Usually, a crown rests upon the head of a monarch.
Not in this case, however, as the golden crown literally sits atop the clear model: "Original Collection - X: The Masculine Perfume of the Perfect Pair / X for Men | Clive Christian"
A proud 16 years lie between the release of Clive Christian and this reinterpretation of its DNA from the house of Vertus. Enough time, then, to ponder, to experiment and discard, to rethink and create something great?
After all, there are those who claim that the fresher brother of "Original Collection - X: The Masculine Perfume of the Perfect Pair / X for Men | Clive Christian," the "1872 for Men | Clive Christian," once served as a model for a true giant: Nine years after its release, another house dared to take on this green-fresh DNA with fruity pineapple and gave it a modern, almost youthful, but definitely appealing twist. The result is still considered by many to be the pinnacle of the perfume world, and we are talking about none other than
Aventus Has Vertus then done what Creed did and produced a mass-appeal hit from the typically classic, almost somewhat aged DNA of Clive Christian? The answer is sobering: No. Nothing was ventured, and yet it was lost.
At its core, the DNA of the monarch remains surprisingly close to the original, so close that one does not need to guess at a relationship; it hits you in the face. Cynics might almost claim it is nothing more than a cheap copy. And: One might almost wish it were so, but it is not cheap. Not even cheaper, as the "Original Collection - X: The Masculine Perfume of the Perfect Pair / X for Men | Clive Christian" reaches the same price in the sale.
So where do the differences lie? This is most evident in the opening, when a peppery lemon boldly and loudly demands its place next to the actual fragrance composition, but never manages to harmonize with the DNA. Just as quickly as it arrives, the citrus note also vanishes and is replaced by cool juniper, which lightens the DNA for the remainder of the wear. Lighter, but not different can also describe the rest of the fragrance: It lacks the volume, density, and power of the original.
For me, this monarch remains a failed usurper, a false king, a lost hope.