Wad

Beautiful opening. It smells like warm, salty sand with hints of mellow nutmeg between the grains. A warm, creamy yet not off-putting ambergris rounds off the salty edges to make this a very smooth, pleasant scent. Oddly, the ambergris smells smoky, as if it has been charred without losing it's marine properties. What's most impressive is the sisal rope note. It's an accord I have never smelled before, but it's executed to perfection. You get a fibrous, woody, almost 'plasticky' smell of old, worn rope, beaten by the harsh sun over the years. I believe this plastic-like smell is what gives out the smoky, charred smell too. It makes you picture a desolate, stormy beach, flat and wide. There is nobody to be seen, and only some ropes and cloth flailing about in the grey wind and drizzling rain. The beach is enclosed by an ominous wall of pine trees, which waft some of their dry, aromatic air your way, combining with the sea wind. There is an earthy, organic undertone, like clean, salty seaweed and mineral-saturated silt. I also get a savoury vegetal vibe. Not just seaweed, but also sage and maybe tarragon—the type of bitter, umami herbs you would use in cooking, filled with even more salt by the sea breeze. Although easily confused with the sharp saltiness, I feel like there is citrus in here too. It's a very sour, sharp type of citrus, like lemon, which blends into and amplifies the sandy accord. The woody element in the base of the scent is not, at first, modern or traditional at all. It smells like a clean piece of driftwood washed up on the beach and got caked with a crusty salt build up—almost enough to bite your nose. As it dries, it becomes a more familiar clean pine scent. There is a subtle oud too. It is a smooth, synthetic, light oud, which serves to add a sense of darkness to the base of the smell without it dominating. Unlike any aquatic smell I have ever put my nose on, even other bizarre niche ones like Zoologist's Squid. Reminds me of Le Sel d'Issey, but goes in a more creative, complex, and niche direction. Dry down: Gets more 'easy' over time. The rope accord becomes lighter, more 'clean' and woody. The bergamot or lemon starts to shine through more, and gets less aggressive and salty. The seaweed and herbs get less umami, and more fresh or clean. Woodiness now dominates the smell—a clean, dry, slightly mineralic pine trunk is what I picture. It reminds me as if the wind calms down, the rain stops and the sun breaks through the gloomy grey clouds, to give you a sense of hope and optimism again. Very dynamic development. Changes moods, scents and main accords quite a lot throughout it's longevity, which is great too. Very pleasant. Use cases: Best in mild and warm weather. Unusual, but not too aggressively bizarre—has a small reminder of traditional salty and fresh accords used in designer perfumery, but steered in a more bold, imaginative direction. I see it best worn on a walk along the beach, or walking in the rain whilst the weather is dramatic and overcast. You could probably pull it off in public without getting strange looks too. It is much lighter and easy to enjoy in it's sillage, although still unique and interesting. Leans masculine, especially compared to the current market, but anybody can wear this. Feels quite strong. Has a bold, atmospheric, ominous presence.

Recently I received a sample of a Van De Zotte fragrance, and it quickly became clear that this is not just another decent scent, but a perfume with soul and a very clear artistic vision. From the very opening, something.When I first tried Wad Van De Zotte by Van De Zotte, I expected a classic "salty" scent, but I got something so much more. This isn't a postcard beach scent; this is the smell of the raw, untamed coast. There is that unique scent of dead seaweed and algae, which sounds unusual but is actually incredibly appealing and authentic. The most fascinating part is the sisal rope accord. It smells fibrous, woody, a little "plasticky," like old, worn rope beaten by the sea and sun over the years. This note gives the perfume character and boldness. In the heart, there's a touch of nutmeg, which brings warmth and reminds me of dusty, old fishermen's sheds.This is not a fragrance that tries to impress loudly; it is one that builds patiently and leaves a deep, subtle impression. As time goes on, the composition remains smooth and balanced, without harsh notes or aggressive transitions. Everything feels wearable, natural and unobtrusive, yet clearly distinctive. For this reason, I consider Van De Zotte to be a perfect summer fragrance — ideal for long walks, travel, sunny mornings with coffee, late afternoons by the sea and quiet evenings when you want a scent that doesn’t distract you, but completes you. Projection is pleasant and moderate, noticeable to others without ever becoming overwhelming. Longevity is very good for this type of fresh and airy fragrance, leaving a beautiful clean trail on the skin for hours. After finishing the sample, I added it to my wish list without hesitation. This is the kind of perfume you return to again and again because it always gives you the same feeling of calm, comfort and understated joy. Van De Zotte has truly won me over and will certainly become part of my collection in the future.I haven't found any downsides to this perfume yet😇💪 Bravo @Van de Zotte

