Zahr
Acqua di Taormina (2021)

A little pearl from a beautiful little southern italian perfume house recently slided under my curious radar. Taormina, with its rich and variegate history which has crossed various phases along centuries (hellenistic, bizantine, arab, normanne, spanish etc), is an extraordinary mediterranean gracious city located in Sicily on the eastern jonic coast, a place rich of natural and historic beauties as for instance the famous Hellenistic theatre. It is defined the Pearl of the Ionian Sea, making it the most famous and important holiday resort, not only in Sicily. Acqua di Taormina is the perfume brand which better represents the spirit of this worldwide renowned site rich of tradition with variegate architectural styles. Zahr is definitely one of my favorite issues from this little brand (alongside Sciroccu, Renatu and Petra Lavica), being a fragrance that masterfully embodies the mediterranean airy/botanical aura. Zahr is an olfactory ode to the wonderful note of neroli, a typical natural element in Sicily. The latter (in combination with other elements) provides a classic and vaguely retrò-naif-cologney vibe (a la Echt Kölnisch Wasser 4711, several Guerlain Aqua Allegorias or Roger&Gallet's or stuffs like these) but the context on which it in here performs is definitely modern and contemporary (and so not particularly angular, deeply aromatic or baroquely hesperidic but delicately creamy, musky-soapy, slightly organic and kind of "windy"). The note of neroli/orange blossoms is just delicately hesperidic but mostly musky, barely woodsy and softly balmy since the beginning. Orange blossoms, a tad of bergamot, petitgrain and jasmine are vivid and natural on perception at the beginning (this phase is simply magic). While lily of the valley is barely adumbrated, jasmine and petitgrain complement the note of neroli/orange blossoms in order to elicit a noble classic aura. A touch of ambergris imprints a warm intimate sensual spark while soapy muskiness guarantees a modern sensual "white musky" laudriness which is particularly classy, mondane and spectacular under my profane nose. This fragrance could be definitely a wonderful choice for spring-summer time and I'd dare to wear it especially in those territories as Usa or Canada where such type of fragrances are more unusual and original. White linen clothed, blue/iridescent sunglasses and with a daring fashinating smile you will definitely stand out for class and bold exoticism but with a touch loyalty to a 70/80's european super virile golden idea of distinction. Moderate performances on my skin (projection is moderate and longevity is on the average of 6/7 hours).