Agua Geranium

The contribution to Claus Porto from Lyn Harris demonstrates her wonderfully restrained and balanced approach. Agua Geranium is essentially a streamlined fougère where pelargonium leaves make up a larger nucleus, where the lavender is more an adjunct ornament. At an EDC concentration, it is bracingly diffusive and bright, and what I really appreciate is Harris's decision to mute some of the mintier facets in favor of bringing out more of the rosy, green-woody qualities of geranium. It settles as an EDC would, briskly, into a soft patchouli, tonka, and moss. I have a fondness for the more straightforward and direct beauty of something like Agua Geranium. It's a palate-cleanser, a way of smelling clean without cliché, barbershop-adjacent, and winsome by design. My mind starts playing Burt Bacharach and Scott Walker, images surface of Michael Caine in a navy worsted serge blazer. It's the smell of self-respect, of quiet sprezzatura.

I received a sample of this from Ministry of Scent. While this scent does lean masculine, by laying it over a wonder tea rose butter from Beyond Scents, it becomes more feminine and truly lovely. I wear a lot of men's cologne and am still thinking of buying an FB of this one. Yes, it is cologne strength but it really lasts quite nicely on the skin if it's moisturized and on clothes all day, which speaks to the quality of the materials used in the making of all Porto fragrances. The geranium/rose is rather fleeting without the boost of my tea rose butter. The patchouli does take center stage on the dry down, along with green notes, but I adore patchouli, so for me, that is a win. If you hate patchouli, don't even bother trying this. While I'm still on the fence about buying an FB, I have a feeling I will most likely give in and add this gem to my collection.

This is so freaking underrated I can't believe it. Classic fougiere but done is a modern way that defies age restrictions. So freaking invigorating at the beginning with soft background made of tonka, patchouli and vetiver. I have no qualm about spraying multiple time a day and after few resprays base notes become stronger and it's as pleasant as opening is. EDIT: Their atomizer sucks. I stopped using it for a while because 3-4 sprays would disappear in an hour. Now I started spraying liberally around 15 sprays every time - I don't do it with any other perfume because I don't want to be announced by my scent. In first 30mins it's intense but after it's just the right amount so people can actually smell it on you.

I feel like Lyn Harris is such a talented individual. She handled the geranium here so well. Grassy, rosey, all the best facets without the screechiness that is so often present in geranium-centered fragrance (yes I'm looking at you Geranium Pour Monsieur). A gem and full bottle worthy.

PORTUGUESE: Agua Geranio da Claus Porto remete para aquela vibe "rive gauchiana" da Yves saint-Laurent. Um aromático fougère "top to bottom" com o musgo de carvalho, a lavanda, cravinho, o gerânio como personagem principal e a fava tonka que garante alguma doçura na fragrância. Lembra aqueles clássicos intemporais masculinos e só peca pela pouca performance dada a baixa concentracção de oléos (Eau de Cologne). No entanto, recomendo para todos os fãs do género. ENGLISH: Agua Geranio by Claus Porto take us into that rive gauche pour homme vibe by Yves saint-Laurent. An aromatic fougère "from top to bottom" with oak moss, lavender, cloves, geranium [as the main character] and tonka bean that guarantees some sweetness to the fragrance. It resembles some timeless classic fragrances for men and the only downside would be the low performance given the low oil concentration (Eau de Cologne). However, I recommend it to all fans of the genre.