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

Citrus-centric, slightly herbal masterpiece. Enough said!

A soft lavender-like and minty rosemary greets my nose upon first inhale. There is a lovely balanced sweetness, which isn't typical of the usually strong, powdery coumarin of tonka. The citrus is very clean and goes lovely with the rosemary. The florals are subtle and lend a lovely supportive role. The fragrance develops with the mintiness increasing, the citruses softening and a little more sweetness coming through. From the notes I would say this is a masculine-leaning unisex. Mizu (like all the Di Sers) is a refined fragrance that gives the wearer a subtle elegance. Di Ser is not a statement brand, they are for those who want to breath in the essences of life itself and create a close calm aura radiating from their skin. Mizu is a soft and sweet Herbal-Citrus delight.

First time smelling this I couldn’t believe the low ratings on longevity and sillage. It was unbelievably strong, filling up the entire room. My girlfriend could smell it across our apartment. Second wearing it turned to a skin scent within the hour. You definitely go nose blind to this. The smell is very natural with a heavy dose of yuzu and rosemary with a touch of sweetness in the base. Given the price I think it’s definitely worth it if you’re looking for a fresh summer scent that doesn’t smell like a cleaning product or like your typical blue scent.

Di Ser Mizu (2000) - rosemary yuzu - @diser.essentia ‘s Shinohara-san creates this all-natural perfume that reminds me of a pond of water surrounded by citrus groves. Starts with a freshly peeled Yuzu that reminds me of Grapefruit. Then I get herbal Rosemary mixed with an accord that reminds me of water, rocks, and moss. I also get Jasmine, creamy and dewy. A delight to wear to calm the senses.

Can't say too much about this that hasn't already been said. The citrus fades quickly, leaving an herbal/minty scent. Definitely a quality blend, but not my cup of tea and I don't think it's worth it for the price.

Older folk might not get this, but to me (a person in his mid-20s who grew up in the Middle-East) the opening smells like what Sour Sticks candy tastes like. A cheap fruit flavored jelly candy that's coated this sharp salty sugar with a screaming lion on the wrapper. Purely off association it's REALLY hard for me to pick anything out, but if I had to break it down I'd put it like so: Incredibly sharp citrus with an artificial sweetener and a green backing. In the dry-down it comes off more like sticky hands that recently squeezed yuzu and powdery Hinoki? The wood note here is quite nice, though it gets choked out by the citruses which is a shame.

100% a rosemary dominant scent. The Yuzu and lemon adds a nice citrusy touch for the first hour, but after that this is all about rosemary with a subtle floral in the background. But it's quite nice and the rosemary comes off dry and woody in here which can lead you to believe that you're wearing a woody scent, but a very clean and refined one. But that's not all. You know that smell of fresh linen? No im not talking about detergent smells, but like brand new clothes or your newly changed bed sheets? Yeah we know that clean and dry cotton smell. I never thought of Rosemary having that smell, but in this scent, it really does. So if you're after something that smells like new cotton, definitely try this one. Doesn't smell like a typical fresh or soapy perfume, so this is great for those who doesn't like perfumes, but want to smell presentable. It just smells like linen, nothing more, nothing less. It's not strong in any way, but it lasts all day.

A beautyful light, yuzu herbal scent that is easy to wear. Almost borderlining a high end barbershop product with only natural ingrediences. I dont get much of the flowers, but more of the herbal green aspects in the rosemary. I do not see vetiver listed at fragrantica, but I pick up a vetiver note or at least something in the composition has a clean earthy, slightly peppery vibe that reminds me of vetiver. Could be a very nice work scent as its very pleasant, smells clean and its not too strong. And what I like most, it is natural and you will not smell like a walking synthetic bomb. You will project an image of a person that care for quality and natural essences. Great stuff.

This one surprised me, I was expecting that wonderful fragrant citrus element to creep through, but I feel it's overshadowed by the lemon in this case. I feel that the lemon is overkill here, it really doesn't need to be in here, and kinda diluted the whole yuzu aspect. Similarly, the herb element doesn't sync up well, in my opinion -- citrus and herb can work, but it's jarring here -- many sharp edges, I feel, and it unfortunately detracts from the scent. Not one of my faves, unfortunately...

I only got a sample of this. Opening is citrus herbal created by the jasmine, lemon, yuzu and rosemary, Nothing strong. Then everything turns into a very low sweet smell evoking what I would say this is the smell of sweet water at room temperature on a warm day (yes, sweet water has a particular sweet smell according to temperature and minerals). from time to time there is an interplay between the tonka and boronia(maybe I should say that their balance breaks and you smell more one or other).

Refreshing, mysterious, and bracing. Strangely, I smell no yuzu or water/aquatic notes. Happily, I detect deepest black pepper, bright herbs, and wood. This perfume is unparalleled. I test my perfumes on myself and my partner. He is ambivalent about most scents, but this one captured him above hundreds of others. This reminds me deeply of Commes des Garcons Black Pepper, but without the earthy/hippie patchouli note. Extremely high quality and well blended.

makes my mouth water omg...smells almost a bit like tamarind; it's tart but also sweet!! would be really, really lovely for the summer! i actually like this a lot.... projection is virtually nonexistent, as has been my experience with di ser but i prefer that for ultra natural scents like this!!

Smells good but gone in 30 minutes. Even though the value proposition is and could be different for different people, but it's safe to say that there's absolutely no value for money here.

From reading the notes I thought I’d love this, but it just smells oddly generic for Di Ser and I didn’t enjoy it at all. Maybe it’s the tonka?

idk man it doesn‘t smell like yuzu at all but rather a generic shower gel & hotel soap, quite disappointing since i love yuzu