Ten Fresh Notes

Perhaps the most beautiful citrus aromatic I have tried. Peach, blackcurrant leaf and galbanum sets it apart from “the rest” and give a herbal-aromatic direction that is really special. It reminded me of a very old school Peach Cocktail Bitters I own — do not think fruity-sweet, it is rather a play on the bitter almond facets. Cannot see oakmoss listed on the packaging, but it seems prominent and, if it is a synthetic replacement, credible. The base as such is quite classy: oakmoss together with vetiver and musk. One thing I keep pondering about is how the galbanum gives a “summer chypre” vibe to the wearing. Very evocative, but greener and lighter than a proper chypre centered around labdanum, and a brilliant idea. Compared to the more orthodox chypre Etruscan Water I think Monegal strikes this balance between earthy elegance and summer freshness perfectly. Although I love ET it will never be a summer wear for me. There is enough in here to keep it going well into the autumn, and it is therefore challenging the limiting concept of summer freshie. It also helps that it seems to be a smallish niche business that has released som five dozen scents in some 15 years. Excellent performance, no beast mode but tenacious and discreet without being weak. It is a modernist having been schooled by the classics, I am reminded of the 2010 Eau Sauvage Extreme and how it relates to the 1966 OG, at least we are in the same ballpark (or art gallery if you prefer).

Ramon is a genius, and I'm not saying that based on just this piece where he's snuck in a few famous antiques that he's modernized and made wearable in these so-called "modern" times. What's most interesting is that the "old guys" rotate and take turns one after the other, like on a merry-go-round. 10/10 and of course only for men 💪, aunties and horny teenagers STOP.

Refreshing for summer, a well-blended pomelo grapefruit fragrance.

This scent is really interesting on my skin. It opens with a very clear lime peel note — cool, zesty, and slightly sharp, almost like the essential oil from fresh lime leaves. After about 15 minutes, I start to notice a soft grassy tone with a light sweetness from orange. It actually reminds me of the feeling of zesting lime over the cheesecakes my mom used to make. A really nice fragrance for hot days. Longevity is around 7 hours on my skin, which is pretty good for a fresh everyday scent.

A fresh fragrance that doesn’t vanish by noon, true to its name, 10 Fresh Notes is a symphony of crisp, clean accords. While many fresh fragrances fade quickly, this one lingers quite well. The sillage is moderate yet confident, making it ideal for close encounters without overwhelming a room. It’s the perfect companion for hot summer days, office environments, or casual outings. A versatile gentlemen fragrance worth an investment.