Cielito Lindo

The latest release from Rasei Fort (owner/perfumer of Fort & Manle) under his own brand, Cielito Lindo, originally released earlier this year as a 100ml EDP but was since re-released as a 50ml extrait. It is inspired by a love story set in Guanajuato, Mexico, and is a boozy, sweet, resinous, and somewhat floral mix, featuring notes of tequila, labdanum, rose, tonka, cinnamon, and caramel. The sweeter side of it is very sweet, sort of the fancifully confectionary side of liquor broadened by resins, but it is balanced significantly by the spicy floral side of tequila, which has its own sweetness but is largely tart and floral in real life and that comes through in the in the fragrance, as well. It definitely leans sharp rather than dull, and it captures the biting side of tequila in a way that is softened by some the sweeter side of the tonka and labdanum. Overall, it’s a fun, artistic, high-performing exploration of tequila and resins in fragrance with just the right amount of sweets and spices to make the blend feel grounded while still innovative. It’s emblematic of Rasei’s creativity both in Fort & Manle and his own named line that includes Kolonya and La Whatever. Certainly I’d recommend checking this out. Cielito Lindo is sold in the US via Tigerlily and Luckyscent at $150 for 50ml, as well as via the Fort & Manle website. 8 out of 10

I had a feeling that I would love this, hence the reason I ordered a sample. Cielito Lindo is a moment - and emotion - captured in a scent. It's like a balmy summer night with a sultry stranger, who smells of the world's best tobacco - offering to buy you the best shot of tequila in the house. And just like that stranger it's romantic, sensual, and maybe a little bit dangerous. This beauty opens with a heavy shot of tequila and lime at the beginning, but then a decent slice of vanilla a cinnamon is served shortly after. At this time it becomes this balmy, aromatic cloud that's equal parts calming and arousing - basically witchcraft in a bottle. It's a seductive scent, and I wouldn't be surprised if this garnered compliments - and then some! I know for a FACT that I'm grabbing a bottle when I get the chance!

Remember Anthony Bourdain Parts Unknown? No reservations? I'll come back to Tony in a minute. Cielito Lindo is made up of many things you would be familiar with by themselves that somehow in the hands of Rasei Fort capture something so special. This manages to bottle the smells of traveling through a new place and getting lost and everything blending together, familiar things food being cooked, drinks being shared fun being had and all those smells and sites of a new place will forever be remembered you can still smell those places when you close your eyes. That is what you get here that jolt of adventure and excitement new yet familiar. Tony showed us that in his TV shows just like Rasei Fort shows us in his perfumes especially this one go out find a sample or better support good art and get a bottle.

I just received this today, I absolutely love it. I just want to share my initial thoughts upon first spraying this - bear in mind I have the 50ml extrait which I believe is the same, only more concentrated. This, to me, for the first hour or so, smells like Christmas. Specifically Stollen, the German spiced fruit bread/cake laced with booze. The cinnamon must give it that spicy feel, I honestly feel like there should be some type of dried fruit note to this. It's such a well blended, beautiful scent. The ambergris is present for me but I think that gives it the salty vibe, as if you are doing a shot of tequila in Mexico. Really beautiful, and totally unisex IMO.

Cielito Lindo by Rasei Fort is an incredibly artistic fragrance. The tequila note is prominent, but is balanced by spice, especially cinnamon, vanilla, and tonka beans, as well as the most beautiful rose note. This fragrance really takes you on a journey and you can almost feel the warm Mexican sun as you drink in this gourmand gem. A hidden masterpiece. 10/10