M de Morabito

This is an edited review ( January 7,2011) of M de Morabito I initially completed in 2009. The review was scathing and only now do I know that my first review was courtesy of a "bad" sample. I am sure of this because I recently ( an inadvertently) acquired a bottle of this vintage juice. When I saw what I had done, I thought " Oh God, no......", but......it was too late and the transaction irreversible.

Well, surprise, surprise......when it arrived, I was naturally in dismay and looked at the bottle. Not daring to spray it because of memory's sake, I sniffed the sprayer. My eyebrows scrunched up and I thought, " Some of this is familiar, but only some....." So.....I manned up and shot a huge spritz on my arm. I was at home and the sink was close by to scrub it off, so why not......

I immediately remembered the powerhouse aura from the turned sample, but instead of an old-man, musty smelling skankasaurus, this was completely intact and apparently had its original integrity. I can safely say that because memory serves me very well when it comes to unpleasant aromas. A blast of herbaceous, spicy citrus enveloped me in the way only a classically designed masculine can. The top accord is bittersweet within minutes due to the heart accord unfolding. I attribute this to Marigold and Narcissus.

The accords are as follows :
Topnotes : Blackcurrant, Marigold, Mandarin
Heart : Jasmin, Peony, Hyacinth, Tea, Rose, Narcissus, Freesia 
Base : Amber, Civet, Peach, Musk, Sandalwood

This is an animalic woody amber scent with herbal overtones. No one dares make juice like this anymore. Freesia further enables the herbal path with peony and jasmin lending just enough sweet and spicy to be noticed. The rumbling of civet is underneath all of this action and will not be denied. After 5 minutes, the civet comes to the fore and sits aloft the mild spice, florals and herbal tones. This is old school for sure, but very good indeed. One need only one big spray of M de Morabito and then enjoy the ride.

It takes awhile for the drydown to appear on me. It's pleasant and a little less animalic due to the civet lowering its volume. The sandal is hard pressed even in the base accord to really get any recognition, but a soft musky amber picks up the slack. Suffice it to say that M de Morabito is an animalic powerhouse that needs a judicious hand when applying it. Unique but classic construction that has put a smile on my face.......and also made me feel like an ass due to the original review I gave it.

My apologies to the house of Morabito. Big thumbs up from Aromi for M de Morabito.