Symphonie de Néroli

2 reseñas

Mostrando las más recientes primero.

• Emorandeira

  April 2, 2020

  

  Another Bortnikoff gem. So far, I’ve tried four from this brand (L’Heure Exquise, Oud Monarch, Oud Máximos, and Symphonie de Neroli), and they all share a similar opening: very intense, dark, and dirty, with a very perceptible oud that’s almost fecal, nearly like manure in the base. While it doesn’t bother me, it’s strange. Within minutes, that scent fades, giving way to a beautiful white floral note, with a very intense but not fresh neroli, a touch of tangerine citrus, and the green, creamy base of vetiver. It holds its intensity for about an hour before decaying into a lovely skin-scent that lasts a long time. This drydown is much sweeter. Neroli and vetiver dominate, but the sweet touch of ambergris and Peru and tolu balsams becomes present, reminding me at times of the drydown of Baccarat Rouge 540. To me, it starts as a potent oud-neroli before transforming into something like BR540; it doesn’t resemble Tom Ford’s Neroli Portofino or Jo Malone’s Brasil & Neroli at all. Performance is good, though not a beast. Intensity is strong at first but drops quickly; longevity isn’t excessive, around 8 hours, which is a bit short for an extrait and its price, one of the brand’s drawbacks. It’s totally unisex and versatile, suitable for day or night and almost any weather. Scent: 8.5, Longevity: 7, Projection: 6, Value: 5, Versatility: 8, Originality: 10, Overall: 8.5

• Dr.No

  January 22, 2021

  

  One of Bortnikoff’s most challenging scents. Basically, it’s ambergris with indolic jasmine, so it smells dirty (sweaty and damp), which is tough on anyone without experience. It’s accompanied by a bit of neroli that isn’t the star, vetiver, and sparkling citrus notes in the opening that fade quickly. The oud isn’t dirty; it’s very woody and forms what remains as it dries down. A great option for indolic fans (like Amouage’s Opus IX) and has nothing to do with other nerolis, nor is it anything like BR 540 (that’s a complete stretch!). After 3 or 4 hours, only a very woody scent remains with the “afterimage” of what it was at the start. Good longevity, masculine. I’ve spoken with niche experts and Symphonie de Neroli didn’t please them. Several agreed it smells like “dirty wet cloth” that hasn’t been aired out, and I agree to a certain extent. The name is misleading; you need to know it before buying. People have told me things like “your perfume smells disgusting.” It’s still in production and has its fanbase, and I’m included. Hard to recommend; it’s an acquired taste and will be highly appreciated by users of indolic/animalic scents. Do I like it? No, I love it! Discontinued a couple of years ago.