Lita

While the opening of Lita is definitely reminiscent of Tyrannosaurus Rex, it's rather fleeting, and different enough to support what comes after as nothing like a copy of T-Rex. As it starts to dry down, it reminds me of a gentler more wearable version of Fougere Bengale, which I wish FB was more like. There's that dry, herbal/hay, tobacco quality, but not so in your face, which leads smoothly into its settled groove. Lita ultimately gives me the sense of a beloved leather jacket, stained with the soft scent of many things. Some on their own may be unpleasant, but together they create a scent of lived-in comfort... The scent of you, the scent of lovers, the scent of different places you've haunted over the years... real, remembered, forgotten, and imagined. To walk back through the journey from the start... The opening might be the intense punch of some evening event that is loud and active (not so much the smell itself, but the volume), which could very well be a loud concert and the intense smells that come along with it (very much in line with the collaboration/connection to the band Duo)... it steals your senses in the moment. Later, as you've left with your partner and stopped at some quiet spot for a night-cap, you can finally smell yourself again. It's gone from loud to intimate and, in that intimacy, as you sit closely to each other in your small booth, sipping your cocktails and talking quietly, you both can pinpoint that unspoken sense of who you are through the kaleidoscopic mix of scents coming from an unwashed leather jacket. But now, the night has just begun. Soon, you'll be completely alone together, with your jacket (and the rest of your clothing) lying on the floor. It's soaked up another day of the scents of your life. One night soon, you'll do it all over again. I do notice a slight twist as it gets even further into the dry down. Continuing the theme of the leather jacket cast-off, and being in bed with your partner... the "pickled" smells of the jacket are now more distant, and there remains above that, the faint smell of the bedroom. Maybe linens and some light florals, mixed with whatever your skin has picked up from the day, not yet impacted by the events about to unfold. Lita seems to be most suitable for evening wears in cooler weather. As with other compositions by Gardoni, Lita is quirky and evocative in the best possible ways.

Closest to my senses Lita will be much rounder, smoother mix of Lonestar Memories (sweet myrrha from drydown) with amber and coriander from L'Air Du Desert Marocain. Don't get me wrong, it's not a 1:1 comparison just trying to express how I perceive it's construction. First thought that came to my mind after smelling it in the air - vegetable broth - but in a really good way! LITA is complex, but linear perfume - I got a feeling it hasn't changed much from initial sprays. Most prominent notes on my skin will be myrhh, coriander, cypress, tobacco, ylang-ylang, but it's not everything I can smell - blending is fantastic. Drydown is green, fresh, spicy with more prominent smoke note, but it's burning incense almost, together with cypress creates almost licorice feeling. It's think it's really complex, balsamic, aromatic and overall rich in smell, but may feel subdued, close to the skin - projection is moderate to good for at least 2h (or much, much more - depends on your skin, sprays etc. - I tested 3 sprays only). I like it more than Lonestar Memories, myrhh there does smell dated, oldschool and/or mature. Lita's longevity is crazy 10-12+ in my case. It's refined and sophisticated, multifactional perfume and my apologize - it's not pure smoke, I can't agree on that. You can get a feeling of being surrounded with subtle >mist< of oriental spices and for me it's really hard to put LITA in one certain box of heavily smoky fragrances. Because of originality, blending of the notes I really like and composing them with something extraordinary like champaca, gardenia or ylang-ylang makes it really attractive offering for one looking for polaryzing and unique scent. From what I know the only drawback of this one can be a price or availability. Heavily recommend to try if you're looking for something unique - I will be happy to replace Lonestar Memories for myrrh from LITA. (Sold Lonestar the next day after writing review)

Thoughts on breaking in a new bottle... * Starts out by my getting hit in the face with a bucket of kerosene. * Followed by fresh raw Tobacco leaves like the kind found hanging out to dry at a Cuban hand rolled cigar shop in Miami's Little Havana. * Becomes very bitter like visiting a Cigar Smoke Lounge as a non smoker. * Smoke kicks in heavy and then takes over as it all starts to hang on a while from there. * At this point the silage begins to calm down and becomes more personal. * It continues to get smokier until eventually after about five hours starts to slowly fade away. * Raw Tobacco then reestablishes itself at the back end of this. * And finally Vetiver waltzes in and mingles hand in hand with the Tobacco and Smoke. But not to be outdone Cypress enters thru the back door to join the party. * I must say I do not detect any of the top notes nor do I get any Vanilla or Tonka Bean. * It took several full wears for it to grow on me. I finally understand it and now that we are acquainted I must say I like it very much. * The dark smokiness is supposed to represent the feeling of an old rock concert hall / theatre or night club the kind with live bands in the days when smoking was allowed. * It is very potent and garners respect. Three to four strategic squirts or two (2) full sprays max! Otherwise may be hazardous to you and those in your zip code. * Zoologist's Tyrannosaurus Rex also by Antonio Gardoni is very similar to Lita in the side by side test. I think that the Tobacco in Lita and its smokiness give it slightly more personality overall in the latter stages. * I feel having both would be redundant and so I chose Lita. The more I wear it the more I like it. * Probably best worn with a casual Rock or Grunge look. Old leather jacket and bike boots would be a nice touch. Can be worn day or night. * It has become one of my main go tooz for colder weather.

Lita opens with a magical blast of spicy sandalwood incense. There was a hippie bead shop in my hometown that smelled exactly like this. I am in heaven. Underneath, there is a dry musk, pleasantly dusty-woody, like an antique shop. And, occasionally, an incredibly dark sweet-resinous note like conifer sap comes out. Together they make a marvelously multilayered world. Ornately carved, fragrant wood, glinting with gold ornaments, with dust motes dancing in a shaft of sunlight and smoke. This is Gardoni Does Incense and I love it. Not churchy pale frankincense, not harsh minimalist black smoke, but rich spicy-sweet bright-brown nag champa and sandalwood incense like a head shop. *Happy* incense. As always with Gardoni, you get a sense of 3-D space and intricate texture like a vintage scent, but with bold funky flavors the classics never had.

Lita smells like a independent book store/ antique shop that also grills flowers. It's quite lovely. Reminiscent but still unique. I never smelled anything like it. I see comparisons to T-rex, but that's like the difference between going to the ballroom dance as Oscar Issac, or going as John Malkovich. They are both good actors I guess. But come on. A girl is gonna notice. And I like t-rex. (I know it's the same guy) The difference is Lita doesn't open with a shotgun blast, and instead of mellowing into incense like T Rex, it mellows into light flowers. The burnt flowers mixed with an old book smell is an ultimate comfort zone for me. I bought a large bottle within a couple days of trying this. Which is something I do not normally do - and it was a little challenging to get, tbh. Im very happy with my spontaneous decision.