Ca' Luna
Acqua di Biella (2007)

Acqua di Biella Ca' Luna is a weird association of freshly musky, liquid spicy, herbal, woodsy resinous and balmy-leathery elements. I detect the reference to Tommy Bahama and partially also Lolita Lempicka Au Masculine jumps on mind for several of its sparkling balmy-musky-salty-herbal nuances. There is for long since the beginning in the air a pungent "simil enamel varnish" vibe (provided by a strident combination of fluidy and piquant spices, citronellol/galaxolide, boozy exotic liquid, benzoin and leather). The central and final phase smell really peppery-herbal, still boozy-alcoholic, freshly balmy and musky-leathery. It seems to detect some violet leaves presence in the mix joined by ozonic patterns (but I suppose could be the accord of synthetic leather, rum, sticky galbanum and vetiver to provide a sort of weirdly salty-plastic- simil-acetone-feel). There is in the air a typical fir resins/galbanum "glue-like" vibe throughout. The dry down is more properly leathery (soft suede) warm, still soapy-balmy and spicy (prickly). A modern and appealing synthetic composition which, though not properly original, smells anyway quite well made, attractive and virile (I don't find it for sure feminine).

Ca' Luna is basically a candied-woody scent with an artificial and a bit shallow personality. Lentiscus and galbanum aren't really there, what I smell is more a generic, plastic and clumsy candied-resinous feel all over (stemone?), on a green accord and fake sandalwood, finally completed with a hint of red pepper. No leather, rather a rubbery safraleine note on the very base. Unoriginal and a bit mediocre to all extents, but if it's cheap and you're not hard to please, it may work.

5/10

“Ca Luna” is a truly excellent perfume – a ‘hidden gem' - from the sophisticated Italian house, Acqua di Biella whose entire range is well worth trying.

I remember first trying this treasure in the heat of one of the great cities in the world, Austin, Texas, a few years ago and marveled at how aromatic, long-lasting, and ‘old-fashioned' it smelled as it appeared to have an almost oily edge to it, as opposed to the current trend of ‘masculines' towards drier, bonier, synthetic presentations.
Initially it seemed quite linear with a cedar-rich accord that made me wonder if it would further develop, though 30 minutes later revealed itself as a treasure-trove of subtle olfactory delight that demanded re-sniffing.

Re-visiting “Ca Luna” in 2013, I am put me in mind of two late-70s landmark perfumes: firstly, as a gentler variation of the dense “Nino Cerrutti, For Men” and, secondly, the ‘fresh' chypre structure of the unforgettable Bernard Chant gem, “Aramis Devin”. However, I believe “Ca Luna” also to share similarities with two of the greatest (aromatic fougere) perfumes ever made IMHO: Dior's vintage “Fahrenheit” without the intense balsamic sweetness and classic Cossack-leather chord and, in a much less floral way, the unbelievable genius that was vintage “Insense” by Givenchy.

With its strong but not over-powering projection and good silage, this is a smart, elegant perfume that behaves very reliably as a ‘go-to' offering appropriate suitability for both work and play.

Highly recommended.
8.5-10

The similarity to the signature Tommy Bahama for men is pretty close. It doesn't strike me as sharp and unpleasant as that fragrance, however. A very interesting dry, peppery, woody dry-down is what really makes it like TB with musk

Ca Luna is an oddly boozy and oddly fresh ozonic opening that quickly goes into a green and herbal citrus and a light musky drydown. Overall, a pleasant change in a long line of the same old designer aquatics. This is like an even better Tommy Bahama fragrance such as Very Cool. Like most aquatics, it doesn't last nearly as long as you want them to but it does its job. It's a pleasure wearing it and feels very natural. It's described to be like "the air before a thunderstorm". That analogy is very appropriate. It smells like rain. Great atmospheric/mood scent.