E Star Five

E*5

Cerchi Nell'Acqua 2013

Enrico Buccella's brand Cerchi nell'acqua blooms quite in the shadows, not too many know it, and marketing doesn't seem to be very active either; the messages about the fragrances are often crude and clumsy translations of the flowery Italian embellishments, and the website seems to have not been updated for a while, neither "E*5" nor other newer fragrances can be found there. At least Aus Liebe zum Duft carries 18 (!) different fragrances from the brand and also provides scent impressions and accompanying information in the blog, which is once again very commendable.

So we learn that "E*5" was created for the fifth anniversary of the fragrance fair "Esxense." During a stroll through the aisles of exhibitors, there must have been a lot of citrus, spicy, and balsamic notes flowing into Signore Buccella, because that is how I perceive this fragrance over time.

The opening starts off highly appealing and charming with the classic combination of bergamot, lemon, and neroli. I am a bit surprised that besides bitter orange, petitgrain and neroli (oils from the bitter orange) are also listed at the top of the pyramid; if this information comes from the perfumer himself, he probably wanted to accurately express that everything possible and available from this classic direction is indeed included, and we should not expect anything sour, modern "fresh," or squeaky, but rather an almost oily, very pleasantly juicy and full hesperidic note that conveys a very pleasant impression of quality, fullness, and excellent composition. This opening, almost immediately reliably supported by soft-creamy notes of patchouli and sandalwood, constitutes the charm and allure of this fragrance; it reminds me of the quality and craftsmanship of vintage classics like "Eau Fraîche" or other soft-creamy citrus head-note artists - very pleasing and inviting!

As we move to the heart note, there are subtle notes of lavender and garden carnation added, which do not scream loudly floral at all, but rather support the round soft vintage feeling (especially the lavender) and give the fragrance a slightly greener and herbaceous hue. On the other hand, coriander and pink pepper provide a spicy rounding, gently supported by a velvety cinnamon note. And the fragrance then also fades softly, creamy, and balsamically, with bright-soft-woody tones and patchouli (ALzD lists amber and moss in a slightly differing pyramid, which I also perceive).

Even in the current cold, it is very pleasantly enveloping and friendly brightening; the fragrance will certainly be very refreshing and flattering to wear on warmer or even hot days with its creamy-soft-juicy citrus character. I am very much looking forward to it!