Summer of 84

Great globular galloping grapefruit! That's what it's all about and it does it SUPERBLY. Smelling this with no background info at all, I wondered "how have they made a grapefruit so realistic and intense and zingy and ... well, GRAPEFRUITY ... but so much sweeter and rounder and more mellow and lasting than other grapefruit scents? There's no oakmoss here to add bottom ... no basil ... no rose ... my nose isn't shrivelling ... what on earth is stretching it out?" Never in my wildest scent nightmares would I have suspected a fruit phobia of mine - MELON*, ackkkk!?!?! is the hero to the rescue but it just WORKS. Works amazingly. (*Melon makes me heave whether it's on a plate or in a scent; calone smells nauseatingly fake to me. ) This grapefruit is absolutely grand: a big zestful, prickly, no-messing-about smack to the face but without the acid sting and puckering you'd get from the real thing. It's sharp but just right to the tolerable limit - and garlanded about with absolutely gorgeous, golden, almost-floral flecks of lemon & bergamot, which don't ever go screechy or fake. Glorious. Water notes, white flowers and musk done with just incredible control to conjure up bright summer skies, sheets flapping in the wind, breeze off a lake - and the art here is just extra astonishing, because cheaper, inferior white flowers or musk are so often just a cliche'd way to eke out citric notes and end up ruining the whole thing. Here it's done right and simply adds up to pure happiness. Undeniably sails close to 'fresh masculine' or 'designer aquatic' in some moments but then always rights itself and carries on being gorgeous. Intensely cheerful, sunny, outdoorsy, brilliantly glinting, shimmering, spanking-fresh scent pictures to lift the spirits. Maybe not the most original scent ever made on the theme, but this is so well done - deserves many stars. I am a moody urban couch potato and this makes me want to go boating and eat icecream on a beach. It has that power of optimism.

When I wear Summer of ’84, I can’t help but laugh at how perfectly it captures a very specific kind of my boyhood body odor. Mind you not the gross kind, but that innocent, sun-soaked, slightly feral smell of being thirteen and outside all day with zero awareness of one’s hygiene. The grapefruit dominate citrus notes hit first, and instead of coming across as bright or zesty, they feel like the sticky film of Fanta orange soda dried on my skin after running around in the midwestern heat. Then this mint drifts in for me, but it isn’t crisp, it smells more like the crushed mint leaves I’d smear between my fingers just to see what they did, mingling with the warm, salty sheen of summer sweat. As it settles, the melon and musk start to bloom, and that’s where the real nostalgia kicks in. The musk brings out this unmistakable skin-like warmth almost like the scent of a feral kid who’s been biking, climbing, rolling around in the grass, and generally avoiding soap. There’s even a faint plasticky undertone, probably from the synthetic musks, that reminds me of the hollow smell of cheap Pony sneakers from Montgomery Wards left in the sun or the vinyl seats of my friend’s parents’ 1979 Ford LTD Country Squire after a long day at the Johnson County public pool. Summer of ’84 doesn’t smell refined. IT SMELLS ALIVE. It smells like scraped knees, dripping Bomb popsicles, sunburned blistered shoulders, and the unapologetic funk of childhood freedom. It’s boyhood body odor dressed up in citrus, mint, melons, and musk. Somehow it works and I love it. Pity we’re entering the fall in southern Arizona. Sleep well, sweat prince, and flights of angels sing thee to thy rest, come late spring I will see thee again.

Anyone who doesn't give this 10/10 is absolutely untrustworthy and you should ignore everything they say about everything forever. I've never smelled anything else quite like Summer of 84, despite being a huge fan of the notes in it. It starts off with this blast of grapefruit and settles into this long lasting, sweet citrus and melon/warm flower fragrance that I just get lost in over and over again. Almost candy like on the long dry down, but not enough to feel juvenile, just impressive. It's completely stunning on its own, and very fun to layer with as well. You can do some amazing combinations with this one. Honestly, this is one of the coolest fragrances I've ever come across, especially after learning about just how volatile and short lasting citrus notes typically are. As far as grapefruit and citrus forward scents go, Summer of 84 is in it's own class. not only has Kerosene unlocked the secret to making those fleeting citrus notes last for hours upon hours, but the transformative and immersive scene that this fragrance paints is unlike many other out there. Another person below mentioned that So84 was getting glazed up online, and yeah, it should be. You need your nose checked if you like citrus fragrances and aren't absolutely in love with this one. Spray it on your clothing to get all day performance.

