Reviews of Domenico Caraceni 1913 by Domenico Caraceni
My absolute favorite "gentleman's" rose, Domenico Caraceni 1913 is a genuine Italian creation with a polished refinement but a bit of a dark side: think of it as a gothic barbershop. I imagine those shears on the bottle to be cutting through the petitgrain and neroli and bursting with each spray, but this is far from any citrus aromatic, because no sooner than you can say "wow", it's the rose and geranium cutting through the air like the rasps of two swords.
This is one of the most beautiful rose notes I've experienced in any fragrance, period. Not too sweet, not too powdery, not too soapy (though I can get with the powdery and soapy, no doubt about that), just the right balance of the geraniol, phenyl ethyl alcohol, damascones, rose oxide (sorry the perfume nerd comes out), it's just so rounded and full, while not being to heavy and plodding. But what makes this fragrance seem somewhat dark and gothic, is that it is exceedingly formal and austere, which I always seem drawn to. I don't know what that says about me, but I am certainly not concerned with what I am wearing and where I am when wearing this, I just like the feel of it. I assure you though that this isn't a stodgy floral, it is quite approachable, but it makes one feel put together, even if they may not necessarily be. It really makes me want to wear a three piece suit with a pocket square and cuff-links and visit a church with old wooden pews and a rose window.
The notes pyramid shows the base with three notes: tobacco, incense, and cypress, and wouldn't you know it, I do detect all three in harmonic convergence, a trichord of mysterious beauty, haunting and cool. The whiffs and wafts persist all day, with gentle reminders through the evening.
This is one of the most beautiful rose notes I've experienced in any fragrance, period. Not too sweet, not too powdery, not too soapy (though I can get with the powdery and soapy, no doubt about that), just the right balance of the geraniol, phenyl ethyl alcohol, damascones, rose oxide (sorry the perfume nerd comes out), it's just so rounded and full, while not being to heavy and plodding. But what makes this fragrance seem somewhat dark and gothic, is that it is exceedingly formal and austere, which I always seem drawn to. I don't know what that says about me, but I am certainly not concerned with what I am wearing and where I am when wearing this, I just like the feel of it. I assure you though that this isn't a stodgy floral, it is quite approachable, but it makes one feel put together, even if they may not necessarily be. It really makes me want to wear a three piece suit with a pocket square and cuff-links and visit a church with old wooden pews and a rose window.
The notes pyramid shows the base with three notes: tobacco, incense, and cypress, and wouldn't you know it, I do detect all three in harmonic convergence, a trichord of mysterious beauty, haunting and cool. The whiffs and wafts persist all day, with gentle reminders through the evening.
It is a very nostalgic fragrance for me. Reminds me of old, neighborhood barbershops where I used to get haircuts and in the end the barber would apply a rose scented powder at the back of the neck. The powder was nothing special but it's smell became synonymous with good masculine grooming and tradition and this fragrance perfectly captures those memories. Once the powder was on, you knew you were set for a few weeks. I miss those simpler times and simple joys of life. My review is of the vintage version.
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Old city. Young man.
New suit. Old style. Then Time says,
"Hold my rose. Watch this."
New suit. Old style. Then Time says,
"Hold my rose. Watch this."
Note: Review is of the current version.
DC 1913 comes across as a rose fragrance that vaguely resembles the structure of a modern fougere. The rose is the most prominent note, but it is a part of an accord nuanced with some restrained, dry sweetness and some traces of green notes. In fact, this smells remarkably close to what a rose flanker of Histoires des Parfums 1725 Casanova would smell like. There is a brief orange note in the beginning, but since then there's not much transition: the rose accord persists.
I'm partial to a good rose fragrance, and consider this to be an improvement on the HdP. However, it has rather thin sillage and average longevity. This perfume would have been excellent if it were more robust, and a notch or two higher in quality. One wonders whether the vintage version is precisely that. It is cosy, elegant, and subtle and very comforting to wear, but eventually leaves one unsatisfied - especially in the dry down.
