Petra Lavica
Acqua di Taormina (2015)

Bergamot, Rose, blackcurrant, apple, synth ambergris, musk.....What are you thinking about? Acqua di Taormina Petra Lavica, alongside Armaf Club de Nuit, Chogan Olfazeta 068 Millesime, LPDO Cretus, Mazzolari Nero, Al Haramain Laventure Intense Eau De Parfum, Montblanc Explorer, Supremacy Silver Afnan, Micallef Royal Vintage, Mancera Cedrat Boisé and many others, enters the clan of the really close to Creed Aventus perfumes or Aventus-inspired fragrances despite more in particular I find it closer to Micallef Royal Vintage. Actually Petra Lavica (likewise Royal Vintage) smells like a sort of Creed Aventus minus the exotic factor, like a sort of more assertive similar type of fragrance evolving finally in to something slightly more mineral, smouldering, scratchy and serious. Petra Lavica is an introvert and sort of "lovelorn" Creed Aventus at 1/4 or 1/5 of its cost. This fragrance unfolds a strong and magnetic character and is definitely a commanding affair. Petra Lavica is basically an interlacement between citrus, woodsy notes and synthetic ambergris. The fruitiness is mostly represented by citrus and red-fruits (definitely deprived from freshly exotic pineapple) and is basically a whiff of mediterranean fruitiness. The note of patchouli is as rooty and charismatic as in Aventus (I suppose hints of not listed vetiver enhance the earthy nature of the widespread woodsy notes). There is something smoky and birch tar like (definitely) while the fruity nature is more restrained and measured. I detect floral notes along the final evolution which are soapy and light (hints of neroli?). The smouldering burning temperament of Petra Lavica (namely Lava Stone) is even expressed by its name which is probably inspired by the turbulent active Etna sicilian Volcano (really close to the little city of Taormina). A smoky, woodsy, mineral, peppery temperament is the main characteristic of this hyper masculine fragrance with a vibrant nature and a bold temperament. Petra Lavica is not properly a dupe or an equivalent perfume since (despite energically inspired by Aventus and not properly original di per sé) it preserves an its own peculiar smoky-mineral quality. Along dry down the soothing vanilla is almost absent (and I don't get any leather) while I feel on my skin a "turbulent" ambroxan, lot of pepper and a musky-rocky muscular aura. This fragrance is basically drier than Creed Aventus and is finally muskier, more piney, greener and sharper (but definitely lacking the exotic Aventus-trait and its sparkling fruity brilliancy). Petra Lavica is a 4 seasons fragrance which is able to express better its nature along spring and summer time (even in really hot sultry climates). It works greatly with humid weather and defines a really temperamental and determined kind of elegant and daring man. In spite of its lack of originality this is a really pleasant sensual inexpensive mediterranean fragrance for us.