Zanzibar

I received my Zanzibar today in the mail and when I first read the article and description knew this would be my fave of the 4 released so far and I was right... Lemongrass is one of my favorite things; lovely fresh green bracing scent, delicious in thai food, a natural source of citronella and beautiful to look at. I use all natural kitchen cleanser and room spray with natural lemongrass in and it is the cleanest and freshest my home has smelled. The topnotes of this are aromatic and green without being bracing or too sharp and as jeca said fade quickly yet the cucumber softens the green and jasmine sweetens it while the lemongrass keeps the citric freshness throughout and even though the heart is spicy and warm it remains fresh. The nutmeg, cinnamon and clove should be spicy and in your face yet the vanilla smooths them all together in one of the best and comfortable mixes of recent years. The base is slightly incensy but not to smoky due to the prescence of the teak and cedar. Most would consider this a mens fragrance due to the warmth and spices but the overall blend is so soft and even though when I smell my wrists (which I've been doing all day since applying it) I get spicy woody vanilla, as I go about my day and catch a whiff of this it is eternally fresh and clean. This has a close sillage and lasts for a good long time, but is not like most colognes that radiate out and neither is it like an aromatic oil that only you and those you get close to can smell,it's absolutely balanced and feels a part of YOU. Great job, John. Sillage: close but firmly there Longevity: Above average Overall: 4.5/5 This fragrance house is the next big thing, get 'em now before everyone realises how good they are and the price soars...The company really cares about its customers and is for fragrance lovers by a fellow fragrance lover. SWEET...

This is the first of the 4 Yachtsman fragrances I intend to review (thanks for the samples Jon). The first thing I noticed when trying this fragrance was the potency: a small amount was easily detectable. For me there is a soapiness right from the start with this one, which is not unlike Paco Rabanne. This soapiness (which is complemented by a sweet spiciness), is not as sharp as with the Paco and subsides somewhat after a couple of minutes. The spices are complex and well blended: it makes it quite hard for me to pinpoint what exactly I am smelling. The sweetness is not overdone and comes from the floral elements and in particular the jasmine. The cucumber ensures that this is a smooth and refreshing fragrance and helps to 'tie' all the elements together in one exotic-smelling package. The basenotes do not over-exert themselves and as a result the fragrance is well-balanced, pleasant and it keeps its character a long time. On me it has better that average longevity (and my skin tends to 'eat' fragrances). When smelling this I can easily imagine balmy nights in the tropics.

Waited a while before reviewing this as I believe Zanzibar is better suited to men and I wanted to try it on my husband. I agree with the reviews that comment on the vegetal smell but I mostly agree with the reviews that said it reminded them of a spiced soap or scented candle. To me it does remind me of a Christmas spiced candle sitting on a bed of salad. I think the combination of cloves, vanilla and woods mimics a soapy pine scent which my husband said reminds him of pine disinfectant. I think this fragrance works best in warmer weather and on a man's skin as it brings out the spices better especially the cloves. On my skin it was mostly soapy and sweet though I am currently testing it in cool winter weather. When I read the notes for this perfume I was curious but I could tell something about this perfume would be a bit wrong for me. I would have liked more citrus and probably only one or two spices. The Yachtsman perfumes I like for me are Tobago and Cabo. I also like Homeport but it is more Masculine. I think Zanzibar has the weakest sillage of all the range but I think these perfumes were meant to be more like a cologne and the wearer is supposed to enjoy regular, refreshing reapplication. If they were any stronger they would not appeal to the intended buyer. Overall, Jon has succeeded in creating truly wearable and unique unisex fragrances.

I was fortunate enough to receive my Yachtsman samples in the mail today. Great customer service from John Verde! Zanzibar is unlike anything I've tested before and I find it intrigiung as it unfolds. Reading the reviews it seems that personal skin chemistry really influences the development of this fragrance. For me, Zanzibar opened as gourmand with strong cucumber notes, combined with subtle spices, beautifully balanced. Very soon after that I get something else that resembles delicious moist soil or peat. Yet again, this is not overpowering and always balanced with the spices and vanilla. Drydown is a soft and fresh, staying close to the skin leaving me feeling calm and tranquil. Thank you John- Zanzibar has taken me to a lovely place!

My favourite (along with Tobago) is to be defined as a spicey soap. First burst of hot spicies ('Zanzibar') within 10 or more minutes is rounded up with smooth soapy base (Olibanum with white creamy touch?) and that's what I really like. Actually, the pyramid here is quite revealing and let me initially make the right conclusions (partially distracted by some reviews, haha). More appropriate for women than Cabo.