"a hidden treasure.."
I really think this fragrance deserves a good review, because it earns this with both its quality and good scent. Due to not much advertisement efforts from the brand this is not a well known fragrance, was launched in 1993, first and the only fragrance of Joseph Abboud and luckily still in production. It's a spicy woody type fragrance.
Joseph Abboud's blend consist of:
top notes: lemon, orange, basil, bergamot
middle notes: ginger, jasmine, chamomile, black pepper, thyme, violet
base notes: ambergris, cardamom, musk, sandalwood, vetiver, cedarwood
The blend is very nice, in a familiar structure. Quite strong, rich, punchy, spicy but still very well blended and not overwhelming. Despite having lots of strong and pungent notes, everything is in a nice spicy balance. Yes, it's obviously a well spiced blend but not too much. A bit dark, warm and a bit formal. And a real masculine. There is no syntheticness to speak of.
Ok, the blend is very well. How about the scent? Opens with rich citruses along with spices. After some time, all the spices get lighten a bit and settle and accompany the woody notes. It's so nice, neither spices are too strong nor there is a problem with woody notes. Everything is well balanced. If you wonder how does it smell; well, after opening very much like a good whisky scent, a dry, well bodied but not cloying woody fragrance with spices. That sweetish whisky scent never leaves you. Thus giving a nice warmness, this is a very nice winter fragrance, heating you.
It's very surprising and kinda sad to see how famous some fragrances like polo sport, paco rabanne xs became, launching in the same year as joseph abboud, but not itself. I connect this to it's appeal to middle age bunch, rather than the youngsters' perfumes mentioned above. But don't get me wrong, this is not a dated or old fashioned fragrance, suits very well to our days, a nice modern, potent, spicy, masculine fragrance, aimed to serious gentlemans. In this respect, it's really a hidden treasure.
In summary; a real gem for people seeking a nice modern spicy masculine. Much better than most of the other spicy fragrances out there, still not known much. Could be a nice signature scent in my opinion.
Silage is good, longevity is very good. Stays with your skin all day and reminds itself. Scent gets addictive and make you miss it. It seems to be aimed to people at 30 or over. But, I think 25 and over could use it too. Could be used any hours in the day, outdoors or indoors. Being not too formal can be used anywhere. But by being a warm spicy scent, its best to use in cold fall days or in winter.
Olfactory group: Spicy Woody
Scent: very good 8/10
Silage: good 7/10
Longevity: very good 8/10
Quality feel: good 7/10
Recommended: Definitely, before being discontinued every fragrance lovers should try it once.
