Archetipo Mendittorosa 2017

One of the most beautiful aspects of our hobby lies in the fact that now and then, in an unforced manner and after unpredictable intervals, fragrance experiences come crashing down on us that shake all our habits and reveal something so new and so beautiful that it urges us to weep from being touched.

Such moments are often triggered by testing completely unknown, unheard brands and names as additions from swap packages: Sometimes, nothing seems better than to quickly spray that little sample down there from the box before heading to work, and then: BAM - there you stand, as if struck by lightning. I had such an experience 13 months ago with "California Snow" by "A Lab on Fire," and as the reviews of that fragrance show, I am not alone in my impression.

Thanks to the generosity of DufterMann, it is once again time. Mendittorosa - never heard of it, Archetipo - sounds quite interesting, but also pretty self-assured. Sprayed on: BANG! WHAT - IN - THE - WORLD - IS - THAT! That others share my impression in this case is shown by the previous comments, especially the one by Floyd, who has been too little acknowledged here so far.

A description of the fragrance is brief; I perceive a wonderful note of conifers, strong, spicy, fresh, which vaguely reminds me of my beloved, but long-used, first sample "Krizia Uomo" (the bottle I subsequently purchased was disappointing in comparison - possibly reformulated or even counterfeit); this is gradually grounded in the truest sense of the word by woody and telluric notes; but this is enchanted wood and the most delicious earth one can imagine.

However, this dry description says absolutely nothing, precisely because it is one of those fragrances that cannot be captured in words. It is pure nature as well as complete artificiality; it is physicality as well as soul and spirit; it is an image as well as a theory.

Of what one cannot say more, one should remain silent.