oh, wow. i received this as a freebie with a sample order; i'd never heard of the brand or perfume itself before, and after looking it up and seeing the notes and the comparisons to orto parisi's megamare, i passed the sample over to my other half as megamare is his signature and i was sure he'd like it. he wore it, and i fell in love with it. this is such an interesting, and beautiful representation, of a grey stormy beach. there's the saltiness of the seaweed and sand alongside the sisal rope - i cannot describe how sisal rope smells, but it has a smell, and you can smell it in Wad quite clearly - and underneath there's this cold, dark smokiness, so juxtaposed from the marine freshness. i don't know how it works but it just does; if i could create the perfect, marine perfume, it would be this. it's so interesting and complex but so wearable and likeable at the same time. 10/10 i want a bottle of this, nevermind my other half. the price is so reasonable though that we could both have one.

I cannot stop sniffing the scarf i sprayed it on. It's a salty, aromatic smell with seaweed and something that, after working on an old motorship for a few months during winter, i can only describe as "old boat smell" (oil and hardwood planks and metal and jute rope all at once maybe?). On my skin it get more of a smokey burning amber note and gets significantly softer, and disappointingly less like the sea. On my clothes it stays sharp and salty and a bit chemical in a good way though, so i guess that's where it goes from now on. Might become a new favorite scent

Really interesting. I get realistic sea notes, seaweed, an almost oily, rubbery or even liquorice smell that reminds me of boats and fishermen wearing rubber boots on wet decks. I think it perfectly captures the vibe of walking our beaches on a windy, grey day. There's pieces of driftwood, seaweed and random nautical trash lying around. If I compare this to Tom Ford's Oud Minérale (another realistic marine scent), this is dirtier and oilier where that is cleaner and sandier. This is weird but addictive. It might actually be my favorite from the sample set.

This is perfect for a summers day. Had it a week now and wearing it every day and got a few compliments... longevity is good and dry down is nice. I like !!

Very unique smell! Really rugged and smokey, but in a sophisticated way

Interesting perfumery and i can appreciate it but it does not suit me. I get hints of salt, licorice, menthol and salmiak, it reminds me of Fisherman's Friend mints. Strong stuff.

Wad by Van de Zotte is a somber take on the modern aquatic fragrance. This isn’t your typical warm, sunny beach scent; instead, it captures the cool, gray, and sometimes stormy side of the sea. Inspired by the Wadden Sea—a unique Dutch coastal area with tidal flats and wetlands—Wad evokes images of sandy shores, seaweed, and the brisk, salty breeze of a northern sea. If you look up pictures of the Wadden Sea, you’ll get a sense of what to expect: rugged, natural, and wild. It’s a bit unusual but still wearable, with each person picking up slightly different notes, which makes it intriguing. Performance is impressive; it lasts all day but has a moderate sillage that seems to drift in and out, surprising you with a whiff hours after application. Wad is definitely not for everyone and probably not an everyday scent, but for fans of bold, atmospheric fragrances, it’s a unique find.

This is your typical Dutch autumn storm beach day alright. Not much sunshine here. Salty seaweed, burnt malt, smoked food. I get a hint of something like anise too. More outspoken than Oud Minérale, more wearable than Megamare.

Lo and behold, my first ever scrubber! Although I am in love with Wild, like Mills and am on the fence with Polder, I unexpectedly really dislike Wad. I'm very used to unisex scents, so that isn't the problem. But it's insanely strong! I think seaweed and sisal just aren't my thing. However as a Dutch person, I think our sea is kind of gross so.. there's that.

Wad is definitely not your regular summery salty aquatic scent. This one is rowdy, like a bearded beachcomber, or a fisherman dragging his boat from the sea onto the beach. For me, Wad encapsulates a fall day at Holland's northern shores (the Wadden), with sweeping winds, dark clouds and furious waves hitting the shore, while in the distance a woodfire smoulders and a local is smoking his freshly caught mackerel just behind the dunes. Not many scents paint such a vivid picture in my mind, but Wad is truly a mesmirizing conceptual olfactory experience. Not for everyone, but definitely a unique masterpiece.