Water Calligraphy
Kilian (2012)

I was shocked that this was so nondescript. Citrus with little sillage. Nothing special.

Aquatic floral in the L'eau de Issey vein, though the latter is much louder, where a fug of the usual just-don't-stop synthetic signifiers of hydrofreshness in perfumery suggests an imaginary blossom. Doesn't blare as powerfully as some aquatics do, but anyone wanting to part with the money demanded should consider a head examination.

I had thought that the inclusion of “water” in the title suggests that this would be either a light, watery fragrance or an aquatic… the former is the better description. Water Calligraphy has a floral character – the first two times I tested it, I got a sharpness to the accords, which I accepted because I related the sharpness to the ink used in calligraphy. Through subsequent trials, the sharpness has disappeared and the floral character has become floral with its subtle, mixed-flower notes.

The grapefruit rind opening is smooth, pleasant, and short lasting. After the grapefruit zest, I get the floral accord with a prominent water lily and a backgrounded jasmine. Later I think I might be experiencing the magnolia, but I'm not sure. As far as I'm concerned it's pretty much a water lily heart and water lily / vetiver base, and that is a problem because this particular water lily presentation is rather unspectacular … which is to say it smells like a good quality shampoo. I don't think of the water lily note as synthetic or juvenile or annoying or unpleasant. It is well-done and enjoyable… but it is not premium. This fragrance could well be a designer offering. I like its aroma, its subtlety, and its excellent longevity ... just not enough to pay niche prices for it.

Faceless and forgettable fruity floral. At this price level I expect more than a facsimile of floral shampoo.

Sorry to be a downer, but I really haven't enjoyed Water Calligraphy very much. It's a fruity floral based on that cheap strawberry shampoo note that Bond No 9 over-uses (you can call it "reseda blossom" all you want, but it's still the ubiquitous smell of 90's fruity shampoo). It's got some pleasant jasmine, but that strawberry dumbs it down enough that it doesn't really appeal to my inner jasmine-fiend. The most interesting aspect is a very wet-smelling leafy green element. It's similar to L'Ombre Dans L'Eau in that way that the greens make it somehow smell wet, but dark and not aquatic. But this isn't enough to save Water Calligraphy from smelling like just another forgettable Bond No 9 fruity floral, which is especially sad coming from a house like By Kilian, which has some fantastic, interesting, and unique perfumes in its line-up.

Very fresh aquatic, and floral. I love the mix of citrus and floral in the opening. Reminds me of something from Penhaligon's. They make light watery fragrances. Seems to have decent sillage and longevity so far, which is rare with light water citrus fragrances. Citrus is a very fleeting note that disapears quickly in fragrances...that is why it is always a top note.