Crackory

Now that the level of my Code Absolu bottle is nearing its end, I would like to post a little fragrance description or retrospective. The scent was a gift from my wife and has accompanied me for several years now - mostly in the winter months, often in the autumn, almost never in the summer - and if so, only in the evening. However, Code Absolu is still a true all-rounder. With its fresh notes of mandarin and apple, it is both fresh and at the same time heavy, gourmand, and also smoky, leathery with notes of leather, vanilla, and nutmeg. As one of the previous speakers already mentioned - a scent with two faces - or comparable to Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hide. The fragrance wants to be sweet, gourmand, and creamy, but at the same time, it also spreads a smoky, nutmeg, and leather jacket vibe. You can either find that interesting or somehow caught in between - because it is neither here nor there - but rather both from the two worlds.
The fragrance starts off very piercingly fresh and powdery. In the first few minutes, when you smell it directly on your skin, you perceive a strong smoky note. Over time, the scent develops, and all components harmonize into a fresh sweet-spicy, smoky leather-vanilla combo that becomes creamier as time goes on. Exactly this is the beauty of the fragrance; for one or two hours, a creaminess forms that envelops the wearer and is very comforting. After that, the creaminess gradually fades, and an interesting sweet-spicy, at times smoky scent remains until the end. Until the end, the fragrance constantly shows its two faces. On me, the scent lasts at least 8 hours but is only prominent for the first 4 hours, after which it is perceived more closely to the skin - however, it easily lasts 12 hours. Very masculine overall and, due to the heaviness and sweetness of the scent, more suited to the colder seasons. It is often written that the fragrance is very strong and is perceived as extreme by the environment with just 4 sprays. That was not the case for me. With 4 sprays, it was rather subtle in the background and close to the skin - to really project, you would need more sprays - but then it can quickly become too much. But that is a matter of taste. At first, I had my issues with a certain note - perhaps it was the carrot seed (what does carrot seed smell like??) - this particular note reminded me of a conventional deodorant and accompanied the fragrance from start to finish. In combination with the other notes, it was well-balanced, but not exactly what I envision in a high-quality perfume. However, it seemed that my nose quickly got used to it, and I ultimately only perceived the combination of the scents - and that was beautifully rounded in the end. Would I buy the scent again? I think not. This being in between - neither gourmand, not really fresh, not consistently creamy - always somehow just the middle of everything - is good in combination - but you could say it’s not really anything properly - makes the Absolu, on the other hand, special.
The bottle is very high-quality and beautiful to look at. The typically curved bottle of the Code series comes in a golden color, looking really elegant and emphasizing the value of the fragrance as something special. The sprayer works flawlessly, and it is perfect for dosing.
Goodbye Absolu! You were a good companion who probably always dressed me just right when wearing the fragrance - gourmand and comforting, and at the same time the cowboy who knows where to go!

Pleasant, relaxed, fresh, and somehow metallic - those were the first words that came to my mind when I smelled Luna Rossa for the first time. It was at a good friend's place, and I immediately asked him what fragrance he was wearing.
As a preface: Since that day, I have never smelled or noticed the perfume in public again. Crazy - because Luna Rossa is actually really good.
Upon spraying, it starts off very fresh - but not citrusy. I perceive a minty freshness - but not leaning towards spearmint, rather more towards catnip (as known as a garden plant). The scent is accompanied by a lavender note. This combo seems somewhat metallic to me in the first few minutes after application. However, the metallic quality fades over time and makes way for a very pleasant spiciness. As the scent develops further, the spiciness is rounded off with a certain creaminess/powderiness. Overall, it smells very clean and fresh to my nose - but still spicy - really good. The scent is never intrusive; rather, it acts more in the background - it's not a "Hey, here I come" fragrance - but a good companion. The scent retains its creaminess and spiciness until the end - for me, it is noticeable for up to 8 hours - but towards the end, it's only detectable directly on the skin or very close to the body. I believe in general, the scent is rather inconspicuous. But as a wearer, you feel clean and "well-dressed."
Luna Rossa works perfectly in spring when temperatures are not too warm. It is also wearable in winter when you’ve had enough of heavy winter scents - but then the metallic quality lasts longer - at least that's my impression.
In hot temperatures, it can sometimes become overwhelmed, and the creaminess somehow becomes its downfall, smelling or feeling somewhat mushy or sticky and no longer well-balanced - the lavender scent comes through more, and the spiciness disappears.
All in all, however, a good clean man scent that even leans a bit towards soapy with the mentioned spiciness. Pleasant, not intrusive - a perfect companion in the office.