Ithaque by Memo Paris

Top-tier citrus fragrance, easy to wear and noticeable, unlike what others claim. It starts with bitter, juicy, and fresh citrus, packed with plenty of pepper; it’s like a super-realistic lemonade. After 5-10 minutes, a subtle sweet touch appears from the jasmine and blackcurrant, maintaining that bitter-sweet orange and tangerine vibe with a very light woody base. The pepper remains, giving it a spicy note without falling into the exaggeration of oriental scents; it’s a perfectly seasoned citrus. Today, it’s one of the best citrus options, far removed from the profiles handled by Memo Paris and niche houses. Some say it smells designer, maybe it does, but because it smells good, which annoys certain purists (how ridiculous). It’s citrusy, fresh, realistic, and of extremely high quality, reminding me a bit of Aventus for how it stands out and that smoky sensation the pepper gives. Note: the price isn’t its strong suit: very high for just 75ml. Scent: 9.5/10, Longevity: 8/10, Projection: 7/10, Bottle: 7/10, Price: 3.5/10

Dispensable. It adds nothing new. Blackcurrant dominates everything, just like a Mercadona perfume but costing 30 times more.

What an amazing scent! Opens with spectacular citrus notes thanks to bergamot and tangerine; feels super refreshing, perfect for hot weather, spring, or even early autumn. I clearly detect blackcurrant, and as it settles, it gives way to a floral base with jasmine and woody undertones. It’s very different from everything I’ve heard in niche citrus perfumery—it’s spectacular, and you can tell the ingredients are of extremely high quality and realistic. Great projection and longevity on my skin, lasting between 7 to 8 hours; a total success with this purchase, I highly recommend it.

A citrus scent with muuuuuuuuuuch pepper. Nothing else. Maybe it’s because I’ve been smelling a lot of similar perfumes for a month. But honestly, when I heard about this Ithaque, I felt colder than your ex’s heart. It was a ‘meh’ all the way. I expected something much more special. It’s decent and the longevity is very good, but with so many in this family, it’s not a perfume I’d consider buying.

I agree with Samuel: it’s dispensable and smells like a generic designer fragrance. The first five seconds are refreshing and juicy, but then it turns bitter, spicy, and very common—like scents you’ve already heard in any perfume shop. The price per milliliter is excessive for a mediocre perfume. Does it smell good? Yes, but in a normal way (read: with a look of dissatisfaction).

Memo Paris’s latest release, tested at the Spain launch alongside Zante (which was a bit of a letdown). I didn’t have high hopes for Ithaque, but damn, what a gem. It’s a citrus in all its glory: at first, a radiant green bergamot peel, unripe and that distinct yellowish-green hue. It’s a photorealistic sensation of pricking your finger on a green lemon. It creates a bitter, acidic, and sparkling burst that splashes you and even stings your eyelids; such a natural and refreshing feeling. A few seconds later, a festival of pepper and a touch of bitter orange emerge; the pepper is very perceptible, adding a spicy character to the citrus. The heart is dominated by pepper, with citrus notes that cling to the skin like a tick—strange and surprising, not so volatile here. A semi-sweet sensation and a woody base accompany the final phase in a fragrance that completely captivated me. Extraordinary longevity for its profile, a 10/10 presentation, and a design that ranks in my top Memo bottles. To this day, without fear of being wrong, it’s my favorite citrus scent in this long niche journey I’ve been on. Bravo Memo, this is how you do it.