Citrus Batikanga Maison Crivelli 2019

I tried the entire eau de parfum collection by Maison Crivelli, and while I enjoyed the journey, none of them truly captured my heart.

Citrus Batikanga evokes two things for me: the zoo near the big cat enclosures, with its distinctly animalic scents, despite the lemon trying to lighten it; and the overcrowded subway, where I often find myself stuck in the unpleasant armpit zone due to my small stature. This fragrance gives off a sweaty and macerated vibe, albeit with a touch of sophistication. It's not for me, clearly.

A simple-minded beginning turned into a refined love. One of the most beautiful fresh citruses.

The glow of Northern icy fields on a fruit from the South. Lemon trees with a glitter of fresh snow.

Impossible to stop smelling it. Addictive. A delicate, clean scent, yet not a cleanser.

Organic and sparkling. Bright, yet with the wisdom of the old world.

Citrus Batikanga is a summery citrus that is dark, and macho, and animalic without being overwhelming or off-putting in hot weather. The orange is truly, mouth-puckeringly bitter, almost like tasting the rind, rather than the pulp. And the pimento adds to the darkness in there, a darkness like a summer day in Japan in the rainy season, hot, but wet, and cloudy, and moody. As it evolves, the vetiver and myrrh add to the impression of a macho guy walking outside in a summer day, well-groomed, but sweaty. Sweaty, yes, but even for someone as snotty as me, an absolute hater of anything that resembles BO, the perspiration of a man who still tries to be neat and clean in the merciless heat; almost as if the sweat has been innoculated against its more disturbing, human odors, and all that remains are the salty citrus coated pheromones, beckoning you on. A different take on the summer citrus brought to you by one of my favorite parfumers, B. Duchafour.

I liked this—the citrus and pepper are present from the beginning, with bit of spicy warmth added by the fenugreek maybe? I love rhubarb so was hoping to get that, but I didn’t. I found it very pleasant and a bit different from the usual. It reminded me of the cologne my first boyfriend wore in the 1980s—Jacomo by Jacomo. The longevity isn’t remarkable and it mellows out to a skin scent quite quickly.

For someone who doesn't like citrus, Citrus Batikanga is nice enough. My issue with citrus notes is that I associate them with sporty, blue men's colognes. This citrus is softened and mediated in equal parts with all the spices. It actually smells really savory and edible—like a spice blend you'd find at Trader Joe's to sprinkle over fish. That sounds terrible, I know. But it's just a very culinary scent.

*First written Aug 24, 2023