Parco Palladiano V: Lauro Bottega Veneta 2016

My first fragrance was the good old Boss in the mid-80s. A simply designed bottle, straightforward yet a scent I will never forget. Since then, I have tested, bought, and sprayed - I don't know how many - fragrances, but the longer I do this, the harder it becomes to find something truly new. It feels like everything has already been done or smelled.

Of course, the industry itself can't reinvent the wheel. There are countless ingredients that can be mixed in different ways, but eventually, all possibilities are exhausted, and new creations inevitably resemble a fragrance that already exists or existed in at least a similar form. There are certainly trends, like the Oud in recent years, which nearly every manufacturer incorporated into their 14th flanker, but otherwise...?

As I get older, I no longer seek out fragrances that run around like a loudspeaker, shouting everything left and right. I appreciate sillage and longevity, but there is still a fine line between being intrusive and subtle.

And so I ultimately stumbled upon the Parco Palladiano line from Bottega Veneta. Two years ago, I was fascinated by the bottle because it looks like a glass into which numerous prisms have been cut. An optical highlight, without a doubt. The price scared me off so much back then that I didn't even test it. This time - and as I said, in search of something special - I allowed myself to be tempted into a blind purchase, which created a mix of bad feelings and anticipation until delivery.

The unboxing itself is unspectacular; for the price, I expected more than a plain cardboard box. Even though I don't care for velvet boxes, I throw both types straight into the trash. Still, a little appreciation for the consumer would have been nice.

The bottle, yes, as mentioned, very attractive, yet here too is a point of criticism: the cap. While visually adapted to the bottle, removing and replacing it just doesn't match the price. Too tight, too heavy, you have to apply some force. A magnetic closure would certainly better reflect Bottega Veneta's own standards. However, the sprayer does a good job and releases the contents with vigor into the air. Wait a moment, let it settle, and then take a deep breath.

Classified as spicy-green, I would perhaps add woody, initially maybe even slightly fresh, definitely pleasant, and super pleasant. A true nose-pleaser. I can't detect the announced rosemary. Sage can quickly become annoying if too prominent (like in throat lozenges), but here it is finely dosed and combined with bay leaf, creating a fantastic composition. Green fragrances are often risky because they can drift into mustiness, but here, let me say in advance, that doesn't happen even after hours.
To me, the fragrance feels soothingly calming. It's not a forest walk in the usual sense, as it's too light, but with the aforementioned "freshness," perhaps better expressed as "lightness." PP V Lauro doesn't overwhelm you in the thicket or in the moss; despite its green character, it carries energy.

I find myself repeatedly enjoying the scent. When I sit down, a little whiff wafts from my open shirt into my nose. Lauro is classic without being boring. It feels very natural compared to many synthetics. Omnipresent, but never intrusive or loud. A statement without making a grand entrance. The fragrance doesn't need to do that; it works just fine as it is. Passing by others, it leaves a fine impression without overwhelming anyone. It simply makes its mark. Very, very elegant, very successful.

Throughout the day, the lightness gives way to a slightly intensified green, and the woody undertones present from the beginning become more pronounced, emphasizing the masculine character. Lauro carries me through the day and is still my companion at dinner.

At the beginning, I mentioned that more or less every fragrance has been done before in some way or another. And yes, of course, there are plenty of green fragrances from other brands, yet this one is something special. Because the complete arrangement is nearly perfect for me. A real blockbuster. The fragrance scores full marks with me; I simply can't find a point of criticism.

Sillage and longevity can be individually increased depending on the desired dosage. However, overdoing it in terms of fogging does not match Lauro's character. Normally, it lasts 10 hours, which is quite decent.

I have already expressed my thoughts on the bottle.

Now we need to talk about the price. Okay, the bottle isn't off the shelf, but the people at Bottega Veneta are charging according to the motto "take it from the living; the dead don't pay anymore." 170 bucks for 50ml is absolute pain threshold. Yes, other niche products also come with a similar price tag, and yes, luxury always sells. However, one shouldn't push the patience and willingness to buy of consumers to the limit, because once it's crossed, you've lost the customer.

A fragrance with a unique selling point that I will surely enjoy wearing in the fall and winter!