I actually got reminded of this one from a FacePlace post that a friend commented upon. I’ve never owned this but I know I had smelled and liked it and this past week (first week of August) has been fairly brutal so I was looking for things to keep in the icebox and use when needed. This one came up in conversation and I saw it was under $20 at e-tailers so I went for it. Top Notes (from the land of AI) are:
- Top Notes: Lemon, bergamot, rosemary, basil, and lavender.
- Heart Notes: Pine tree, thyme, clary sage, geranium, and cloves.
- Base Notes: Peat, vetiver, cedarwood, and musk.
AI also tells us that it means “Forest Water” in Italian but I am not sure I trust AI to get the idiosyncratic and esoteric ins and outs of lingo so we won’t go there. But the wonderful Parfums Raffy (a reason to go to the Valley if there ever was one) tells us it’s over 75 years old and lists it as a pine scent. It is, but those of us who who think of floor cleaner when we think “pine” shouldn’t be put off. Nobody’s going to accuse you of cleaning the floor before you came over.
Ick.
What it is is a very fine, very gentlemanly sort of scent. One that was likely worn by men who didn’t realiy give a hoot about fragrance but still wanted to smell Nice.
It smells nice. Sometimes that’s enough. When the temps hit 100 degrees its more than enough, it’s an escape. To a serene, cool forest. For under $30.
It’s also a prefect wedding fragrance for the groom. It won’t overwhelm or even interfere with the bride’s chosen scent. Just have him go steadily.
Acqua di Selva is available at e-tailers for very low prices. But you will support a small retailer if you order it from Parfums Raffy, linked above. I didn’t because I didn’t see it before I ordered.
Images: my iPhone, Weather.com, Pexels
Cheap-and-cheerful hits like this are how a lot of people learn what they actually enjoy wearing on hot days—bright green/citrus without the commitment of a full bottle hunt. Acqua di Selva’s piney freshness still feels underrated next to louder summer releases. Curious whether anyone here still keeps a bottle as a desk-drawer work scent.
Oh, that sounds lovely! Maybe not ON me but the kind of thing I’d gently spray in the house or on a sweater.
Or in he car. I use samples in there if I like the smell but don’t want to wear it.
Tom,
This sounds like a great choice for the men in my life. I’ll have to keep it in mind since Christmas holidays are approaching. Thanks!
It is really nice without being screechy or cheap smelling.
Guess what?! Just today my daughter told me my son-in-law wants a cologne for Christmas! Bingo!
Very cool!
This sounds like something to recommend to the lads when they are otherwise reaching for Axe or Lynx or whatever horror show is the boy thing at the moment.
Pine makes me think of the Lutens, Fille en Aiguille. Which is really wonderful. And pine forests in New England during childhood.
Of I love FdeA. And I would not give that one to the kiddies.
Hey Tom,
I bought this in 2021. It must be around here somewhere, unless I moved it on. No memory of it at all. Back then 100ml was AU$19.
Portia xx
Lol! That’s less than one of those packages of brand name TP!!!
Or a dozen eggs. Or two gallons of gas..
I don’t think it’s much more here.
If I were going to buy it, I would definitely buy from Parfums Raffy. I discovered him a few years ago. I had been looking for a long time for a perfume for someone and I simply could not find it anywhere. And there it was! The owner was lovely to deal with – straightforward, honest, and pleasant. After our last email, I ordered the perfume. I envy you being able to go to the shop!
I always forget to go there and they’re still lovely people. And it’s just over the hill.
This feels like it might reference Florida Water, which you know I adore ( and it’s used in Santeria rituals for cleansing). I would use this to wash my floors and walls!
On a MAYUN, it evokes the Crisp White Shirt vibe, which I also adore.
It’s a little stronger than Florida Water (as I remember it) but it’s almost cheaper than floor wax.
I actually spilled a bunch of Jean Naté in the bathroom and yes, it cleaned the floor like a champ!
Yep! Smells lovely, too!
For days! It was great!