Ohle9

My entry into professional life. F Black was the scent I wore the first time I stood in a suit in the marble lobby of a high-rise building in downtown Frankfurt. For me, the smell is inextricably linked with memories of my first business card and the first long nights with slide decks that were "not quite MECE" but should still be fixed by tomorrow morning, please.

F Black starts with a mixture of lavender and crisp apple - clean, slightly fresh, but with a certain spiciness. Black pepper and coriander seeds are added in the heart note, giving the whole thing a sharp, almost metallic backbone. The base with tonka bean and labdanum is dark, sweetish and lasts a surprisingly long time - especially for the price range.

Yes, it's synthetic - but honestly, putting icons on slides isn't "natural" either. And yet both are part of the game. The synthetic here even fits - it emphasizes this cool, controlled business world. The fragrance lasts a long time, wears well in the office and still looks confident even at midnight in the office (as confident as an analyst can be).

Not a masterpiece of perfumery, but a real workhorse fragrance. Functional, striking, masculine and for me forever associated with my first job.

A fragrance that definitely makes an impression - but in a quiet, elegant way. Iris N Wood reminds me directly of Santal 33, but without the risky pickled dill and cucumber twist that often comes through there. Everything is cleaner and clearer here. And that's exactly what makes it so strong - especially in everyday life or at work.

The fragrance is very linear, which I don't mean in a negative way. You know what you're getting: a fine blend of creamy wood, light cardamom and that pleasantly dry iris. No great development, no surprises - but that's exactly what makes it so reliable. This is a huge plus point, especially in professional situations.

I like to wear it to work, meetings, even to lunch with colleagues - it's always appropriate, never too much, but still present. Very high quality. Absolutely unisex.

And yet... as much as I appreciate it, somehow I'm always undecided whether it's one of my favorite fragrances or not. No corners, no edges. It lacks that one special detail, yet it is beautiful. It is a top candidate as a confident, stylish all-rounder for everyday wear. But for 280€? Mhmm.

I'm also not sure whether the fragrance has been discontinued or whether there were simply production problems. I couldn't find it again in many perfumeries, but peux-a-peux it is slowly reappearing. Would be a shame if it was discontinued - I think?

When La Fenice catches the warm light over Venice's rooftops, Venetian Blue is the fresh breeze that sweeps over the canals early in the morning. The scent reminds me of a Venetian student taking a boat to university - the water glistens in the sun, salt is in the air and somewhere in the distance a seagull calls. The cesspool, thank God, has not been captured. It's more this feeling of lightness and movement that the scent brings with it.

It starts sparkling and cool with bergamot, lemon, pineapple and apple, almost aquatic. This is followed by a spicy core of black and pink pepper, birch and patchouli, which gives the fragrance a bit of grip without weighing it down. You can only smell the individual notes if you concentrate. The base of musk, moss and ambergris brings in warmth, but always remains fresh and airy.

Anyone who likes Sauvage, Luna Rossa or Aventus will find what they are looking for here. Venetian Blue is not edgy or super niche, but it has quality and style. It's modern, sophisticated and versatile - perfect for everyday wear, for summer, for the boat, for life on the water. A fragrance that simply works.

I bought this fragrance in Venice in 2023, in an old, converted pharmacy in the middle of Cannaregio. A place with history, heavy wooden furniture, old bottles and a saleswoman whose graying hair made her look as if she had been there since the shop was founded.

The fragrance is the exact opposite. Instead of dusty nostalgia, you get sunlight, lightness and warmth captured in a bottle. Gran Teatro La Fenice smells like Venice in spring - not like the walls, but like the sky above.

The opening with violet leaf and mandarin is super relaxed - fresh, a little green, slightly sweet, without ever being too loud. You can apply it in the morning and freshen it up again in the evening without having to think too much about it. It is precisely this uncomplicated start that makes it a perfect everyday fragrance for me, but with sophistication.

Later, it becomes spicier and woodier, dominated by cedarwood. I can understand the comparison to Creed Himalaya. But paired with the amber and leather, the fragrance gets a calm, warm foundation.

Overall, a versatile, stylish fragrance that is never overpowering, but still shows character. For me, a piece of Venice to take away - not the Venice of the tourist crowds, but the calm, golden light in the late afternoon, when the city is all to itself.

I know of few fragrances that have such a pleasing and at the same time complex unique DNA. An ambivalent fragrance in the best sense.

There are fragrances that call for certain occasions, seasons or times of day. Diptyque shows that you can also smell special on any occasion. In the morning at the office, in the evening when going out, in the middle of summer or on a foggy autumn morning - it blends in everywhere without being overpowering.

I had it with me on vacation, and even when I was jet skiing in the blazing Adriatic sun, it wasn't too heavy, but held up comfortably. And it's just as natural to wear it on a walk through a rustling, autumn-colored nature reserve. It embodies the contrasts of activity and tranquillity, warmth and freshness - and always remains elegant and understated.

The fragrance composition itself is wonderfully balanced - amber and patchouli provide the warm, slightly mystical depth, while cinnamon and blackcurrant bud provide a spicy, fruity nuance that gives the fragrance a charming freshness. The rose is finely integrated and lends it a soft, almost creamy note without slipping too much into the floral realm.

A truly unisex fragrance that doesn't pander to anyone, but suits many. If you are looking for something that is not boring, but also not overpowering - here is a worthy candidate.

For 155€ per 100ml, this is almost a bargain for the quality and uniqueness.