A refreshing class of ice cold water that has been steeped in slices of grapefruit and sweet melon. The glass of water tastes like heaven as the hot summers sun beats down on you. Life is good. This opening of bright, sparkly, and tart grapefruit with nostalgic, smooth, and sweet melon... this fucks so hard. As it dries, the other citrus' join in and support the grapefruit as the aquatic notes begin to come, made crisp and cool by the citrus. This is super refreshing and probably one of my favorite citrus fragrances. And while I think this is fairly unique, it is so amazingly mass appealing. Usually a house does warm weather focused frags better or cold weather focuses frags better, but John does both amazing. Will be a full bottle purchase soon for the summer. 9/10 Fantastic projection and performance for a citrus forward fragrance. PS. Oil content this is very very heavy! Wouldn't spray this on lightly colored clothing as it might stain. Song vibe - Doin' Time by Sublime EDIT: I have since bought a bottle as I just kept craving it. Without a doubt one of, if not my favorite citrus fragrance. Also, while it may not scream, this lasts an easy 12-14 hours on my skin where I’m still registering it. Truly the most underrated Kerosene. 10/10.

Rating: ✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦ (8/10) Summer of ’84 by Kerosene is a nostalgic, sun-soaked fragrance that perfectly captures the carefree spirit of endless summer days. It opens with bright, juicy citrus notes that instantly evoke the warmth of sun rays and the buzz of youthful energy. The scent feels both fresh and vibrant, with a playful brightness that’s uplifting without being overpowering. At its heart, you’ll find subtle green and aromatic notes that add depth and a touch of complexity, reminiscent of freshly cut grass or leafy hedgerows under the summer sun. This adds a natural, slightly herbal edge that balances the initial citrus burst beautifully. The drydown is warm and smooth, anchored by soft woods and a gentle musky base that adds a comforting, skin-like finish. This creates a lovely balance between freshness and warmth, making it suitable for both day and evening wear during the warmer months. Longevity is solid, lasting around 6–7 hours, and projection is moderate, creating a pleasant scent bubble that invites compliments without overwhelming. If you enjoy fragrances like Byredo Sundazed or Hermès Un Jardin Sur Le Nil, but want something with a slightly more vintage, sun-drenched vibe, Summer of ’84 is a beautiful choice.

This perfume was such a surprise for me - I went into a local niche perfume shop (Merz Apothecary for those in Chicago, online shop is Smallflower) and was looking for a new birthday scent for the year. I tend to gravitate to musky and aquatic scent profiles (favorite notes: iris, violet, marine accords, amber, coconut, musk) so I was looking for something different to distinguish the year. This was the first scent I tried and was so wow'ed by the opening grapefruit punch. I ended up purchasing a different fragrance, but that was in my top two. I left the store but took the blotter with this scent on it and after 20 min of walking around unable to stop smelling the blotter I went right back to the store to purchase a full bottle. The sharp citrus lasts for me about 2 hours from the initial dry down; it then tones itself into a citrus skin scent with a lower sillage for the rest of the wear. I can still smell this at 7-8 hours of wear so I consider that pretty great.

After sampling the discovery set, I picked a few out I liked including this one. I quite enjoyed Unknown Pleasures and Black Vines as well. I have a few fragrances with openings of grapefruit, but this one blew me away with its super fresh sweet blast in the beginning. This was one of the main reasons I purchased a full bottle. Granted, the opening doesn't last forever, but calms down and lingers on throughout. Its drydown does remind me a little bit of light blue forever but they are different. In the hotter weather I enjoy wearing this one. It's a fresh clean citrus with a bit of sweetness and a nice clean musk. I would recommend sampling if you're into grapefruit fragrances. This is a good one.😁

This stuff is FRESH and TANGY! It smells like squeezing orange and grapefruit with juices flying everywhere. Juicy, tart, and energizing! It smells and feels acidic like a real orange and grapefruit. I asked my sister and she says it smells like a cold glass of orange juice, I agree! The citruses go away after 2 hours, then settles into dewy melons and white floral hints, still retaining a fresh, watery, and ozonic nature. Totally unisex. By far one of the brightest citruses I’ve smelt that’s surprisingly not in a cologne/toilette concentration. This also lasts over a day. Impressive!! WARNING THO! It stains light fabrics, it stained my sample vial, and even my laptop stylus LOL. So be careful.