3/5
DC 1913 comes across as a rose fragrance that vaguely resembles the structure of a modern fougere. The rose is the most prominent note, but it is a part of an accord nuanced with some restrained, dry sweetness and some traces of green notes. In fact, this smells remarkably close to what a rose flanker of Histoires des Parfums 1725 Casanova would smell like. There is a brief orange note in the beginning, but since then there's not much transition: the rose accord persists.
I'm partial to a good rose fragrance, and consider this to be an improvement on the HdP. However, it has rather thin sillage and average longevity. This perfume would have been excellent if it were more robust, and a notch or two higher in quality. One wonders whether the vintage version is precisely that. It is cosy, elegant, and subtle and very comforting to wear, but eventually leaves one unsatisfied - especially in the dry down.
3/5
Opening is out of sight! The Rose and Orange is classic.
There is an edgy accord of something that reminds me of my sister's 60's plastic dolls. Then the Geranium, well it provides a base that is old Barbershop, as has been said. Overall, it gives me the same feel, (slightly depressing) of Shalimar.
A reach for Ex Idolo 33, Dior Ambre Nuit or Dusita Oudh Infini gives me the Dose of Rose.
For many others though, this could be the Cat's meow. Oh! That Rose and Orange!
Thumbs up!
There is an edgy accord of something that reminds me of my sister's 60's plastic dolls. Then the Geranium, well it provides a base that is old Barbershop, as has been said. Overall, it gives me the same feel, (slightly depressing) of Shalimar.
A reach for Ex Idolo 33, Dior Ambre Nuit or Dusita Oudh Infini gives me the Dose of Rose.
For many others though, this could be the Cat's meow. Oh! That Rose and Orange!
Thumbs up!
This is an interesting smell, so points there. Also points for uniqueness. It has a sharpness or a sourness to it. This almost smells like something I could eat at the top, but then it turns into more of a shaving cream, men's cologne smell, with the edible element in the background. I could almost give this a thumbs up based on the opening, but as it develops, it loses the early promise, and becomes increasingly cloying in the base.
*Note: This is a review of the current formula of Domenico Caraceni 1913.
Domenico Caraceni 1913 opens with a light, airy rose with a slight dull orange undertone. Moving to the early heart the rose remains, losing some of its initial airy nature and swapping in substantial powder, as the orange undertone grows into a co-starring role melding with a tobacco-like note, giving the composition a balmy overall texture. During the late dry-down the powdery rose-orange-tobacco accord gradually recedes, revealing a touch of radiant frankincense in the base coupling with woody cypress through the finish. Projection is excellent and longevity very good at 10-12 hours on skin.
The original release of Domenico Caraceni 1913 is extremely well sought after, so much so that bottles were selling on places like eBay for upwards of $400 a piece the last time I checked. Unfortunately for this writer that was far too much to risk for a blind buy, so I never got a chance to sniff the original release to my chagrin. It was great news when the composition was re-released, now giving folks like myself a chance to see what the legion of fans of the original were crowing about. Unfortunately, while I haven't smelled the vintage for comparison, the current release really isn't anything to write home about. The open starts off quite nice with a very natural smelling transparent airy rose. Unfortunately, that initial transparency is short lived, as a dull orange note starts out as support, gaining momentum while coupling with an odd tobacco-like substance as time passes to reach near-parity with the now powdery rose, spoiling the party. The overall heart accord really is unimpressive to say the least, and the combination of the powdery rose with the dull orange and pseudo tobacco really reminds me of a cross between lipstick and powdery makeup. On the positive side, the late dry-down salvages the downward spiral rather nicely, as once the powdery rose and dulled orange recede, the composition unveils a fine frankincense and woody finish that smells very good, making one wish they could have just skipped the middle section of the composition's development entirely, getting to it earlier. The bottom line is the $135 per 100ml Domenico Caraceni 1913 starts and finishes well, but its key middle is near-torturous to endure, earning it an "average" rating of 2.5 stars out of 5 overall and a neutral recommendation.
Domenico Caraceni 1913 opens with a light, airy rose with a slight dull orange undertone. Moving to the early heart the rose remains, losing some of its initial airy nature and swapping in substantial powder, as the orange undertone grows into a co-starring role melding with a tobacco-like note, giving the composition a balmy overall texture. During the late dry-down the powdery rose-orange-tobacco accord gradually recedes, revealing a touch of radiant frankincense in the base coupling with woody cypress through the finish. Projection is excellent and longevity very good at 10-12 hours on skin.
