Madera de Naranjo

With a warm summer like day in winter, I thought I would break out this most summery of fragrances. I picked this up in Barcelona last year and have only worn it infrequently, it being truly a scent suited to summer temps. We've had a lovely two-day stretch of warm weather and I thought I would give MdN a go. Initial spray unleashes a deep and complex citrusy component that is accompanied fairly quickly by the subtle mint and anise notes. These latter notes provide a structural foundation to the citrus and help carry it through the dry down. Sillage and longevity are both moderate at best but the scent is so uplifting that it's worth refreshing every few hours. This is a self-assured masculine fragrance best suited for afternoons strolling around in the sun.

One of my new summer fragrances, that I bought in Spain sometime last year. Not sure about how available this might be in the rest of Europe/rest of the World, but worth investigating for the experience of a wonderfully fresh citrus-with-a-hint-of-mint-and-anise wave, as it's first sprayed on. Despite the "simple" or standard formula of ingredients, it does come across as classy and refined, not cheap at all. It reminds me a hint of "Green Water" by Jacques Fath, although with a stronger presence of the lemon/lime/neroli combo. As it was mentioned before, sillage and longevity are on the discreet to moderate side, having to top it up every two to three hours. However, once it's done, the instant is precious. Delicious.

This smells somehow like a cologne version of Declaration de Cartier, slightly more "green" and with a only a hint of cardamom and very little, if any, cummin (it may be anise playing tricks to my nose). It retains a good dose of a woodsy and bitter orange throughout the development (the reference to "madera de naranjo"/"orange tree wood" is perfect: it does smell like that). It is really beautiful, manly and a prime example of a citric fragrance beautifully executed. It smells classy and understated, has a 6/8 hour lasting power -but you can still detect it in your skin by the 12th hour- and radiates quite loudly on the first 2 or 3 hours, becoming more of a skin scent afterwards, A must buy for me. Regards to all.

More than just a citrus. Madera de Naranjo is a classy composition in the same vein as Hermes' Concentre d'Orange Verte and YSL's Pour Homme, ( the re-release edition. ) I actually find this one to be a hybrid of these two, but with less of that distinct animalic accord, the YSL carries. I honestly can't think of a better classic citrus fragrance for a man, than this. This is full of tranquility, at the same time effortless and chic. An uplifting blend of ripe lemons and oranges, sharp green bitter leaves, crushed orange tree branches, with just the right amount of oakmoss and patchouli to complement the entire composition in the most timeless and pleasant way.

Addendum: now wearing this fragrance in the warm, late months of spring. This is a superb, well-balanced fragrance. The initial burst of citrus and mint settles into a woodsy, expressed orange accord that projects moderately and lasts 3-4 hours. Great stuff!