Reviews of Neroli by Czech & Speake
Another winner from C&S. Pleasant, summery citrus and photo-realistic blossom. Just enough longevity not to raise objections.
A nice, traditional citrus cologne. Spicy orange and bergamot on top of orange blossom and petitgrain, with soap underneath. Given a little time, it all melts together into a pleasant woody, citrusy soap smell that lasts a few hours.
It's worth noting that this smells like orange blossom, as opposed to neroli, and yes there's a difference. They're both from the flowers of the bitter orange tree, but are extracted differently and smell completely different. An orange blossom note smells floral, like the flowers on an orange tree (and that's what this smells like), while neroli is that sweet but masculine candied green orange smell you'd know from Mugler Cologne or Original Vetiver or many other neroli perfumes, and that's not what this smells like. That's not really a complaint, but more a commentary and a warning that this is quite floral, though the woody petitgrain does a good job balancing the floralcy.
Anyway, as compared to the many other citrus colognes out there, C&S Neroli stands out for its woody depth, and for its pleasant balance of soap and citrus.
It's worth noting that this smells like orange blossom, as opposed to neroli, and yes there's a difference. They're both from the flowers of the bitter orange tree, but are extracted differently and smell completely different. An orange blossom note smells floral, like the flowers on an orange tree (and that's what this smells like), while neroli is that sweet but masculine candied green orange smell you'd know from Mugler Cologne or Original Vetiver or many other neroli perfumes, and that's not what this smells like. That's not really a complaint, but more a commentary and a warning that this is quite floral, though the woody petitgrain does a good job balancing the floralcy.
Anyway, as compared to the many other citrus colognes out there, C&S Neroli stands out for its woody depth, and for its pleasant balance of soap and citrus.
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Straight faced neroli. Feels like you rolled around in a neroli bush. Long lasting and assertive without being overwhelming. This is neroli reference. Look no further.
Genre: Citrus
Czech & Speake Neroli does what it says on the label, and it's all the better for it. It's a bright, straightforward neroli fragrance that grows increasingly spicy with wear, and it's absolutely beautiful. The indole, spice, and ethereal sweetness are perfectly blended and balanced, and the result is a remarkable olfactory illusion of living blossoms. Neroli is potent, with ample sillage and projection over a couple of solid hours' linear progression. It does not alter character in its drydown so much as fade away, expressing orange blossom in all its purity until the very end. A simple pleasure.
Czech & Speake Neroli does what it says on the label, and it's all the better for it. It's a bright, straightforward neroli fragrance that grows increasingly spicy with wear, and it's absolutely beautiful. The indole, spice, and ethereal sweetness are perfectly blended and balanced, and the result is a remarkable olfactory illusion of living blossoms. Neroli is potent, with ample sillage and projection over a couple of solid hours' linear progression. It does not alter character in its drydown so much as fade away, expressing orange blossom in all its purity until the very end. A simple pleasure.
As you can probably tell, this is not going to be a long lasting one, owing to the light floral note that this encapsulates :)
That said, I consider it my benchmark 'neroli' scent. Originally a gift for my mother, I thought this was just too good not to enjoy it as well, so I ended up with a bottle for myself not long after. I can imagine walking in a field of orange groves in late spring somewhere on a Mediterranean coast, with the hot air blowing this heavenly floral whiff in my direction. You can bet that come summer I'll shower in this stuff and will not hold back on the trigger!!
I find it very refreshing in the summer heat, light and inoffensive and yet quite pronounced for a good 4-6 hours. I can still smell the dry-down beyond that time, which has traces of the top/mid mixed with the ylang-ylang in the base. Overall, it is a very linear scent so don't expect much mutation here.
Easily my favourite from the C&S line. 4/5 overall for me.
That said, I consider it my benchmark 'neroli' scent. Originally a gift for my mother, I thought this was just too good not to enjoy it as well, so I ended up with a bottle for myself not long after. I can imagine walking in a field of orange groves in late spring somewhere on a Mediterranean coast, with the hot air blowing this heavenly floral whiff in my direction. You can bet that come summer I'll shower in this stuff and will not hold back on the trigger!!
I find it very refreshing in the summer heat, light and inoffensive and yet quite pronounced for a good 4-6 hours. I can still smell the dry-down beyond that time, which has traces of the top/mid mixed with the ylang-ylang in the base. Overall, it is a very linear scent so don't expect much mutation here.
Easily my favourite from the C&S line. 4/5 overall for me.
I love this smell, it's one of the most delicious things I know. Sadly, it fades extremely quickly for me, so I'm not sure if I can justify getting it myself.
I'm getting fonder and fonder of this. It's fantastic for hot climes, to beat the oppressive humidity that stops you getting going in the morning, and for a quick spritz during the day.
