Acqua di Colonia
Lorenzo Villoresi (1996)

A very brief-lived experience, but I am swung by the various mitigations of previous reviews. The notes work together here wonderfully. It's easy to detect lavender, bigarade, bergamot, petitgrain, and aromatics in concert, none taking the leading role. It doesn't last long but I guess the ephemera are part of the point.

A perfect composition, constructed using the classic structure and themes of the eau de cologne genre, but with an unusually seamless effect thanks to Villoresi's keen craftsmanship. This has been meticulously finessed.

Lorenzo's colonia is a wonderful take on the classic cologne. Sharp citruses and petitgrain on the top followed by lavender, neroli. So far so good, but he adds his signature herbal touch, this time with sage, rosemary and cloves with a clean soapy musk in the drydown. A very high quality cologne that wears close to the skin. It doesnt last so long, which means i get to refresh a few times through the day with my handy atomizer, and get enjoy the journey all over again.

Classic cologne with zesty lemon and lime, complemented by neroli and petitgrain and backed by sympathetic herbal notes of sage, lavender and rosemary – it's a recipe that can't go wrong for a summer refresher. The mould was created way back with the original 4711 cologne and the family is pretty tightly knit with minor genetic variation. It's familiar and pleasing and if the citruses are done right – as they are here – then just the thing for hot weather (until one gets bored with it). Villoresi's offering seems to have a high dose of naturals, so the dreaded screechiness associated with citrus-heavy perfumes is avoided. However, I do wish there had been some departure from the template, however slight – maybe a touch of rose or mint or pepper or even banana – to make it a bit more distinctive.

Yaroslav's court by Vladimir Fedorovich Stozharov

I tried this in my quest to replace the awful reformulated Aqua di Parma Colonia and was disappointed. Fairly pleasant opening notes. The dry-down has a synthetic BO covering unpleasantness which grated. Nah, not for me.