Zino Davidoff by Davidoff

Getting 125ml of this for $20—at least in Spain—must be one of the biggest bargains in perfumery. We’re looking at a masterpiece of the kind rarely seen anymore. It’s an 80s perfume and you have to understand it in its context but I don’t think it has aged poorly or smells dated; rather it smells atypical as it’s a proposal that wasn’t stylish in designer perfumes then or now. It smells floral but tremendously masculine; instead of seriousness like many of the old school it conveys mystery. If Tom Ford bottled this in his price range no one would say a word and it would be much more popular. There are reviews talking about the current Zino as if it were a dud and discouraging its purchase. Obviously all 80s perfumes have undergone reformulations. I have a batch from Lancaster from 15 years ago (also reformulated but it usually gets good press) and a recent edition from Coty (2023) and it’s definitely reformulated but I wouldn’t say it’s necessarily worse. The old batch feels more animalic and dense especially in the opening while the current one is finer and more delicate highlighting that clean rosewood sensation and the floral notes. Personally I enjoy the latest one more. I understand that those who knew it 30 years ago might feel dissonance but I’m sure many who don’t know it would prefer the new version which doesn’t seem badly reformulated nor betrays the spirit of the original Zino; it has simply adapted to the times and current perfumery restrictions. Regarding performance it’s correct and adequate asking for contained projection not disco explosions. While it doesn’t last long it’s well felt for the first two hours and reapplying at these prices doesn’t hurt. It’s compared to Heritage and although they are in the same olfactory family they are quite different; Zino is darker while Heritage highlights the aldehydes and that brand DNA they shared with Guerlain. I find Davidoff’s more magical despite being much cheaper although both are great works and not redundant. At the price it’s found there’s nothing left but to encourage its purchase even blind. Maybe it’s not for daily use but if you’re interested in that refined and creative perfumery of the past this work by Michel Almairac is worth knowing.

Designer houses mark what’s in fashion and what’s not; niche brands go another way and relegating old glories, letting them die little by little as in this case. It’s curious that no one says Coca-Cola tastes old school or like grandma/grandpa having been around for over a hundred years; undoubtedly, big companies manipulate us by telling us what’s in fashion. I find the term ‘smells old’ used contemptuously funny; I associate the smell of old with being poorly groomed, I don’t mean to say all older people are poorly groomed, nor am I talking about perfume. Older people deserve all my respect. Anyway: Zino is lavender and patchouli. They say it’s similar to Beau de Jour, and at the same time to Heritage, and the latter to Roja Ranger, but the equation doesn’t add up. Of the mentioned ones, I only have Zino and Heritage; I’ve tested Beau de Jour and they don’t seem similar to me, they just share notes, leaving Zino in last place in a fight between the three, with Heritage being a masterpiece overflowing with quality and Beau de Jour being too expensive for what it offers. About Zino, I’d say its opening is a bit complicated, with an artificial and chemical hint, but lasts 10 minutes; little by little it becomes more pleasant, leaving a creamy aroma. As for longevity and trail, it’s on the poor side on my skin, but for the price you can overapply. When it arrived home, I was disappointed; I had tested it in the store and there it lasted eight hours, here it’s a sigh, even though it has gained something in longevity over the months. For those who don’t make a fuss about classic fragrances, it’s recommended, but if you’re looking for more performance and quality, go for Guerlain Heritage EDT head first (the Listerine bottle version is enough, no need to ruin yourself with vintage versions), keeping in mind they aren’t the same.

Great Zino! The opening is a bit strange, but I absolutely love it and love it more every day. It felt like a mix of Egoïste and Versace L’Homme; I tested it on both arms: two sprays of Davidoff on the left, and one Chanel and one Versace on the right, and I nailed it. If you’re not used to it, it might shock you at first; you won’t know if you like it. The first time I didn’t know where this Zino was going, but I knew we’d be friends. Then the beast calmed down and started wrapping me in its bitter creaminess. There’s always the rose, floral, reminding me of chocolate and orange, and that vanilla with a brutal patchouli gives this fragrance personality. It’s a great scent by the great perfumer Michel Almairac, who I like. Zino gives me well-being, security, distinction, and humility. If I were a man, I’d be responsible, faithful, attractive, reserved, and elegant—those guys with class who make everything look different. With Zino, you trust because he never fails; he’s few words and just words. He’s serious, doesn’t laugh much, so his smile is worth more, especially for his kids, because he’s a lovable father who hugs, scolds, and loves. This perfume makes me feel that way, and that’s the magic of perfumery.

I bought it blind because the perfumer is the great Michael Almairac, father of Fahrenheit. That convinced me already. Although I read it could be something vintage, I didn’t care. The bottle is rough, but I just wanted to try the juice. The opening didn’t please me much, but after 10 minutes it started evolving, and by an hour it was a blast. In terms of price-to-quality, it’s a must-have. I was surprised by the longevity; I have dry skin and most last little while, but Zino lasted my entire workday (8 to 16/17 hours). I’ve smelled it on my wrist all day because it’s vintage, old school, elegant, sober, mysterious, and magnetic. Maybe it’s a bit gloomy, but not like Lalique’s Encre Noir, rather mature and intriguing. Not for under 30. I’ve worn it in spring and summer and at night, and it’s very good. It doesn’t seek compliments; it’s made for 40/50-year-olds who don’t need them. I liked it more than Bulgari’s Man in Black, and that says a lot.

