Manhattan

This is for the newly released Manhattan EDP. As with all Roja’s it’s blended really well, but I was surprised that it jumped straight to the base notes for me. I didn’t get any of the listed notes from the top or mid. Due to it being largely a tobacco and vanilla fragrance I was immediately reminded of Tobacco Vanille, but whereas the latter is quite sharp and obnoxious, I find that this is mor refined, well blended, and slightly powdery. I recently sold my Tobacco Vanille and so I will put this on my list of fragrances I’d like to purchase, but if you have a full bottle of Tobacco Vanille I would suggest holding tight as there are similarities. I also find that for a Roja fragrance it’s one of the cheaper options, considering his other 100ml fragrances retail for £595 here in the UK. I know that this is an EDP and the others are Parfums, but as with Roja fragrances you do get the experience of the presentation and quality (I know some disagree and find it a cash grab, but each to their own). Edit: So my above review was for the first couple of minutes that it sat on the back of my hand. The tobacco and vanilla are prominent throughout, but in the opening it’s lighter and slightly powdery, probably from the bergamot in the opening and florals in the mid. When it dries down it gets denser. It becomes more spicy due to the cinnamon, clove and ginger. It also becomes woodier and I can pick up on the vetiver. In all honesty, I prefer the opening. The dry down smelled more masculine and kind of reminded me of a vintage fragrance due to its density. It’s all personal preference, some may prefer the dry down, but for me I preferred its opening. 6/7 hours longevity and I could smell wafts of it every time I moved.

What an absolute treat of a fragrance! For the past few years, Manhattan Parfum from Roja Parfums has a been a grail of mine. Why would I get this when an EDP version is on the market and is much less expensive? Manhattan Parfum brings the joy, elegance, and mysteriousness of Manhattan nights to life. A sophisticated identity is created by tobacco, vanilla, and cinnamon. This is the opposite of an overly heavy tobacco scent as a light, airy green quality surrounds the tobacco note, adding some versatility. So what’s different to the EDP? Having tested this next to the EDP some time ago, it’s obviously the same DNA and almost the same smell. However, the Parfum is more mysterious. The vanilla and lavender aren’t as heavy as I find in the EDP. While a lot of sweetness is present in the Parfum, there is a dry cocoa effect in the background that draws me in with every smell. What puts the Parfum head and shoulders over the EDP is the depth and how smooth the blend is from top to bottom. Not only this, the Parfum lasts a lot longer on my skin. Fragrance is an experience that should make you feel confident. The power of scent can place you in a specific setting. For me, Manhattan evokes the image of sipping on a premium whiskey while smoking a cigar, elegantly dressed, in the most luxurious Manhattan lounge, as the holiday season approaches.

Fragrance lovers...this is an excellent scent! It may not be for some but the man who decides to procure this will love it after a few wears; I've received unsolicited compliments in business meetings about this fragrance. It may be my body chemistry, but I was told I smelled like a CEO...and to be frank, I am a CEO...Lol. Trust me, this is a steal---price is debatable, I get it...remember, you are paying for the presentation as well as the scent! I never wear fragrances for compliments...I wear fragrances because they enhance my mood and it adds to my overall demeanor and personality---a gentlemen! Sample this and let me know what you think...I think this is a stunner! My wife loves this on me and she rarely compliments me on most of my fragrances! To be honest, I believe most women will not like this on some men because they are use to the sweeter scents that are produced in this era. However, women who work in the office or business environment will love this type scent on a man...it smells like success and a man who is well-groomed and know who is is in life! For me it's a great mood enhancer. Smell great fragrance lovers...do you "market research" before purchase, please! Q-Scents!

Manhattan Parfum is by no means unique in the context of 21st century fragrance releases, but in my opinion, it is the best executed creation in its category. Since release, it has garnered fair attention for being similar to the likes of vanilla + tobacco favourites such as Tobacco Vanille, Arabesque and Herod. It opens boozy, with restrained lashings of sweet cinnamon, chunky pipe tobacco and dark woody notes, while an undercurrent of sweet, fluffy creaminess peers through and introduces itself. Over the course of the next few hours, the dry-down becomes sweeter, more custardy and even chocolatey, while retaining some of the woodier notes and the slightest sense of an aromatic freshness. Absolutely delicious. It is an interesting wearing experience also, as for the first hour or two, it sits very close to skin. However, as the day goes on, the scent bubble grows and the fragrance becomes quite noticeable within in arms-length. As tested over multiple wearings, the scent consistently lasted for slightly over 12 hours on skin.

I am in actual shock, I owned the EDP for a short while and now I finally could buy the parfum. This version is much deeper, it has a rum and cocoa vibe to it which I do not pick up with the EDP. Inevitably the same dna, just much more refined also. I am not trying to make an attempt at justifying a obsurd price for this version, especially with the exclusivity of it, but as a collector and enthusiast, it is certainly an upgrade and I do not regret purchasing it.