Very Valentino Pour Homme by Valentino

This review is by Jerry Drake, who chose this perfume to try. I would never have paid it any mind; it sounds old because it’s not hyped, but it’s from 1999, almost the 00s, not the 80s. I loved it a ton; I didn’t check the notes and expected it to be dated and old-fashioned, nothing could be further from the truth. It’s not for young people, but its scent feels familiar yet fresh. It was born in the 90s but has touches of what was coming at the turn of the century. The opening is fruity and sweet, with anise and nutmeg flooding the start, giving me an apricot vibe. Then a soft pipe tobacco appears, shifting the direction, adding presence, elegance, and some dirty nuances that enrich it. It turns woody and resinous, with a smoky, dirty, and warm character all the way through. It denotes class; it’s not too current nor dated, it’s elegant. The performance isn’t spectacular, but it makes itself felt in a pleasant and agreeable way, there it is, with you, and others will know, even though it doesn’t cling much to my skin. I liked it; it’s one of those fragrances that aren’t made anymore, surely it was a signature for many; it brings together everything necessary: versatile, distinguished, and distinctive. A pleasant discovery that goes into my mental archive of perfumes that should never have left.

Another great discontinued fragrance that I wore with great pleasure when it first hit the market. It had that perfect amber sweetness blended with spices, where anise really stood out on my skin. These days, Valentino doesn’t take many risks with their scents. They create easy-to-wear fragrances with soft aromas. (Note: I’m not saying they’re bad… just that they’ve become too safe and lack standout personality. Very Valentino had presence, great longevity, and a nice trail, but was always pleasant and agreeable. Sweetened spices with amber touches and an oriental sandalwood made it quite ambiguous. A good perfume.

VERY VALENTINO is an oriental fragrance that balances sensual warmth with pure energy and emotion. Classified as refined, it’s different from other popular Valentino scents—definitely a risky fragrance that everyone can either love or hate. Warm, smoky, subtle, strong, unique, praiseworthy, and ultra-masculine. Nutmeg and sage set the rhythm for a deep heart of Tobacco and Lavender, while the warmest base notes of Sandalwood and Amber make this a choice for a mature man. In my opinion, VERY VALENTINO makes you a perfect man. Pleasant enough for autumn months and bohemian settings. Perfect for formal use as well as intimate occasions. If you’re looking for a true oriental fragrance, you won’t be disappointed. Beautiful perfume, but test it first.

Very Valentino is a spiced woody fragrance very much of the late 90s. The opening is bright and fruity, but it dries down quickly with tobacco, sandalwood, and resinous woods. Despite the woods, it smells fresh with a metallic tone, as if it’s taking the path of sporty fragrances but adding complexity. I love it and it pairs well with Ralph Lauren Romance, Antonio Miró’s Siesta, or Antonio Banderas: fresh, spicy, subtle, and angular. Subtlety is key, though I find it excessive. The projection is soft, which isn’t an issue, but the longevity feels short to me. It’s well-made, enjoyable during its wear time, and brings refinement and elegance. (Tested thanks to Jerry Drake.)

At first, it smells like a simplified version of my Salvador Dalí from 1992, with loads of coriander and nutmeg and a muted sage, which works well for me. The heart is lovely thanks to those classic florals and the touch of tobacco, while the rosewood is very subtle. At the end, only the amber and musk really stand out. It’s a beautiful fragrance, right between the nineties and the minimalists of the 2000s. The longevity is good, about ten hours, but the sillage is moderate for the first three or four hours before dropping to skin scent. It’s semi-formal, for daytime wear, for winter or autumn, although as an oriental, I think it’s generally soft. Apparently, it’s discontinued; I was able to review it thanks to a miniature.