Marvelous creation by Davidoff. Without a doubt, for me, this ‘Zino’ is the best creation of this house and one of the best fragrances in my collection, both for the great memories it brings me and for its unique, wonderful, and unmistakable aroma. The perfume starts strong, with a mix of lavender and rosewood that overshadow the citrus note. As it progresses, the floral notes of the heart start to be noticeable, ending with an exquisite mix of patchouli, sandalwood, and some cedar. As for performance, it stands out for its strong opening, projecting quite a bit for 1-2 hours, then dropping almost to skin level starting from the third hour. Its longevity is good, around 6-7 hours. Despite the reformulations, I think it still maintains its type, especially in aroma, although also in performance, as it’s not bad. Undoubtedly, an essential classic.

In my search for classic fougères, I ran into Zino. I only knew Davidoff’s Cool Water, and in perfume stores I only received rejections and disappointed looks. The only solution: buy online blind. Upon receiving it, my first impression wasn’t good; I had read it had similarities with Beau de Jour by Tom Ford, one of my favorites, and when I tested it, it didn’t seem so. But when I wore it, I appreciated the magic. It is a fougère, yes, but instead of prominent green notes, Zino is ambered, creamy, warm, without losing the classic aromas present all along and more noticeable in the dry-down, where it does remind of Beau de Jour. On me, longevity and projection are very good; it always stands out and I’ve received positive comments. Being ambered, I prefer it for autumn and winter.

Something happened with my batch because this fragrance doesn’t last on me at all, maybe two hours max, and for the rest of the time I have to sniff like a bloodhound to find what was once there. Regarding the formula, it’s noticeable that it’s been tampered with and diluted, because it doesn’t smell as wilted or as vampiric as those who tested the Lancaster version say. But setting performance aside and focusing strictly on the scent, I must say it seemed marvelous, different, and balanced. A lavender opening with rosewood and a dry-down of patchouli with floral filler. It has a touch of wilted flower and a touch of dusty hardcover book; perhaps that’s why it’s perceived as vampiric, but all mixed with a subtlety that makes it relatively easy to wear.

Coming from an eclectic collection always dominated by masculine scents, I stumbled upon this and was pleasantly surprised. The opening is ultra-sharp, featuring that classic masculine blend of lavender, herbal, and soapy notes, but the composition is curious: throughout the entire journey, there’s a subtle animalic touch, reminiscent of civet or YSL’s Kouros. The heart becomes more benevolent, revealing a fougère with floral nuances, a surprising vanilla, and patchouli. The base ties everything together with woods, making it truly timeless. It’s not for everyone; I’d recommend it to men 30 and older, unless you have a very specific personality. Lasts 7 to 10 hours with a moderate projection of about 1.5 meters.

Fresh out of the bottle Zino Davidoff is a classic 80s scent that I love. A powerful old-school barber-shop vibe 100 masculine dark and super economical. What happened to me with Zino? I got obsessed. Since I picked up some from an old batch scattered across many stores even neighborhood drugstores and left the bottle open for two years or more (the whole pandemic in my case) if it gets stale it smells like a rotten sewer putrid shit. Something horrible friend. I have one here and in summer I use it to spray the rooms to ward off flies and fucking mosquitoes. Yes I know it smells similar to TF Beau de Jour but that’s like comparing Creed Aventus to $25 clones.

Batch 2017: What does it smell like? Imagine a reserved guy with character, slicked back with pomade, trimmed mustache, in a suit, white shirt, polished shoes, like a mobster from ‘The Irishman’. I bought it second-hand almost unused; the guy who sold it to me said: ‘I tried it and couldn’t handle it, hope you enjoy it’. Do I enjoy it? WOW, WHAT A PERFUME. I knew from the references it would be in my taste, but it was exceeded beyond measure (never mind an 80s edition). Zino Davidoff has reinforced my ‘Team Fougere’. Do I buy blind? NO, unless you like vintage.

For me, it’s undoubtedly a great fragrance, original and risky. On my skin, the flowers dominate at the start, sweeping everything away and giving a unisex sensation, which fades into the background as minutes pass, combining with the patchouli to leave a clean and more masculine aroma. The performance is very good, more than worthy of its price. It’s not very versatile; it’s appropriate for cold climates and formal or elegant attire. Of course, for men over 30, even 40.

I couldn’t stand it. It smells like a ‘vampire den’: a closed room with stale air the smell of dried and withered flowers in funeral wreaths that have accumulated for decades layers of dust and specks suspended in the air marked by slanting rays of light… and the animal decomposition of a corpse in a sarcophagus. Please don’t let it rise when the sun sets! Could the bottle I bought be rotten? Maybe… It was repulsive to me.

Undoubtedly a vintage scent particularly I don’t like it very loud for my taste it kicks my nose. I see it for use in all seasons and it’s daytime for me. At some point it reminds me of Alvarez Gómez Barber Shop the latter with a softer and more bearable impact. Luckily I tried it with a decant and didn’t buy the big bottle. It lasts about six hours and on my skin it projected modestly for the first two hours.

A perfume that smells old—not old in the sense of being 80, but genuinely old. It’s not a pleasant scent; it’s a fougère from the last century. My 8-year-old son told me I smelled bad. A child can’t distinguish notes, but they know what smells bad or good, and I think that’s the best explanation possible. Nostalgics might find something familiar in it, but honestly… it just smells bad.

Very masculine fragrance that inevitably evokes another era. It reminded me particularly of Salvador Dalí pour homme, but the latter smells more outdated than Zino, in my humble opinion. Regarding its performance, I must say that at least this 2018 batch lacks power, longevity, and sillage. I understand it’s already out of production.