The original release of Domenico Caraceni 1913 is extremely well sought after, so much so that bottles were selling on places like eBay for upwards of $400 a piece the last time I checked. Unfortunately for this writer that was far too much to risk for a blind buy, so I never got a chance to sniff the original release to my chagrin. It was great news when the composition was re-released, now giving folks like myself a chance to see what the legion of fans of the original were crowing about. Unfortunately, while I haven't smelled the vintage for comparison, the current release really isn't anything to write home about. The open starts off quite nice with a very natural smelling transparent airy rose. Unfortunately, that initial transparency is short lived, as a dull orange note starts out as support, gaining momentum while coupling with an odd tobacco-like substance as time passes to reach near-parity with the now powdery rose, spoiling the party. The overall heart accord really is unimpressive to say the least, and the combination of the powdery rose with the dull orange and pseudo tobacco really reminds me of a cross between lipstick and powdery makeup. On the positive side, the late dry-down salvages the downward spiral rather nicely, as once the powdery rose and dulled orange recede, the composition unveils a fine frankincense and woody finish that smells very good, making one wish they could have just skipped the middle section of the composition's development entirely, getting to it earlier. The bottom line is the $135 per 100ml Domenico Caraceni 1913 starts and finishes well, but its key middle is near-torturous to endure, earning it an "average" rating of 2.5 stars out of 5 overall and a neutral recommendation.
This is not a full review but a brief update to remark only on the 2015 re-release of Domenico Caraceni 1913. I performed a focused old versus new two-hand test for a several hours and, as is often the case with reformulations, the exercise sadly became the murder of a beautiful theory by a gang of brutal facts. Honestly there is no contest. After a period of time the vintage seems like it has about twice the stuffing and projection. The base of the vintage is far richer and, unlike what you might expect with a vintage/new comparison, the vintage has a subtle but sustained top-note layer featuring a sort of clove-y menthol vibe that the new version completely lacks. This difference in the high notes is just one of the factors that suggest to me that the variances at issue are not merely a function of ingredient concentrations given the relative age of the juice.
Today I am wearing the vintage as my SOTD and the intensity and projection from two spays is almost uncomfortably strong for at least the first three to four hours. Perhaps the reformulation, therefore, is somehow easier to wear, but I do worry a bit that it lacks character. In particular, I wonder if it is as distinctive a rose-centered masculine fragrance as other options such as Lyric Man, Egoist, Déclaration d'Un Soir, or others not that this is a large category. It may well be, however, that the new Caraceni looks puny only when placed next to the giant of the original. Alternative comparisons may well prove more felicitous.
Today I am wearing the vintage as my SOTD and the intensity and projection from two spays is almost uncomfortably strong for at least the first three to four hours. Perhaps the reformulation, therefore, is somehow easier to wear, but I do worry a bit that it lacks character. In particular, I wonder if it is as distinctive a rose-centered masculine fragrance as other options such as Lyric Man, Egoist, Déclaration d'Un Soir, or others not that this is a large category. It may well be, however, that the new Caraceni looks puny only when placed next to the giant of the original. Alternative comparisons may well prove more felicitous.
Oh, what an underrated gem. Possibly the best masculine rose scent ever for me (yes, taking into account Amouage, Czech & Speake and others). The opening of 1913 is surprisingly pleasant, with a bold barbershop/antique grooming toilet feel mostly centered on rose, carnation and tobacco, posed on a dark, camphorous, dusty and slightly indolic base (jasmine?) like in many old masculine chypres. The floral accord is dark and lascivious, quite more bold than usual for this kind of traditional masculine colognes, and gives 1913 a really peculiar and distinctive austere but irresistibly sophisticated grace; a sort of decadent, shady, vaguely dandy kind of refinement, mixed to an austere feel reminding me of classic Italian aftershaves kind of more nutty and floral, no citrus-lavender-leather Britishness. Extremely classy, mature and pleasant, slightly outdated in a totally positive way; one of the very few Italian perfumes which indeed speaks Italian to me, meaning that it makes me think of the dusty, cozy, shady, kind of shabby and modest beauty of barber parlours and small tailors' ateliers the kind of places where our beloved Italian heritage of elegance was born and is still being kept alive (nothing fancy or luxurious, I rather think of understated, shabby boutiques). Penhaligon's Sartorial? Meh... this is possibly the closest fragrance to my concept of gentleman I've ever tried - and that surprises me given that I usually tend to associate vintage scents to that idea. The drydown is just fantastic and irresistibly classy, rose and dry tobacco. Persistence is everlasting, just a bit cloying after a while, but really solid. Great (and obviously, discontinued).