Despite its fresh, citrusy bitterness, it doesn't fall into classic barbershop territory. The floral note is too pronounced and etherial for that and it packs real depth and a touch of dirtyness, which come from the cumin and animalic notes.
Linear and not a long laster, but a great performer when you want something floral but still very masculine.
Despite its fresh, citrusy bitterness, it doesn't fall into classic barbershop territory. The floral note is too pronounced and etherial for that and it packs real depth and a touch of dirtyness, which come from the cumin and animalic notes.
Linear and not a long laster, but a great performer when you want something floral but still very masculine.
A good bitter orange eau de cologne; it starts with a strong taste of orange flowers, and it remains on your skin for one or two hours, but vanishing rather soon; it's a good summer fragrance, anyway.
The king of Neroli, and possibly the most underrated scent on the market.
Forget Hermes Eau d'Orange Vert (if fades after 11 seconds anyway), and Tom Ford's Neroli (this is half the price, and it's still not cheap.)
Although I take the point about the ying-yang dry-down.
1 All taste is personal.
2. Smell is probably the most subjective of all five senses.
3. Try before you buy. (On paper first, then skin.)
Forget Hermes Eau d'Orange Vert (if fades after 11 seconds anyway), and Tom Ford's Neroli (this is half the price, and it's still not cheap.)
Although I take the point about the ying-yang dry-down.
1 All taste is personal.
2. Smell is probably the most subjective of all five senses.
3. Try before you buy. (On paper first, then skin.)
Intensely orange and floral opening which softens from the bitter ends of citrus notes to a brighter, fruity orange quality upon dry down. There is a questionable and intriguing rose and oak scent beneath the citrus that keeps this interesting throughout a very long wear - lasts 8+ hours on skin. Quite nice and truly "unisex" fragrance.
Blossom and zest, indoles and sweat, a dab of the usual C&S civet, and a musky ylang-ylang drydown. A little soapy for me, but nonetheless a decent exploration of what neroli has to offer.
Neroli and Orange flower that is simple but really nice. It reminds me of the soaps and fragrances you have in your room in a expensive hotel. Worn in the Spring when it takes to the air and surrounds you not long after you have applied it is enchanting.
Bitter fresh herbal neroli. Not sweet. Think as English version of opening notes of Guerlain Vetiver. Do not expect longevity of powerhouse.
This bitter note gives somewhat repulsive, human-hating impression to me.
Maybe what would Estella of Great Expectations would wear.
This bitter note gives somewhat repulsive, human-hating impression to me.
Maybe what would Estella of Great Expectations would wear.
One of those fragrances that does exactly what it says on the bottle. The opening is a bit overwhelming and a blast of orange flowers and neroli. Settles down after a bit and stays pretty linear in its course and slowly fades away. Longevity is great as it lasts 10+ hours on me and is one of the better ones from C&S.
Notes: Bitter orange, orange flower, neroli, ylang ylangCzech & Speake's Neroli is an interesting one. I don't mean that it's an interesting or unique composition, just that its interesting compared to other neroli fragrances in that it relies mostly on the multi-layered and complex scent profile of the various orange flower/neroli oils to create a "perfume". "Deceptively complex" is the term I believe. For sure the ingredients are high quality - they have to be, in this case. The opening blast of bitter orange is tangy, bitter and orangey in all the right ways, the orange flower water with its light and distilled citrus floral goodness is present right afterwards before the fragrance opens to a moderately heady neroli absolute which is suitably spicy/floral/citrusy without being overbearing. Neroli is suitably refreshing to wear but the decision to end on a mediocre grade ylang ylang oil is puzzling. The ylang ylang used here has a very 'mass market' feel in that it has a sweetish floral character with a synthetic buzzy-woody note. Seeing that this weirdly cost cutting base material is what you will be smelling for the remaining 65% of the fragrance, I don't understand why the C&S perfumers didn't choose to just end matters after the neroli flashdance expired. I prefer no base to a bad base, and this pesky ylang ylang feels like an unwelcome distant relative at a close knit family reunion of the bitter orange tree. From a first half that smells great but feels like it required little engineering on the perfumers part, to the base which feels like a strange/bad engineering decision, Neroli leaves me ambivalent. There are many other fragrances on the market which provide a distinct twist on the neroli theme, so get Neroli only if you want a good quality neroli fragrance from high end market bathroom specialists from Ol' Blighty only.Rating: 7.5/10.0
quite overwhelming at first, then neroli calms down. but you will probably smell its (what i guess must be) ylang ylang notes even the second day. certainly on your clothes. long lasting, but not one of my favourites. seems even kind of fougere style. certainly at the end...