April 30, 2023. Instant like. Right away you get a very realistic grapefruit. Especially on a hot day like today it really comes through. It's very refreshing and so far it’s lasted about two hours with no problems or dwindling. Base notes softens it up with some white flora and musk. Overall it is a clean citrus. Perfect for the spring and summer. Yes there are numerous fragrances that fall under the citrus category, but I feel like this one is different simply because of the grapefruit. I have yet to come across grapefruit forward blends that smell realistic and natural. Especially for the price. It's energizing, uplifting, balanced and fun to wear. Checks all the boxes.

There's nothing I can say that previous reviewers haven't already said. The most realistic grapefruit accord I've ever smelled! Someone said this is liquid sunshine in a bottle, and that's the most apt description I've found and agree with wholeheartedly. I think any perfumer looking to create a quintessential summer fragrance is trying to bottle sunshine one way or another, and mission accomplished here. The most easy-going fragrance I've tried. I get the feeling this was created as an expression of simpler, carefree times and that's exactly what this stuff is: simple and carefree.

I love grapefruit. It's one of my favorite things in the summer. I love an aperol spritz, campari, and my favorite drink is a Paloma made with mezcal, grapefruit soda and lime. Summer of 84 is one of my absolutely favorite summer scents. If you are a grapefruit enthusist you owe it to yourself to sample. I will say it last decently but nothing like Followed or Sweetly Known or Follow. But I think it's pretty hard to get long lasting citruses. This is a summer scent but it's also very lively. I've been known to wear it when I need a little perking up. It's perfectly unisex.

I received a sample of this when I bought Follow by Kerosene and ordered it the same day! I love it! The fresh cut pink grapefruit opening sprayed on in morning wakes me up! It is a great fresh scent on my skin lasting all day and isn’t cloying in our Arizona desert 90 degree weather right now. I know it has other ingredients but grapefruit dominates on my skin staying strong which I love! As it dries down I do notice a little saltiness but this is my favorite citrus perfume. When I need an energy boost this is the fragrance I wear. I highly recommend it!

On my skin, I get a photorealistic grapefruit (and lemon) bomb with some minty facets as it dries down. In the dry down I get this synthetic melon accord that reminds me of shampoo or melon candy. On paper I got grapefruit with a sweaty musk. Longevity is great for a fresh scent, I spayed it at around 2-3 pm and can still smell it clearly and it’s 11:45 pm. As for projection, it projects really well for a citrus/fresh scent. Edit: After wearing this for the third time, it kind of smells like a pool and a bathroom being masked by the smell of citrus.

i love this perfume so much. initial spray is super citrus, like a blast of grapefruit juice and rind. it smells like you’ve just tore apart a fresh grapefruit with your hands. once it settles, you get a soft, pillowy white floral with just a hint of musk and melon. clean, fresh, and doesn’t smell too “perfumey” , which i enjoy. feels like a pleasantly sunburnt back against crisp air conditioned sheets. or a 102 degree day at the pool with an orange popsicle melting down your hand. or visiting southern california in late august. summer in a bottle.

Love this fragrance, but there are a few disclaimers. Everyone's skin is different, but what I will say is that this is the most photorealistic grapefruit fragrance I've ever smelled initially smells like the juice of a grapefruit, but then the rind it's so interesting, and I love grapefruit. On the dry down and smelling the fragrance, there are some nuances where the melon and aquatic notes can be detected, but the grapefruit dominates. Be careful spraying on clothes because it will stain, but very much enjoy this fragrance.

Absolute grapefruit bomb in a bottle. I personally love this fragrance and can appreciate the linear experience in wearing it. The sharp bitter grapefruit is extremely uplifting in the hotter climates. If you're looking for something complex, Summer of 84 is not that but the quality is superb. Also worth mentioning this is one of the top citrus performers that I have tried and owned, which is rare amongst citrus fragrances as many of you know. Pretty loud fragrance, gets me 7-8 hours.

