I swapped this fragrance in the souk for "Dylan Blue" by Versace (thanks to @Berkantist). Why, you may ask, but I want to bring a bit more clarity to my collection. In the sense that there are fragrances like DB that I do like (or should like), but they feature a note that makes them practically unbearable for me. Fortunately, that is not the case with "Hot Water Night," although the swap did involve a certain risk. But you know: No risk, no fun! ;-)
Like many others here, I am a big fan of the old Davidoff heavyweights from "Cool Water" to "Relax" to "Good Life," of which only the first has stood the test of time. Later on, there was hardly anything interesting for me, similar to Jil Sander, Gucci, Calvin Klein, or YSL. However, just based on the listed fragrance notes, HWN piqued my curiosity, especially since I am not really an oud fan, rarely do without a citrus note, and prefer vetiver fragrances.
In that respect, HWN indeed stands out from the crowd, without being sharp on the nose! ;-) Oud is clearly perceptible from the start but does not have that oriental heaviness like other representatives of this fragrance category. The top note is surprisingly fresh, likely thanks to the pepper, which I would not have expected at all. Only with a lot of imagination can I manage to detect something smoky and leathery, as some of my predecessors here have mentioned. This may be because I am currently in a sort of incense-patchouli phase, and other candidates are much more intense in that regard! ;-) However: If at all, that only comes after one to two hours... and I keep noticing: The name and advertising always influence the evaluation, from which I cannot completely absolve myself.
From the top to the base, HWN is enveloped by a rose - a note that I don't particularly like on its own, but it gives this fragrance a certain playfulness and grace. All in all, HWN is a successful creation from Davidoff for me and is by no means as wintry as it is categorized here. A clear recommendation for perfume lovers like me who do not particularly like oriental fragrances but still appreciate versatility and originality on the perfume shelf. A bit like Pearl Jam recording a jazz album or Tarantino directing a love film! ;-)