This is a marvelous, natural, and extremely floral neroli spruced up by indoles and the exotic ylang. The opening boasts of pure orange with woody neroli. The heart is composed of a natural indolic orange blossom that mimics evening jasmine. Finally, the short-lived ylang accord appears and disappears. Wonderful, natural, and pricey.
EDIT: There is a synthetic off note that appears on heavy application that is somewhat rubbery/metallic. Still very good and one of the best pure nerolis available. No one is perfect not even Czech & Speake alas.
EDIT: There is a synthetic off note that appears on heavy application that is somewhat rubbery/metallic. Still very good and one of the best pure nerolis available. No one is perfect not even Czech & Speake alas.
While I have tried a fair number of scents with a neroli note, I think this is just the second one that could be considered "neroli centered". The other was Creed's Neroli Sauvage. I prefer Czech & Speake's offering. It is a very airy and bright: an uplifting neroli. Decent longevity. I think it would be especially nice on a lady. Definite thumbs up!
You could spray this on a lifelong bum and manage to make him/her smell clean... I'd have to say that this fragrance is a complete lesson in moderation. The neroli is a bit strong for the first few seconds but then sits down next to the rest of the class with its mouth shut but eyes open. There is definately a powdery note but it merely softens the acridity of the citrus without smothering it as so many powdery scents can. The floral note is substantial and yet subdued... the only comparison I can make is if a traffic stopping beauty barely brushed her lips against your cheek... there would be the slightest tinge of her lingering lipstick, but the memory of the moment would far surpass the tangible mark left behind. I can definately see this as unisex, but I'm unsure if I would rather smell this on my girlfriend, myself, or just a stranger passing by... A brilliant composition whereas although the notes display themselves with enormous identifiable personality, there is no ego-stroking statements by any... they simply work in unison to create a magnificent effort. A true gem.
Czech & Speake NeroliNeroli is an Eau de Cologne, and as such is light and uplifting. On first application (from a dabber sample), it smells of bitter orange, neroli blossom and orange flower water. There is a sharpness to the blend that is vaguely powdery and bitter, and something here reminds me of leather. The neroli is quite indolic for a very short time, and the orange flower water gives the fragrance a very classic feel. The opening accord gives way to a synthetic mandarin orange accord which I have smelled in Guerlain Aqua Allegoria Mandarin Basilic. The synthetic note has a bit of an edge that gives modernity to what first seemed like a very classic composition. Traditional colognes typically fade quickly and are valued most for their refreshing "burst" on warm days or after bathing. With this in mind, C&S Neroli seems almost a hybrid--the opening citrus and floral components blossom wildly in the first ten minutes, and then the rest of the fragrance rides out on a lingering citrus note, light florals and a sweet musk base, soft but much stronger than I would expect from a cologne. The sharp edge I sensed earlier continues as a subtle mid note, and has a quality about it that reminds me of the leathery tea accord which is used in Bulgari Eau Parfumee au The Vert. In the drydown, I occasionally catch whiffs of the neroli which is a tad soapy but mostly floral. I really love the quality of the neroli note--it is very similar to the gorgeous neroli in Abdes Salaam Attar Profumo Morning Blossom, but not featured nearly so well as it is in Profumo's composition. C&S Neroli can easily be worn by men or women, although the leathery tea-like quality and the musk base tilt it a bit toward the masculine.
Damn! I must be getting better at this. After three day's wear I sat down to write this review, and I see that all of I wanted to say has been said before! By BN members whom I hold in high esteem, no less.Yes, the adjectives clear, pure, simple, sharp and light are true, and yet the fragrance does have depth and substance; this is one serious neroli for such an uplifting and cheerful scent. Perhaps that's also how the masculine feel is achieved?Then I had the brilliant thought that this should wear better in Spring, Fall or Winter, rather than the ususal citrus recommendation for high temperatures in Summer. Oops. Already stated! C&S may be one of the most underrated houses around.
I dislike this one with an intensity that surprises even me. Like No.88, it strangely reminds me of a visit to a Chinese temple- smelling of the wilting flowers and fruits at the altar (in this case, stale orange). The drydown is quite nice but the ride before that has been totally unpleasant for me. A scrubber I'm afraid and I really want to like this.
Simple and extremely natural smelling citrus floral scent. It smells a lot like one of those ancient Colognes, starting from the legendary 4711.Smells bitter and very refreshing. Like the one was drinking lemonade in the bushes during the hot summer day. 100% unisex. Comparing some of its relatives this is in better balance and it lasts longer. It is a great choice if you're looking for a simple, traditional and natural summer-y, Cologne-y scent.It's not for me though, to be honest. I prefer a bit different kind of citrus fragrances.