Ultima

English fruitcake, Fire, and Ice. Frosty aldehydes juxtaposed against spicy heat. In fact, a truer "Fire & Ice" than Revlons older fragrance with that very same name. Ultima has basically two principal phases, which are its chilly aldehydic opening, and its very warm, resinous drydown, since if not for a very transparent rose and a spicy note of carnation, middle notes would be practically non-existent in this fragrance. It is because of this bypass of middle notes that this fragrance quickly transitions from a dramatic, cool white, powdery opening, to its intensely warm (Hot) amber drydown, which is overflowing with cinnamon, cloves, and candied fruit (sorta like a rum soaked holiday fruitcake), resins like opoponax, and a boozy, sweaty, animalic musk. Bergamot surprisingly runs throughout the entirety of the fragrance, it seems to intensify Ultima's cold facet, and adds a subtle fruity freshness to its heated drydown. Definitely unisex, and by todays standards it could even be said that it leans a tiny bit masculine, probably because of its subtle smokiness, rich woods, and its pronounced patchouli and pimento notes. Ultima by Charles Revson is a delicious and uniquely beautiful oriental composition made from very fine materials. It is like nothing you will ever smell in modern perfumery, a nearly forgotten work of perfumery Art from a bygone era.

Hi @AcrroauParfum, I'm glad you finally got Ultima, a truly beautiful fragrance that I'm sure you will prize having in your collection. I have to disagree with you on the Tabu/Youth-dew "love child" analogy. Yes, these fragrances are all somewhat similar in that all three are very ornate, heavy orientals with a strong vintage slant, but that's where the similarities stop for me, as to my nose all three are quite different at their core. Ultima lacks Tabu's highly distinctive "root beer" note, which in my opinion is what sets Tabu apart from other orientals of its kind, and in the case of Youth Dew, Ultima does not share Youth Dew's unique, intensive cola note, which greatly contributes to Youth Dew's one of a kind personality. So to me, these three are totally different beasts. They may be related as in "family", but they are all completely different in character.

Perfume Oil Roll On version, stored in it's box all these years, just for me (to find on eBay). Absolutely wonderful. A crystalline, womanly, and extremely nostalgic "dress up" fragrance. If I close my eyes, the house is full of energy. . . grownups are talking and laughing. Something special is happening. Mom is wearing eyeliner and she smells. . . so. . . beautiful. Thank you, Mr. Revson.

I’m wearing this fragrance this Christmas! It is a warm, festive delight. The spices, aldehydes, civet, and opoponax create a glittering amber cloud. It is actually my favorite of the classic vintage spice bombs, thanks to its airy yet architectural vibe that to my mind prefigures modern niche approaches to perfume.

I found it in my mother-in-law's closet and fell in love. This is the smell of real "Opium" in the concentration of perfume. It's the smell of my childhood and my mother's youth. It has been perfectly preserved to this day. I admire perfumers from the past. Who can create such a masterpiece now?