Coney Island Bond No. 9 2007

On paper, Coney Island should be right up my alley -- fruity-citrus top, cinnamon gourmand middle, sandalwood & vanilla base. Unfortunately, I get a 2-hour wear of some citrusy fruit concoction. To me, this phase of the scent seems more like a B&BW wallflower experiment gone awry than the listed fruit & margarita. Then POOF!, the top is gone, leaving a vague, sweet & woody aftershave that could be worn by someone like Situation Mike.

Was that the margarita, guava and melon that I smelled on top? Because, we all know that Coney Island is associated with tropical fruit drinks, right? (*snark*) The sweet cinnamon gourmand middle? It's not there. How about musk, sandalwood & vanilla? Not detectable to my nose, unless it's those faint base notes, which are definitely on the masculine side of the spectrum. For some reason, this aspect of Coney Island reminds me of Gaultier^2, and not surprisingly I dislike the aftershave that is Gaultier^2 even more than I dislike Coney Island.

Although Coney Island seems to have quality ingredients, the scent is neither compelling nor attractive, although it is interesting & unique, I'll give it that. Quality alone cannot justify a purchase at this price, particularly when the scent experience doesn't match my impression of the place. If anything, the scent experience might be like being inserted into an episode of MTV's Jersey Shore. Perhaps that is the point.

For the last 6 months, Coney Island NIB has been available at about 50% off Bond retail at a major beauty etailer. However, Coney Island is not one to blind buy ... at any price.

* tested manufacturer sample