Your Match Sergio Tacchini 2019

How do you remember the scent of the coronavirus era? Covid-19 turned our lives upside down. That strange and surreal stretch of time — locked indoors, unsure of what tomorrow would bring — will be etched into history books and into our private memories. For me, scent became a form of resistance, a ritual of continuity. I refused to give up the small pleasures. Every day, I sprayed a different perfume. It was my quiet rebellion, my way of reclaiming normalcy.

Your Match by Sergio Tacchini became part of that ritual — a late arrival after nearly two months of forced shop closures. I’d first noticed it on the shelf before lockdown began. At the time, I passed it over, still disappointed by a previous release, Smash, which smelled pleasant but faded far too quickly. But post-lockdown, I decided to give Your Match a chance. I was immediately surprised.

This fragrance turned out to be a small triumph — a quantum of solace, a burst of optimism, like a spring morning full of plans. It’s a tribute to freedom, expressed in aromatic-woody notes, sealed inside a deep midnight blue bottle. Sand from New Caledonia meets the dry breath of cedar, energized by a citrusy spark. Over the past decade, many scents have tried to become modern classics — Your Match deserves a place among them. At its core, Your Match is a woody-aromatic fragrance, but with a sporty, marine edge. The maritime quality deepens as it wears, revealing surprising complexity beneath a seemingly casual surface.

It opens with a sharp, zesty hit: peppery mint leaf collides with grapefruit zest, with a hint of menthol mixing into the citrus peel. The lemon is present but subtle, shadowed by warm flickers of grated nutmeg and crushed pink pepper. A touch of ginger juice cuts through — bright and clear, but not overly aquatic. The opening is shrill, more citrus-forward than spicy, but vibrant and lively.

As the top notes settle, sandalwood and cedar step in, joined by a soft vetiver and a subtle floral note that adds warmth. Though there’s a whisper of that familiar “sport fragrance” freshness, the materials here feel higher quality, more thoughtfully blended. This isn’t a standard marine clone — don’t expect something like Bvlgari Aqva, JV Artisan Blue, or Davidoff Cool Water. The scent stands on its own, especially in the heart, where incense adds a thread of smokiness, grounding the woodier elements with grace.

The base is smooth and restrained — a soft sweetness balanced by mossy and musky undertones. There’s a faint floral trace, likely from patchouli, labdanum, and jasmine, that evokes the fleeting scent of a midsummer evening. Ambroxan lends a salty-skin quality, similar to Dior Sauvage, but not a clone. It lingers subtly, and even when the fragrance seems gone, a warm, mossy residue remains on my skin.

Your Match is versatile — wearable in both formal and informal settings, from business meetings to black-tie events or casual nights out. It’s not overpowering, but not so light that it goes unnoticed. It begins cool and fresh, then gradually warms up as it melds with the skin. Its performance is moderate: expect a few hours of noticeable projection, depending on your skin chemistry, followed by a gentler drydown that clings pleasantly. It does contain synthetic aroma chemicals, so be aware — prolonged wear might lead to olfactory fatigue or temporary anosmia. (Interestingly, I wore it during a light rain recently, and the scent came to life in the most unexpected, magical way.)

This isn’t a fragrance that makes bold statements — it’s subtle, safe, and pleasing. While it doesn’t leap out as particularly unique, it’s comforting to wear. Think of it not as a masterpiece, but as a well-made companion scent: easygoing, quietly confident, and surprisingly nuanced beneath its casual exterior. Don’t judge Your Match on a paper blotter. It needs skin, movement, time — and a generous application — to fully reveal its character. No, it’s not the most sophisticated or groundbreaking fragrance. But in the haze of lockdown days, it gave me something I didn’t know I needed: a moment of lightness, a whisper of normalcy, a scent to carry me through.

Stay well. Stay fragrant.

— Elysium