Cento

Upon spraying, I knew I had smelled this before. There is an early barrage of powerful citrus, especially a dark lemon, a sharp bitter green that is probably artemesia, oakmoss or rhubarb, an aromatic that evokes jasmine (but in a dry style), possibly vetiver, an herbal like rosemary or thyme, and I'm guessing some geranium. It smells like a day in an old forest after a rain, with ferns, lichens on half-decayed trees and lots of mist. Then I knew what it was - this smells remarkably close to the fabulous, discontinued Geoffrey Bean Bowling Green. It is sharp, like a slap in the face, but in a really good way. You won't get compliments from strangers, and it is not a scent to please women, unless you have been married for a long time and your wife likes rugged, outdoorsy men. This doesn't have the slightest touch of unisex to it, and unless you are extraordinary, you won't be able to wear this unless you are at least 30. This changes, but does so slowly. The leather note only truly comes in at about the 90 minute mark, the peppery vetiver around 60 minutes. The citrus stubbornly recedes only after a good 45 minutes. This would be a perfect scent for a hike, a motorcycle ride or going hunting. You could wear it for business, but only if you are a boss who is comfortable with projecting dominance. This is the perfect fragrance to recommend to someone who says "I only like niche fragrances because all designers smell the same". This will shut them up in a hurry! Bowling Green is ever so slightly better, having a richness that this doesn't quite achieve, but the vintage Ebay bottles are going fast, and this is a lot cheaper. If you like powerhouse 80's masculine scents, or want something that will set you far apart from the others, you simply must try this one. Edit: In addition to smelling very close to Bowling Green, it also is very close to Hackett Bespoke. I have been wearing this to the office (where I actually AM a boss), and its combination of clean, green, masculine and refined, without being a beast mode powerhouse, is so rare. It makes you smell like a man, one who is equally comfortable working with his hands and attending a symphony.

Cento is all about herbal freshness. The intense citrus opening lays on a very dry macerated vetiver, that's bitter . The fragrance does not evolve if not for the fact that the strong and likeable citruses from the opening are tamed down by the emerging aromatic herbs (thyme, lemongrass; light rosemary). This is a wonderful scent to my nose. It never screams and says quietly on me. It's not persistent the way I'd like it to be but is has a nice sillage. A very unique composition amid a plethora of inspired-by jus. Not a safe blind buy. Certainly not for the crowd and I'd find it difficult to wear for younger folks. Can be worn by the confident person at the office. A mature man can wear it for dating, if he has a strong personality. Summer Mediterranean nights, somewhere in southern Italy. Lovely.

very unusual and strange blend. fresh moss?! vintage?! very inexpensive purchase in collection. I like.

I have had this for a couple years now and I kinda ignored it until today! I kinda wanted to wear something I haven't worn in a while so I picked this one.. It has gotten so much better since the last time I wore it.. It a great outdoorsy scent for the fall to the last spring.. It's Fresh, Herbal, mossy, somewhat gren with a nice spicey backbone.. I can't see this being offensive so it's pretty safe for the office with just a few sprays.. the perfect scenario where I could see this working really well is a fall camping trip or a outdoor football game in the cold or the rain.. More for the mature crowd.. It does resemble Hugo Boss (the canteen bottle w screw off cap)..I have the extreme and the extreme is a bit sweeter but still pretty close.. I will be wearing this more as summer approaches.. Really good looking little bottle too! 8.0/10

This one is original composition, at least to my nose. Just for general comparison i would say it is somwhere in the neighborhood of Bottega Venetta, but is less woody-resinous, more fresh-aromatic take on that DNA. It is still green leathery scent, but with bright minty opening from geranium, lavender etc. Unexpected performance, really beast mode. 7.5/10