Bowling Green by Geoffrey Beene

Orange, Basil, Bergamot, Fruit Notes, Juniper, Lemon, Pimento, Clove, Vetiver.
Verbena, Artemesia, Cardamom, Cinnamon, Jasmine, Lavender, Pine Needles, Nutmeg, Sage, Oakmoss.
Rosemary, Amber, Cedar, Fir, Patchouli, Sandalwood, Geranium, Coriander, Rosewood, Moss.

Listed above is an impressive array of notes from the mid eighties. The formula I'm reviewing is a 1987 vintage bottle and I have no idea how it stacks up to newer releases of Bowling Green. The reason that doesn't matter is simple enough. The only times I need to emphasize "vintage" is if the fragrance I'm referring to is so good that it would stand to reason a "reformulation" would be ( at least ) a slightly inferior representation. In the case of Bowling Green, I find it a worthy scent, but not something that would or could be desecrated by changes. I suppose it's always a good idea ( if possible ) to do side by side comparisons.

As you can probably tell already, Bowling Green is coniferous, but not necessarily in a conventional way. Aesthetically, the bottle and name may lead one to believe that it's light, breezy and custom made for spring and summer. That's only true in part. Bowling Green does perform in the warmer months, but it has more gravity than one might think. In truth, this is an all season fragrance that wears a bit dense, yet doesn't possess the longevity due to it's EDC strength. The EDT is something I'd like to eventually try and see where ( if any ) differences lay.

Bowling Green opens with an eye opening shot of spicy citrus and the suggestion of fruit. The rendition of fruit in this reminds me somewhat of Etienne Aigner's releases of Statement and Private Number. This is a very full bodied opening accord that has more spices, herbs, earth tones and the aspect of pine quickly on the way. Instead of in your face "green", this is simply accented by it on my skin.

Bowling Green EDC doesn't possess the longevity to satisfy this wearer, but it does smell very pleasant while it lasts. The woods, spice and earthiness that I keep expecting in the base and beyond simply lacks the power to be anything but a skin scent much too quickly. On the other hand, if I'm looking to wear a scent that lasts barely 2 hours before morphing into an intimate aroma, this would be a strong candidate. Neutral rating from Aromi due to longevity issues and as I always do, allow me to strongly recommend a sample wear before purchase.

Comments

Black Suede by Avon

Nutmeg, Clove, Amber, Musk, Moss, Wood Notes. Yes.........I am reviewing one of the Rodney Dangerfield's of fragrance. Black Suede has been gracing medicine cabinets, for better or worse, since 1980 my friends. If you're expecting me to inform you ( like others may have already ) that Black Suede is a nasty scrubber, you will be disappointed. On the other hand, if you're expecting a glowing review claiming it's a diamond in the rough, you won't hear that from me either. I will say though that Black Suede doesn't deserve the hate it's received and most of that is due to snobbery aimed at Avon products in general. I kid you not when I state that a close relative to this fragrance is Cacharel Pour L'Homme. The array of spice in both ensure comparison, but the "smoother" of the two is Black Suede due to its implementation of Amber. While wearing Black Suede, one can detect a hint of "drugstore". That quality doesn't manife...

Chanel copying Guerlain. Why?

Last month, I had the pleasure of trying Comète by Chanel, the latest addition to their prestigious Les Exclusifs line. This fragrance follows the release of Le Lion in 2020, another standout in the same collection. Like Le Lion , Comète is a beautiful perfume that captures the essence of Chanel’s refined elegance. However, both fragrances bear a striking resemblance to classic creations by Guerlain, leading me to ponder the direction Chanel is taking. Chanel has a great fragrance history. Not as hallowed and old as Guerlain but for past three decades it has far outshone Guerlain. In my view, no other perfume house has come close to Chanel’s excellence in this century. This makes their recent approach of echoing Guerlain classics somewhat perplexing. Have they run out of fresh ideas? Is Roger Dove at the helm of their fragrance division, or have they perhaps...

Teatro Alla Scala - Krizia

I tried Comete by Chanel today and wanted to write about how Chanel is going by the way of Roger Dove - copying old masterpieces. I did not know where to post that and then I realized I have been neglecting this blog. When I logged in I saw an unfinished post I wrote a year ago about Teatro Alla Scala by Krizia. Teatro is the best full bodied floral - better than any Chanel or Patou. Even better than Gucci L'Arte. A brief background: Teatro Alla Scala is an Opera theatre in Milan. The bottle's design is an homage to the theatre and the perfume an homage to its sophisticated patrons. I wanted to write a symphony for it. Maybe some day. For now here are few notes I wrote comparing EDT vs EDP. And if you don't have Teatro, your wardrobe is incomplete Rose, Jasmine, Tuberose. Jammy berries (more in EDP) . Honey note listed is probably the jammy part Vetiver & moss - more in EDT Rose and carnation is more than jasmine and that is what separates it from other florals like J...

Il Mondo di Odore

Search This Blog