8,5/10
EDIT (05/2015): If anyone's interested, they relaunched this scent recently. Different bottle, slightly different juice, but totally good the same for me. It is already available at some local Italian shops, I guess it will be available online as well at some point.
8,5/10
EDIT (05/2015): If anyone's interested, they relaunched this scent recently. Different bottle, slightly different juice, but totally good the same for me. It is already available at some local Italian shops, I guess it will be available online as well at some point.
Genre: Woods
There is a brief, pungent blast of sour citrus when I put on Domenico Caraceni, followed by a unique and mysterious blend of sweet rose, honey, and dark fruit. These elements blend into a rich accord that is at once familiar and elusive. It evokes some dim olfactory memory that slinks about the fringes of my memory without ever fully revealing itself. I don't know if I'll ever fully recognize it, but it keeps teasing and tugging at my nose.
The fruit begins to smell of plum to me, an as it merges with the rose I am reminded of the lush, sweet scent of passion fruit. Sweet spices, including perhaps cardamom and cinnamon, waft in as the scent develops, and I begin to perceive hints of creamy sandalwood, and perhaps even rosewood peeking up from the depths. Very warm musks make themselves evident as well, but the accord that results is so well blended that it soon becomes impossible to distinguish its components.
Domenico Caraceni's deep, yet elusive heart beats on in a consistent rhythm for a matter of hours before the balance begins to alter. The sweet spices and honey notes fall away, leaving a clearer and cooler rose exposed over very delicately balanced woods and a guardedly animalic musk. The very gradual drydown descends through layers of smooth wood, warm musk and a few powdery notes before the whole scent fades away entirely. Sillage and projection are moderate, and longevity is better than most. This scent will surely be compared to Czech and Speake's No. 88, which to me seems a darker, drier, and craggier scent than Domenico Caraceni. I also think that No. 88 is more hard edged and potent. Both scents strike me as extremely dignified and sophisticated, but the sweet, plumy note and the very warm musk in Domenico Cararceni leave me thinking of it as the gentler and more comforting of the two. If you're looking for a masculine rose scent and find the Montale Aouds too harsh or assertive, you should try this excellent scent.
There is a brief, pungent blast of sour citrus when I put on Domenico Caraceni, followed by a unique and mysterious blend of sweet rose, honey, and dark fruit. These elements blend into a rich accord that is at once familiar and elusive. It evokes some dim olfactory memory that slinks about the fringes of my memory without ever fully revealing itself. I don't know if I'll ever fully recognize it, but it keeps teasing and tugging at my nose.
The fruit begins to smell of plum to me, an as it merges with the rose I am reminded of the lush, sweet scent of passion fruit. Sweet spices, including perhaps cardamom and cinnamon, waft in as the scent develops, and I begin to perceive hints of creamy sandalwood, and perhaps even rosewood peeking up from the depths. Very warm musks make themselves evident as well, but the accord that results is so well blended that it soon becomes impossible to distinguish its components.
Domenico Caraceni's deep, yet elusive heart beats on in a consistent rhythm for a matter of hours before the balance begins to alter. The sweet spices and honey notes fall away, leaving a clearer and cooler rose exposed over very delicately balanced woods and a guardedly animalic musk. The very gradual drydown descends through layers of smooth wood, warm musk and a few powdery notes before the whole scent fades away entirely. Sillage and projection are moderate, and longevity is better than most. This scent will surely be compared to Czech and Speake's No. 88, which to me seems a darker, drier, and craggier scent than Domenico Caraceni. I also think that No. 88 is more hard edged and potent. Both scents strike me as extremely dignified and sophisticated, but the sweet, plumy note and the very warm musk in Domenico Cararceni leave me thinking of it as the gentler and more comforting of the two. If you're looking for a masculine rose scent and find the Montale Aouds too harsh or assertive, you should try this excellent scent.
