Itchynose

"Brother bought a coconut, he bought it for a dime,
His sister had another one she paid it for the lime."

– Harry Nilsson

I've always dreamt of faraway tropical islands, blue skies and cristalline turquoise waters under a Caribbean sun. I can almost picture a tanned version of myself rocking a shark tooth necklace and white linen shirt walking down a sandy beach without a care in the world. Since I live in a cold and rainy place you could call it a bad case of grass always being greener on the other side, wherever that side may be.

And what has this to do with Creed's Virgin Island Water? Well, there is little original I can add about the fragrance itself that hasn't been said by now. Boozy white rum, sweet sugar cane, fresh Antillean limes and fleshy coconut pulp will conjure up mojitos to some and suntan lotion to others, depending on where your personal preferences stand. To me, it's the scent of carefree holiday joy.

One day I may get off the couch and board a plane to warmer climates, until then I can only spray some Virgin Island Water and dream on.

"Put the lime in the coconut and call me in the morning..."

Pulp is a journey that starts at the final destination –the proverbial six feet under– with the last stages of decay and decomposition not happening underground but on our skin and under our nose. Straight out of the sprayer the figs, apples and berries are already way past their prime and beginning to soak in their own morbid, pungent syrupy juice. The challenging opening seems to veer quickly from somewhat pleasant fermenting booze to rancid fridge tray.

Then, just like footage running backwards all the fruits and flowers quickly come back to life. Caught in this reverse chronology blackcurrant leaves turn green, soft and fresh, figs sparkle with morning dew and the skin on the red apples shines again under the sun. The first stages of the dry down arrive like spring after a long winter and finally deliver on the promise of a sweet and juicy scent.

For me the end result was well worth the ride on this strange backwards journey.

It was the early 90's during a school trip to some small village in the middle of nowhere that I got to taste wine for the first time. It was meant to be a fun day of learning for us city kids getting in touch with the rural world but it was hot and dusty and we were all more excited by the prospect of prolonged close contact with the classmates of the opposite sex than by honey, cheese or wine making.

In any case we were grateful for the cool atmosphere in the wine cellars and were happy to leave the thyme and olive trees behind in exchange for the mysteriously fruity smell that emanated from deep down the caves and catacombs storing the goods. Eventually we got to have a little taste of the inebriating red juice –it was a different time–, and in the cover of darkness, amongst excited giggles, there was some hand holding and even kissing, a first too for some on that trip.

I smelled Sweet Tobacco Spirits many years later and the memories of that distant school trip came rushing back: powdery honey, musty air in a dark cellar, old wooden casks drenched in booze and syrupy wine on some dusty red lips.

Smelling Oud Save The King feels like slowly sinking into the cushion of a big, comfy sofa, the prominent suede and oud notes just so smooth and velvety, perfectly supported by sweet orris and creamy sandalwood. Sadly the top notes are nowhere to be found, and without that bergamot the blend becomes a tad cloying and overwhelming after a while. Throughout its lifespan it remains a slightly warm, elegant fragrance but also a bit linear or lacking an exciting edge to it.

Still, Oud Save The King could be an apt scent for those who want to get started with agarwood fragrances that aren't dark or demanding, but it may not provide the "authentic oud" fix to more experienced noses.

24 Bond Street is a fresh green scent –an aromatic combo of juniper and tea– with a classy, mature, boozy-floral personality: behind the green shoots hides a subtle whiskey and rose heart made in fragrance heaven. As the scent dries down all these notes smoothly blend together and evolve into a familiar, slightly powdery, vintage men's cologne territory.

Like many creations by Atkinsons this is an elegant scent that exudes sophistication and requires a suave, confident wearer. A grown up, old-school-yet-modern perfume to be enjoyed by discerning masculine noses.