This shit is awesome! Hyper-realistic, mouth watering, citrus opening. To me it has a hint of ginger and is done in a similar way to Virbrato or Tygar; but dare I say even better. I know have all three and it’s a toss up which is better. There is a slight aquatic feel to this fragrance, but nothing that should be off putting. It projects and lasts forever, especially for a summer freshie type. The citrus stays through the dry down. I don’t have a single complaint. Rating 9/10.

Walking back to your beachfront chair, the golden grains of sand stick noisomely to your wet legs. You prop open your umbrella and recline, sitting back as you wrap yourself in a towel. You reach over and grab a grapefruit soda, the sweat from the can cooling down your hands. You take a sip as the breeze from the ocean blows an empty orange popsicle wrapper off the chair next to you. This fragrance is bright, and the citrus is very realistic. 8.6/10

Wow, this has one of the best openings out of pretty much anything in my collection. Amazing blast of sharp (In a good way) grapefruit with an intoxicating melon and aquatic background. After one sniff of a sample, I knew I had to buy a bottle before it was gone forever. It's so unique and long lasting as well. It just has this alluring quality to it that makes you keep smelling it over and over. This is citrus done right. Love it.

THE juiciest citrus fragrance on the market, at least to my nose, and what a beauty it is. Summer of 84 opens up with a bright, zesty grapefruit and citrus opening and keeps that throughout its entire lifespan. The fragrance is fairly linear which some may not care for, but I don’t even mind when it smells this good. Not the longest lasting at about ~6 hours, but it’s so refreshing and invigorating that I don’t mind. 9/10.

Deliciously bracingly grapefruity. Then in the longer dry down it’s milder and sweeter. But still keeps a sweet/tart balance. Totally unisex beauty, but ONLY if you love grapefruit. To me it’s uncanny what a good value Kerosene scents are. I’ve sampled 4 in a couple weeks and appreciate them all for their uniqueness and bold character. To get something this special at $1.50 a milliliter is crazy talk.

This is so fun and fresh and well balanced, Indeed reminiscent of a popsicle, it's not extremely citrusy to the point of being overly tangy, it's more soft and sweet, like a melon. what a SHAME it barely lasts an hour. i bought it because it was not that expensive and it's just gonna be a guilty pleasure of me to spray it from time to time, but with no hope of this being a functional daily driver.

Very true to life grapefruit scent, reminds me of stealing them from the neighbor as a kid. When applying there's the unmistakable note that can only exist for a few moments after tearing the skin of a citrus fruit. Fades within a couple of hours, but that's just an excuse to reapply. I'm going to waste most of this bottle at home just to smell myself and not feel the least bit guilty about it.

This is truly the smell of ripping apart a grapefruit or clementine rind, with juices and oils spritzing all over your hands. It's tart and juicy. Photorealistic, and not very "perfumey" which I like! Sillage isn't great, but the longevity's good for a citrus. Got about 3-4 hours out of it, but you have to have your nose to the scent to smell it. Over all, I like it!

Ruby red grapefruit, peeled open with your hands, slurped up gleefully in the sun on a warm January day in florida. This is what I’ve been looking for in a grapefruit fragrance and none other has delivered. Fantastic on its own but I can only imagine it will function beautifully as a layering fragrance whenever something needs a punch of citrus freshness.

Smells like a childhood memory: having the time of your life at a water park, enjoying popsicles and cantaloupe rinds as you’re still drenched in water as you just came out of the pool, leaving the popsicle wrappers behind and half eaten melon rinds behind, creating the most heavenly and fresh combo ever seen. Top 2 fragrance of all time for me.

This is an absolutely delightful, bright, happy grapefruit candy. It’s very realistic grapefruit, not perfumey, with a touch of sweetness. I love it very much. 100% FB worthy. Edit: the dry down smells vaguely like armpits on me, even when it’s only on my shirt. I am sad about this. It’s exquisite up until then. I’d still wear it.

The most cheerful fragrance I have ever smelled. The bergamot and grapefruit leans towards a bright scent profile that reminds me of liquid sunshine. One of three fragrances I own where I plopped down my credit card for a full bottle upon first sniff. Full bottle worthy, this is the citrus fragrance I have been looking for.

