Sergio Soldano for Men (Black)
Sergio Soldano (1985)

Well, this is a magnificent one (and thanks Scentland for the recommendation on your YT!). This is a bracing symphony of pine, grapefruit, aldehydes and oakmoss that just sings on my skin. God, I love a good aromatic, and this does not disappoint one bit. Being over 40 is so liberating as I have shed all self-conscience to wear anything that I love regardless of whether it may be perceived as 'dated.'

And it's pretty clear that I have a penchant for garish looking bottles. I love it.

The opening is a message from the past. It's got that tingly aldehydic / artemisia thing down pat, and it's an memorable experience. Of course, the bergamot / mandarin from the opening as well as the lavender / geranium from the middle provide a fresh platform for the aldehyde / artemisia in creating the mood. There's nothing that speaks that fresh old time masculinity better… think vintage Old Spice with artemisia instead of sage.

I don't get so much citrus in the heart notes but the florals take over while the tinglies subside a bit. The florals don't last long before the cedar and moss begin filling in from the base. For me the moss comes through strongly in the base and I enjoy the result even though moss is usually not my thing – it must be the patchouli smoothing out the moss. Although the pyramid lists tonka, musk, and amber, I don't get much sweet from them. To me the base is a mossy green (vetiver?) that is smoothed out by and given a lower-noted foundation by the patchouli.

I'm so glad that a generous basenote lover of classics gave this to me. What it is as far as I'm concerned is a fresher, more subtle, more up-to-date version of vintage Old Spice. Judging from Darvant's review, I believe that I am testing a earlier version of Sergio Soldano Black – a version that falls somewhere between the animatic original and the present orangy /floral / ambry version.

I've a far olfactory reminiscence of this fragrance from my adolescence as my brother carried with him a bottle in south of italy from Rome during his holidays in summer time. I remember it was a tall and dark fragrance (may be has contributed to that evaluation the loud impression elicited on me by my older brother) and i remember it possessed a strong personality made of citrus, intense flowers and dark patchouli. I used to steal some dabs secretly closed in the bathroom in order to feel myself masculine and powerful. The impression was about wearing a floral, earthy and ambery smell, basically fresh and sharp. I would be curious to test it back now and to smell the effect aroused by the aldehydes around.
Ps: finally i tested it back, the juice is less bold and dark i had memory about and smells as a sort of less animalic and more soapy sort of new Arrogance pour Homme. Really balmy/detergent and soapy in an orangy/lemony way, really floral and musky/ambery in the dry down. The juice possesses a typical neutral oakmoss/amber association with a fruity/floral and musky temperament.

i got a compliment on this fragrance from my ex which is rare! so it must really be attractive to women. SS disappeared quickly since i first bought a bottle in 1993. is it still in production?

Impressing, shocking, in a good way, ofcourse. I love its progression so much. Bright-lightning top notes to earthy vetiver in a long journey through complicated ingredients.

I dare say this is Chanel no. 5 FOR MEN (minus the baby powder accord). Sparkly bergamot, spicy floral heart and a wonderful citrusy patchouli. This is reminscent of other "stinkers" however this feels more together then the others I remember smelling. I really like this stuff for being so sparkly.