Itaca by Botanicae

I used up a 2ml vial, not enough to fully judge, but it lasted three days. Itaca by Botanicae is exquisite: very salty, with a moss and wood base. The davana adds a subtle touch, like licorice (though it doesn’t smell exactly like that). The oud ties everything together. It’s elegant, versatile, and 100% masculine. I wore it from formal to casual settings and felt great, although I think it deserves to be worn in apparent situations. More of a daytime fragrance than nighttime. Longevity: a solid 8 hours. At Botanicae, you feel a quality and depth that other brands just don’t offer. They have a recognizable depth. I’m adding it to my future list. It’s pricey, but worth it.

Exceptional quality. At first, it smells of algae, sea, and floating wood, with floral touches, rose, and a hint of oud or cipriol that adds depth. It evolves in 2-3 hours, leaving only the marine note of calone and a floral that softens it. It smells incredible. Lasts about 7 hours with moderate projection at the start. I see it as elegant and original. Its marine-floral-oud blend is more natural than its siblings Artik Sea, Dream Sea, or Black Sea, even though those are beasts in projection and longevity. It’s less bitter and more versatile than Megamare. I admit I love those last ones too.

Itaca by Botanicae reminds me of Loewe Essence and Hacivat X in terms of woody, earthy, mossy, and patchouli aromas. But it’s quite linear, not surprising, and feels closer to Essence (or redundant). The notes on skin are specific: powerful davana at the start (10 mins), then it fades and adds saltiness (the floral goes unnoticed). At 30 minutes, a beech moss, a well-made oud, and a patchouli rise up. This trio defines the rest of the life (a few minutes beyond 5 hours). More than a journey to Ithaca, it’s a little raft ride through a swamp. If it weren’t for Taro and Ébano, Botanicae could endorse this and the other elixirs without anyone noticing the difference in performance. If there’s no difference in scent, at least in performance, so people feel proud of buying what they’re sold. It’s not for parties: it projects for the first hour and then stays close to the skin. It doesn’t perform well in heat; I’m not sure if it would change in autumn or winter. It could be versatile for formal and semi-formal situations. As always: test on skin and compare before buying. You decide.