Fragrance Reviews by Bromo33333

I used to like this scent. I will say it is a crowd pleaser, but after trying a number of other scents - I came back to this one and was sorely disappointed. It is very soapy (not in a good way) with a not-too well put together melange of generic masculine cologne smells that seems both understated by too much and harsh at the same time! Very nondescript, but not in a good way - and old fashioned style of fragrance without the structure and elegance that makes the vintage juice shine! Alas, to grow away from something you really loved is tragic!

Having owned and worn Yatagan - I have to say it is a very unusual scent. Some folks recoil since it is not "pretty" or "lovely" by any conventional definition and has a few notes that are downright unpleasant. In fact, I don't think you could use the words "pretty" and "Yatagan" in a sentence without the word "not" thrown in there and maintain any sense of artistic integrity afterwards. It is no mistake that the word Yatagan refers to a sword used by Janissaries in the Ottoman Empire - the elite, non-muslim, foreign born, expendable, shock troops of the Emperor. They LOVED their Yatagan (sword, not cologne!), and sometimes were buried with it and treated it in a similar manner to a sword owned by a Japanese Samurai. There is very little you can do with a sword to divorce it from its purpose - the purpose is un-pleasant no matter how many jewels are encrusted upon it, death-dealing regardless of whose name is inscribed upon it in gold leaf. I believe this captures the "artistic vision" they had when making Yatagan, even if "artisitc vision" is a bit over-the-top for this one.

Side note: I have noticed that some people are inspired to poetic lengths by some perfumes, and I really didn't understand until now. This one elicits a load of descriptions from me, my first one that has done this, though I do not find Yatagan even 1% pretty or pleasant any more than (wait for it!) a overtly masculine official from HR bearing down on someone with a pink slip informing them that "their services are 'no longer needed'" is pleasant or pretty - and yes I am comparing getting laid off to wearing Yatagan, but only if you are the one doing it. Is there no amount of hyperbole and poetic license I will forbid myself as I write this?

It does project power, and is very masculine in that it is not even one whiff or touch sweet. This scent will not attract others and make you the life of the party. It will make you seem like you have the authority to determine the life and death of your fellow man. I imagine Julius Caesar would have worn this as he crossed the Rubicon, Leon Trotsky might have dabbed on some during those fateful days in October 1917, Abraham Lincoln and Jefferson Davis both would have worn this when signing documents declaring the opening of the American Civil War in the 1860's. You get the picture - if you have a tough and powerful job to do - unpleasant and life affecting - this is your scent.

Now you may be asking "what does it smell like? Not what does it feel like other that it is not the least bit sweet." Well I don't think you can divorce the two, but in essence, it smells vegetal. Vetiver and Pine with celery. Almost, but not quite sweet at first then a crushed grassy-celery smell with a hint of all things mustard. It evolves into a touch of pine needles and pine sap (hence some comments about pine smell). And for me it remains somewhat linear only adding a touch of patchouli after awhile. But, you really ought to smell it for yourself. It is pungent for sure and seems to change upon each application with certain things emphasized and de-emphasized. And while one might catch a whiff of pine detergent - it isn't a clean smell at all.

I do think Yatagan is a very challenging scent, and would not be a daytime scent unless you are in charge of a large number of people (say more than a dozen), and even then you would have to be sparing with the application (I can only imagine the reaction to the sillage), and there is no shame if you don't like it, after all it is also projecting a unreconstructed 1970's idea of conservative powerful masculinity.

As you can see, it made an enormous impression on me. My wife found it disgusting. I didn't like it at first, but wore it to work anyway. As many scents have their uses, I think Yatagan has its use, and I ordered a bottle, and I wear it once in awhile.

This is my first review for Basenotes. You can go ahead and flame. I am wearing Yatagan as I post this, after all.

This smells to me like what Allure should have been! I find the regular Allure to be harsh and bland once the harshness subsides. Not awful, but certainly not what I think of when I think Chanel. Well, all is forgiven! This takes the idea of Allure and does it *right* this time. Good citrus and some powder, and even a hint of Lavender to my jaded nostrils! It sills moderately, and overall leaves a great impression.

It would not be a crime if Chanel would replace their main offering with this flanker!

This is a light, fresh, woody accord after an initial top note of pepper and citrus. It dries down into what seems to be a skin scent - but then you catch whiffs of it here and there - and others, if inclined to mention fragrances - will say that is projects well.

I suppose it is nose fatigue that keeps you from smelling it all the time or something, but this concoction with iso E Super "delivers the goods" and is easily wearable in the office and at night. You will project a scent just below the threshold of conscious smell, and have an aura of freshness. Superb!

I tried Cristalle EDP and nearly bought the bottle on the spot - on me, the scent is green but with a floral note that is nearly identical to what you smell when you put your nose right in a flower. It lasts quite awhile, as well.

While not marketed as a "male" scent - a man can pull this one off easily - and if one is looking for a good floral that can be masculine, this should be near the top of the list as it is quality, floral, but green enough for that "non floral edge" that helps a man wear a floral.

Wow! It is a STRONG scent - harsh even at first. And the sillage - people will know you put it on three houses down! (Well thats an exaggeration, but it is very very strong).

It is intriguing, and it really takes some chances, and pulls them off for the most part, but it is not a general purpose scent - good for night, NEVER for the office. It lasts a long time.

A reviewer said "go easy on the trigger, a little goes a long way" - and is 100% correct. Do a single puff in front of you and go into the cloud. That should be sufficient.