Not all about rosesI get more frank and tobacco than rose..Definitely a quality scent.. Not for everyday use..It reminds me of Courvoisier and Pure Malt..That same boozy bourbon masculine accord..Rose lingers throughout the longevity of the scent but it's more than a rose scent..Longevity and Projection is 6-7 hours on mePros: A lot of characterCons: Can't pronounce the name"
I get a mere whiff of rose at on my skin. On me it opens with a plastic citrus, giving way to a bay rum clove, and then this faintest of white rose scents.
I too got my sample from LuckyScent. I was following up on a rose chypre scent they also offer, Montale's Black Aoud, which is identical to Lalique's classic Perles.
There the scent of rose is strong, dark and dominant. With 1913 I get plastic notes, then a light musky rose, fading quickly.
Not one of the great rose scents.
I too got my sample from LuckyScent. I was following up on a rose chypre scent they also offer, Montale's Black Aoud, which is identical to Lalique's classic Perles.
There the scent of rose is strong, dark and dominant. With 1913 I get plastic notes, then a light musky rose, fading quickly.
Not one of the great rose scents.
I can't say that DC 1913 is not interesting. It is. A slightly soapy spicy (3X clove) candied rose. As it dries down it smells increasingly refined. I could see coming out of a fancy barbershop of some unspecified time and place and smelling like this. Funerals, you say? If I did smell this at funeral I'd never forget it.....or the deceased. This is the kind of thing I like to wear not because I'm so enamored of it but rather to see the reactions of other people to it. Yes, for me it's a little weird but in a fun kind of way.
Don't think I would describe this product as "feminine" more like some 1950's hair tonic.I bought a full bottle based on the ingredients and, as usual, got bitten in the butt.When will I ever learn?
Hopefully this is the last time.
Hopefully this is the last time.
Nothing bad to say about 1913 but nothing perticularly exciting either. It's a good rose centered scent where the main note is orchestrated to smell very aromatic. The frankincese add some depth and perfectly balance the soapy vibe given by the rose-tobacco combo. Well crafted, elegant and versatile but not exactly what I'm into.
Overall, if you like rose, this is a good fragrance and could make a valid alternative to heavier perfumes in the same vein.
Overall, if you like rose, this is a good fragrance and could make a valid alternative to heavier perfumes in the same vein.
Dull in a loud, dapper, masculine sort of way. Nicely put-together, though, and dries down to a soapiness more comfortable than its blustery start.
Essentially, Fleur du Male for fancy straight guys.
Essentially, Fleur du Male for fancy straight guys.
I also obtained a sample of this from lucky scent based on all the rave reviews. I found this to be well formulated, but definitely not the type of rose scentI was looking for. Reminds me a bit of Indian Nag Champa incense.
Obtained this as a sample from Luckyscent as my first rose scent ever tested. I have to say it was pretty much love at second wearing. I was unsure how rose would work as a masculine scent, but DC speaks nothing but masculine and sophisticated. I ended up ordering a bottle.
On initial blast I get some citrus and germanium, but this quickly dries down to a Rose, tobacco, incense type of fragrance. Staying power is superb. The bottle is elegant and classy.
I recently sampled C&S 88 and DC to me is completely different and I somewhat prefer it to 88, though 88 is definitely bottle worthy IMO as well.
This is truly a great rose fragrance and something that will become my baseline for comparing others in the future.
On initial blast I get some citrus and germanium, but this quickly dries down to a Rose, tobacco, incense type of fragrance. Staying power is superb. The bottle is elegant and classy.
I recently sampled C&S 88 and DC to me is completely different and I somewhat prefer it to 88, though 88 is definitely bottle worthy IMO as well.
This is truly a great rose fragrance and something that will become my baseline for comparing others in the future.
