Riflesso by Trussardi

Yes, it has the top note of La Nuit de l’homme, but soon it blends with the house specialty: leather. Just like Poker Face by Lapidus is a variant of that YSL but with iris, this is its alternative with leather (both are hits). It’s not a 100% sharp leather; it’s a leathery perfume with variants mixed with those mid-phase notes, especially soft vetiver, lavender, and violets. It starts bright and becomes more serious; it would please leather fans as well as those looking for versatile, daytime, and masculine aromas. I think due to the price it’s a good option, standing apart from sweet young aromas or blues, which are most common in commercial perfumery. Correct longevity of about six hours, it shines more in moderate climates; in cold it might fade. Suitable for casual and more formal occasions. Moderate projection for an hour, then it settles near the skin, occasionally emitting bursts. Italian House Trussardi, with a certain trajectory little mentioned or not very known, at least in this fragrance I know, shows its Italian perfumery imprint, with quality versus accessible price, at least around here in South America. Try it.

I bought this looking for something to replace my beloved Hugo Boss Bottled. It has a light sillage but definitely feels like it’s in a different lane. Basically, it’s tonka bean sweetening a subtle body with a very striking opening of green apple. It projects well for 60-90 minutes and gets a lot of compliments from those around me. After that, it settles in and sticks with you throughout your workday without any issues. It has a warmth that feels like an embrace.

With Riflesso, I feel the green apple note more on the top than the listed bergamot. It has a lovely opening where it makes a presence. The dry-down feels a bit sweet, and that’s where the tonka bean and leather settle, the latter in a very light, subtle way. It’s not a monstrous leather. I haven’t tried YSL La Nuit de l’homme so I can’t compare it, but it gives me a vibe similar to Boss Bottled; it’s not the same, but it’s of that style, although I find Trussardi Riflesso more refined than Hugo Boss. Longevity is very weak; it will project for an hour with a lot of luck. Then it’s a personal bubble at skin level and you have to reapply, like almost all perfumes nowadays.

In my opinion, Trussardi Riflesso is a modern men’s fragrance perfect for daily wear during autumn and winter. Its opening is characterized by a harmonious blend of apples and citrus, with the latter adding a sparkling edge that perfectly complements the sweetness of the fruit. The evaporation is so slow and controlled that the transition to the lavender and geranium, which announce themselves in bursts, is at least a precise testament to what a fragrance’s heart should be; it also hints that this is for men. This fragrance never breaks down; it’s a continuous compendium of modernity, quality, and execution. It culminates with the house’s well-known leather, here mixed with tar, forming a pleasant accord with tonka and vetiver. Prominent, a decree of elegance.

My wife smelled it on my skin and said it ‘smells like my grandfather’s bar soap.’ After that, I can’t really add much more.

I tried it because I got a sample and thought it smelled great. It’s a well-executed classic ‘Oriental Woody’ scent. It does exactly what it needs to—it feels like it’s built to handle almost any situation. I love how citrusy it is while blending seamlessly with florals and leather. I’m not usually a fan of this type of fragrance, but I like this one. I’d wear it if someone gifted it to me; for me, it’s versatile enough for any occasion. The only downside is that you might need to apply many sprays. The opening is super strong, but it seems to fade quite quickly over time.

Riflesso by Trussardi is a quite pleasant fragrance with a rich aroma. On top, you feel the citrus, the acidity of green apple, and intense floral notes, especially geranium and lavender; tonka and leather also appear from the start but in the background. After five minutes, the fruity notes fade, although apple bursts sometimes come through, while geranium stays intense alongside the sweetness of tonka bean. In this fragrance, the leather note is more complementary: it’s perceived, but never as the protagonist. I think it has good versatility; despite having warm notes, the fruity ones add freshness to wear it day or night, and it has a touch of sensuality. When I tried it, the longevity was moderate, about 6-8 hours, with little projection except for the first hour where it’s more noticeable. Its aroma reminds me of parts of YSL L’Homme and La Nuit de L’Homme, and given this fruity-warm style, I think it could fit with Boss Bottled or Chanel Allure Homme. In any case, Riflesso is cheaper than any of the above. The bottle deserves special mention; it has a somewhat ‘vintage’ style; I read that the designer was inspired by a car radiator to achieve that design.

I had high expectations for this Riflesso, which were met with a great opening for about five minutes, but after that, it was a letdown. It smells like cheap deodorant to me. On the positive side (though not for those who enjoy it), it doesn’t last very long and has low projection.

In my opinion, this is the best launch of 2017 (though I discovered it in 2018): tonka in the style of YSL Nuit with a fine leather base. Exquisite and with brutal projection that sometimes gets lost, but it’s still there. I don’t understand the comparisons with Prada Amber; the only thing they share is the target audience. It would be more like a flanker of Nuit with natural leather (not that rubber they used in Intense), thanks Trussardi.

I received a sample from the Spanish consortium Idesa, which distributes for Trussardi, and honestly, it seemed like an exquisite fragrance that resembles the acclaimed Prada Amber Pour Homme in certain touches, but with a more woody note. I hope it reaches retail points in Latin America, as not all references are destined for our market.