!
Then after about five minutes other notes emerge that seem to bring the fragrance into balance: patchouli of a kind that seems very green and bright, black pepper, and an exquisitly pure and rich balsam pine. I very much agree with odysseusm about this pine note, for me it is the real heart of the fragrance. Luckily on me it lasts quite a long time, seems like upwards of eight hours. I actually think the pine works extremely well with and is fixed by the patchouli, particularly because the latter is of such a high, bright, and cool quality that it doesn't sink the accord down into deeper, dirtier, more serious places.

Vibert nailed the drydown when he wrote it was leisurely and comfortable. With notes like artemesia, pine, and black pepper, one could assume this to be extremely aggressive and volatile. I find it instead very peaceful, cool, introspective, and calming. Perhaps this is due to the fact that to me all the notes smell completely natural.

Wearing this is actually a nice break from the more elaborately composed fragrances like Heritage (which I wear often and love). The quality of the overall fragrance combined with the conservative nature of the accord (very barbershop IMO as well) suggests a certain level of formality, yet it remains relaxed and natural, allowing me to dress this up or down as the situation requires.

This is a must have for me!

20th December, 2007.

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