You know the onomatopoeic ‘sound effect’ captions used in comic books? Well, Owari opens with a KA-POW, BANG, SHAZZAM! The top notes leap off the skin in a burst of yellow, green, pink and orange. There’s fizzing grapefruit, zesty lime, tart apple and cheeky mandarin, shimmering before you like a near-palpable vision of fruity enticement that dares you not to start licking your lips. It’s a cologne-like opening unlike any I’ve smelt for months, so optimistic, so life-embracing, so downright happy, it could probably put a smile on the face of every super villain from Doctor Doom to The Joker. Okay, he already has a pretty broad smile on his face, but you know what I mean.
It isn’t surprising that after such a firework-laden first act, things calm down considerably. The citrus effervescence – which, by its nature, isn’t capable of retaining its strength for very long – makes way for toned down woods and a clean, musky base, but it doesn’t disappear entirely, lending its crispness all the way to the dying pangs of the drydown. In this season of warmer weather, several mainstream houses are pushing the familiar parade of ‘light’ flankers (think: Jean-Paul Gaultier, Calvin Klein and Issey Miyake) but they all pale in comparison to Owari. It’s cheerful, carefree and bright… and as if that weren’t enough, it’s actually made by a company named after Thor’s dad! Like I said: KA-POW!!!
[Review based on a sample of eau de toilette provided by Odin in 2011; fragrance tested on skin.]
Persolaise.
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Love your review! 🙂
Especially the sound effects. Now, I want to try it myself (I love it when perfumes surprise you).
I am really impressed with the entire Odin range, I'd buy any one of them, but I'm especially fond of Nomad (01- they changed the name recently, but the new one escapes me). It's a fantastic and very comforting sandalwood.
Nothing can replace some really effective citrus top notes in warm weather. I mean to get a bottle of Atelier Cologne Orange Sanguine just for that reason.
I think you had me at the point where you said…'citrus'…Haven't had a chance to try the other Odins yet, but I'm the proud owner of a generous decant of Petrana, and I love it to death! It layers magically with Guerlain's Iris Ganache,(*ducking rotten tomatoes*) if you can believe that! 🙂 And it's stunning on its own.
But a lot of people seem to agree that the entire Odin line is excellent, so I can't wait to try all the others, too!
Ines, thanks very much. Yes, this one's a real citrus fruit salad explosion.
Carrie, I tend not to 'adjust' my perfume wearing according to climate, but yes, you're right, this would be a fantastic tonic on a hot day.
Tarleisio, I'm not actually familiar with the rest of the range, but I'll take your word for it about the layering 😉