Pompelmo Pepe

Tried from a small tester bottle, and immediately fell in love. Checked the price... yeah, that makes sense! Very sophisticated citrus fragrance. Unique. Bitter and sweet. Sits in the same family as Sycomore by Chanel and a distant cousin of 4711 cologne.

The opening of Pompelmo Pepe, with its big lemon, big grapefruit, and big pink pepper, makes it a bit too harsh and almost functional in feel. I like my citruses more nuanced, softened around the edges and contrasted with more bergamot, perhaps. I can't help but to feel that I am smelling a Mrs. Meyer's hand soap here. The ad copy states "lively jolt" and I do get a jolt all right. As the top notes settle, which to my surprise took some type, there is a rather flamboyant lily of the valley accord, again, reminding me of a cheap scented soap. There is just nothing measured here; it's as if all the levels are in the red at the mixing table, and there is olfactory distortion. The relief only comes well into its dry down, when the aftermath of the "jolt" eases into pleasant woodiness.