Hands down the best grapefruit experience I've had, and I've been on this trail a long time. We're not talking Minute Maid breakfast beverage here, either--this is sharp, bitter, pith and peel, something special for those of us who turn up our noses at the Tropicana for the masses. Holy Hades, I must have this.

This is probably one of the best, if not the best summer scent I have ever smelt. It smells like one of those sunny days where you are outdoors enjoying a popsticle. It‘s a very nostalgic citrusy scent, lasts around 8 hours and projects well. For me it’s the perfect grapefruit/citrus scent. 10/10.

Top spring and summer fragrance. Very hard to find in European Union. I waited four months to have it from the authorized seller in Germany. Amazing super realistic fresh grapefruit juice which lasts hours! Imagine you just squeeze a grapefruit with added some lemon peels. Highly recommended!

Had santalum slivers which I loved but then I smelled this and couldn’t believe how much better it is. Much more fresh bright and outright amazing. Such an amazing grapefruit that lasts and lasts. One of my new favorites for sure. Just bought a bottle and can’t wait for it to get in.

This reminds me of Squirt, a fizzy, grapefruit flavored soda that definitely had it's hayday back in the 1980's, and was very popular in the Midwest...like most citrus scents it fades pretty quickly but it's such a fun whirlwind of nostalgia before it fades...

Insane photorealistic grapefruit that settles down into an aquatic/floral scent. Haven't had it on long enough to evaluate performance, but on scent alone this is a 9/10. Dry down is slightly similar to fox in the flowerbed, but that may just be me.

This is bright, zesty, got a kick to it. The most realistic citrus I've ever tried. It smells like orange juice, and it's strong. It's wonderful It does seem to have some color to it though so watch out if you spray it on light clothes

Super citrusy in the opening, with a strong grapefruit note. Dries down to a yummy sweet citrusy melon. Insanely long-lasting, especially on clothes. Eight hours after application, I was told I smell like watermelon!

This is the best and most well balanced, fresh citrus I have ever smelled. It is light, watery, and clean in the best possible way. No floor cleaner scents here and no cookie cutter "clean citrus", this is unique.

I just love a euphoria-inducing happy scent and Summer of 84 always ticks that box for me. It's photorealistic grapefruit, yes, but it's also just how it makes me feel. Pure bliss.

Extremely realistic grapefruit. This stuff smells like a grapefruit more than a grapefruit does. Uplifting and refreshing. Perfect for the summer. 10/10 fragrance.

How can something with so much citrus have such good performance???? Smells so fresh and juicy, exactly like lemon juice or a grapefruit

Eau de Grapefuit. This is a fragrance for grapefruit/citrus lovers. The more you like this note the more you will like the fragrance.

such a photorealistic juicy ripe and sweet grapefruit. this is really really good, probably my favorite from kerosene. 9/10

beautiful perfume!!! I only smell grapefruit but it's a really pretty and juicy scent, perfect for summer and late spring

eating an orange with your lover on a great lawn at night, looking up at the fireworks against the dark gray sky.

Melted popsicles & grapefruit soda. Some aquatic notes linger alongside.

Could almost be a dupe for Gap So Pink.

Shifting away from the dense gourmand territory I have been exploring and into something much fresher, I turn to Summer of 84 from Kerosene. John Pegg describes it as being inspired by a nostalgic summer where the air feels clean and bright, filled with the scent of chilled grapefruit soda sparkling in the sun alongside fresh cut fruit and melting popsicles left out on a picnic table. It paints a vivid and almost cinematic memory that sets the tone for the fragrance. Right from the opening, Summer of 84 delivers what may very well be the most realistic citrus notes I have ever encountered. The grapefruit and orange come across as intensely juicy, tart, and vibrant, almost as if someone is slicing or peeling fresh fruit right next to you. For the first five to ten minutes it feels incredibly true to life, bright and mouthwatering without coming across artificial. As it begins to settle, the the fragrance relaxes a little bit. The sharp citrus edge eases as a melon note comes through, adding a less sour and more neutral sweet fruitiness that tones down the opening without taking away from its freshness. Around the forty five minute to one hour mark, very light white florals start to appear, reminiscent of gardenia. They are soft and unobtrusive, never overpowering, but they help tone down the tartness and give the fragrance a more balanced and airy feel. In the drydown after a couple of hours, the scent becomes a musky blend of orange and grapefruit with light aquatic undertones. It still carries that fresh summer character, just in a calmer form. I did enjoy Summer of 84, especially as a contrast to the heavier gourmands I have been wearing from the house, although those certainly have their place. If you enjoy very realistic citrus or citrus peel fragrances, this is one you will likely appreciate. It reminds me somewhat of Sundrunk from Imaginary Authors, not because they smell the same, but because it avoids feeling overly "cologne-y" with their use of citrus notes, but rather bright, unisex, playful, and carefree. At this point, Kerosene is four for four for me.

