Coriolan by Guerlain

Bergamot, Lemon Leaves, Neroli, Sage, Citrus.
Ginger, Juniper, Nutmeg, Ylang-Ylang, Wormwood, Sandalwood, Basil, Pepper, Coriander.
Patchouli, Vetiver, Benzoin, Leather, Oakmoss.

Coriolan is named after a Roman General who lived in the 5th century before Christ. Coriolan, the fragrance, to me at least is a tale of 2 scents and it's perfectly fitting, since the ancient General had 2 important chapters in his life. One as a hero who was then exiled. The next commanding enemies of Rome to besiege the city. I wouldn't go so far to say that Coriolan performs, on my skin, like a schizophrenic fragrance, but I do find it a bit disjointed.

I was under the incorrect impression, before ever wearing Coriolan, that it would be akin to Derby or at least share some continuity with it. As it happens, I find these 2 completely and utterly different in every way. Coriolan opens with a bracing and sharp citrus accented with spices and herbs. It's good mind you, but in an old school fashion and aficionados of contemporary scents may be taken by surprise by its classic nature.

Where most Guerlain's are smooth, placid or flowing, Coriolan is rugged, staccato and masculine. It's not brutish, but had I smelled this blind, I would've never credited this to the house of Guerlain. The citrus, herbs and spices are balanced as good as you would expect them to be. The slightly jagged opening and heart give way to more earth tones in the base and beyond, yet these are of a more comfortable nature and seem like different personalities. Maybe it's in keeping with the theme or perhaps I am clueless to what the actual goal was in creating Coriolan. Regardless, this masculine is as good or better as others in its genre and time period, yet never got off the ground.

Sillage is acceptable or perhaps better, but isn't loaded with presence. Longevity seems to be a tad thin at 3 hours, but lingers a few more as a pleasant skin scent. Thumbs up from Aromi for Guerlain's unsung Coriolan and a very strong suggestion to sample before purchase.

Comments

Oriental Lounge by The Different Company

Bergamot, Curry Leaf, Pepper, Red Rose, Tonka Bean, Labdanum, Satinwood. I suppose the first thing I noticed about Oriental Lounge is that as a man, this is a bit of a stretch to pull off. Since the core of Oriental Lounge is a powdery tonka and amber duo, it really does lean a bit too far feminine for me to wear. However, it would smell just as lovely on a woman and more appropriate as well. I bring this up simply because it's marketed as shared. I was wondering about the curry leaf. Actually, this "note" brought nothing to the table with the exception of possibly enhancing the pepper note just a bit. Even so, the pepper note itself was low key ( at least on me ) and both blended nicely with the citrus opening. From the onset of Oriental Lounge, it's unmistakable that this fragrance is.......well.....an oriental. From other opinions, I read some gripes about longevity, but it lasts on me quite awhile. This fragrance is uncomplicated and without much movemen...

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...

Paco Rabanne Pour Homme

I am reviewing the original Paco Rabanne Pour Homme ( circa 1973 ) thanks to a generous basenoter who sent it to me recently in a swap. He also sent me the current formulation in order for me to do a side by side comparison. The side by side resulted in what I had already imagined would be the case. Not that the newer formula is terrible by any means. The original version simply is better by being deeper and a bit more masculine. No......you shouldn't go to ebay searching for the vintage formula and paying stupid prices. It's simply a notch or two better than the current and noticeable by comparing the two in real time. Rabanne Pour Homme opens with a slight shimmer in conjunction with lavender, spices and a subtle woodiness. It's an old school introduction, however a good one. The lavender takes about 5 minutes to raise its volume and evolve into a soapy rendition. I dislike when a boatload of soapy lavender takes over a composition, but here it doesn't go over t...

Il Mondo di Odore

Search This Blog