I have difficulty wearing most green florals. Not so with VC. I think I just might have found my perfect green floral, which isn't classified as a green floral at all! :D
Van Cleef is a beautiful, warm blend that's just perfect for Fall days. It has a bit of a green thing going on at top, driven by the galbanum & dry/spicy marigold, which was exactly what I was looking for. As it dries, VC feels like a vanilla- & tonka- based floriental without the spice. VC has a green, balmy & oily character without being over-done. Longevity is amazing - in the 12-hour range, and the scent is persistent and comparatively even top to bottom. Well-done!
Van Cleef seems much older than its mid-1990s creation date, yet does not feel dated to me, if that makes sense. This is a fragrance for those who like & appreciate old-school perfumery but don't want to smell like it. That said, it's not a fragrance for everyone - those whose tastes lean to the modern probably won't like or appreciate Van Cleef.
I purchased VC blind based on 2 reviews at BN from established reviewers who could be trusted. I agree with others that VC is a bit reminiscent of Safari, which I admire but cannot wear (something irritating about it). It also reminds me of Guepard, but VC's florals are not as sharp & spicy as Guepard's and VC is much better quality. However, VC is very different than either of those 2 fragrances due to the combination of Galbanum & Tonka bean, which is truly wonderful to me.
As a side note, the price of this fragrance from online discounters has recently risen. I was lucky enough to get a couple bottles at an excellent price. However, at its current price, I'd recommend sampling over blind buying.
