Zino Davidoff

You have a certain elegance to your attire, reminiscent of the 1990s. Four rough-looking men are gathered together, hiding their embarrassment as they furtively smoke a pack of cigarettes and try to mask the smell by chewing on a pinecone. The leader's jacket is now lying on top of his bed, and even from afar, you can catch a whiff of this unique scent. It's a fragrance that may not be to your taste, but it's one that you'll surely miss if you don't get it.

Davidoff's Zino proves its enduring appeal by gradually revealing layers of refined sophistication and timeless elegance. The initial notes of Brazilian Rosewood, Lavender, Clary Sage, and Bergamot create an invigorating and aromatic introduction, setting the stage for a captivating sensory experience that only unfolds further.

So I purchased this batch 1336 without knowing what to expect. The initial scent is quite jarring, reminiscent of a vintage fragrance from the eighties. Once the opening notes mellow out, you're left with a sweet and woody aroma that's surprisingly pleasant. In the drydown, the fragrance evolves into a smooth blend of spicy, sweet, and woody notes. It has an old-school charm to it, almost like something an older gentleman would wear. I'm considering passing it along.

I stumbled upon Tom Ford's Black Dahlia (BDJ) a while back and was genuinely impressed. However, I struggled to commit to purchasing it due to the hefty price tag. Moreover, I wasn't convinced about investing in a full bottle, even when offered at 50ml or 100ml sizes. It was then that I discovered Zino after reading reviews here, which wouldn't have come across my radar had I not seen the connections drawn between BDJ and Zino. Thankfully, I found Zino, primarily because it saves a significant amount of money. While it's not identical to BDJ, Zino captures the same essence or vibe. You can wear them interchangeably without noticing a difference. If you appreciate one, you'll likely appreciate the other, and vice versa. For me, this is how it works with these two fragrances. Your mileage may vary, though. I ended up purchasing an almost full Zino bottle on eBay for 10 Euros. This won't be my daily go-to scent, but when I'm in the mood, I'm glad to have Zino in my rotation. At this price point, you can't go wrong. Additionally, there appears to be a surplus of Zino on the secondhand market and it's still available new, so even if it gets discontinued, bottles will remain readily available for years to come.

This scent boasts a lovely fougère profile with a distinctive turpentine undertone that truly resonates with me.