Sunrise on the Red Sand Dunes
Zara (2023)

Mandarin, ginger, orange blossom, and blackcurrant combine in an addictive swirl. Word has it this is "strongly inspired" by Louis Vuitton's Imagination; I can't comment as I haven't tried Imagination, but SotRSD is a gorgeous freshie with enough character to earn a spot in my wardrobe regardless of its price or pedigree. It's synthetic smelling in the way something like Dior Homme Cologne is, but this one just triggers every synapse in my scent receptors - I smell the opening notes and want to immediately spray again, and the dry down is just as good. The base smells like a mix of citrus, white florals, and white musk, but there's something darker there, too, something not listed in the published notes. It might be the way the blackcurrant melds with the orange blossom, but I get something like a light petrol note. It's not Fahrenheit or anything, but it gives it a little teeth, just enough danger to keep things interesting. I know I'm enamored with a scent when I keep coming back to it, and that's absolutely the case here.

EDIT: for some reason this is listed as feminine on basenotes, but that's an error. It's marketed as a masculine release and is probably more unisex than anything.

This is a great citrus fragrance with niche quality. It opens with a gingery citrus and a mélange of other citruses like bergamot. Performance is decent for a citrus fragrance. This is worth checking out along with the other bottles from the same line.