Da by Don Algodon

What a joy and surprise! I thought they had discontinued it since I’ve had mine for years, but turns out it’s still available (for about a year now) at an absurdly low price, around €10. The quality-to-price ratio is unbeatable. It’s a fragrance made with love, feeling modern and youthful despite being over 20 years old; it’s cheerful, refreshing, and full of energy. Its scent is unmistakable, which is rare these days when everything smells the same and you forget what you’re wearing. Here, it has personality, and you can tell the hand of a great perfumer. It’s not just any citrus; it has staying power and you recognize it among others like Eau de Rochas or the one by Ferre, all in that citrus line with a base of musk, sandalwood, and amber. It’s delicious, and I don’t think it’s been reformulated. At first, it smells like alcohol, but that fades quickly, leaving a strong, well-projected scent on the skin. It’s fresh, citrusy, and spiced, with coriander and cardamom that I adore alongside the citrus notes, making it very uplifting. I don’t detect rose or honey; for me, it’s dominated by ambered white flowers and sandalwood, a harmonious combination. As an Eau de Toilette, it has good sillage, though you need to reapply every three or four hours, but I love that. I enjoy colognes for hot weather, and reapplying them is a pleasure if they last decently, which this one does. In short, I absolutely love it! I’ve bought several refill bottles in case it disappears again, so I can enjoy at least a few springs and summers. By the way, it has nothing to do with Anaïs Anaïs or Trussardi; Da is citrus, aromatic, and spiced, while those others are floral, more formal, without citrus or spices. Trussardi is a floral amber with heliotrope, lilac, and vanilla, very romantic, and Anaïs Anaïs has a warm, woody base with incense, patchouli, and leather. None of them resemble Da or each other.

One of my first fragrances, a gift from my mother for my birthday. I remember the excitement of having my own bottle, an essence to apply when I was ‘getting ready’ that made me feel older… Now I don’t remember its scent; I suppose it was fresh and youthful, but I’ve never seen it anywhere again.