Zino by Davidoff

Lavender, Rosewood, Clary Sage, Bergamot.
Geranium, Rose, Muguet, Jasmine.
Patchouli, Cedar, Sandalwood and Vanilla.

Cigars, cigarettes, tiparillos? Cigars, cigarettes, tiparillos? Do you remember those commercials? That's what Zino by Davidoff reminds me of. Zino Davidoff seems to have been quite the character himself. Images of him as an older gentleman have him looking as robust as the fragrance that bears his name. He became a purveyor of smoke instead of the dentist his mother wanted him to be. Ironically, he was to be inside peoples mouths in a different fashion his mother envisioned. His love of cigars culminated in the creation of Zino the fragrance.

Zino opens with a moist woody lavender that's spiced up in grand fashion. It unfolds in a large manner like a mushrooming puff of smoke. It has density and the tobacco accord could not be restrained even if the Secret Police were called in to curtail its arrival.

The sage and geranium act as an accord irritant and add a prickly and edgy element. The moist tobacco quality dissipates with the arrival of additional wood notes. Rosewood gives Zino gravity and is embellished nicely from cedar. The heart of Zino reminds me of a room where men have smoked numerous cigars, possibly the previous day and the remnants of their socializing blends with the wooden furniture and ornamentation. Zino surely isn't for everyone, but I surmise that the inspiration of this scent knew that beforehand.

Zino wafts along into the base and drydown  basically unchanged from its inception. True, the dampness has departed and Zino depends upon spicy wood and earth tones to carry it through to the finish. The patchouli seems to be well tuned here and adds just enough to perpetuate Zino's character.

It's now safe to say that if you need a cigar, cigarette or tiparillo, just reach for the Zino instead and give your lungs a break. Sillage is good and longevity is about 5 hours on my skin.

Thumbs up from Aromi for the smokeless smoke in the black bottle.