This is one of the better summer fragrances for sure. I tend to gravitate towards more spicy, sweet, ambery, winter-appropriate scents, so I am very, very picky and judgemental when it comes to fresh and aquatic ones. This starts with an incredible blast of grapefruit. LOTS OF IT. Really juicy, refreshing, light, airy opening. After half an hour or so it moves towards a more clean profile being dominated by musk and flowers nicely blended with the aquatic notes. It is kind of close to being what I call "cleaning product scent" but it's not there (like most citrusy aquatics *cough cough Torino 21*) and the fact that it has a really interesting scent profile definitely helps. However, I was very disappointed that the melon is absolutely nowhere to be found. I actually asked multiple people if they sense melon and none of them said yes. If I could actually feel some sort of melon note in this, I would just make it my all time summer fragrance no doubt as (it's missing some sweetness and it would make it even more complex). Until then, Vetiver Sensuel will reign supreme as my summer champion. The longevity is relatively good, but it's a fresh scent so I should be very thankful for the 6h that I managed to get out of it. Definitely a crowd pleaser as all my friends liked it and they were really impressed by it overall. P.S. At first this is really similar to Parfums de Marly Perseus. However, I think that Summer of 84 is better in terms of overall scent by being a little more complex and definitely less bitter (but doesn't last as long as that), so give this a try if you like that one!

The first (and only) aquatic I really like. This has a stunningly realistic citrus rind opening with a light aquatic backdrop which slowly shines through just enough to keep the scent fresh and not gourmand. The bright bitterness gives this an edge that makes it sing. Perfectly unisex. P.S. 1) The opening reminds me of the whole-grapefruit-in-a-blender blast beginning I experienced in AMO FERRAGAMO. I do not find them very similar after that though as SUMMER OF '84 stays fresh throughout the wear and lacks the thick vanilla sweetness that makes AMO FERRAGAMO much heavier in the dry down. 2) This also reminds me of ORANGE SANGUINE as it has a realistic citrus opening but again, they quickly diverge as they dry down. ORANGE SANGUINE is much lighter and sweeter, with a citrus blossom undertone blended with the fruit. SUMMER OF '84 is a more complex fragrance with layers of bitter and bright notes, fresh pith and peel, as well as an aquatic hum. 3) Another fragrance this reminds me of is PULP, even though they do not smell similar at all. PULP is smooth while SUMMER OF '84 is sharp but both have that bright and juicy feel. They are equally a very unique and fresh take on fruit that I have encountered nowhere else. If you like uncommon and compelling fragrances, I highly recommend you sample PULP and SUMMER OF '84. NOTE FOR ME If I ever have the desire to pick up an aquatic fragrance for my collection, it will be this one.

The latest limited edition release by Kerosene, Summer of 84, is the most warm-weather-leaning creation of John's that I can recall trying. I haven't made my way through his whole catalog by any means but certainly the heavier/winter/gourmand scents have been the ones that have attracted me to the line. My experience of this fragrance is dominated by the strong citrus element, specifically grapefruit, in addition to lemon and bergamot. It's very fresh, but sharp and tart, but thorough and natural-smelling. Mixed in with the citrus are white florals and musk, though I confess I don't get the melon note. Still, it remains citrus-dominant into the dry down, even. The other elements merely lie in the background. Longevity is quite good but projection fades relatively quickly after application. Overall this is a lovely fresh fragrance to wear on a summer day but slightly above the cost of what I would expect for such a product, maybe by 50%. 7 out of 10