Mini Reviews – Joop, Rasei Fort, Diptyque, Killian

Joop Wow – Surprise designer release 7.5/10

They say to never judge a book by its cover.  Case in point Joop Wow.  I was reticent to try Wow as Joop fragrances are notoriously tooth achingly sweet, and the ad campaign involving a black panther was somewhat cringeworthy.  But try it I did, and I was pleasantly surprised.  A gasoline burst of violet leaf mixed with spiced cardamom at the top allayed my fears.  Fir Balsams in the mid give a pine forest like feel.  It’s all rounded of by a cosy bed of cashmeran and vanilla. It uses some of the elements of Bottega Venetta Pour Homme, Dior Fahrenheit and CH Men, without smelling exactly like any of these fragrances, but it’s in that realm. It works well and is an excellent under the radar release.

Rasei Fort Kolonya – Nostalgic release from Fort and Manle creator 8/10

Kolonya by Rasei Fort of Fort and Manle fame pays homage to his childhood memories of his grandfather’s cologne and the jasmine and lemon trees that grew in his garden. A simpler time. The list of notes in Kolonya is long, but it all blends so seamlessly well that it never gets muddled. Kolonya is and has been a joy to wear with the subtle nuances of citruses, mosses, spices and resins drifting by as the day passed. Kolonya, a fragrance where every note is in its place just like treasured childhood memories of simpler times spent with your grandfather. 

Diptyque 34 Boulevard Saint Germain Edt – All time Diptyque Classic 10/10

Hard to pick a favourite Diptyque, so why not pick one that smells like a Diptyque store. Released in 2011 to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the house and named after the street of the first Diptyque store. The EDT is a warm and inviting woody, resinous, spicy fragrance. There are prominent notes of woods, resins, clove, cinnamon, blackcurrant and cardamom. It never fails to impress, surrounding the wearer in a bubble of Diptyque goodness for its 12-hour lifespan. An all-time classic from the French house.

Kilian Bad Boys are No Good but Good Boys Are No Fun – Flat Cola 2/10

Putting aside the ludicrous name, I thought this was going to be a fun fragrance. It promised a fizzy top that recreated cola. It seems the joke was on me, as it did recreate cola, but flat cola. No fizz in sight. The dry down was equally as poor, recalling a run of the mill designer release you could find in the bargain bin of your local chemist. Poor release from Kilian, and one that doesn’t make me want to seek out the rest of this series that was created for Sephora. Mercifully short lasting.