Steel Water

Hello, This is my first review written on the spur. I own and enjoy many perfumes. I enjoy many fresh, aquatic, ozonic, and citrusy scents on occasional rotation. Currently for example, Cool Water Wave, Bulgari Aqua Marine Tonic, Aqua Di Gio Profumo, I am King and English Laundry Tahitian Waters are what I am enjoying in contrast to my usual Colonia Club, Ispazon, Terre De Hermes and Icon - to paint a picture. I had yet to purchase a Micallef to add to my higher end Creed, Parfum De Marley, Serge Luten, Nasomatto etc EDP collection. This one was on special and I was intrigued and took the plunge. I can say that it is a nice left of field choice that lives up to a reputation though it is underwhelming for the price and considering it is an EDP. I would not consider this powdery as described. The way I would describe the smell in my terms is that on first application a bright but gentle ozonic lavender, settles after a few minutes down to a sweet lavender with deeper mossy base with hints of sweet coriander to my nose and a touch of nutmeg(?). This is joined after 10 minutes by a soft noticeable but not overpowering flowery note - Violet I think - in the middle that forms and helps change it to the largely green aquatic/ozonic smell. I don't really detect the citrus scent (lemon if any) described again I think it is more from the Violet. Effectively combined this is what I think provides the metallic note that is often described though I only find it in a quick whiff or at arms length. If you keep smelling your arm like I have you detect how actually complex the formula is and it actually comes across as earthy rather than metallic but I get the take on it. After an hour it does dry down to a simple fresh but earthy Violet and patchouli scent. After 4 hours its very much a violet with a damp soil smell and patchouli. It is a high quality smell though maybe at best medium on sillage. I have not had an opportunity to apply it in the morning or whilst going out but so far I would say it is good for a consistent 4 hours at least. In summary: * Nice for a change and like Tahitian Waters or 3am is unique compared to what is typically out there for an up lifting fresh scent. From my experience I can not think of anything that resembles it AT ALL though original Cool Water would be a guide - take out the fruit and replace with Violet. * Can easily be worn by a woman though it is comfortably a mens scent * There will eventually be comparisons to Cool Water and the like but it is far more complex than that. * Definitely for warmer occasions. * A quality freshen me up personal smell rather than for fishing for compliments One rare review I vaguely recall dissed it saying it smelled like damp cardboard. Ironically this is somewhat accurate LOL and it is oversimplifying - it has quite a pleasant complexity for a somewhat quality subtle EDP. Its construction impressed me enough that I think I will add more Micallef to my collection ;) but I would not purchase this again and not at a top price.

A rather nice aromatic citrus fragrance from the vastly underrated Micallef house. The perfume opens with citrusy notes of lemon and tangerine and moves to a middle comprised of violet, nutmeg and tarragon before finally settling on a base of musk, leather and patchouli. Unisex (slight masculine leaning) with moderate sillage and projection and decent longevity of about 6 hours. This one makes for a nice, safe, and yet unusual masculine summer office scent. Worth tracking a bargain bottle. Enjoy!

Steel Water starts off with a blast of lemon and florals -- Violets. Citric with an aquatic touch that feels ozonic, refreshing and metallic. It leans balsamic rather than dry like most aquatics. After about about 5 to 10 minutes the middle notes begin to sort themselves out. The spiciness from the nutmeg arises and adds depth to the violet, and its during this stage where you began to get sense of the leather in the background. The leather here is refined and not animalic but subtle and gentle. Simply Fantastic. Possibly my favorite stage. Soon after -- the tarragon begins to radiate and here is where things get interesting as it creates balance between the violet and the nutmeg, adding coolness to the spice while being wrapped in a thin layer of leather. Make no mistake, this is a complex creation -- yet it does not feel like one, as Steel Water is a transparent fragrance. In the later stages of the dry down the patchouli is more pronounced and prominent, moving the fragrance into an entirely different direction. With the leather and the musk both contributing to the patchouli --together adding a touch of class and depth to the entire composition. Safe to say I've never smelled anything like Steel Water, and fans of patchouli with definitely find this scent fascinating.