South Of 5th

Adamo does it again! Don't let the notes mislead you. South of 5th is exquisitely blended and smooth, nostalgic yet a modern fougere. What you will get? This is a journey and evolution through classic mens colognes from the 90's classic french perfumers, modernized and given only what Italian perfumery can do, elegance and versatility and quality. South of 5th is a clean, versatile, aquatic fougere. The opening is fresh yet not cliche, floral, balanced by ever so slight woodsy accord kissed by salty sea air, it then transitions into a elegant cocoon of subdued spices, sea notes and florals anchored by a smooth patchouli and Haitian vetiver. This is one of those fragrances that is so we'll blended it's can only be defined by a feeling vs the notes. I'd imagine South of 5th as a romantic late summer evening on ocean drive, white linen shirt, the rustling of palm trees and a sea breeze in the air carrying the green and woody trade winds, teased by florals every so slightly. You are at a table for two, crisp white linen tablecloth fresh pressed an starch. Between you is a single blooming rose and candlelight. The couple at the adjoining table are enjoying and dessert with hints of nutmeg and praline. Sweet like the dessert oh no just the faint hint of spices and sweets dancing in the breeze. The warmth of the candle light can be felt and there is something special in the air that is intoxicating but approachable yet far from cliche. Quiet elegance, old money redefined. It's construction is balanced, elegant, classic and timeless yet nostalgic. The sillage after an hour is magical, signature worthy and can be worn dressed up and down. Longevity is about 10 to 12 hours and projection about arms length. You will be noticed, you will be adored and when not present missed. 11/10 in every way...this is like none other and signature worthy in the very definition of the term.

I recently acquired Clifton from this collection and got a sample of South of 5th. I love Clifton by oh my, I keep wanting to wear this fragrance! The perfumer is the same person behind Layton and Pegasus, some of my favorite summer scents, and South of 5th is in the same style, classic with modern twist. The amazing thing about this fragrance is how, they combine, fresh, salty, woody and sweet, stunning!

As a teenager I had a parfume, it was nothing fancy, is obviously discountinued now and I doubt anybody else cares or remebers it. However, I do remember its smell vividly, but could not really describe it (as I remember it with the scent vocabulary of a child). I wished I could track something similar down but with these circumstances I considered it impossible... Until one day, a miracle happened. I ordered a bunch of samples and got one extra as a gift (South of Fifth). It is as if someone gave me the more mature, grown-up version of that perfume! I'm ecstatic! This smells very warm and sweet and elegant. Like a sunny holiday or a summer party. It is light and beautifully blended. The feminine sweetness and the more masculine pines nicely balance each other out to make it unisex. I usually do not like patchouli or roses, but I cannot pick out the listed notes, it is just one beautiful mixture. I am a bit sensitive to powdery scents and this one does have a powdery element, luckily not too overbearing though. If that powder wasn't there, this one would definitely be a 'love' and not just a 'like'.

The rose and tuberose take this into the wrong territory for me. More cloying floral than marine or woody. I will give the sample another wearing or two but I expect to offload it to a friend.

Definitely more on the masculine side of unisex. I completely agree that the scent in the opening is quite different from the middle and drydown. Smells like a sea god rising out of the ocean. A true marine scent that is fresh and woody. The salty breeze brings the aromas of roses and there is definitely some sweetness coming from the velvety chocolate note (doesn’t fully go into gourmand territory). Brilliant creation. I find it beautiful.