CW85

I stumbled across the Brioni Eau de Parfum Intense by chance and ordered it blind. The decisive factor for me was the apple in the heart note.

As soon as I unpacked it, I was greeted by a very beautiful but difficult to define scent. It immediately activated a memory that I couldn't quite put my finger on.

So first I thought about it and looked at the beautiful bottle.
It is kept simple in black and gold and exudes a certain elegance. Somehow fitting for Brioni. An engraving of the Brioni B adorns the spray head and the magnetic cap also bears the Brioni B. Visible from the outside as a relief on a golden background and as an engraving on the inside.

As I look at the really great bottle, it pops into my head.
This fresh note reminds me a little of the Kenzo pour Homme range and in particular the Kenzo Homme (2022) Eau de Parfum. Now I wanted to find out, so I sprayed on the fragrance.

Yes, I smell pepper and a little mandarin at the beginning. After a short time, this note returns, which is so extremely shrill and synthetic in Kenzo. Here, however, it is significantly reduced. I suspect that this is a side effect of the apple in combination with the ambroxan. I think it's great, but I can imagine that it might bother others. This basic smell of apple and ambroxan is constantly present, especially on clothing, and lasts for a very long time. Easily twelve or more hours. The apple note is also slightly perceptible on the skin, but the woody notes dominate here. Don't worry, it is not an oppressive oud scent, but a slightly dark and minimally smoky impression. Here, too, the longevity is really good at 8+ hours.

For the price, you get a really good overall package, with a great bottle and, in my opinion, a fragrance of high art.

Whatever the "Ra'ed | Lattafa / لطافة" is supposed to be a pioneer in (translation Raed = pioneer), Lattafa did not invent the fragrance with this scent.

Because of its alleged proximity to Cedrat Boise, it has become my focus. I really like the two Cedrat Boise variants and have owned the Intense Cedrat Boise myself. In the end, I was disappointed in terms of price and performance.

What doesn't the Raed have? It doesn't have the fruity citrus opening of its Cerdat Boise siblings. I only perceive the bergamot very faintly. Instead, the saffron is immediately present. This gives Raed a rather cool, dry and, for me, very pleasant opening.

After 2-3 minutes, three more notes join the mix. Something smoky and leather can be detected. In fact, the Raed has the leatheriness of its Cedrat sibling. However, the Manceras, especially the Intense Cedrat Boise, have a fruity, oudy note. In the Raed, this is replaced by the gourmand notes. In the drydown, it is sweeter than the Manceras. Not unpleasantly sweet, as this is countered by the saffron.

If you like saffron, leather and a little smoke combined with a slight sweetness, you will be happy with the Raed. Anyone expecting a fruity, leathery scent from the Mancera fragrances will be disappointed. In terms of projection, the fragrances have nothing in common. None of them are projection monsters.

In terms of performance, it is comparable to the Manceras. Considering the price, I paid €17 including shipping, it's a good fragrance. It can be worn all year round. For this reason alone, I think "Ra'ed | Lattafa / لطافة" is a success, even if it is not a pioneer of its kind.

"40 Knots | XerJoff" is one of the fragrances I really like and comes very close to the 10 rating.

The honey in combination with the woody notes, the light water breeze and the associated minimalism that the fragrance exudes envelops and soothes me. Just the way I feel when I look at the sea.

It also evokes associations with the familiar Nivea cream in the blue tin. I don't seem to be alone in this impression.

I think the "40 Knots | XerJoff" has an outstanding performance, which is not reflected in the ratings.

Unfortunately, I had to realize for myself that the continuous loop of the above-mentioned fragrances during the day bothers me and that "40 Knots | XerJoff" will no longer accompany me despite its great smell.

That's how it can go with a much-loved fragrance.

I know neither the original (Imagination) nor the original from Zara. Therefore, I cannot, nor will I, draw comparisons to the fragrances.

I like the fragrance, but I have to be really careful with it. The opening of Sunrise on the Red Sand Dunes Intense is too brute for me personally. The full range of fragrance notes is immediately apparent. Citrus notes, fruity notes, amber, tonka, musk and the smokiness of incense. The silage is very strong at this point. It overwhelms me and if I use more than 3 sprays, I get a headache.

Once the opening is over (approx. 10 minutes), the fragrance sorts itself out. The musk does what it is there for. It harmonizes and smoothes the Sunrise on the Red Sand Dunes Intense. It becomes creamier, softer, a touch floral and yet the fruity notes always remain present.

Some people will put the fragrance to one side from this point on, as there is no great change to come. Personally, I don't think this is a bad thing and am pleased that it lasts for several hours. The longevity is really good. It is still clearly perceptible on clothing after 12 hours and projects up to 30cm around you.

Personally, this will be my fragrance for cool summer evenings or late summer. I wouldn't want to wear it at 25 degrees or more.