Maison Francis Kurkdjian Aqua Media Cologne Forte Review – Francis Kurkdjian; 2023

Francis Kurkdjian has never concealed his love of scents that fall into the ‘understated, urban chic’ category. And the latest for his eponymous brand shows that his affection for this style is as strong as ever. In keeping with the mood of Aqua Universalis, Aqua Vitae et al, the new Aqua Media Cologne Forte is sleek, discreet and citrusy. Here’s a link to my recent YouTube review: Maison Francis Kurkdjian Aqua Media Cologne Forte review.

My favourite in this range remains 2013’s Aqua Vitae, mainly for the haunting, nostalgic quality that Kurkdjian somehow captured in the combination of guaiac wood and hedione. But Aqua Media is not without its merits, and its use of the relatively jagged-edged personality of fennel and verbena next to a calmer green tea note turns the whole into a convincing tonic. It’s also worth mentioning that although there are plenty of musks in the base, they don’t intrude excessively on the star ingredients’ bracing effect, which is sustained pretty well into the drydown. But ultimately, this is only a notch or two above the olfactory equivalent of lift music. Likeable enough, but not possessed of sufficient personality to be memorable. Perhaps Captain Kurk is biding his time before giving us something as polarising as Baccarat Rouge 540.

Persolaise

[Maison Francis Kurkdjian Aqua Media Cologne Forte review based on a sample provided by the brand in 2023.]

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