... Elio Berhanyer, according to the Spanish-language Wikipedia, is probably one of the most significant Spanish designers alongside Balenciaga. Listen, listen...
Well, I haven't heard of him, nor of his fragrances, which apparently no one else has tested here either. Another brave blind purchase in one of my favorite vintage perfumeries in Italy (where else...). It wasn't exactly cheap, but with the year of release and the bottle, I thought nothing could go wrong...
Indeed, nothing went wrong, no "bad luck," no "oh dear, that didn't work out," quite the opposite: What is offered here allows Cappellusman to indulge once more and, almost with glassy eyes, forget the troubles and woes of the world. By chance (or rather my ordering behavior), some affordable mainstream fragrances of a younger vintage also arrived today. In direct comparison, my jaw dropped once again. What is this? The downfall of the West? Perverted mass taste? What have we been sold for many years in terms of ordinary and interchangeable scents?
About the fragrance: An opulent-fruity opening, characterized by bergamot (of course). However, it does not develop into the expected classic chypre; instead, it leans more towards fougère. In the drydown, it becomes warm with subtle leather and wood. Magnificent. Completely natural ingredients with a very noble feel. A comparison with "Azzaro pour Homme" is always a bit unfair because the latter is simply too good and distinctive, but HfM almost reaches its quality. This fragrance is a rare gem, yes indeed! I simply have to give it 100%, Vintage junkies: Please step forward!
64€ for 50ml from beautiful Italy is quite a hefty price...