Vesna Cologne

*short add to the review.. This one has a fizziness. I never understood that term in fragrance until this one, it really gives me the fizzy quality which I actually really enjoy. I like this more now, and would say my previous comparison to the aromatic qualities of the others is lessened. It is still aromatic, just not as much of that similarity as I initially experienced.* Just having acquired this, I can’t give a full take on it until I do a proper wear or two, but wanted to write initial thoughts while I have it fresh on my mind. I was racking my brain trying to think of the similarity. Initially the lemon made me think is it Allure Homme Sport “Cologne” or Tonic Vert? But it wasn’t after smelling them. Aqua Viva? Nope. Then looked at the comparison to Royal Water, and that’s the fragrance it reminds me of; however, not the citrus itself. Now, smelling side by side they’re not the same, it’s a “similar similarity” to Clive 1872 next to Royal Water.. in that side by side not the same and even wearing I know they’re not the same, but are somehow related. It’s the type of aromatic quality that they share, along with whatever few notes that are similar. I’d also say that the citrus itself is similar to that of Virgin Island Water. Not the same, but closer to that than other types of citrus notes used out there. (VIW citrus is amazing in my opinion). So that citrus, and a similar aromatic of the others. It really is its own fragrance but had to make note of those connections. Lastly, on skin this so far smells a lot different. I may prefer it on clothing, but like always need to try again later, now that it’s had a chance to breath after a few sprays, which always changes some after time in my experience. Until the next review after more wears!

Firstly it doesn't resemble Zemfira. It has literally nothing in common with that perfume. This one opens with a fizzy pineapple sorbet which lasts all of three seconds, unfortunately, before it starts its drydown to cypriol with some (like another reviewer said) suede texture. It's very beautiful, however I also agree with others who've said it doesn't stand out in the line. It's the most "meh" perfume of the 15 Bortnikoffs I'm familiar with, but let's be honest, a "meh" Bortnikoff is still streets ahead of almost all niche perfumery from recent history. This Is a great perfume and as it's the safest and most gentle by far from the house, it will be joyfully functional for days when I have to be professional and discreet. Update: this definitely errs on the side of being a smell rather than a perfume. It's a pleasant smell, but has a sort of waxy, chewy quality, like what I imaging a factory producing Starburst would smell like. I hate to say it, as I'm a defender of Bortnikoff against the following common critique, but this does seem like quality ingredients fudged together with no skill or vision to speak of. I don't feel like that about any others of his that I've smelled (many). Update: I agree with the above reviewer who claims to smell cheese. It is cheesey, but somehow this doesn't bother me.

Peculiar, ambiguous, I don't know what to say about it for now, I get a hard time with the tomato leaves. EDIT: I was wrong, it is peculiar, but as it happened with L'heure Exquise from Bortnikoff, it was my first time smelling a real ambergris based perfume, same with Vesna, the tomato leaves, Cypriot etc were a first in my olfactory journey. After a full wear, I can say I prefer Vesna go Amber Cologne, which is also very beautiful and more playful, a feel good scent. But Vesna... Pure class. It is so refined, green, light and dark. It really incites me to discover Russia and the slavic countries during spring. I don't get any Aventus or Hacivat Vibe, to my nose, the pineapple isn't prominent, very light and juicy in the opening. It seems like the EDPs have a better projection than the extraits. Bortnikoff is a mix between a rockstar and an impressionist artist.

I think this a real underrated release. It has incredible longevity for a cologne, after 16 hours I can very much still smell Vesna on my skin. I think the fragrance will undergo some further maturation in the bottle. At first sniff Vesna seems to be a somewhat one-dimensional fragrance with some fresh citrus notes, but in reality with each successive wear I begin to smell the multi-dimensional facets. A beautiful fragrance

A simple beautifully constructed Oriental Chypre. The scent whose name suggests spring opens with gourmandish notes of lemon, pineapple and tea. There is a brief floral middle of magnolia but the scent settles into a most unique powdery bed of dried tropical fruits and nagarmotha (cypriol). The expertly blended scent is a slight masculine leaning juice with moderate sillage and very good longevity. Somewhat reminiscent of a Roja Dove chypre but much more spare and stripped to the bone. A nice example of this perfumers expert blending skills, the scent is simple yet unique and wearable. Enjoy!