Mizu

"Mizu" is "water" in Japanese, so might we expect an aquatic scent? Not exactly, no. This fragrance is really a scent-picture of water running in a mountain stream past a yuzu grove. I know that description sounds highly specific, but given the paucity of flat land in Japan, the large number of streams and rivers that are everywhere in the nation (Tokyo was once known as the Venice of Asia because it is cris-crossed by so many rivers, streams and canals) and the scattering of yuzu cultivation around the islands, this imagery is bound to be something that many, many Japanese people will find familiar. Obviously, if you are evoking a yuzu grove, you start with yuzu. Here, the opening features a juicy, life-like yuzu note that is presented in tandem with a little lemon to highlight the brightness and sunny aspects of yuzu. Anchoring these citrus fruits is a lemony boronia. This Australian flowering bush has purple flowers that have a distinctive lemony citrus note as well as stems and stalks that have a subtle minty note amidst their grassy greenness. This note is fairly unusual in perfumery and it's use here is both incredibly skillful and briliant. Boronia allows the citrus notes to linger much longer than they otherwise would in a fixative-free fragrance and combines with the abundant rosemary to create a woody note. With woody notes and yuzu well established here, the bright sparkling water needs to be represented to complete our picture and Di Ser does so through a blend of the cleanest jasmine with mint (not listed in the pyramid, but olfactively present nonetheless). Combined with the rosemary and boronia, this accord does indeed create an image of a cold, rushing stream. With that final flourish, the scent progression is over almost immediately after it starts and these wonderful smells then stay around for hours. The longevity is remarkable given the hesperdic nature of most of the components. Reapplication may be needed for full work day use in most conditions. Projection is minimal, which is typical of most Japanese fragrance. Mizu is unisex, safe for work and has occasionally led to compliments for me from folks who are in very close proximity to me (of course, these are the best sort of compliments). This fragrance is an energizing delight in warm or hot weather. It never gets cloying, but it can become quite pungent in very hot (45°C/113°F) weather--not unpleasantly so, but much more noticeably than in less scorching temps. I love Mizu and, indeed, every other scent from the house of Di Ser that I have sampled. The compounding and blending here is extraordinary. Yes, the scent is very linear and does not really progress. Yes, the scent is subtle and projects no more than moderately. But taken exactly as it is, this fragrance is simply great. Prices are set by Di Ser based on ingredient cost, so Mizu, unlike some of the house's astonishingly brilliant oud scents (Kyara & Sarsora) is very reasonably priced. If you are a fan of citrus fragrances, you really owe it to yourself to at least samp!e Mizu. Highly recommended.

The most perfect summer scent ever created. A beautiful natural aquatic floral citrus, Mizu (meaning water in Japanese) is therapeutic and refreshing. The perfume opens with floral notes of jasmine and boronia before moving to a heart of lemon and rosemary. Finally it settles on a powdery citrusy bed of tonka bean and beautiful citrusy aquatic notes of the Japanese Yuzu lemon. Beautifully blended without overpowering this is a contemplative beauty. Absolutely perfect for hot weather, unisex, with moderate sillage and very good longevity. Enjoy!

This opens with lovely Yuzu and Lemon, settling down on skin into an herbal, rich heart, which oscillates between rosemary and Jasmine in such a unique way. For me, the rosemary is richer and more floral than a typical rosemary, and almost smells of lavender. A very pleasing, calming scent indeed, and sure to please anyone who catches a wiff. Considering these are all light, natural ingredients, the longevity is outstanding. A great value for what you get, and miles better than any synthetic fresh floral.

Sour lemon and (my beloved) sweet/tart Yuzu to start, quickly followed by an almost minty, herbal rosemary. After about an hour the rosemary takes a back seat for the beautiful Jasmine to really shine, which is supported by Boronia. Throughout the wear, the florals and distant citrus-n-herbs sweeten with a light tonka bean. A freshwater mountain stream in a bottle. A no-brainer for the cost.

Official notes: Oriental-Floral Top Citrus and clean Heart Spicy, herbal-minty Base Earthy and light resinoid Ingredients: Yuzu, Grapefruit, Pinkpepper, Cardamon, Spearmint, Hinoki ceder, Vetiver