This fragrance conjures me a travel with friends in the wonderful Lisboa two springs ago. One of them (following my olfactory advises of course.....:-), sorry but i can't avoid of vaunting myself) purchased this special fragrance in order to start wearing it properly on holidays in Portugal. Magic, just fresh magic at evening while its aroma used to whirl around outside for the crowded streets or in the restaurants near the ocean. Nothing gothic or dangerous with Domenico Caraceni 1913, just high airy impeccable class at its best and fresh exotic boldness. A tall, playful, daring, well tailored, willing globe-trotter could dare to wear this fragrance with style and naturalness. Yes a "perfectly tailored" fragrance. It's a fresh rose-geranium, averagely dry, incensey fragrance, a modern classic chypre with a touch of resinous trail to tame the dryness, a fruity-floral feel and a sort of backtone of burnt rubber. This one thrives where N. 88 C&S for many (not to me, at least not at all) fails, namely it's modern in a conservative way and in any case could be quoted as dated or stuffy. N 88 lacks that sort of touch of honey, fresh musk and resins which makes 1913 less assertive and decidedly airy and joyful. This is a modern old school exotic scent. The citrusy neroli opening is a sort of mellow one due to the styrax "resinousness" and it provides a touch of mellifluence and taste that reminds to me the flavour of sweetmeat or dry plums. An hint of taste is what this scent owns unlike N. 88. The fruity opening is the prelude to a dry, floral, slightly spicy heart wich immediately plunges in to fresh incense. The latter is woodsy due to a wonderful note of cypress and the musk which enhance the forest feel of the aroma, blending its substance with an exotic note of tobacco that provides a bitter-mild, spicy, earthy (finally soapy/opaque), masculine temperament (a la Aramis Havana) to the final outcome. This is a versatile fragrance, perfect for work or better for joyful evenings out with friends. This is an evening scent but i don't perceive it as very dark or dangerous unlike Black Aoud Montale. It is invigorating and daring-exotic but not in the sense of mystic, moody or assertive. This italian pearl is the fragrance of seaside resorts and grand hotels, restaurants or wedding cerimonies. Magic if you wear it in white suit being an optimistic real lover of the life. Longevity and sillage are notable on me.
Never smelled a frag quite like this yet. The rose is great in this fragrance. Definitely going in my bottle worthy buying list and giving this a thumbs up.
I don't get the Dracula connotations with this . To me the rose while beautiful is much too light. This is refined and sophisticated. Maybe a Dracula Light? This is hard to pick out individual notes easily. A sign of a well blended scent in my opinion. Although there is something about this fragrance that just doesn't work for me. Something a little too sharp for me. Kind of like the smell of pencil shavings. Strange I know but there it is.
There must be something wrong with me. All of the potentially beautiful frankincense, rose, cypress, citrus and amber are practically obliterated by a rasping "fingernails on the chalkboard" screech of cloves. Perhaps I got a mis-labeled sample.
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.
This is a fantastic fragrance, full of carefully restrained exuberance ("rational exuberance"?) and bespoke sophistication. I'm an amateur at this, but to me the fragrance seems fairly linear, the only major evolution being the eventual exhaustion of the neroli top notes after an hour or so. Everything else - namely, the rose (or rose + geranium?), cypress, and pipe tobacco - seems present right from jump street.Some have essentially described this fragrance as being gothic chic (e.g., the Dracula comments). While I cannot whole-heartedly disagree with that, I think that this characterization may nevertheless alienate some potential users who would actually quite enjoy 1913. In my view, this fragrance is conservative and mature, yet decadent in a "Behind Closed Doors" sort of way (big ups to Charlie Rich, LOL). I could imagine an eccentric, clean-cut, WASP-ish intellectual (Tom Wolfe, George Will, MYSELF) wearing something like this. If I had to sum up the experience of wearing this in one word, that word would be, "satisfying."I've tried a few rose-based higher-end frags including Tauer's Incense Rosé (very nice, but somewhat astringent with shades of CdG Avignon) and C&S No. 88 (likeable but comparatively lifeless, truly Dracula-esque), in addition to one or two designer offerings like Aramis 900 (actually very nice but inferior to 1913), but Domenico Caraceni's creation is my favorite as of right now. I do have misgivings (low sillage and moderate longevity), but I'm so enamored with the aroma that I'm more than willing to ignore them...